One of the most impressive aspects of studying abroad in Prague with CEA is the enthusiasm with which the staff works to create a supportive, interactive, and engaging environment for students. Since I’m here in Prague, I’ll let you know about what they offer in this office! From iMove fitness days, to cultural activities around the cities, right down to friendly faces in the office, this organization displays a genuine interest in the lives and well being of its participants. Here are my top five-standout CEA services you should know about.
Students on a hiking tour of Divoká Šárka.
Excursions & Activities
As part of your CEA program you are invited to take part, free-of-charge, in several cultural activities and excursions throughout your term. Each term offers two or three day-long trips to explore the scenic and historical locations outside of the city and six to eight cultural activities within Prague. Some classic activities include tours of the Communism Museum, visits to the Prague Zoo, a hike through Divoká Šárka, Prague through the Eyes of the Homeless, or Czech cooking classes. These activities are designed to teach students about Czech history and everyday culture at no extra expense! Excursions vary by term but typically include day trips to the Czech, Jewish concentration camp Terezín, and Kutna Hora, as well as one overnight stay in Český Krumlov. Full day trips are wonderful sources for students to see famous scenic and historical cities outside of Prague, but still within the flourishing Czech Republic. Of all CEA services, these activities are the richest source of cultural exposure for American students, and are especially relaxing, as they require no planning on your data-sf-ec-immutable="">
iMove Yoga on Mondays.
iMove with CEA
iMove with CEA consists of three weekly exercise classes offered to students for free. Amidst a busy school schedule and the mad dash to explore every corner of Prague, it is easy to leave your own health on the back burner. With iMove, students have the chance to devote a few hours to their own well-being without the stress of a long-term commitment or expensive gym fees. Students can relax on Mondays with a yoga class, get fit during cross training on Tuesdays, and have fun climbing in the Prague Rock Gym on Wednesdays.Staff Support
We can’t discuss CEA services without giving a glowing reference to the Prague staff themselves. Amongst our on-site staff you can find support in a wide variety of fields from your safety to minor housing issues. Need help communicating with your Czech doctor? Get some help from Jessica, the Associate Director of Student Affairs, who is always available to assist with your health and safety concerns. Having trouble with your courses? Have a sit-down meeting with Lenka, our Academic Director who has found her passion in helping students achieve a fulfilling education in Prague. Did you lose your keys? Send an email to our Housing team and they’ll help you get things squared away. Perhaps you just need to find a store that sells blazers for your date at the opera tonight, in which case our student services crew will happily provide you with a recommendation. In addition to our office staff, CEA has extra security on call in the evenings and a twenty-four hour emergency phone line. While you may never need to utilize these resources, it is important to know they are present if you ever have concerns for your personal well-being or that of another student.
Students editing resumes at the Career Development workshop.
Professional Development
A common myth tells us that a study abroad semester is just an excuse to travel and have fun, but you have the potential to make your semester much more. This time abroad is the perfect opportunity to develop your cross-cultural communication skills, maturity, adaptability, and several other traits that employers will look for in a job candidate. CEA Prague prepares students for their next professional step in many ways. Applying for CEA’s internship programs is a great resource to enhance your resume and give your semester a competitive edge. Our internship coordinator works with each student individually before departure to find a fitting placement and remains a close, involved resource throughout your term abroad.
If an international internship isn’t right for you or you have already applied for a full course load, don’t worry! Each term the Prague staff hosts a Career Development Workshop open to all students. This workshop highlights how to utilize your study abroad experience in an interview, how to cope with re-entry into US culture, and includes a hands-on resume review. As a former participant of the career workshop, I highly recommend you take advantage of this resource. Study abroad is busy, unexpected, enlightening, educational, and wild. It can be difficult to find the words to convey this experience to people back home, but this workshop will teach you how to market yourself like a champion.
Monthly Czech jersey raffle winner.
Office Activities
Last but not least are CEA Prague’s light-hearted office activities. Whether you are paying us a visit to discuss your courses or just to tell us about your trip to the Prague Zoo, we love to hear about our student’s lives! CEA Prague strives to create a welcoming and safe home office space for each student. Stop by for a healthy pick-me-up on Fruit Mondays, or a not-so-healthy snack on Pastry Wednesdays, and of course, every day is perfect for free coffee and tea when you’re living on a college student budget. Speaking of college friendly budgets, it only costs 20 kcs to enter the monthly Czech hockey jersey raffle! There is an infinite amount of sights to discover in Prague, but always remember you have twelve Czech experts readily available in the CEA office.
Katie Fanning is a former Onsite Ambassador during Summer 2018. She is a graduate of The University of Delaware.