Semester in Prague
New for Spring 2025!
Unique Experiences
Live like a local college student
in Prague's vibrant cultural and social scene as you learn more about the local customs
Explore Prague's diverse neighborhoods
There are 10 or 22 city districts (depending on how you count), each with its own distinctive character
Make you visit official
by traversing the Charles Bridge, constructed to cross the Vltava River in 1357
30,000
INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN PRAGUE
993 AD
FIRST YEAR BEER WAS BREWED AT THE BENEDICTINE BŘEVNOV MONASTERY
1.3M
RESIDENTS IN PRAGUE
Your Destination
Cobblestone streets, medieval bridges, and a castle overlooking dozens of churches, squares, and green spaces all contribute to the “City of a Hundred Spires” being recognized as one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Having shed its communist past and brimming with carefully preserved monuments from every period and style in its millennial history, Prague is a truly unique European city. Easy to explore on foot and on a student budget, the city abounds with festivals, live music, galleries, food markets, cafés, and much more.
CIEE Prague is located in the central neighborhood of Vyšehrad in a beautiful park-like setting atop one of Prague’s highest hills about 15 minutes from the Old Town area.
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Prague.
The Culture
Excursions & Activities
Take part in CIEE-organized excursions to learn more about the Czech Republic and Central Europe. Excursions and activities may include:
- Cheering on a local sports team at a hockey game
- Sampling local Moravian wines at a sommelier-led wine tasting
- Biking along the paths along the Vltava River and seeing another side of Prague
- Watching an opera in one of the amazing baroque opera houses
- Participating in cultural activities organized by local college students to spark your interest in local art, film, music, sports, or cuisine
Projects
Volunteer your time and skills to help teach English conversation classes at local schools and pre-schools, assist with projects at local NGOs, write for a local blog, and more.
Gain international experience with valuable internships, typically working eight to 10 hours per week. Following an interview, students are selected by internship providers. The credit-bearing internship includes a related seminar (15 hours of class time) and attendance at meetings and other events with program staff. Opportunities include internships at vibrant startups, advertising agencies, media outlets, think tanks, and other organizations. Don’t miss the opportunity to boost your resume while studying abroad! Students applying for an internship are required to submit additional materials during the course selection process.
Program Blogs
3 Classes I Took on CIEE's Central European Studies Program in Prague
By: Summer Ellis When going abroad, a general stereotype that I heard from so many past students was how classes might be easy and uninteresting. Instead, the sole reason for... keep reading
Top 10 Study Abroad Volunteer Opportunities with CIEE
Have you ever wondered if you could volunteer abroad? Perhaps you're looking into study abroad programs that provide international volunteer opportunities. If you’re itching to study abroad and truly make... keep reading
How to Adapt to Public Transport Abroad: Prague Edition
By: Isabella Pereira Transitioning from not having public transport or using it very little to being highly dependent on it can be a big change, but with some time you’ll... keep reading
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 a double or triple bedroom in a dorm-style residence hall, or a single room in a homestay, located under 45 minutes from 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. Each student has an individual room.
- 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 under 45 minutes from 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 dorm-style residence hall located under 45 minutes from 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.
Meals
Homestay: Breakfast and dinner, on the family’s schedule, are included.
Residence Halls and Apartments: Meals are not included.
Academics
The Semester In Prague program allows students to take courses in English across a wide range of academic disciplines, including business, the social and natural sciences, media and communications, psychology, arts, literature, film, history, politics, and much more.
Students begin the program with an onsite orientation that introduces them to aspects of life in Prague as well as useful Czech language basics to help facilitate cultural immersion. Students choose from classes at CIEE Prague, Charles University, the Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts (FAMU), and the Architectural Institute in Prague (ARCHIP).
CIEE Prague is located in a beautiful park-like setting atop one of Prague’s highest hills in the Vyšehrad neighborhood, about 15 minutes from the Old Town area. The CIEE Prague Center features classrooms, a library, a student lounge, staff offices, a café, and a large garden and patio area. Courses are taught by faculty affiliated with Charles University, Prague University of Economics, the Czech Academy of Science, and the Academy of Performing Arts, among other institutions.
Charles University was founded in 1348 and is the oldest and largest university in the Czech Republic, ranking in the upper 1.5 percent of the world’s universities. The university consists of 17 colleges and enrolls more than 50,000 students. Students can take up to six semester credits in the Eastern and Central European Studies Department (ECES) of the Faculty of Arts or at the Institute of Communication Studies and Journalism of the Faculty of Social Sciences (FSV), both located in Prague’s Old Town.
The Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts (FAMU) is the preeminent film school in Central Europe and the 5th oldest film school in the world. Students with an interest in cinema and performing arts can take up to six semester credits at FAMU, which is located in the historical district by the Vltava River.
The Architectural Institute in Prague (ARCHIP) is the only school of architecture in Central Europe offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture and urban design taught entirely in English. CIEE students can take up to six semester credits at ARCHIP.
Course Information
All students are strongly encouraged to take the optional Beginning Czech Language course while studying in Prague.
The following host institution course lists are a representative sample of course offerings available to CIEE students through partner institutions and are subject to change. Not all courses listed are offered every semester, and some courses have prerequisites. The final list of courses is made available prior to the start of classes.
Final examinations and/or course deliverables for host institution courses will be arranged on a course-by-course basis in consultation with the course instructor and CIEE Prague. Course content and any final deliverables should be completed prior to the program's end date.
CHARLES UNIVERSITY COURSES
Students may choose from selected courses offered by two Charles University faculties, Faculty of Arts (ECES) and Faculty of Social Sciences (FSV). Participation in each course is limited to a few CIEE students. Classes are taught at Charles University and allow CIEE students to study alongside other international students.
Faculty of Arts, East and Central European Studies Department
All courses are worth 3 U.S. semester credits. Syllabi for ECES courses may be found on its website. Please note that the website may only include some of the courses taught and that the list is subject to change. 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.
- Nationalism: Origins, Theories and Consequences in Central Europe
- Politics of Song: From Folklore to Hip-Hop
- Construction of Czech National Identity and its Symbols
- Kafka in Critical Context
- Economic Decline of European Empires
- Alternative Culture
- Jewish History in Central and Eastern Europe
- Kundera’s Fictions
- Edges of Photography: Techniques, Artistry and Czech Photographers
- From Thoreau to Havel: Chapters in Czech and American Struggle for Social Justice
- Humor and Czech Culture
- Psycholinguistics
- Selected Topics in Social Psychology: Soft Skills
- Sociology of Food
- Urban Semiotics: Contemporary Czech Literature, Art and Culture
Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Communication Studies and Journalism
Course offerings through FSV are worth typically 1-3 U.S. semester credits (2-6 ECTS credits). 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.
- Audiovisual Interpretation of Reality
- Comics as a Medium
- Communication and Politics
- Czech Media System in European Comparison
- Emotions in Marketing
- History of Computer and Video Games
- Media and the Children
- Media and Sustainability Communication
- Media Sociology
FAMU COURSES
Participants with an interest in cinema and performing arts may take course offerings through FAMU. The courses are typically worth 1-1.5 U.S. semester credits (2-3 ECTS credits). A final list of FAMU courses is available at the time of enrollment. The following is a representative sample of FAMU courses that have been available in previous semesters.
- Acting Theories
- Central European Cinemas within the Context of the World Cinema
- Cinema Dance
- Circulating within the Modern Cinematic Image
- Essential Elements of Film Sound 1
- Film Style and Form 1
- Filming the Unfilmable
- History, Development and Characteristics of Genres
- Script Analysis 1
- Short Film Practical Analysis: Directing 1
- The Realm of Montage
- Visual Theory
ARCHIP COURSES
Students with an interest in architecture, urbanism, and sustainability may take course offerings through ARCHIP. The courses are typically worth 1-1.5 U.S. semester credits (2-3 ECTS credits). A final list of ARCHIP courses is available at the time of enrollment. The following is a representative sample of ARCHIP courses available to CIEE students.
- Art 1 (DRAWING)
- Art 3 (MODELS)
- Art 5 (PRODUCT DESIGN)
- History of Architecture and Art 1
- History of Architecture and Art 3
- Fundamentals of Urbanism
- Modern Architecture and Art
- Master Planning
- Landscape Design
- Monument Preservation
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.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Spring 2025 15 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 or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or 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.
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
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
DIRECTOR
Will Barnard heads CIEE Prague. Originally from the U.S., Will has lived and worked in the Czech Republic for over twenty years. He has a Bachelor’s degree from Princeton University...
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. Petra Key...
Michaela Neužilová
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Michaela has been a Program Coordinator with CIEE since 2016. She earned her degree at the University of Sheffield (UK) and studied abroad in St. Petersburg, Russia and Rennes, France.
You might also like
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Study Program
- Full-Time Internship
Spend your summer working with leading organizations
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Study Program
Spend J-term in Prague taking a deep-dive into social psychology.
- Ancient City
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Study Program
With a rich filmmaking tradition that includes Miloš Forman
- Host Institution