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Prague, Czech Republic

Central European Studies

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Information for term Central European Studies

Application deadline, and cost information.

Application Deadline

April 1, 2019
weeks
days
hours

Program Deadlines and Pricing Info

  • Deadline: April 1, 2019
  • Dates: Sep 10 – Dec 21, 2019 (15 weeks)
  • Credit: 15-18 semester hours / 22.5-27 quarter hours
  • Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA
$20,450 See full breakdown

Application Deadline

The application deadline has passed.

Program Deadlines and Pricing Info

  • Dates: Jan 29 – May 12, 2019 (15 weeks)
  • Credit: 15-18 semester hours / 22.5-27 quarter hours
  • Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA
$20,450 See full breakdown

Application Deadline

October 1, 2019
weeks
days
hours

Program Deadlines and Pricing Info

  • Tentative Dates: Jan 21 – May 9, 2020 (16 weeks)*
  • Credit: 15-18 semester hours / 22.5-27 quarter hours
  • Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA

Application Deadline

April 1, 2019
weeks
days
hours

Program Deadlines and Pricing Info

  • Deadline: April 1, 2019
  • Credit: 15-18 semester hours / 22.5-27 quarter hours
  • Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA
$38,855 See full breakdown
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Overview

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With magnificent art and architecture from every period everywhere you look, it’s impossible not to be curious about the stories behind Prague’s monuments. Luckily, the Central European Studies program lets you choose from a wide array of courses on Czech culture and society including history, media, art, religion, literature, and politics at Charles University. You can also take up to four courses at FAMU, Central Europe’s preeminent film school. Nonstop cultural activities and guided tours will enrich your academic pursuits and make your journey to Prague one you’ll treasure forever.

Follow our Travels:

Unique Experiences

  • MAKE YOUR VISIT

    official by traversing the Charles Bridge, constructed to cross the Vltava River in 1357.

  • LIVE IN PRAGUE

    like a Czech student, with a Czech flat buddy to show you around, explain local customs, and organize weekly activities in politics, sport, film, music, and more.

  • HEAD TO CLASS

    with a fairy-tale castle and hundreds of church spires as your backdrop.

  • football fields would cover the area of Prague Castle

    7

  • first year beer was brewed at the Benedictine Břevnov Monastery

    993 AD

  • residents in Prague

    1.2M

Location & Culture

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Cobblestone streets, ancient bridges, and a hilltop castle help lend the City of a Hundred Spires its reputation as one of the world’s most beautiful. Prague is unique in Europe, having shed its Communist past and brimming with carefully preserved monuments from every period and style in its millennial history. There’s plenty of quirky, too, like the Žižkov Tower adorned with climbing babies, and the distinctly nontraditional Dancing House. Easy to explore on foot, the city boasts a vibrant cultural life that includes concerts, festivals, operas, and more – many of which you can access on a student budget.

Program Blogs

The Culture

EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES

  • Explore Prague Castle, Old Town, historic halls of Charles University, the theater, or opera.
  • Take  excursions beyond the city to Bohemia and Moravia to get a sense of the surrounding region.
  • Join a student group that sparks your interest, in art, community service, film, music, sports, or theater, for example, and see how Czech students are similar and different from U.S. students.
  • Join a language exchange program.
  • Meet a Czech family.

PROJECTS

  • Volunteer to teach children English, help people with disabilities, pitch in at a library, organize political conferences, and more.
  • Gain international experience with a pre-screened internship at an organization that focuses on education, human rights, film, politics, and more. (Students apply upon admission to the program, need approval from their home college or university, and are placed after the interview in Prague.)

Daily Life

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  • HOUSING

    Homestay: This option provides an excellent opportunity for immersion into the local culture and is strongly recommended for students who wish to take full advantage of their Czech experience. A single room and internet is provided.

    CIEE-Administered Apartments: The apartments are located in the buildings where other tenants/citizens live. Students are sharing the apartment with a flat buddy who is a local Charles University student. The flat buddy is responsible for apartment maintenance and also helps with Czech immersion while organizing activities for students. Internet is provided. 

    CIEE-Administered Residence: There are two CIEE Administered Residences. The residence consists of apartments where only CIEE students and Resident Assistants (RA) live. The RAs are Charles University students and live in separate apartments in the building. Their task is to help during the orientation, organize activities for students, and help them with daily issues. Internet is provided.

  • MEALS

    Homestay: Dinner and breakfast, on the family’s schedule, are included.

    Apartments: Please note that meals are not included with this option.

    Residence: Please note that meals are not included with this option.

Prague, Czech Republic

Where You'll Study

  • A

    CIEE Prague

    Vyšehrad – 15 minutes from Old Town.

