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Schedule for Fall 2013 Orientation Now Published

The Fall 2013 Semester is just around the corner! UPCES has a host of events and activities planned for our 2-week Orientation and Lecture Series.

You can view the full Orientation schedule here.

Students will arrive on Monday and Tuesday, September 9-10, at the Prague Airport, where UPCES staff will be waiting to arrange a taxi ride to the hotel. On Tuesday evening, there will be a pre-Orientation Session to cover the basics, followed by a tour of the UPCES building and facilities.

That very same Tuesday night, UPCES has organized a group socializing event at the nearby restaurant Vytopna; light refreshments will be served.

Students will begin to register at Charles University on both Tuesday and Wednesday, and they can pick up their Student ID cards the following day.

After the first Orientation session on Wednesday morning (essential info on living and studying in Prague), there will be an important safety briefing from from the U.S. Embassy's Vice Consul Andrew R. Lederman.

After doing some apartment hunting on Wednesday and Thursday, students will meet again on Friday for a walking tour of useful downtown location. 

Week 2 is filled with lectures by UPCES professors (see topics below) and academic tours of Prague's most important sites, including the Prague Castle and the Jewish Quarter.

Orientation wouldn't be complete without some time to relax and enjoy one of Europe's most beautiful cities. With this in mind, we'll all enjoy a leisurely Welcome Reception Boat Cruise on the Vltava River, passing Prague's famous monuments and buildings (including the Charles Bridge).

And Orientation all finishes with our overnight trip to Cesky Krumlov on Friday September 20th-21st. This UNESCO listed town is justly considered the "Pearl of Bohemia." This trip introduces students to the history and culture of the region, and is a great opportunity to socialize as well. Join us!

Orientation Lecture Topics:

Twentieth Anniversary of the Split of Czechoslovakia. How is the Czech Republic today? By Professor Elena Soler

Czechs, Americans and Culture Shock. By Professor Dan Shanahan 

Prague and its Citizens: Introduction to the Central European Culture. By Professor Lucia Štefánková

Czech Republic: Economic and Social Development. By Professor Vilém Semerák

Confidantes and Their Heirs: The Legacy of Secret Police and Confidantes in Post-Communist Society. By Professor Tereza Brdečková    (Followed by film screening of Kawasaki’s Rose, Film Screening by Director Jan Hřebejk)