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Spend your January term exploring the fairytale-like atmosphere of Prague, one of central Europe’s most beautiful cities. In this program, you’ll have the opportunity to discover Prague’s traditional and modernist art and architecture; participate in guided tours of Czech breweries and local food markets; and experience other academic and social activities all while earning academic credit. Course instructors will turn the city of Prague into an extended classroom and encourage student engagement with the local community. Courses are offered in several subject areas making this a great program option for students in any academic major, and the January timing of the program provides a study abroad opportunity for those with other commitments during the rest of the academic year.
Courses at the CEA Prague Center give you the opportunity to further your academic pursuits in a variety of subjects with Prague as your classroom. The CEA Prague Center is located in the historic Old Town district and within walking distance to Prague landmarks.
When in Prague, you can choose standard CEA housing—in an apartment shared with other CEA students—or arrange your own independent housing. Assignments are based on availability and confirmation date; we make every effort to match your housing requests, but we can’t guarantee housing preferences.
Program Structure
You’ll enroll in 1 CEA elective course; course meets for 45 contact hours/3 credits.
Class meets in the morning most weekdays, and the active learning components required by your course will typically take place in the afternoon.
Prior to departure, you will select your preferred course. You will be enrolled into the course based on its availability. As a result, it is in your best interest to have alternative courses approved by your home university prior to your departure. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.
Please note, due to the length and intensity of the program, day excursions are not included.
The host institution has offered the following courses in the past. Please note that course listings may not be finalized until the start of the term; we’ll post an updated list when the host institution finalizes its offerings.
*Courses with an asterisk indicate that the course has been associated with multiple subject areas.
Please click on the course title to view additional subject areas and detailed course information.
Get out and explore! Excursions are offered for most semester, year, and summer programs*. Semester students are typically offered between two to three excursions and summer study students are typically offered between one to two excursions. You'll receive a calendar of excursions
during orientation; here are a few day and overnight excursions we've offered in the past.
Český Krumlov
Join us on an overnight trip to Český Krumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the banks of the Vltava River. One of the most popular destinations in the Czech Republic, Český Krumlov is an outstanding example of a Central European medieval town with an architectural heritage more than 500 years old. It’s easy to see the influence of several different cultures—Czech, Austrian, Bavarian, and Northern Italian—on this charming town near the Austrian border. Encircled by a bend in the river, the town features a 13th-century castle with Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque elements. During this two-day, one-night trip, we also hike through a nearby forest to a ruined castle, forming a contrast with the perfectly maintained, picturesque center of Český Krumlov, and provide you with free time to explore on your own.
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Český Krumlov
Join us on an overnight trip to Český Krumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the banks of the Vltava River. One of the most popular destinations in the Czech Republic, Český Krumlov is an outstanding example of a Central European medieval town with an architectural heritage more than 500 years old. It’s easy to see the influence of several different cultures—Czech, Austrian, Bavarian, and Northern Italian—on this charming town near the Austrian border. Encircled by a bend in the river, the town features a 13th-century castle with Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque elements. During this two-day, one-night trip, we also hike through a nearby forest to a ruined castle, forming a contrast with the perfectly maintained, picturesque center of Český Krumlov, and provide you with free time to explore on your own.
Karlovy Vary
On this day trip, you’ll explore Karlovy Vary, the Czech Republic’s largest, most famous spa city. For centuries, Europeans have gone to spas for rehabilitation, usually staying for a month or two in a naturally beautiful location. Doctors today still prescribe spa stays as treatment. Situated in western Bohemia west of Prague, Karlovy Vary offers more than 300 hot springs and the warm-water Teplá river. Legend says that the town’s thermal springs were accidentally discovered in 1370 by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. In the 16th century, the spa enjoyed the favor of many noble families and wealthy townsmen; by the 19th century, it was a popular destination for celebrities like Beethoven and Goethe. Today, the city draws movie stars and fans who gather for the annual summer International Film Festival. You may recognize Karlovy Vary as the location for a number of films, including Casino Royale.
See Details
Karlovy Vary
On this day trip, you’ll explore Karlovy Vary, the Czech Republic’s largest, most famous spa city. For centuries, Europeans have gone to spas for rehabilitation, usually staying for a month or two in a naturally beautiful location. Doctors today still prescribe spa stays as treatment. Situated in western Bohemia west of Prague, Karlovy Vary offers more than 300 hot springs and the warm-water Teplá river. Legend says that the town’s thermal springs were accidentally discovered in 1370 by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. In the 16th century, the spa enjoyed the favor of many noble families and wealthy townsmen; by the 19th century, it was a popular destination for celebrities like Beethoven and Goethe. Today, the city draws movie stars and fans who gather for the annual summer International Film Festival. You may recognize Karlovy Vary as the location for a number of films, including Casino Royale.