  • B

    CHARLES UNIVERSITY

    Buildings all over Prague and beyond, CIEE students attend classes downtown.

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Program Details

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What you need to know

The program details

This program offers students a series of courses designed to explore the dynamics of this Central European nation and its culture. Courses are taught in English. There is no language prerequisite, but students are encouraged to take a Czech language course.

Students begin with a one-and-a-half week orientation session, which will also introduce students to useful Czech language basics with the intent of making the cultural immersion as enriching as possible. Courses are taught by faculty affiliated with Charles University, University of Economics, Czech Academy of Science, and the Academy of Performing Arts (FAMU) and others.

CIEE Prague is located at Vyšehrad, at the top of one of Prague’s highest hills, within medieval castle walls in a beautiful park-like setting about 15 minutes from the Old Town area. All CIEE classes are held at CIEE Prague. CIEE students can also take courses at FAMU and Charles University, the oldest university in Central Europe.

Academics

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Academics

  • CLASS FORMAT

    CIEE courses are primarily offered to CIEE students, however, they are also open to Charles University students and the Erasmus Program students studying in Prague. Classes meet twice a week for 90 minutes, or once a week for three hours, with class size ranging from five to twenty students. In addition to CIEE courses, students are encouraged to take classes at our partner institutions, including Charles University’s Faculty of Arts, and the Film and Television School at the Academy of the Performing Arts in Prague (FAMU).

  • GRADING

    Students receive numerical grades which are converted to the U.S. letter grades. Assessment is continuous and is based on overall performance, including class participation, homework assignments, papers, presentations, projects, and exams.

  • ACADEMIC CULTURE

    Students are expected to demonstrate a pro-active and independent approach to study. Active participation in class as well as outside of class is essential for a satisfactory academic performance and attendance is strictly enforced. Students should expect an average of two hours of preparation required for each hour in class. Students are encouraged to use public libraries and take advantage of Charles University resources.

Eligibility

  • OVERALL GPA

    Students need to have a GPA of at least 2.5.

Curriculum

Program Credit

  • Total credit, semester: 15-18 semester/22.5-27 quarter hours per semester
  • CIEE area studies, Charles University, and some FAMU courses: contact hours: 45; credit – 3 semester/4.5 quarter hours, most FAMU courses: contact hours: 24; credit – 1.5 semester/2.25 quarter hours

Students are required to take a minimum of five courses (15 credits), of which at least three must be CIEE courses. In addition to these, students may enroll in courses at our partner institutions, Charles University or FAMU, for up to six credits. Alternatively, students can take all of their courses at CIEE.

All courses are taught in English, with the exception of the Czech language courses. 

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.

Spring 2019 Courses

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Provided below are course descriptions for all the area studies courses that CIEE students have available. These include courses at CIEE Prague, courses at the Film and TV School (FAMU), and courses at Charles University (ECES).

ELECTIVE CIEE LANGUAGE COURSES (3 SEMESTER CREDITS EACH)

CIEE CENTRAL EUROPEAN STUDIES COURSES (3 SEMESTER CREDITS EACH)

FAMU CINEMA STUDIES COURSES (1.5 SEMESTER CREDITS UNLESS OTHERWISE MARKED) – TENTATIVE COURSE LIST

Participants with an interest in cinema and performing arts may take up to 6 semester credits (up to 2 courses of 3 semester credits or 4 courses of 1.5 semester credits) from among those offered to international students by FAMU. A final list of FAMU courses is available at the time of enrollment. Some FAMU courses have prerequisites. Following is a representative sample of FAMU courses that have been available in past terms.

  • Acting Studio 2
  • Acting Theories 1, 2
  • Central European Cinemas within the Context of the World Cinema
  • Cinema Dance (3 credits)
  • Film, Form and Style
  • Filming the Unfilmable
  • History of Animation
  • Introduction to International Film/TV Production
  • Photographic Imaging
  • Script Analysis 2
  • Short Film Practical Analysis: Directing 2
  • The Realm of Montage 2
  • Visual Theory 1, 2

CHARLES UNIVERSITY AREA STUDIES COURSES (3 SEMESTER CREDITS EACH)

Students have limited access to a select group of elective courses at Charles University. Participation in each course is limited to a few CIEE students. CIEE students may take a maximum of six semester credits outside of CIEE courses. Classes are taught at Charles University and allow CIEE students to study alongside other international students. The following list is a sample of courses that may be available to CIEE students. A final list of available courses is distributed during orientation.

