Experience report
Name: Nicole Withuis
E-mail: Nicole-withuis@live.com
Exchange semester: Summer
Academic year: 2014
Host University: Charles University
Country: Czech Republic
TOPIC: Admission, arrival, housing
I arrived in Prague at the beginning of February with my parents. There was an
option to apply for an I*ESN Buddy who could pick you up from the airport, but for
me going by car was a better option because I could bring more stuff by car then by
plane. Prague from my hometown is as well just an 8-hour drive.
At Charles University, an introduction day was organized. This was actually not a
real day; we got our schedule and some information about the University as well a
guided tour through the building. We also got the option make our Student Card after
the tour. In my opinion, the Law Faculty could have done some more on an
introduction day, because we had to organize everything ourselves to get to know
the other students. There was nothing real organized, while all the other faculties
had an complete week of introduction including activities, parties and games and
complete city tours. A couple others and me decided to join the other faculties in
their orientation program.
The Charles University had a few dorms in Prague, and I decided to give up for the
University housing when they provided me the option. It was very cheap, about 130
euro’s a month, and it seemed nice to live with all the other Erasmus students
together. I had to book the accommodation in advance and had the pay some
amount for my official reservation. The information the University provided me was
sufficient at that point. I was housed in the dorm ‘Hostivar’ which was quiet
interesting if you ask me. It was about 1 hour away from the Law Faculty and the
building was very old, with staff who could hardly speak English. Every student was
provided with a roommate, which was a different experience at first, but mine left
Hostivar after only 2 days. The lack of English from the staff was sometimes very
annoying, especially when they made a fault about the rent, and a lot of students got
into a fight with the receptionist. However, I met some students who lived there and
where as well in the same class. Although you were obliged to stay the entire 5
months (it was not a short-stay, as the University said later), we decided to pay some
fee and move out to the city center in an apartment, which I was very pleased on. It
took only about 20 minutes from our place to the University, and the rent was almost
the same as in Hostivar. In my opinion every experience is different and I’ve also
read positive things about staying in Hostivar, and I even made friends who were
already there for one semester. But for me the effort to travel so much was it just not
worth it, so I would emphasize to do just as you please and don’t let my experience
influence the choice of staying in a dorm or not; it is a wonderful way to get to know a
lot of people and going to an apartment immediately would keep that from you. But
overall I didn’t regret my choice one moment, and it made my exchange a better time.
TOPIC: Location of university/city
Prague is a beautiful city, with a lot of opportunities and a lot of authentic streets as
well buildings providing opera’s and ballet shows; I was surprised by the fact that in
the neighbor of every tram- and metro stop there was something beautiful or
interesting to see. Habitants of Prague are as well very nice and are more relaxed
then the Dutch for example. Although the ‘older’ people have a lack of the English
language, most of them where quiet helpful to guide you the way of help you out with
something. The Faculty of Law was located in the city center, which was really nice
because you could walk into the Old Town after class, or go for a trendy coffee at
one of the the big shopping streets.
Prague has a lot to offer, because it is a ‘new’ modern city, which attracts more
tourists every year. Although the old center is very unique and even on the UNESCO
list, even as the Charles Bridge and the Castle for example, it also has new and hip
café’s, bistros and nice restaurants in the ‘new’ streets filled with businessman. I
lived close by Zizkov in Prague 3, and there you could find some nice authentic
Czech restaurants for a very little price; you could have diner including drinks for
about 6-10 euro. Although the real ‘Czech’ cuisine was not really my thing (a lot of
pork and potatoes, beer and goulash soup) there was a lot of other food you can
choose from. It can be nice sometimes to be around the locals instead of the tourists
in the city center.
The main difference between Tilburg was the fact that Prague is in the first place an
enormous city, with a lot of tourists. In Tilburg everything is small, we don’t even
have a metro or tram option to go to school, and as a student you can walk through
the center and always see some people you know. Prague is as well a beautiful city,
and compared to Tilburg there is always something to do, see and experience which
is even nicer than before. It was really a pleasure walking to those streets for a
couple months and even to chill in of the many beautiful parks when the sun shined,
even though I had to travel for an half hour for it; that is something I wouldn’t do so
easily in Tilburg. Maybe it is as well the feeling that you are complete free and are
amazed by the ‘new’ city, but I have enjoyed it a lot.
