Czech Republic: Charles University (USAC)

‌Through UNI's partnership with USAC (University of Study Abroad Consortium), students now have the opportunity to study abroad at Charles University located in Prague, Czech Republic. This unique program is available any term, so students can study abroad here during winter break, spring, summer, fall, or even for an academic year!

As one of USAC's Specialty Programs, students will live and study on the campus of Charles University, but take courses taught by USAC professors. They will also have the option to connect with up to 85 other US students before the start of the semester (or up to 55 students for the summer program) who will also be participating in this program. Not only will UNI students be advised through the process by the UNI Study Abroad Center, but they will also receive help and support from USAC staff as well. Because USAC has an office on Charles University's campus, they will have on-site staff available upon students arrival in Czech Republic and for the entire duration of the program!

Dates & Deadlines

Term: Summer and Fall 2025
App Deadline: Saturday, March 1, 2025
Program Dates: TBA

The application cycle for Spring 2025 is currently closed. Summer and Fall 2025 applications will open later this semester. Students can click the link below to schedule this meeting beginning in November.

Schedule First Steps Meeting

Interested in studying abroad in the summer of 2025 or later? Please fill out the waitlist form below and the study abroad center will notify you when applications for future terms open. You can also schedule an informational meeting with our office to learn more about the programs we offer and find one that works best for you!

Study Abroad Waitlist Schedule Info Meeting

Unsure where to begin? Visit our Application Process page to learn more!

Location

Situated in the middle of the country, Prague is the capitol city of Czech Republic. The city has existed for more than 1,000 years, creating a unique blend of old and new features not found anywhere else in the world. Prague is the perfect destination for visitors, as it is easy to walk or bike to get to anywhere around the city. Along with this, the country is centrally located in Europe, making it convenient to explore many other surrounding area's as well!

Founded in 1348 by Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, Charles University is very integrated with the city, having more than 100 buildings spread throughout Prague. USAC shares one of these buildings with the university, which is both where their office is located and where students will take all their courses while abroad. Housed in this building is also a cafeteria and sport facilities as well. USAC students also have full access to the rest of the university facilities such as computer labs and student apartments.

Academics

Students will enroll in 12-18 credits per semester, which equals out to be 4-6 classes total. An advantage of studying through USAC is that most courses are offered in English. All students are required to take a two-week Intensive Czech Language and Culture course worth 3 credits, which allows students to choose 3-5 additional courses for major, minor, UNIFI, or university elective credit. There are a variety of subjects for students to choose from, some of which are listed below:

Business
Economics
Photography and Film
European Politics, Culture, and Arts
History

Participant Info

Meet your Advisor:

Jamie is a full time study abroad advisor who will help you throughout the application process to Portugal, including documentation, finances, scholarships, and more. From your first steps meeting until you take off for your new adventure, Jamie will help you every step of the way.

Important information to review:

Study abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be challenged by new experiences in new environments and cultures. UNI study abroad programs are designed to prioritize educational opportunities for students. Students are encouraged to embrace the adventure of exploring how housing, meals, and daily routines differ abroad.

Entry and Exit Requirements

Review and follow the travel recommendations of the U.S. State Department for travel to Czech Republic.

Immigration Information

Students going to Czech Republic for more than 90 days will need to apply for a student visa.

Your Study Abroad Advisor and USAC will help you through this process but it is the student's responsibility to stay on top of the visa application process and to review the latest updates related to their destination country.

Housing & Meals

Students will have the option to choose between two complexes in the most culturally rich area of Prague. There are not only accommodations in this area, but all the services an inhabitant of the city may need, including shops, restaurants, music bars, art galleries and more! For this reason, bus and train stations are a short walk away, making it easy for students to explore the rest of the city and country.

Each apartment contains a bedrooms, bathroom(s), shared kitchen and living space. USAC students will be placed in an apartment building with other university students.

