UPCES is a distinguished study abroad program in Prague. UPCES is exceptional in its commitment to academic excellence and cultural immersion. Our curriculum in Central European Studies consists of a wide variety of courses, all taught by a renowned faculty of scholars, government figures, and industry leaders. Located in a restored palace, our facilities are among the best in Central Europe.

Outside the classroom, UPCES provides a wide variety of cultural activities and excursions designed to immerse our students in Central European society and culture. Crucially, UPCES maintains a personalized, small-program feel; your student will receive all the resources for an enriching experience in a foreign city.

Yes, according to Czech and international law, a visa is required for all non-EU citizens in the Czech Republic beyond 90 days. The student visa enables the safe and legal stay of your child during their semester in Prague. It is imperative that all students apply for their student visa at least 70 (and preferably 90) days in advance of the departure date. We recommend all students immediately begin their visa process upon acceptance to the program. Parents are a vital source of support and assistance in the potentially daunting visa process. Please see our Visas page for more information.

Yes, local health insurance is a requirement of the visa for the Czech Republic. UPCES tuition provides basic local health insurance for your child's stay in the Czech Republic. This does not, however, replace the insurance coverage your child has through their university or through you. To provide more extensive health coverage, please check with your insurance provider to see if they offer overseas coverage. You can also purchase additional travel insurance for flight costs, lost baggage, travel delays, and more through one of these insurance companies: HTH Worldwide, ISO or GoBlue. 

You can view the Costs & What's Included page for updated details on tuition. Tuition includes enrollment and registration for 16 academic credits and a wide range of services beyond the classroom. Some students are required to pay tuition through their home university while other students will pay it directly to UPCES. Please check with your student’s home university to determine their tuition policy for Study Abroad. We will send an invoice approximately 3 months before the start of the semester. All tuition payments will be made to the CERGE-EI Foundation office in New York at this address:

CERGE-EI Foundation
26 Broadway 8th Fl
New York, NY 10004

The UPCES staff has many years of experience helping our students overcome the difficulties that may arise during a semester in Prague. Our staff goes above and beyond every expectation to accommodate students with their requests, problems, and concerns. Our staff is bilingual and includes both Americans and Czechs.

There are many ways to access money in a foreign country that are safe and easy. UPCES recommends bringing a debit ATM card with global access. Please call your bank/credit company in advance to inform them of overseas charges. This method is preferable to currency exchange because it guarantees a fair exchange rate. In addition, some banks offer to cover ATM surcharges. ATMs are located all across Prague and offer an easy, efficient, and safe means of accessing funds.

There are many ways to get in touch with your child in Europe. Upon arrival in Prague, they will receive assistance in obtaining a mobile plan while abroad. This mobile plan is included in UPCES tuition and will work with any unlocked mobile phone. Also, many students communicate with their family via e-mail, messenger apps and Skype.

All students may have mail sent to them in care of UPCES at our CERGE-EI facilities.  You may ship packages of all weights and sizes. Please address your package to:

Katerina Saidlova
attn: (student’s name)
CERGE-EI
Politických veznu 7
110 00 Prague 1
Czech Republic

At UPCES, we believe an integral part of the study abroad experience is living among local Czech citizens. UPCES is firmly opposed to housing students in dorms or student residences and instead opts to place students in apartments throughout the city. Students fill out a form with their housing preferences and will be assigned housing based on those preferences to the best of the UPCES staff's ability. All apartments meet UPCES' high standards of safety and security. We do our best to provide a range of living arrangements and price points in order to accomodate the needs of our students.

For information on the housing process, please see our Housing page.

Prague has one of the most reliable, efficient, and highly-rated public transport systems in Europe. Its network of metros, trams, and buses means that nowhere is out of reach, and one can easily get around the entire city without a taxi. Additionally, all students are provided with a complete transport pass during their stay.

When visiting Prague, there are many options for accomodations to choose from. Here are some of our recommendations:

FIVE-STAR HOTELS

The Four Seasons: This beautiful hotel boasts some of the largest suites in Prague’s historical Old Town, many with stunning views across the river.