TOPIC: Academics
As an Erasmus student in the Summer Semester, I got the option to choose subjects
from general courses and the courses of specialization. Those where only for 3
ECTS each, while the general 6 ECTS where. I choose to do all the general courses,
which included:
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Commercial Law and International transactions
European law in Czech-EU context
Czech Criminal Law
Czech Environmental Law and Policy
The courses were interesting if you ask me. We weren’t provided any books; just
some readers and the lectures where from importance. The level of English was just
as I expected, so that was not a real surprise for me. I was quiet happy I took a
language course at Tilburg University Language Center before, so that it would not
become a struggle for me. But everyone experienced that when you have to speak
English all day, it becomes all natural and you will end up even thinking and
dreaming in English in the end.
However, the level of education with Tilburg is not comparable. The workload was a
lot less, and the information that was provided was all quiet general because there
were also Non-Erasmus students who had never had an EU course before for
example. Some courses were however more difficult than others, but I think because
in Tilburg the workload is quiet hard, and the materials are interesting but as well
difficult, you have an advantage over other students.
I was however happy with my choice, because the Charles University also gave me
the option to write my Bachelor Thesis for one of the courses. I chose the subject
Commercial Law and International Transactions, because according to the University
this was specialized supervisor and tutor who has done this before. I also thought
the subject was the most interesting for me. This was however quiet hard and it took
me a lot of effort to find good and decent sources in English, because I wrote about
the Czech Law. In the end it all went fine, and I would as well recommend other
students to do this when you have the option. It is more a challenge writing in
English about a Law you didn’t know so much about; but the result will however not
disappoint you.
The Faculty was not really big; it just was all provided in one building and as an
Erasmus student you always had class in the same place. It was however an old but
nice building, with a very well organized library. They had as a well Menza, a Bistro
and a coffee place where you could take some food, but as well a gym. I never went
to the Menza or another food place however, because I have some allergies and
mostly took my own food with me, or went out for lunch. The people who work at the
Campus are really friendly and speak good English; they always help you out when
your student card isn’t working or you forgot your password in the library. As well as
the people from the Erasmus office, which is open every day for all your questions,
was very useful for me as a student, and made me feel comfortable at the University.
TOPIC: Social life
The University didn’t organize any activities; only the students and the study-and
student associations organized some trips and parties for Erasmus students. As an
Erasmus student, we didn’t where mingled in the local student culture. Some friends
I made had a Czech buddy, which took us in some places in the city I would never
see before, as well some local pubs the Czech students went to. What I regret is that
the University separated the Erasmus students completely from the Czech ones; we
always had lectures in the same place in the building, and we hardly saw Czech
students nor talked with them. I thought it was a shame, because I only made
friends from outside the Czech Republic now.
During my stay in Prague, I travelled not so much around as others because I
already went to a lot of places in Europe. However, I went to some places in Czech
Republic such as Cesky Krumlov, which was an amazing experience and was one of
the most authentic small cities I went to, as well to Vienna in Austria. It was nice to
travel around with some friends. Although I got many more offers to visit more places
I didn’t felt the urge so badly; I also wanted to enjoy my time in Prague as much as I
could. I think everyone can fill in their need of travel themselves, and because I also
had such a busy social life there was always someone around to hang out with.
TOPIC: Living costs
Apart from the grant I received from Tilburg University, I also saved some money for
my stay abroad and got some financial support from my parents. I received outside
the general grant, some extra money from the government such as the OV
compensation. Altogether this was more than enough to live and do everything I
wanted in Prague. I spend most of the money on my housing, making trips and going
out for diner, drinks and go to (exclusive) parties. This was many cheaper comparing
to Tilburg, but because I went so frequently it was in the end probably even more
expensive. I think everyone can spend the amount money they want themselves; so
I don’t really have concrete tips for new students.
Housing
Food and drinks
Travel costs
Textbooks
Miscellaneous
180
200
10
None, all readers provided by the
Charles University
150
TOPIC: Culture
When I arrived in Prague at first, I did not experience a culture shock, and it seemed
all-Western to me. However, when you mingle more in society after some weeks,
you can see some East-European differences, which we don’t know in Holland. For
example, the older people do speak fluently Russian and can be really grumpy and
unfriendly towards tourists or English speaking people. The ‘new’ generation, around
my age, is however just the same as we are in Holland. Most of the habits but as
well morals and manners are comparable to what we used to in Holland. As I said
before, life in Prague is more relaxed for people, and it is no shame to drink a beer
around 10 in the morning. I think people from Prague are however more tot
themselves and not so open as we are used in Holland, but I didn’t experienced it in
a negative way.
