Semester Abroad Programs in Czech Republic

Czech out the Heart of Europe: Study Abroad in the Czech Republic
The pun in that headline might be clichéd, but the Czech Republic is about as far from the typical as you can get. Its unique charm and character entice thousands of students to flock to study abroad there every year.

And with its historical past paving the way for an exciting future, you should consider joining all of them. That is, unless you don't like medieval architecture, interesting culture and top-notch education. Or, to put it a more clichéd way: if you don't like to have your cake and eat it too.

Get with the Program
The Czech Republic is one popular study abroad destination these days-particularly when it comes to its famous capital city of Prague. But students have chosen to study abroad in the Czech Republic for hundreds of years, as the Central European country has long been known for its academic reputation, rich culture and sophisticated population. In fact, one could say (and I'm about to) that the Czech Republic has always been where it's at.

Students who study abroad in the Czech Republic will quickly appreciate the country's many interesting contrasts. In a destination known for more than 2,000 castles and ruins, the Czech Republic appeals to the younger generations en masse with its vibrant urban nightlife, passion for frothy beer and huge international student population. The amount of students from overseas should not be surprising, as the Czech Republic has always been on the cutting-edge of higher education:

• Charles University, one of the oldest in Europe, was established by King Charles IV in Prague back in 1348;
• The beliefs and efforts of universal education advocate John Amos Comenius put the country on the map long ago as one of the most educated in the world;
• In order to support any Czech in search of a university education, the country foots the bill for its native students to enter higher education-kind of like "No High-School Senior Left Behind!"

Study What You Want-Really!
Much of the draw of the Czech Republic is the amount of choice given to international students when it comes to what they can study. Say your thing is history. Well, there aren't too many countries with a history as interesting as the Czech Republic-take Prague's old Jewish Quarter, for example. Into literature? Study abroad in the Czech Republic and discover such literary greats as Franz Kafka, Milan Kundera and Václav Havel.

Of course, every country has its specialties, and the Czech Republic is no exception. Students interested in architecture and design will find no study abroad program more fascinating than one in the Czech Republic. The country is known the world-over for its gifts in the fields of architecture and design, and students whose passion lies in these areas may already know this based on the famous Prague modern design event known as Designblok.

Architecture and design students who choose a study abroad program in the Czech Republic will discover:

• The cubist architecture of Prague's House of the Black Madonna, built by Josef Gočár, as well as Emil Králíček's impressive Diamant House;
• The art nouveau-styled Prague Municipal House and Prostějov Theatre, as well as Emil Přikryl's Benedikt Rejt Gallery in Louny;
• The work of contemporary designers such as Jiří Pelcl, Michal Froněk and Bořek Šípek, and the interior design expertise of Barbora Škorpilová.

Design and engineering students who enroll in Czech Republic study abroad programs can also learn about the famous designer Otakar Diblík's transportation revolution, the construction of the famous Charles Bridge and the graphic design leadership of Aleš Najbrt. Or, if you're more interested in saving the earth than building on it, a study abroad program in the Czech Republic will work perfectly. Students of environmental studies and zoology can, among other things:

• Explore the many zoological gardens and spot wildlife including wild boar, lynx, wolves, grouse and mink, to name a few;
• Visit one of the Czech Republic's abundant protected areas, such as the Slavkov Forest, Bohemian Forest, Broumov Highlands and the Poodří ecosystems;
• Study the incredible UNESCO biosphere reservations that are changing the face of environmental science as you read this.

It's Not All Work!
Students studying abroad in the Czech Republic will become well acquainted with a culture deeply in love with music, theater and all around good times. They can meet up with classmates and new Czech friends at the cultural center of Wenceslas Square, visit the Mala Strana ("little town") and sample the delicious Czech dumplings.

If you study abroad in Beijing, you'll become very familiar with the world's largest meeting place, Tiananmen Square. You can also try your hand at bartering and haggling over prices at street markets and vending stations. Go ahead and try and talk them down-it's customary in China.

Adventure-seeking students will fall in love with the Czech Republic. The mountainous terrain and fun-loving people make for many exciting experiences, including:

• Exploring the many caves, caverns and underground rivers found around the country;
• Trying out some extreme sports in the Žd'ár Peaks, the Železné Mountains and the Orlice Mountains;
• " Mellowing out in Karlsbad, Franzensbad or Teplitz, the Czech Republic's relaxing spa towns.

While there's plenty to do outdoors, students will find that most of the Czech Republic's 10 million residents live in urban areas. This makes for some fantastic nightlife, especially in Prague. It is not unusual for international students to mingle with the natives at street side cafes, or to dance the night away in the city's clubs. During the day, students can peruse the streets and check out renowned Czech folk art, including puppet theater, Pantomime performances and the "modrotisk," a native blue-and-white painted fabric.

Clearly, a study abroad program in the Czech Republic has a great deal to offer just about any type of student. As the economy continues to go global and the world moves ever closer together, students will want to have as many experiences abroad as they can get. And where better to begin than the Czech Republic, where you're in the middle of it all? Mmm, cake never tasted so good.