Terezín
Spend a day exploring Terezín, an 18th-century fortress that was used as a concentration camp by the Germans during World War II. Terezín is a little-known but interesting example of the network of concentration camps in operation during that time. Most famous for its history as a gruesome prison, Terezín was a transit camp for Jews and other prisoners of the Nazis; most of those coming from the Czech lands who died in camps further to the west, such as Auschwitz-Birkenau, came through Terezín. Though the camp was used by the Germans for propaganda during the war—even managing to get the Red Cross to agree that the camps were not inhumane— the vast majority of those who went through Terezín did not survive. Inmates in Terezín are known for keeping cultural and artistic life alive and striving to make life as normal as possible for the children present. The on-site memorial details these efforts and illustrates Terezín’s terrible but enlightening history. Visiting such a site is an important historical and cultural experience during your study abroad stay in Central Europe.
See Details
Terezín
Spend a day exploring Terezín, an 18th-century fortress that was used as a concentration camp by the Germans during World War II. Terezín is a little-known but interesting example of the network of concentration camps in operation during that time. Most famous for its history as a gruesome prison, Terezín was a transit camp for Jews and other prisoners of the Nazis; most of those coming from the Czech lands who died in camps further to the west, such as Auschwitz-Birkenau, came through Terezín. Though the camp was used by the Germans for propaganda during the war—even managing to get the Red Cross to agree that the camps were not inhumane— the vast majority of those who went through Terezín did not survive. Inmates in Terezín are known for keeping cultural and artistic life alive and striving to make life as normal as possible for the children present. The on-site memorial details these efforts and illustrates Terezín’s terrible but enlightening history. Visiting such a site is an important historical and cultural experience during your study abroad stay in Central Europe.
Kutná Hora
Imagine you’re standing in one of the world’s most important financial centers, a place that sits squarely in the middle of a global trade network and provides an entire region with its common currency of exchange. Where are you? London in 1844? New York in 1964? No, you’re in Kutná Hora in the 14th century. Larger than London at that time, Kutná Hora was the economic and geographic center of a trade network that spanned Europe and reached across the spice routes to the Middle and Far East. The silver deposits mined in Kutná Hora were minted into a currency called groschen (a later currency from the region, the tolar, was the origin of the word “dollar”). On this day trip to Kutná Hora, you’ll explore this beautiful, well-preserved medieval town, now protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Don a traditional white miner’s uniform to tour the old silver mines, visit the gothic-style Church of Saint Barbara with its flying buttresses, and see the nearby “bone church,” the 19th century Sedlec Ossuary decorated with elaborate arrangements of the bones of thousands of victims of the Black Death and Hussite religious wars.
See Details
Kutná Hora
Imagine you’re standing in one of the world’s most important financial centers, a place that sits squarely in the middle of a global trade network and provides an entire region with its common currency of exchange. Where are you? London in 1844? New York in 1964? No, you’re in Kutná Hora in the 14th century. Larger than London at that time, Kutná Hora was the economic and geographic center of a trade network that spanned Europe and reached across the spice routes to the Middle and Far East. The silver deposits mined in Kutná Hora were minted into a currency called groschen (a later currency from the region, the tolar, was the origin of the word “dollar”). On this day trip to Kutná Hora, you’ll explore this beautiful, well-preserved medieval town, now protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Don a traditional white miner’s uniform to tour the old silver mines, visit the gothic-style Church of Saint Barbara with its flying buttresses, and see the nearby “bone church,” the 19th century Sedlec Ossuary decorated with elaborate arrangements of the bones of thousands of victims of the Black Death and Hussite religious wars.
Sample Budget
The sample budget is unavailable at this time. Please check back later or ask your CEA Admissions Counselor/Site Specialist for a comparable program’s sample budget.
Sample Calendar
Below is a tentative itinerary for your program. Please note, dates and events below may change without prior notification. Contact CEA before purchasing airline tickets.
You will receive a finalized itinerary once you arrive onsite.
Note: Additional cultural activities/excursions or required course-related activities may be incorporated into your final itinerary. You are advised not to make personal travel arrangements until you have the final dates.
Official Program Start Date. Students must arrive at the Václav Havel Airport on this date in order to be eligible for airport pickup. Students will then be transferred to their assigned housing.
December 29
Orientation
Mandatory CEA Orientation will be held + welcome lunch.
January 01
Holiday
New Year's Day. No classes will be held.
January 11
Final Exams
Final exams will be held at CEA Prague Center + Farewell Lunch.
January 12
Program Ends/Move-Out
Official Program End Date. Students must move out of housing no later than this day.
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when you apply with code* by May 5, 2023
