Why Prague is the Best Abroad Site for MCC
For many, studying abroad is one of the most exciting opportunities and adventures offered by NYU. To study away for any amount of time is a chance to see life from a new perspective and travel to an unknown destination. Though this experience is both thrilling and daunting at the same time, the most difficult part is actually choosing a study abroad site. NYU offers 15 different locations across the globe for learning and exploring (well, technically 14 if you don’t count your original campus location). But how is someone supposed to choose between 14 different and new locations, especially with almost no first-hand experience? What place is the right fit for them? How will this affect their social life? What is there even to do? What if...
It’s Prague. Prague is the place you’re looking for. You want to go to Prague. Now, before I go any further, I must admit, I have not been to all of NYU’s 15 study abroad locations, but I can tell you that Prague is the ideal environment for any MCC major and offers something for just about everyone. So allow me to shed some light on a city that is often overlooked in our typical romantic idea of Europe.
Prague Is Culturally and Historically Rich
Never heard of Prague? That actually makes a lot of sense. Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is a small city in a small country surrounded by other more well-known nations in Europe like Germany, Italy, Poland, and Austria. Czech history and culture is often overshadowed by these larger bodies, but it is no less fascinating. Prague is a city whose origins date all the way back to 1306 BCE, but its more modern incarnation hails from around the end of the 9th century. To this day, beautiful structures and architecture, like Prague Castle and Vysehrad Fortress, still stand. And though Prague has experienced a great deal of cultural, political, and historical shifts over the course of the second millenium, no century informs the visitor of Prague’s ingenuity and spirit more than the past 100 years. This past November, the country just celebrated its centennial anniversary of the founding of its democracy in 1918. In those 100 years, Prague has gone from an economically booming republic to undergoing two different totalitarian regimes (though not quietly, you’ll learn) and back to a flourishing democracy and member of the European Union. Because of Prague’s dual status as both a post-Communist state and now fast-developing democracy, it is the ideal environment to learn about media, censorship, and authoritarianism while at the same time seeing its media industries and technologies come to life.
In addition, throughout all the political shifts the country has faced, a stoic, yet vibrant culture has survived. The Czech spirit and sense of humor, not unlike the sarcastic and stoic tone of New York, has persevered and given rise to new artists, exhibits, parks, museums, and activity. It’s the most exciting time to be in Prague right now, with every week offering a new experience and place to visit. What’s more, because each transition of power in the Czech Republic was done without war, much of the ancient and classic architecture has survived, turning Prague into a fairytale town with beautiful scenery and sites. Think Brooklyn, but in the 19th century (and everyone speaks Czech). You’ll be surprised by how Western this country feels, yet still be able to identify the key differences and significant historical points that remind you of this city’s turbulent and inspiring past.
The Education You Want
I get it. When planning to go abroad, the last things you want to think about are classes, essays, tests, and all that tedious stuff. But I have to say, my classes have not only been easy while studying here, but enjoyable. Class sizes are small, and the teachers are extremely passionate about the subjects they are teaching, however they are not particularly strict. They understand that being abroad is a once in a lifetime opportunity and want to minimize your assignments while also increasing your learning. Many classes offer exhibitions or tours, bring in guest lecturers, and focus on the information you take in, not the workload you put out. Some of the classes I took while here were Media & Cultural Analysis, Video Games: Culture & Industry, and Social Media Networking, all topics that are not only relevant globally but also offer a unique Central-European perspective. I’ve visited Czech television stations, learned the history of Czech gaming and seen their Games Museum, and discovered how Czech organizations are fighting online hate speech and disinformation throughout Europe. Most classes are reading and discussion-based and often interactive. Most classes require a final paper or blog post, but nothing I have been assigned has been nearly as stressful as the classes back in New York.
While you’re here, I highly recommend using this time to acquire your language requirement. I’m taking Czech, and the best way to learn a language is to immerse yourself with those who speak it regularly. I’ve retained more from this one elementary class than any other language course because I’m using what I learn daily. But if you’re thinking “hmmm, Czech doesn’t seem particularly useful for my career path,” then that’s okay. NYU Prague offers a wide variety of European languages including German, Russian, and Polish. But if language isn’t something you need from your semester abroad, it’s completely optional, and you can take other courses outside of the MCC curriculum, such as photography, architecture, music study, and advertising/marketing. And of course, like every abroad location, there is a fascinating Global Media Seminar discussing how Central European media has dramatically shifted from a singular government institution to now trying to promote free speech and open democratic discourse.