Hotel U Prince: This hotel is located in the very heart of Prague at the Old Town Square, opposite the Astronomical Clock. The rooms are small but provide a private, personalized feel. There is also an excellent rooftop terrace with views over the entire city.

Hotel Paris: Located in Prague’s historical center near the Municipal House and Powder Tower, this hotel is a monument to Art Nouveau architecture and style, with a beautifully preserved interior from 1904.

Hilton Prague Old Town: The newly-renovated Hilton Prague Old Town provides an impressive mix of location, amenities, and style.

The Augustine Hotel: Set in Prague’s picturesque Malá Strana district, this hotel is within easy reach of the city’s many tourist attractions. The property is created from seven buildings, including the 13th century Augustinian St. Thomas Monastery. Several practicing friars still live in a separate part of the building.

FOUR-STAR HOTELS

Hotel Metamorphosis: This hotel sits in a beautiful, quiet, and historic courtyard just off the Old Town Square. It consists of 10 elegant suites decorated in a mix of Gothic and Renaissance style.

Jewel Hotel, U Klenotnika: This is a friendly, centrally-located boutique hotel with 11 rooms, all of which are modern and comfy, albeit simple. There is also a stylish little restaurant in the hotel.

Hotel U Medvidku: Cozy and centrally located, this hotel sits atop a traditional Czech pub. Many of the rooms are attractive and rustic, with preserved gothic rafters and renaissance painted ceilings (beware of exposed beams when walking).

Hotel Grandium: The comfortable hotel is an ideal choice for those hoping to stay near the UPCES classrooms. It’s located on the same street as the UPCES building and is a very short walk from Wenceslas Square, the Main Train Station, and the Old Town of Prague.

THREE-STAR HOTELS

Cloister Inn: This newly renovated hotel offers modern amenities in additional to an excellent location in the city center. The top floor executive rooms include free in-room fax and internet access.

Hotel Salvator: This hotel offers quiet accommodations on a street just outside the Old Town.

HOSTELS

Many students also inquire about less costly accommodations for friends and family. There are certainly many hostel options to choose from in Prague, but our suggestions include:

Hostel Tyn: This hostel has the best location in the city (tucked behind the Tyn Church off Old Town Square in a quiet little courtyard).The management is less-than-friendly, but the accommodations and rates are very reasonable.

Czech Inn: This Design Hostel features swanky decor in a beautifully restored 19th century building in one of Prague's hippest up-and-coming neighborhoods. Ideal and comfortable accommodation for both solo travelers and groups.

*The rates quoted here are for low season, which generally covers January through early-April and mid-October through mid-December. During high season, we strongly recommend booking your accommodations in advance.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

What should I do when I have COVID-19 symptoms?

What should I do if I was in contact with someone from the affected area?

Where can I find the latest information about COVID-19 outbreak?

UPCES students receive 16 academic credits per semester. Each UPCES course accounts for 3 credits. The only exception is the Elementary Czech Language course, which accounts for 4 credits. UPCES students enroll in 5 courses per semester.

Approval for a Pass/Fail grade is given by the student's home institution, not UPCES. A student wanting to take a course as Pass/Fail must get approval from their home institution and inform the UPCES Director prior to the beginning of classes. The UPCES Director must have this approval in writing.

Elementary Czech is mandatory. Students who have already studied Czech language have options open to them. First, they are welcome to enroll in the UPCES Elementary Czech course if they feel their Czech is still at a beginner level. Second, UPCES may offer a section of Elementary Czech II (if there is sufficient demand).

This question is handled on a case-by-case basis. However, UPCES recognizes that many universities do not authorize their financial aid packages until the semester begins, so UPCES is certainly willing to work with students on this matter. Please contact the UPCES Director for further details.

The Czech Republic requires that your U.S. passport be valid at least THREE months beyond the dates of your trip. U.S. citizens will find all they need to know about obtaining passports at the U.S. State Department website. Passports issued after the holder's 16th birthday are valid for 10 years. Please make sure your passport will be valid for three months beyond the duration of your stay abroad.

The Czech Government requires non-EU students to acquire a student visa for all stays in the Czech Republic over 90 days. Since the UPCES program exceeds 90 days and is a study program, a visa is required.

