CEA CAPA Pre-Arrival 

Leading up to my study abroad departure date, CEA CAPA staff members were in consistent communication with me and other students about important dates and pre-arrival information. Very early on in the application and study abroad preparation process, we were given contacts to several different CEA CAPA staff. All of my visa, application, and program questions were answered rather swiftly by them. 

I, specifically, had several concerns regarding my mailing and change of address over the summer, and had everything cleared up via a few email exchanges with staff. Not only was registering for courses made simple, but the program also helped us students attain international medical insurance, collect documentation for the visa application, and receive housing abroad. 

CEA CAPA continuously kept me updated throughout the summer and sent out more specific directions just before I headed off to my study abroad destination in Prague. It was extremely comforting to have so many of the intricate steps of my study abroad experience managed by CEA CAPA. The program very carefully took into consideration the trepidation that I and some of my peers felt about traveling to and living in a foreign country. The CEA CAPA staff were open to listening to our anxieties and seemed to empathize with how many of us felt upon arrival. 

The airport in Prague, as I headed off to my apartment. During orientation, I learned that it was named after the first Czech (Slovak) President, Václav Havel. 

CEA CAPA Airport Pickup and Housing 

Airport transportation was essentially taken care of by CEA CAPA for my program, along with housing accommodations and check-in. After about twenty hours of traveling, it was truly a relief to finally land in Prague and be nicely greeted by smiling members of the CEA CAPA staff. I did not have to worry or stress about figuring out transportation in a foreign country as soon as I arrived. They made me feel excited for what was to come and at ease in the new country that I was about to explore. 

In this particular instance, if students arrived on the study abroad arrival date, transport was arranged for them to be taken directly to their housing. CEA CAPA had organized for us to stay in apartments throughout the various districts in Prague. All of the buildings were within walking distance of train stations and in proximity to the CEA CAPA Prague Center and our designated partner programs. They were also equipped with various amenities such as bed linens, kitchen and cooking utensils, bathrooms, heating, etc. 

A view of the Astronomical Clock, which was one of the stops that my orientation group made during the planned CEA CAPA scavenger hunt. 

CEA CAPA Orientation Day One 

The orientation was kept relatively short and sweet but allowed me to explore the city of Prague and meet new people in the program. The first day of orientation was a lot of presentations with information regarding local transit, academics abroad, safety, and just getting to know the CEA CAPA staff. It gave me the opportunity to learn more about the customs and culture of Prague. A scavenger hunt that split us students into different groups and took us throughout the heart of Prague was definitely the highlight of orientation for me. 

The activity took us through the historic first district of Prague, hitting many of the famous landmarks. We walked by local cafes and restaurants, saw important monuments, and got to admire the historic architecture of Prague. Some of my favorite sights were the Prague Astronomical Clock in Old Town Square, Kafka’s rotating head, and Lucerna Passage with the upside-down horse. 

The statue of a Viking-like soldier riding on an upside-down horse (the Lucerna Passage) was hanging upside down in a little quasi-shopping area that also had a movie theater. 

CEA CAPA Orientation Day Two 

On the second day of orientation, I got to learn more about the history and language of Prague. At the CEA CAPA Center, staff gave short presentations covering basic facts, dates, and information that remains important to Czech citizens. I found out that the Czech Republic was and continues to be a large producer of vinyl records. We also went over general Czech phrases like “good day/hello” and “thank you,” and learned about the value of greetings in the city. It is normal and respectful to say “dobrý den” as you enter establishments or as you come into contact with other people. At the end, we quickly looked at a variety of common Czech dishes such as Svíčková, Smažený Sýr, and Hovězí Guláš that I hope to try this semester. 

Later in the day, I got to visit the University of New York in Prague (UNYP), the partner school that I am taking courses at in conjunction with CEA CAPA this semester. Located in Prague 2, the school and its library are in a more international area with many English speakers as well. At orientation, we received more information on the school itself, courses offered there, and a number of services that we, as students, get. Although CEA CAPA partners with a few different programs in Prague, orientation was highly organized and educational. I felt like I was as prepared as I could have been. 

Looking Ahead to New Beginnings 

While I continue to have a bit of much-anticipated apprehension about traveling to, living in, and studying abroad in a foreign country, the CEA CAPA staff have helped ease my fears and made my transition smoother. From pre-arrival communication to orientation activities, the program pushed me out of my comfort zone to meet new students, and at the same time, eliminated many of my long-held reservations. I look forward to changing, growing, and discovering more about myself this semester, and I know that if I have any difficulties, CEA CAPA will always be there to try and help in any way that they can. 

Some friends and I standing in Old Town Square at night with the church lit up in the background for a picture.