If you’re looking for education outside the classroom, NYU Prague offers both credited and non-credit internships in just about every field relevant to a media major. Entertainment, journalism, politics, and online media are all industries that you can join at the start of the semester. Currently, I am producing a podcast with Prague’s BBC correspondent and analyzing movie scripts for the rising filmmaking scene in the Czech Republic; definitely one of the coolest internship experiences I’ll have during my college career.
(I know this was the only section without pictures… how fitting).
But What is There to DO…
Oh tons, my friend. Too much. There’s so much to do in and around Prague that I’m already planning my return trip after this semester is over. Some kids are so in love with it here, that their parents are literally having to bribe them to come home (slight exaggeration, though my uncle did do this when my cousin lived here and honestly, I get it).
There is so much to do in this city. Are you an extrovert? Prague has an extremely active nightlife, with clubs and bars on almost every street, especially when you reach towards the city center. Clubs have unique themes (steampunk, palace, vaporwave laserbeam) and feature different DJs and song sets each night. If you want to get to know your community, students and organizations are always planning new events and activities around the city like paintballing, cooking classes, bobsledding, and a lot more. More introverted? For every bar that Prague has, there are two quiet cafés. If you feel like going off alone, there are museums, historic sites, theaters, parks, and so many nice, secret spots to discover in this city. I found a small, cozy, Eastern tea shop hidden in an alley, completely unmarked and stashed away in the middle of New Town. Whether you’re looking to stay out until five in the morning dancing in a crowd of strangers or just want somewhere to relax for the weekend, Prague will certainly have something to match your desire.
Speaking of the weekend, every single one is at least three days long. With Fridays off, students have the chance to travel over their long weekend. Because of Prague’s central location, it’s easy to travel to just about anywhere in Europe. Almost every major city, whether it’s London, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, Barcelona, or Copenhagen, is just a two hour flight away, and most other locations, like Berlin, Budapest, Vienna, Split, and Warsaw, are a short train or bus ride. Prague is quite literally a hub for culture and travel. You’ll get your own customized European experience by staying in the heart of Europe.
But of course, an important part of traveling and living abroad is expenses. Will this lavish lifestyle be unaffordable? Not at all. Because of Prague’s newly developing economy, the exchange rate offers goods and services at a much lower price. It’s easy to dine out, enter clubs and museums, and live affordably in Prague while still budgeting time and money for trips. Many travel sites offer cheap sales on flights and tickets, making it easy to travel abroad as a student. From Prague you can visit just about any other European abroad site cheaply and in no time at all. Over my Fall Break, I was able to visit my friends studying at NYU London, and still managed to squeeze in an extra hop over to Dublin.
So, What?
Yeah, very good question. Why does any of that matter? Well, all I can tell you is that it’s totally up to you. Prague offers a very unique and personal experience, one that has been perfect for an ambivert like me. It’s a chance to see a city that you may have briefly heard about in your textbook, but want to know more about. What can I say, Prague is kinda the underdog. It’s guaranteed to exceed your expectations because I don’t think anything can prepare you for how fascinating it will turn out to be. I was very nervous when I first found out I would be spending four months in a city I knew almost nothing about, but within one week, I had already learned and seen so many incredible things, like the grand architecture, quaint quarters, and pleasant cafes, that I knew I was going to be happy here. And now that I’ve reached the end of the semester, I still am.
If you do decide to study here, a few trainer tips, as it’s not all smooth sailing: 1. Figure out a phone plan. The Czech phone providers are quite different and complicated over here, and if you want to have data during your study abroad, I highly recommend you do your research and figure out your plan before arrival. 2. There will be little differences that you’ll never get quite used to. Everything is wired a little bit differently here. From the laundry machines to the way people say hello, you’ll constantly feel a little out of place and thrown off, but if you enter it with good spirits, you’ll soon find this is the charm of studying abroad and learning these differences is part of the fun. 3. Travel and go explore, but make sure to enjoy Prague too. It’s a lovely city with so many opportunities right here at home. Though it will be tempting to go somewhere else every weekend, there is so much to do right at your doorstep, especially since NYU offers so many cool (and free) trips around the country.
I truly think this is one of the best semesters in college, and one of the greatest experiences of my life. Whether you choose Prague or some other study away site, I think it’s crucial that a student who is studying media, culture, and communication explore these topics from a new and extended perspective. I happen to think that Prague offers an experience which can deliver all three of those things in a new and outstanding context, while at the same time fulfilling every other desire of the study abroad experience. If you have any questions about NYU Prague be sure to check out the information site (https://www.nyu.edu/prague.html) for more detail, but of course if you want a more personal and detailed idea of this wonderful city, feel free to reach out to a student or even me! Good luck and keep exploring MCC!