The UPCES staff will assist students in the visa process as much as possible. However, each student is responsible for applying for his/her own visa in a timely manner.

Absolutely! If you are an American citizen, you can travel in Europe for an additional 90 days, before or after the program. If you are not an American citizen, please contact the UPCES staff for details about your travel eligibility.

All students participating in UPCES must have medical insurance that covers them while abroad in case of accident or illness. UPCES provides all students with local health insurance (a requirement of the visa). This does not, however, replace health insurance coverage by the student's university or parents. If you would like to provide additional coverage, please check with your insurance provider to see if they offer overseas coverage. You can also purchase additional travel insurance for flight costs, lost baggage, travel delays, and more.

Students are certainly welcome to arrive in Prague early. Should a student wish to come to Prague early, they are welcome to contact anyone from UPCES for advice about accommodations in Prague. It is the student's responsibility to make any reservations. Students should also be aware of visa considerations and contact UPCES early to discuss their early arrival.

There are many ways to access money in a foreign country that are safe and easy. UPCES recommends bringing a debit ATM card with global access. Be sure to check with your bank to let them know you'll be abroad so that they can lift any international blocks. Also be sure to find out and adjust your daily or weekly withdrawal limit. This method is preferable to currency exchange because it guarantees a fair exchange rate. In addition, some banks offer to cover ATM surcharges. ATMs are located all across Prague and offer an easy, efficient, and safe means of accessing funds.

Yes. Most laptops’ power adapters are made to work on both voltage cycles. Look at your power adapter to see if it says 110-240 Volts. If so, this means the laptop will work just fine without a converter.  But don’t forget a plug adapter, as the plugs are shaped differently here.

Prague has one of the most reliable and efficient public transport systems in Europe. Its network of metros, trams, and buses allows one to easily get around the entire city without a car or taxi. All UPCES students are provided with a complete transport pass during their stay.

Prague has a relatively low cost-of-living. Students find that entertainment, food, drink, and living accommodations are more affordable in Prague than in the United States and Canada. On the other hand, such things as electronics and clothing are often more expensive in Prague. For a full cost-of-living comparison to your nearest U.S. city, use this very handy website.

For more details on expenses, view the UPCES Estimated Expenses Sheet

It's certainly possible to get most items in Prague, but UPCES recommends bringing the following items from home, if possible:

• Passport
• Photocopies of all important documents
• Credit/debit card (please do not bring personal checks as they are not accepted in the EU)
• Prescription medicine (make sure to bring enough for your whole stay if possible, because it is forbidden to ship any medication from USA to EU, if you can't bring all your medication with you please bring medical prescription from your doctor and EU doctor can write you an eqivalent)
• Doctor's note or prescription if bringing any medical items (e.g. epi-pen, glucose meter, etc.)
• Laminated wallet-card stating any medical/food allergies/restrictions with Czech translation
• Address list of important contacts back home 
• Plug adapters for all electronics, power bank
• Particular hygienic brands of deodorant, shampoo, sunscreen, saline solution for contact lenses, etc. You can find a wide variety of personal care products to suit many preferences in Prague, but you may not be able to find certain brands. If you have a strong preference in certain personal products, bring enough to last the duration of the semester. 
• Tiny lock for securing items while traveling

UPCES students may have mail sent to them in care of UPCES at CERGE-EI. Mail should be addressed to:

Veronika Havlistova
attn: (student’s name)
CERGE-EI
Politických vězňů 7
110 00 Prague 1
Czech Republic

It's much more convenient and cost-effective to pack lightly and bring all your luggage on your international flight to Prague. If it's necessary to ship additional luggage, there are several options, such as Luggage Forward. Certain items may be delayed in Czech Republic Customs. Please contact the UPCES staff to arrange the appropriate time and date for the arrival of your luggage at the UPCES office.

We advise interested students to purchase an International Student Identification Card (ISIC) before arriving in Prague. The card allows students (under 26) to obtain discounts on travel, entrance to museums, theaters, and other tourist attractions throughout Europe. It may be also used to obtain discount travel insurance. For more information about the application conditions and procedures, please visit the ISIC website.