Study Abroad
Guide
DON’T FORGET TO…
Take lots of pictures! At parties, around
town, and with friends – pictures really are
of value.
Go to the ISC events! These are the perfect
way to meet other students and be
immersed in other cultures.
Go to Eastern Europe. The history is
amazing, and while Western Europe is
also great, it gets expensive.
Meet people from other counties. Of course
it’s great to hang out with Americans, but
friendships from Prague will last a lifetime
– make them worth it!
Avoid Absinthe. Enough said…
Helpful Hints and How-To’s
Prague, Czech Republic
Date of publication
OTHER QUESTIONS?
Don’t be afraid to ask! You are not the first (or
last) to feel lost in regards to what to do or where
to go. Here are a couple helpful websites that
could solve your problems:
http://www.isc.cvut.cz/
- Great place to find upcoming events, special
courses, and weekly activities with
international students
http://www.cvut.cz/en
- Helpful information regarding university,
classes, and more useful tips
Created By:
Chelsea Corkins
CVUT Spring 2011
Office of International
Programs
Kansas State University
304 Fairchild Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506
CZECH TECHNICAL
UNIVERSITY
PRE-DEPARTURE
THINGS TO DO
MASARYKOVA KNOW-HOW
Before venturing off to another country, it’s
always good to have some basic bases covered.
Reading this brochure should definitely help!
As an international student, it is difficult to predict
when you will be swamped with things to do. No
matter what though, try to at least do the
following things:
At your dorm, there are plenty of things you should
know. To get the laundry key, go to the reception in
the lobby from 6am-midnight. Sometimes the
washers (no driers in CZ) are broken, so check often.
Linens for your bed can be changed once a week.
Take your old ones to the lobby to swap them out. In
addition, there is a small gym, Menza (lunchroom)
and pub located in the building. Use them!
Things to Bring:
 Pictures from home – helps with
homesickness
 Good tennis shoes – Prague doesn’t have
great ones for cheap
 Clothes for all weather – you can always buy
them in Prague, but better to bring with you
 Important Documents – passport, medical
cards, etc. Easier to have them and not need
them
 Lots of passport pictures – you hand them
out like candy
Things Not to Bring:
 School supplies – this can all be found at
Tesco (see “How to Get There” brochure)
 American phone – unless you are certain it
will work, buying a pay-as-you-go phone and
using the free SIM card from ISC is better
GETTING ADJUSTED
Czech Republic is undoubtedly different from the
United States. Initially getting adjusted can be
difficult, but don’t be worried. Past international
students have suggested contacting their ISC
buddy before even arriving in Prague and
throughout the semester with questions. In
addition, learning at least some basic phrases
will help you fit in with the atmosphere. And as
strange as it may seem, you don’t always need
to smile. Locals will admit that Czech people are
not generally happy – more difficult to get
adjusted to than it seems!
 Be involved during orientation week. ISC will
have trip registration for places around the
Czech Republic as well as the Prague
Discovery Game – all fun activities!
 Go to Survival Week. Not only is it full of fun
events, but you will get to meet students from
other universities around the Czech Republic
 Partake in the weekly international
presentations by ISC. There is local food,
drinks, and games from different countries for
the entire night!
FOR EMERGENCIES
Being away from the United States and native
English speakers becomes difficult in
emergencies. If you need a pharmacy, there
are many near the Dejvicka circle that will be
able to help. Also, if you need an actual
doctor, Ústřední vojenská nemocnice (located
at U Vojenské nemocnice 1200, 169 02 Praha
6 Czech Republic) is a good place since it
does have many English speakers. Take tram
2 from the front of Masarykova to get there!
KEEP IN CONTACT
While abroad, keep in contact with friends and
family back home. Since Prague is 7 hours ahead of
the central time zone, however, this can get tricky.
Skype is a great way to call phones or other
computers around the globe. And don’t
overestimate the joys of receiving an envelope or
care package from home. Boxes and letters are
delivered in the lobby to Masarykova’s address:
Thákurova 550/1
160 00 Praha 6 – Dejvice
Czech Republic
BEFORE YOU LEAVE
Going on a free walking tour is something no
international student should miss. While all of
Europe is wonderful, don’t forget how great of an
experience you have by just living in Prague for a
semester. Make sure to grab some unique
souvenirs and try the typical food – no matter
how unappetizing it may seem. Blending in with
the locals will really help, but take a few days
before going back to the States to be a tourist!