Winter Session (J-Term)

Courses

USAC's program to Czech also offer's a handful of courses for students to take during the Winter Session, also known as J-Term. Students will take one course for 3 credits. Course options are listed below:

Czech Cinema - Image and Memory
From Medieval to Contemporary: Exploring the Great Art and Architecture or Prague
Postwar 2.0: Central Europe from WWII to Today
Sustainable Development: Key Dimensions and Challenges

Dates

This program runs from December 29, 2024-January 17, 2025. Classes will begin on December 30th, but students will be required to move into their housing and attend the mandatory orientation on December 29th, and should plan to depart on January 18th.

Please schedule a meeting with the Study Abroad Center using the links at the top of the page to learn more information about the courses, cost, or housing for J-Term in Czech.

Summer School

USAC also offers a summer school option to Czech. This program is divided into two sessions, the first being offered mid-May through mid-June, and the other from mid-June through the end of July. Students can choose to participate in one or both sessions, and will take 1-2 courses per session for 3-7 credits total. There are a variety of course options for students to choose from including (but not limited to) history, music, language, business, photography, and field studies.

Unlike their semester program, students will not have any required courses to take. Internships are not available during the summer program.

Internship/Field Studies Opportunity

Semester Internship

Enhance your semester abroad through an internship in Prague. This is a great way for students to gain valuable skills through a hands-on experience while learning about the workplace culture, norms, and expectations of the Czech Republic. Through interning abroad, students will expand their professional network, develop cross-cultural understanding, and intercultural communication and language skills. Placements are avaiable in the following fields:

Business
Digital Marketing and Social Media Management
Grant-writing and Crowd Funding
International Relations
Journalism and Communications
NGO and Social Services
Research - Humanities and Social Sciences

*Internships require an additional fee for USAC to help students secure a placement

Field Studies

Students can participate in a 1-credit field study course during their semester or summer abroad in Czech. Field studies are carefully planned overnight excursions that allow students to explore cultural, historical, and natural features of the Czech Republic. An academic component such as readings, research, and written assignments will increase the understand of the sites and people visited. This is a unique, hands on approach to complement the larger academic program, and provide a way for students to learn in new ways, and connect classroom learning to the world around us.

Field studies have an additional fee and are subject to meeting minimum enrollment requirements to run. Therefore, they may not be available every summer session.

Program Costs

Estimated Program Cost will vary

Costs for the USAC program to Czech Republic will vary depending on students preferences and necessities. Students will go over projected costs with a UNI study abroad advisor during their First Steps meeting.

USAC is a nonprofit, so they make it a priority to keep costs affordable to allow more students to gain an international experience. They also offer a wide variety of scholarships, grants, and discounts to students, as well as assistance to students who need help applying for financial aid.

UNI study abroad center also has many scholarship resources available for students. Visit our "Finances and Scholarships" page for more information.

Cost of Studying On Campus at UNI

Tuition & Fees	$4,864
Room & Board	$4,993
Books	$400
Personal Expenses	$902
Transportation	$395
Total	$11,544

Source: https://admissions.uni.edu/cost-aid

‌Eligibility Requirements to Study Abroad

The Study Abroad Center reserves the right to determine participants' eligibility to Study Abroad. Students must have a completed study abroad application, including supportive recommendation form(s). Additionally, students must meet all of the following in order to be eligible to Study Abroad:

Have a cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher at the time of application and maintain this cumulative GPA prior to departure and throughout the study abroad process
If your cumulative GPA is lower than 2.5, submit the following to the Study Abroad Center (103 East Bartlett):
- Letters of reference from two academic contacts (e.g. academic advisor and former or current professor) supporting your pursuit of study abroad. If you are attending a faculty-led study abroad program, one of the letters must be from a course leader. However, if the program has two course leaders, only one of the letters can be from one of the course leaders.

Must be over the age of 18 years old
Must meet the course prerequisites (participation in the program is dependent upon meeting these)
Must be in good standing with the University
UNI's partner institutions may require additional eligibility requirements to be met, these vary from institution to institution. Please consult with the Study Abroad Center staff to discuss these additional requirements, if applicable.
Applicants traveling to a region of a country or a country with an overall Travel Advisory Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) or 4 (Do Not Travel) will not be eligible.