  • 20th Century Prague Literature
  • American and Czech Literature from European Perspectives: Identity and Role Play
  • Central Europe in the Context of European Integration
  • Central-European Literature
  • Cold War and the Soviet Block: Impacts for Eastern Europe and World
  • Comparative Politics: Transformation of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic
  • Conflicting Identities: The Influence of “Germany” over Central Europe (from the Middle Ages to 1945)
  • Czech and Central European History
  • Czech and Slovak Cinema from the 1950's to Present: Politics, Visuality, and Experimentation
  • Czech Culture and Society, Past and Present
  • Czechoslovakian Dissent under Communist Rule: Political Thinking from the 1950's-1990's
  • Czech Republic: An Urban Perspective - Department
  • Czechs in the Age of Extremes
  • EU and Socio-Economic Models of its Members
  • From Page to Screen: 20th- Century Czech Literature on Film
  • German-Jewish Literature in Prague
  • Global Economy and Crises
  • Imagining America, Imaging Europe
  • Jewish History in Central and Eastern Europe
  • Music and Modern Thought: Music between a Universal Language and Local Culture
  • Politics of the Enlightenment: Why Do We Need Strangers?
  • Psycholinguistics
  • Selected Topics in Social Psychology: Soft Skills
  • Social Changes After 1989
  • Sociocultural Development of the Soviet Russia (Soviet Union)
  • Sociology of Food
  • The Cinema of Central Europe: Eroticism, Power, and Fate
  • The Peoples of Europe – Their Origins, Histories, Contacts - Department
  • The Theaters of Václav Havel

Fall 2019 Courses

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CIEE LANGUAGE COURSES

  • CZEC 1001 PRAG: Beginning Czech Language I
  • CZEC 1101 PRAG: Beginning Czech Language Fast Track
  • CZEC 2001 PRAG: Intermediate Czech Language I
  • CZEC 3001 PRAG: Advanced Czech Language I

CIEE CENTRAL EUROPEAN STUDIES COURSES

FAMU CINEMA STUDIES COURSES (1.5 SEMESTER CREDITS UNLESS OTHERWISE MARKED) – TENTATIVE COURSE LIST

Participants with an interest in cinema and performing arts may take up to 6 semester credits (up to 2 courses of 3 semester credits or 4 courses of 1.5 semester credits) from among those offered to international students by FAMU. A final list of FAMU courses is available at the time of enrollment. Some FAMU courses have prerequisites. Following is a representative sample of FAMU courses that have been available in past terms.

  • Acting Studio 1
  • Acting Theories 1
  • Central European Cinemas within the Context of the World Cinema
  • Cinema Dance (3 credits)
  • Cinematographer’s Influence
  • Circulating within the Modern Cinematic Image
  • Documentary Course
  • Film, Form and Style
  • Filming the Unfilmable
  • History of Animation
  • Introduction to International Film/TV Production
  • Photographic Imaging
  • Script Analysis 1
  • Short Film Practical Analysis: Directing 1
  • The Realm of Montage 1
  • Visual Theory 1


CHARLES UNIVERSITY AREA STUDIES COURSES (3 SEMESTER CREDITS EACH)

Students have limited access to a select group of elective courses at Charles University. Participation in each course is limited to a few CIEE students. CIEE students may take a maximum of six semester credits outside of CIEE courses. Classes are taught at Charles University and allow CIEE students to study alongside other international students. The following list is a sample of courses that may be available to CIEE students. A final list of available courses is distributed during orientation.

  • American and Czech Literature from European Perspectives: Identity and Role Play
  • Central Europe in the Context of European Integration
  • Cold War and the Soviet Block: Impacts for Eastern Europe and World
  • Comparative Politics: Transformation of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic
  • Consumerism and Every Day Practices in State Socialism
  • Czech Culture and Civilization Course: A Field Trip in the Czech Psyche
  • Czech Republic: An Urban Perspective
  • Czech and Central European History
  • Czechs in the Age of Extremes
  • Edges of Photography: Techniques, Artistry and Czech Photographers
  • EU and Socio-Economic Models of its Members
  • Global Economy and Crises
  • Power and Powerless: A History of Czechoslovakia 1918–1993
  • Psycholinguistics
  • Selected Topics in Social Psychology: Soft Skills
  • Sociology of Food
  • The Cinema of Central Europe: Eroticism, Power, and Fate
  • The Fiction of Franz Kafka and Milan Kundera
  • From Thoreau to Havel: Chapters in Czech and American Struggle for Social Justice

Scholarships

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Scholarships & Grants

CIEE offers more than $8 million in scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.

Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:

  • Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
  • Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
  • CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant

To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application. Learn more at the Scholarships & Grants section of our website.

See more scholarship info

Dates, Deadlines & Fees

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Dates, Deadlines & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.

