Visiting the castle at Český Krumlov.

Author: Sarah Kate Synar | Major: Journalism | Semester: Summer 2023

This summer, I spent two months studying abroad in Prague, Czech Republic. Those two months were enriching, exciting, and I created unforgettable memories with some amazing people I met along the way. I chose the USAC program because, as I had studied with USAC during a previous summer, I knew a little bit about what I could expect with accommodations and classes for my semester abroad. My goal in studying abroad this summer was to learn more about culture, art, and history in one of Europe’s cultural hubs.

Prague is a large city known for its beautiful architecture and rich history. My USAC classes reflected this wealth of knowledge and culture. Most of my time learning was not spent in the classroom but out walking around the city to various museums and historical sites. It was a lot of hands-on learning that helped me get a better understanding of what I was studying. We toured famous museums that reside in Prague, and got to enter into centuries old cathedrals that took my breath away every time. The field trips our group went on were an important part of the experience, something you couldn’t get unless you study abroad. We visited historical sites in various countries including Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary, as well as took smaller field trips within the borders of the Czech Republic.

One day, our group took a field trip to a local Czech glassmaking factory. We got to learn about the glassmaking process, and even got to make our own “krýgl,” what Czech’s call glass beer mugs. Our instructors were engaging and cared deeply about the students. At the end of our session, we had a departing boat cruise on the Vlatva river, which runs through the city, and I was just as sad to say goodbye to my professors as I was to say goodbye to my fellow study abroad students. One of my favorite things to do while in the city was visit the various parks and gardens with beautiful views. You could go and read, play on the lawn, or get drinks at a cafe inside the park. There were also vintage shops everywhere in the city that had unique pieces, and fun, eclectic concert venues for all kinds of music. The city of Prague itself is wonderful and offers many opportunities to explore, but what’s also wonderful about it is that it is central to most of Europe, so travel opportunities outside the country are easy to find. On weekends, some students in our group would coordinate trips to neighboring countries like Germany and Poland, or even go further to Spain and Italy. Traveling solo or with a group of other students, I learned a lot about how to be more independent and get around in places with language and cultural barriers.

For students who are looking into studying in Prague, I would say do it! Especially if you are the kind of person who enjoys city life, history, and culture. I would recommend researching some things you are interested in doing while in the city, because it’s easy to get caught up in the rush of everything new and forget what you actually wanted to try in the first place. Definitely use the advantage that being in such a close proximity to various cultures offers, and if you have any troubles getting used to things, reach out to your program directors because they can offer great advice. It can be uncomfortable to get used to the way that another country operates, but I recommend throwing yourself fully into their way of life for the full experience. Overall, my experience in Prague was full of exciting and unforgettable memories. I learned so much about other perspectives and ways of life, and I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to learn in the Czech Republic.