Eager to step into the footsteps of a college student who studied abroad in the Czech Republic? We recently caught up with Molly from the University of Puget Sound, a religion, spirituality, & society (RSS) and gender queer studies (GQS) double major, who did a study abroad program in Prague during the fall semester.
Discover how Molly’s study abroad experience with AIFS Abroad helped her explore Central Europe and become a more confident, independent person!
Choosing a Program Location & Term
Once you decide you want to study abroad, the fun part begins: choosing where in the world you want to go and when. AIFS Abroad lets you browse tons of awesome programs in exciting international destinations around the globe, so you can find a program that’s best for you. Here’s why Molly chose to study abroad in Prague:
“There were so many reasons I chose Prague. As someone who studies history, religion, and gender, I was entranced by Czech history and wanted to explore its culture. Moreover, I felt that there was a significant gap in my education, particularly regarding Central and Eastern Europe and former Communist countries. I was drawn to Prague’s rich political and religious past, and the way those histories continue to shape its present. I would recommend this program to future students who are open-minded and eager to engage with the unique culture.”
Whether you’re interested in a full semester or a short-term program, AIFS Abroad allows you to study or intern abroad when it’s convenient for you. Here’s how Molly described her decision to study abroad in Prague during the fall semester:
“I chose to study abroad in the fall term for several reasons. At my home university, there were important classes I needed to take in the spring for my degree, so the fall fit best with my academic schedule. I was also excited to experience Czech Independence Day and the Christmas markets, both of which are unique to the season.”
Why AIFS Abroad?
With trusted, highly inclusive programs that offer hands-on learning experiences and unforgettable international adventures, choosing AIFS Abroad is easy for many college students and recent graduates. Here’s why Molly decided AIFS Abroad was right for her:
“I was motivated to choose AIFS because it was one of the few programs that offered Prague as a location. Moreover, I wanted a study abroad experience that was supportive and culturally engaging. What made AIFS stand out was the program’s holistic nature, from the excursions to volunteer and internship opportunities… Many former students [said] that AIFS Abroad [programs] provided a sound structure while still allowing for independent exploration, which was very appealing to someone traveling abroad for the first time. Knowing that I would have a reliable network, as well as individual freedom, made AIFS the right choice for me.”
University Experience
Studying abroad is an opportunity to immerse yourself in a completely new learning environment. You can take unique courses, apply your studies to a local context, and learn from professors with diverse perspectives.
Molly attended Charles University where she loved all of her courses and found the hands-on learning experiences to be extremely valuable:
“I feel incredibly lucky because all of my classes were amazing, but one that especially stood out was The Construction of Czech National Identity and its Symbols. The class met once a week for three hours, but only the first half was spent in the classroom. For the second half, our professor would take us out into the city, using Prague itself as our classroom. These excursions brought the course material to life and allowed us to connect historical and cultural concepts directly to the spaces and monuments around us.”
Language Learning
Don’t know a second language? No problem! Many AIFS Abroad programs don’t require you to have any prior foreign language experience. But as Molly learned, taking a Czech language course in Prague was extremely helpful:
“I didn’t need prior language experience to be eligible for my program, but once accepted, it was strongly recommended that we start practicing. My Czech skills improved significantly, thanks in large part to a required two-week intensive course at the beginning, where we learned essential phrases and how to navigate everyday situations, like ordering food… Speaking a new language can feel intimidating, but in my experience, many Czech people genuinely appreciated the effort, even if your grammar or pronunciation wasn’t perfect.”
Housing
AIFS Abroad programs provide safe and central housing so you don’t have to worry about where you’re going to stay during your time abroad. Hear Molly describe her experience living in a dorm in Prague:
“I lived in a dorm with other AIFS and ECES (East and Central European Studies) students from the U.S. I had my own room but shared a bathroom and mini fridge with a roommate. One of the best parts of my housing was that all of my AIFS friends were in the same building, which made it easy to connect and spend time together. We also had access to a shared kitchen, which was incredibly helpful for making meals, and a cold breakfast was provided on weekdays, a nice bonus and great to have before going off to class.”
AIFS Abroad Activities & Excursions
AIFS Abroad has on-site staff in each of our program destinations. These trusted staff members are there to support you throughout your program and may also lead programmatic trips, excursions, and activities around your host city and country. As Molly explains, these included AIFS Abroad trips and activities were great opportunities to travel and learn more about the Czech Republic from the local staff:
“I went on our trip to Brno/Moravia, which was really memorable because one of our on-site staff was from there and could share [her] local perspective. I also got to visit Karlovy Vary, a spa town, where I tried the spring mineral water and spent time in the saunas, such a unique experience! One of my favorite parts of the program was our ‘Z walks,’ where our staff member Z would take us around the city or to museums to teach us about Czech history, art, and culture. Those walks made Prague feel so much more alive and familiar.”
Weekend Trips
During your free time abroad, you’re more than welcome to take trips to other cities and countries on your own or with friends. As a Central European country, the Czech Republic is an ideal launching point for your international travels. Hear Molly list some of the places she visited during her study abroad program in the Czech Republic:
“I went on a bunch of weekend trips: Bratislava, Vienna, Salzburg, Budapest, Munich, and Barcelona. I attended Oktoberfest in Munich and celebrated Halloween in Barcelona, which was an amazing experience. But honestly, Salzburg was my favorite. We went hiking and got to see all The Sound of Music spots. It was beautiful and felt really special.”
AIFS Abroad Support
No matter where you study abroad with AIFS Abroad, you can rest assured that you’ll have trusted on-site staff there to help you get oriented and acclimated to your host city. For Molly, the AIFS Abroad on-site staff were a game changer:
“Everyone I met through AIFS was honestly amazing. My on-site staff, especially, made such a difference. They showed me places I never would’ve discovered on my own and were always there if I needed support. I have celiac disease, and they went out of their way to help me find safe food options and advocate for me, which made me feel really cared for.
Whenever I ran into any obstacles, my on-site staff were amazing and always helped me figure things out. They made it easy to get access to whatever I needed.”
The Impact of Study Abroad
Studying abroad doesn’t just shape your present; it can significantly impact your future, providing clarity on what you want to do—academically, professionally, and personally. Molly’s time in her study abroad program shaped her outlook and inspired her next steps:
“My time abroad has given me so much confidence and independence. I’m currently applying for a Fulbright, a Watson Fellowship, and grad schools, and knowing I’ve navigated living and studying in another country makes me feel like I can take on anything.”
Are you ready to take the leap and study abroad like Molly did in Prague with AIFS Abroad? We’d love to help you start your journey!
Here at AIFS Abroad, we know a thing or two about helping college students study abroad. Our programs come with many valuable inclusions (which really take the stress out of planning!), such as housing, cultural and social activities, trips and excursions, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 emergency support, on-site staff, and more. When you choose AIFS Abroad, you’ll take comfort in knowing you’ll have support throughout your entire experience.