What I learned about the Dutch culture is that the Dutch are not only more open
about themselves towards people but also more open in a way that they feel the
need to meet new people all over the world. Czech people don’t feel that urge so
much; I think that is why Charles University didn’t let us integrate with the Czech
students so much. I expected that the more Eastern part of Europe be more
conservative, so it was not really a big surprise for me. What I liked about the Czech
culture is that everything is possible; you don’t feel the need to distinguish yourself
from another or be who another wants you to be. It is quiet a relaxing feeling to know
that you won’t be stared at in Metro. The only real thing I’ve missed was the lack of
the Czech language. I decided not to take the Czech course and I kind of regret it
because when I could speak some more Czech I could integrate more with the locals
or talk to some Czech students without shame. When traveling, I only travelled to
Vienna in Austria as outside the borders of Czech Republic, which culture was
completely Western. You can see that although the Czech Republic and Austria are
neighbors; their culture has big differences. It is more the differences between
Western- and Eastern Europe that is so clear.
TOPIC: Personal development
The great thing about exchange is that you meet people all over the world; not only
Erasmus but as well America, Canada and Australia and even China. It is not a great
surprise I’ve learned the most on the people outside Erasmus and Western Europe
then inside; they have completely different standards and morals, which are positive
if you ask me. It was a pleasure to get to know so much about things overseas, and I
felt the urge to visit their countries and experience it myself. I wouldn’t do anything
different as I did now; I feel like I made the best out of my stay in Prague. The only
thing I might regret is that I didn’t take the Czech course and integrate with the
Czech students and people so much.
As it comes to experiences, I didn’t really have any negative one, besides from my
health situation which the doctors and Prague took bad care of. I think it was as well
because of their lack of English and some misunderstandings. Also the dorm
Hostivar when I lived in was for me an unpleasant beginning of my Erasmus, but
luckily I moved out to the city center, which was the best decision I made on this
exchange.
However, my overall experience is extremely positive; I learnt a lot about myself and
my shortages, and how I should deal with it. I cannot point out one experience that
stood out; all of them where in a way even important and amazing to me. Including
visiting Opera’s, going out to an authentic Czech restaurant and see the city from the
highest point of Prague while drinking a nice cocktail. I am always open to meet new
people, so that was not a thing I’ve learnt about myself. I am not that kind of people
that would judge immediately someone about looks or origin, so it felt natural to talk
to strangers and new people with an interesting tone. Sometimes I experienced
feeling like I was a fish in the big ocean; and I ended up with the feeling that the
world is not as romantic as I thought it would be. This exchange made me stand on
two feet, and feel like I can handle the world, even though it is now always fair, and
your family and the comfort of your friends at home aren’t around you when you
need them. You have to find the comfort of their support in yourself, and that is what
I think exchange makes you a richer person.
TOPIC: Tips for future students
I would hardly recommend an exchange period to everyone; I think even when you
don’t feel the urge of a big adventure, exchange can change your live in many ways
and you will get to know yourself better, which is positive because you will
experience both negative and positive sights you wouldn’t if you stayed bravely at
you parents your entire study time. Charles University is a well-organized University,
it doesn’t involve you however in the full Czech culture. If you really feel like you
need to integrate completely with the locals then I would not recommend it at first,
but for me it was just good. However, the practical things are made really good and
clear for students and the University is very helpful in every way, which made my
overall opinion about the Charles University really positive.
What I would like to emphasize to students as a tip is that you should prepare more
in advance than I did; make sure to find out where you will stay and what the exact
provisions are; I thought the dorm was near the University and I could move out
easily at first. As well, I would recommend to do apply for a I*ESN Buddy even
though you come by car; I think that would be a great way to have someone who can
show you around and help you out with important administration staff for example.
But overall I would say you should go and enjoy your time; every day is priceless and
I would not have changed my experience for another. You can make your exchange
as wild and as crazy if you want to, make as many friends if you want to, as well to
travel as much if you find time and money for; and that is why every experience is
different and unique. The feeling of leaving your ‘home’ in your host country is
probably the most tragic thing at that point in your life. Erasmus can be seen as the
beginning of a new book, so write a good one.