Semester Program
Studying at Charles University, Faculty of Arts through the ECES program for one semester or one academic year allows students the opportunity to fully immerse themselves into Czech culture. ECES provides a comprehensive academic and cultural program that gives students the chance to study as Charles University students in one of the oldest universities in Europe while gaining academic credit for their degree program.
The Semester Program Includes:
- Academic Courses
ECES students may take up to 21 credits, including six 3-credit electives plus a mandatory 3-credit Czech language course. Our courses are taught in the following fields: Art and Culture, Sociology, Psychology, History, Literature, Economics, Politics, and Czech Language. More information about our courses, including course syllabi, can be found here.
Students may also choose to take courses outside of the ECES program at the Faculty of Arts or at another faculty at Charles University.
- Intensive Czech Language Course
All ECES students are required to participate in a 10-day Czech Language and Culture intensive that is worth 3 U.S. credits. This course includes excursions in Prague, and a Czech language textbook. Learn more about the Intensive Czech Language Course here.
- Emergency Assistance
ECES provides all students with access to our 24-emergency telephone line. Staff are available at all times to assist students in case of emergency.
- University Housing
ECES offers the option for students to live in a Charles University dormitory during their studies. Our Housing Coordinator lives at the dormitory, and is able to provide emergency assistance. Students may choose to live independently if they’d like, provided their home university also allows for this option.
- Charles University Student ID Card
All ECES students are considered Charles University foreign students, and are provided with a Charles University Student ID card. This card allows our students to have access to university facilities (university library, computer lab, etc.), as well as local discounts.
- Transportation from the Airport on Arrival Day
Arriving in a foreign country can be stressful and intimidating. ECES provides all students with transportation from the Prague airport, train station, or bus station to their accommodation on the official ECES arrival day at the start of each term.
- 3-Month Transportation Pass
All students are provided with one 3-month transportation pass, offering unlimited access to Prague’s expansive bus, tram, and metro systems.
- Pre-Departure Orientation
ECES staff provide a pre-departure webinar for all students prior to their studies in Prague. This webinar includes information about the visa application process (if applicable), as well as information about Czech culture, the ECES program, and studying abroad. Additionally, ECES staff are available to students throughout their pre-departure process to answer questions and prepare them for their studies.
- On-site Orientation
We provide a comprehensive on-site orientation at the beginning of each term to allow students to adjust to life in Prague and at Charles University.
- Day Trips Outside of Prague
All ECES students participate in two mandatory day trips during their orientation period to better acquaint them with Czech history and culture.
- Field Trips in Prague
Many ECES courses feature field trips throughout Prague in order to provide experiential learning. All field trips are noted within our course syllabi.
- Optional Day Trips and Activities
ECES organizes day trips and activities to enhance our students’ cultural experience. These trips and activities are provided either for free or for a reduced cost.
- Farewell Party
ECES marks the end of each term with a Farewell Party to celebrate with our students, staff, and professors.
- Official Charles University Transcript
After the completion of each term, ECES sends one official transcript via priority mail for each student.
Summer Program
The ECES Summer Program gives students who cannot study in Prague for an entire semester the opportunity to join us for a short-term, credit-bearing academic experience. The Summer Program is a condensed version of the ECES Semester Program, and includes many of the same things.
The Summer Program Includes:
- Academic Courses
ECES students may take up to 9 credits, equal to three 3-credit electives per session. Our courses are taught in the following fields: Art and Culture, Sociology, Psychology, History, Literature, Economics, Politics, and Czech Language. More information about our courses, including course syllabi, can be found here.
- Emergency Assistance
ECES provides all students with access to our 24-emergency telephone line. Staff are available at all times to assist students in case of emergency.
- University Housing
ECES offers the option for students to live in a Charles University dormitory during their studies. Our Housing Coordinator lives at the dormitory, and is able to provide emergency assistance. Students may choose to live independently if they’d like, provided their home university also allows for this option.
- Charles University Student ID Card
All ECES students are considered Charles University foreign students, and are provided with a Charles University Student ID card. This card allows our students to have access to university facilities (university library, computer lab, etc.), as well as local discounts.
- Transportation from the Airport on Arrival Day
Arriving in a foreign country can be stressful and intimidating. ECES provides all students with transportation from the Prague airport, train station, or bus station to their accommodation on the official ECES arrival day at the start of each term.
- Pre-Departure Orientation
ECES staff provide a pre-departure webinar for all students prior to their studies in Prague. This webinar includes information about the visa application process (if applicable), as well as information about Czech culture, the ECES program, and studying abroad. Additionally, ECES staff are available to students throughout their pre-departure process to answer questions and prepare them for their studies.
- On-site Orientation
We provide a comprehensive on-site orientation at the beginning of each term to allow students to adjust to life in Prague and at Charles University.
- 30-Day Transportation Pass
All students are provided with one 30-day transportation pass, which will last for the duration of the ECES program. This gives students unlimited access to Prague’s expansive bus, tram, and metro systems.
- Survival Czech Language Seminar (non-credit bearing)
All ECES students participate in a Survival Czech seminar during their orientation period. This gives students important insight into the language, which will be helpful in navigating Prague. Students may continue their Czech language studies in a credit-bearing Czech language for beginners course during the program.
- Day Trips Outside of Prague
All ECES students participate in one mandatory day trip during their orientation period to better acquaint them with Czech history and culture.
- Field Trips in Prague
Many ECES courses feature field trips throughout Prague in order to provide an experiential learning experience. All field trips are noted within our course syllabi.
- Optional Day Trips and Activities
ECES organizes day trips and activities to enhance our students’ cultural experience. These trips and activities are provided either for free or for a reduced cost.
- Farewell Party
ECES marks the end of each term with a Farewell Party to celebrate with our students, staff, and professors.
- Official Charles University Transcript
After the completion of each term, ECES sends one official transcript via priority mail for each student.