YOUR FEE INCLUDES:

  • Tuition
  • Housing
  • Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
  • Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
  • Orientation – an introduction to Czech culture, your academic program, and the city, plus practical information about living in your host city
  • Full-time program leadership and support in your host city
  • Field trips and cultural activities
  • Overnight excursions
  • Insurance and other travel benefits, with CIEE iNext
  • 24/7 emergency on-site support

No Hidden Fees

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Fees & Housing
Spring 2019 15 weeks Jan 29, 2019 May 12, 2019
$20,450
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Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel insurance with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300 *

Educational Costs = $17,058

Housing = $2,925 **

Insurance = $167

Total Fees = $20,450

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $1,850

International Airfare = $1,200

Local Transportation = $50

Books & Supplies = $100

Visa Fees = $125

Personal expenses = $2,200

Other = $145

Total Estimated Costs = $5,670

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $5 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, MSI grants, Gilman matching grants, and Pell matching grants.

See Scholarships

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

* non-refundable

** Meals vary by housing choice: Includes two meals per day for homestay students. No meals are included for students in apartments or residence halls. Additionally, students who opt for and are placed in single-occupancy rooms will be billed a supplemental fee of approximately $1000, 4-6 weeks after the program starts
Fall 2019 15 weeks Apr 1, 2019 Sep 10, 2019 Dec 21, 2019
$20,450
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Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel insurance with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300 *

Educational Costs = $17,058

Housing = $2,925 **

Insurance = $167

Total Fees = $20,450

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $1,850 †

International Airfare = $1,200 ††

Local Transportation = $50

Books & Supplies = $100

Visa Fees = $125 †††

Personal expenses = $2,200

Other = $145 ††††

Total Estimated Costs = $5,670

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $5 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, MSI grants, Gilman matching grants, and Pell matching grants.

See Scholarships

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

* non-refundable

** Meals vary by housing choice: Includes two meals per day for homestay students. No meals are included for students in apartments or residence halls. Additionally, students who opt for and are placed in single-occupancy rooms will be billed a supplemental fee of approximately $1000, 4-6 weeks after the program starts

† For students in apartments. Students placed in homestays are provided with breakfast and dinner; additional meals for homestay students are estimated at $550 per semester. Additional meals for students in apartments or residence halls are estimated at $1,850 per semester.

†† round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

††† average cost

†††† Required Czech insurance
Spring 2020 16 weeks Oct 1, 2019 Jan 21, 2020* May 9, 2020*
Academic year 2019-2020 16 weeks Apr 1, 2019 Sep 10, 2019 TBD
$38,855
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Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel insurance with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300 *

Educational Costs = $32,538

Housing = $5,850 **

Insurance = $167

Total Fees = $38,855

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $3,700 †

International Airfare = $1,200 ††

Local Transportation = $100

Books & Supplies = $200

Visa Fees = $125 †††

Personal expenses = $4,400

Other = $290 ††††

Expenses during break = $1,500 †††††

Total Estimated Costs = $11,515

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $5 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, MSI grants, Gilman matching grants, and Pell matching grants.

See Scholarships

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

* non-refundable

** Meals vary by housing choice: Includes two meals per day for homestay students. No meals are included for students in apartments or residence halls. Additionally, students who opt for and are placed in single-occupancy rooms will be billed a supplemental fee of approximately $1000, 4-6 weeks after the program starts

† For students in apartments. Students placed in homestays are provided with breakfast and dinner; additional meals for homestay students are estimated at $550 per semester. Students placed in the dormitory are provided with breakfast only; additional meals for dormitory students are estimated at $1,500 per semester.

†† round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

††† average cost

†††† Required Czech insurance

††††† academic year students who wish to stay onsite are responsible for arranging their housing and meals during the semester break

*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, and personal expenses. In addition, ask your college or university study abroad advisor if your school charges additional fees for study abroad.

Looking for funding?

See Our Scholarships

Our Staff

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Our Staff

  • Jana Cemusova

    Director

    Jana Čemusová heads CIEE Prague, where she leads study abroad programs, customized partnerships with Charles University, Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts (FAMU), and other educational institutions.

  • Petra Key

    Academic Director

    Petra Key is in charge of CIEE Prague course portfolio. She manages the CIEE Prague faculty and courses, and is responsible for the cooperation with academic partner institutions.

  • Eva Tomišková

    Director, Student Services

    Eva, who joined CIEE in 2011 is responsible for the overall office management. She also leads a student services team and directs High School Summer Abroad Program and Faculty-Led and Custom Programs.

Get Started

Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:
  • 1

    START AN APPLICATION
    You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience! 

    Apply Now
  • 2

    CONNECT WITH YOUR CAMPUS STUDY ABROAD OFFICE 
    Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad. 

  • 3

    Contact an Advisor

    Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program. 

    Contact Ricky

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