The Czech Republic is home to some of the most beautiful castles and towns in Europe. Northeastern hosts students in the country’s capital of Prague through the University of New York in Prague, or UNYP.
First-year students Vivian Cao and Max Brownlee, both economics and business administration combined majors, spent their first semester in Prague.
Course selection spanned from late May to late June 2024. Both Cao and Brownlee recall meeting their counselor and filling out preliminary forms regarding classes ahead of time. Brownlee opted to take the one-credit culture class, which is offered to all N.U.in students.
“It was a beneficial course,” Brownlee said of the class. “I learned a lot, but to be honest, there’s a lot more work than what we were told.”
Class schedules were given to students as they arrived in the Czech Republic. Students are graded on the American grading system, meaning letter grades correspond with a numerical range and a GPA point value.
But what many students appreciated beyond the coursework was the proximity of their hotel to the campus, which was around a two minute walk, Cao said.
“There were about four floors of Northeastern students, and then two people in a room,” Cao said. Both Prague alumni said their residence hall was spacious, and the two roommates had their own rooms.
Breakfast and dinner were provided to students through the hotel. However, students were responsible for their own lunches.
“They brought in a catering service [for dinner]. They cooked us pretty good meals,” Cao said.
After getting ready for the day, students only had a short walk to the UNYP campus, where students had access to a library and other study lounges to socialize and study between classes.
“I took international business, principles to marketing, microeconomics and architecture of Prague,” said Cao, adding that class sizes were “around 20 kids.”
Brownlee was disappointed with the course rigor of his classes. “I don’t think it met the standards of Northeastern, honestly,” Brownlee said. “But to be honest, it was pretty easy, and didn’t challenge me.”
To help the students adjust to their new surroundings, the Northeastern coordinators took students on day trips and an overnight trip to Český Krumlov. Throughout the semester, on-site coordinators offer excursions for students, like a six-mile hike or exploring the Old Town Dungeons.
“[In] the first week, we went to Karlštejn Castle,” Brownlee said.
Cao went on personal trips during her time abroad. “I went to Vienna, Budapest, Munich, Paris, Amsterdam, Florence, Venice and Dublin,” she said.
Prague in the beginning of the semester was warm. “When we first got outside, it was 80 degrees,” Cao said. “But the warmth lasted only two, three weeks.” Cao and Brownlee recommend Prague students pack warm clothes due to Prague’s rainy fall weather.
