| Institution | Charles University |
| City and country | Prague, Czech Republic |
| Language(s) of instruction | English |
| Term | Semester |
| Approximate dates | Fall: Aug- Dec Spring: Jan-May |
| Population: city/university | 1.2 million inhabitants 30,000 students |
| Program description | The Collegium Carolinum (Latin name of Charles University) is the oldest university in Central Europe, founded in 1348 by Charles IV. Jan Hus, famous for his campaign against church corruption, became the University Rector in 1402 urging that Czech students and professors be given more power within their own university. The University’s student body was a center of Hussite activity for 200 years. After the Catholic victory at the battle of the White Mountain in 1620, the Jesuits took over the University. After the Jesuit order was disbanded in 1773, the premises were used as a seminary, university, and library. In 1882, the University was split into Czech and German parts, a concession to growing Czech nationalism. The author Franz Kafka enrolled at Charles University in 1901 for eight semesters of law school. During the brief lifetime of democratic Czechoslovakia (1913-1938), academic life was liberalized, although the basic organization of the University was similar to its structure during the Austro-Hungarian Empire. After the period of Nazi occupation, during which all universities were closed, normal University life bean again in 1945. Under the communist regime many changes were instituted. After the Velvet Revolution of 1989, the idea of strict planning according to state ideology was abolished and academic freedom and a high degree of autonomy from the state became the goals of the new era. The East and Central European Studies (ECES) program is a semester-long program with courses in English designed for international students from universities and institutions of higher learning. Students choose from 16 courses offered through the ECES program and 9 optional courses in the Faculty of Arts and Philosophy |
| Housing options | Residence hall or apartment (students make their own arrangements with the help of a rental agency) |
| GPA requirement | 2.7 GPA You must have at least this GPA at the time of application and the semester prior to exchange. Failure to maintain adequate academic standing will result in your removal from the program. |
| Language Requirements | No previous study of Czech required but it is recommended that you take 3 credits of Czech during the term. |
| Language Notes | There is a two-week intensive Czech language orientation at the beginning of the term for which students will earn 3 credits. Beginning language courses are counted as General College Credit. Intermediate and Advanced language courses are counted as Advanced Liberal Arts. |
| Credit Load | 5 courses/15 credits per term |
| Credits per course | 3 credits per course |
| Scholarships available | AIFS in Prague and Minority scholarships available to students studying in Prague. For more information on the application process and deadlines, visit the AIFS website. |
| Non-credit internships | No |
| Other academic notes | |
| URL address | www.aifsabroad.com |
| Comments | |
