First Year Abroad in Prague
Your First Year Abroad program in Prague lasts 12 weeks and is designed for students from all academic backgrounds. You will enroll in a combination of CIEE course and courses taught online through CIEE’s global academic partner, Arizona State University (ASU). Enhance your experience with co-curricular and extracurricular activities while immersing yourself in Czech culture. Live and learn in Prague!
Start an application to view the academic year options available on this program.
Unique Experiences
Explore Prague Castle
And the historic Charles Bridge
Discover the Charm of Old Town
With its Gothic and Baroque architecture
Immerse Yourself in Local Culture
At theater performances and café spots
Your Destination
Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic, filled with history and culture – the perfect backdrop for students with any interests. Spend 12 weeks exploring the cobblestone streets of Old Town, catching live music along the Vltava River, and wandering through colorful markets and local cafés. Whether you’re studying business, science, engineering, technology, communications, psychology, health sciences, liberal arts, language, or fine arts, Prague is the perfect place to study abroad.
Program Highlights
Tutoring + Academic Support: Receive personalized one-on-one tutoring to help you excel in your courses and stay on track with your studies.
First Year Workshops: Participate in a life skills workshop led by experienced on-site staff to develop your communication, self-management, and personal skills. (Required; non-credit bearing; 1.5 hours/week, including dinner.)
Academic Courses: Choose from CIEE courses and online courses delivered by CIEE’s global partner, ASU, that align with your academic interests.
Immersive Experiences: Participate in activities, excursions, study tours, and more that showcase your host city's culture, values, and local art, film, music, cuisine, and sports scenes.
Excursions & Activities
CIEE’s excursions and cultural activities in Prague will open doors for you to explore the Czech Republic’s rich diversity, language, culture, history, and timeless beauty in ways that will enhance your time abroad. Each semester typically includes two day trips and one overnight trip.
Samples of excursions and activities:
- Bike down the paths along the Vltava River and see another side of Prague
- Watch an opera in one of the amazing baroque opera houses
- Stroll across the iconic Charles Bridge at sunrise and take in breathtaking views of Prague’s skyline
Please note: Activities are based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.
Housing & Meals
Housing
CIEE Prague offers diverse housing options to ensure you're comfortable in your home away from home. All housing options are located in neighborhoods with convenient access to public transportation, shops, cafés, and eateries.
Standard Housing: Includes double or triple accommodation in a residence hall, or a single or double room in a homestay, located within 45 minutes of Prague’s historic city center and CIEE Prague.
- Homestays: Live with a Czech family, with or without another CIEE student, and immerse yourself in the city’s culture. Single and double bedrooms available.
- Residence Halls: Live in a dormitory-like building with communal kitchens and other common spaces.
Select Housing: Includes a double or triple bedroom in a shared apartment located within 40 minutes of Prague’s historic center and CIEE Prague. Each apartment has shared common spaces, including a kitchen and bathroom. Apartments may be in student residence buildings or in residential buildings shared with local inhabitants. Select housing requires an additional fee.
Select Plus Housing: Includes a single bedroom in an apartment or residence hall located within 40 minutes of Prague’s historic city center and CIEE Prague. Select Plus housing requires an additional fee and has limited availability.
A note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we'll let you know before you arrive. Non-standard housing options require an additional fee that can be found in the program Dates and Fees.
Meals
Homestay: Breakfast and dinner, on the family’s schedule, are included.
Residence Halls and Apartments: Meals are not included.
Academics
CIEE Prague: Study in the Vyšehrad neighborhood of Prague, situated in a beautiful park-like setting only 15 minutes from the city's famous Old Town Square. CIEE Prague features 10 classrooms, a student lounge, a student life office, a library, a study space, a café, and an outdoor space.
Arizona State University (ASU): Brought to you by CIEE in partnership with ASU, enhance your international coursework with online classes that align with your degree requirements. ASU offers thousands of online courses in asynchronous 7.5-week sessions that fit within the CIEE academic calendar.
Transcripts: Tulane University is CIEE’s School of Record for First Year Abroad. Tulane ensures that our academic programs meet the highest standards of quality and, upon completing your program, they will issue you an official U.S. transcript for any First Year Abroad courses you've successfully completed abroad (with the exception of CIEE x ASU online courses;). Students taking ASU courses online will receive an Arizona State University transcript.
Course Information
Course Notes
Block Numbers
During the Fall semester, the courses below will be listed as available in Blocks II & III, rather than Blocks I & II. This is because the First Year Abroad program runs during the final two blocks of the Fall semester which is otherwise split into three blocks on CIEE’s Academic Calendar.
Language Classes
During course selection, students interested in a non-introductory language course will be instructed to take an online language assessment to determine their proficiency level. Enrollment will be finalized on site and is based on assessment outcomes.
You have the flexibility to choose from a selection of in-person courses taught by CIEE instructors and from over 3,000 asynchronous undergraduate ASU Online courses.
In the table below, you can explore some of the exciting courses we offer. On the left are examples of the in-person First Year Abroad classes you can take with CIEE. On the right are just a few examples of the thousands of ASU Online courses available to you while you're abroad.
| Sample CIEE Courses (in-person) | Sample ASU Courses (online) |
|
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CIEE proudly partners with ASU to deliver asynchronous, online coursework at no additional charge.
Check the CIEE program dates and ASU start dates below to maximize course options within your program.
Search ASU Online Courses BROWSE FAQs for more INFO
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.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Dates & 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.
Interested in an academic year program? CIEE offers exciting customizable First Year Abroad programs in select locations. Talk to your Enrollment Coordinator if you're interested in any of these combinations, and please note that visa and departure requirements may vary depending on your chosen program combination.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Fall 2026 12 weeks | Start Date | End Date | ||
| Program Spring 2027 12 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * |
*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, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
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 protection with benefits.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
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 protection with benefits.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
What's Included
Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext travel protection
24/7 emergency on-site support
Our Staff
Will Barnard
Center Director
Will Barnard heads CIEE Prague. Originally from the U.S., Will has lived and worked in the Czech Republic for more than 20 years. He has a bachelor's degree from Princeton...
Petra Key
Academic Director
Petra Key oversees the academic programs at CIEE Prague. Her responsibilities include managing the faculty and courses, collaborating with academic partner institutions, and ensuring high-quality academic instruction. She achieves this...
Michaela Neužilová
Senior Program Manager
Michaela has been with CIEE Prague since 2016. She oversees the Prague Program Management Team which provides a wide range of high-quality orientation and onsite support services for all program...