Prague is a capital city, rich with culture and tradition with a modern twist. The fairytale architecture and lively vibe of the city, where there’s always something exciting happening, will make you never want to leave. From boat cruises on the Vltava river to picnics in Petrin park to ski trips or ice skating in the winter, there is something for everyone to enjoy no matter what semester you choose. Immerse yourself in Czech culture with the help of the USAC staff on tours of the city and cultural field trips. Prague is the perfect location for students that want to learn about new cultures, travel to different places, eat delicious food, and have an unforgettable college experience.
Day in the life studying abroad in Prague
Academic Focus
Politics, Culture, and the Arts
Internships available
Host University
USAC classes are held at Charles University and are taught by a combination of Czech and visiting professors from American universities. There is a two week intensive Czech language course to help you adjust to the culture and pick up some useful Czech phrases. Courses provide an in-depth learning experience with field trips to significant historical and cultural locations throughout Prague.
Interesting fact about the city
Prague is home to the world’s largest castle. Prague Castle is 130 meters long and has 70,000 square meters of land and it is still used by the Czech government.
Best weekend travel destinations
Prague is the heart of Central Europe, making travel to nearby countries extremely easy. The Vaclav Havel Airport is just 20 minutes from the city center and the main train station is easily accessible by metro downtown. Students are free to travel on the weekends to places such as Germany, Spain, Paris, or London by plane or Poland and Austria by train. Back in Prague, the USAC staff always has fun trips planned on the weekend for students who choose to stay home for a weekend and spend time exploring and learning more about their incredible city. The USAC staff wants students to embrace the Czech culture and plans fun cultural activities every weekend for students to participate in.
Field trips (vary by term)
Kutna Hora
One of the first field trips of the semester is to the town of Kutna Hora, a very important medieval city with a mysterious Bone Chapel. This town was home to one of the main silver coin mints of the Holy Roman Empire and students get to climb down into the old silver mines just as the old miners did. Students enjoy a delicious traditional Czech meal after visiting the city’s beautiful high gothic church of St. Barbara.
Lidice & Terezin
Lidice and Terezin are places that preserve the tragic history of Nazi terror in the Czech Republic. You will visit one of the most significant memorials of WW2 in Lidice. Lidice was a city wiped from the Earth’s surface, leveled by German Nazi’s as a show of power in the region. It is now a symbol of the war’s cruelty and history worldwide. Terezin was an 18th-century garrison town turned into a concentration camp for European Jews and Nazi opponents. Visit the famous exhibit of child inmates’ drawings that show the terror felt in the camp and the military base.
Kamenicky Senov Glassworks
Visit the center of the glass industry in Europe and blow your own glass pieces with the help of expert artists. Some of the most famous and talented artists have worked at this glass studio.
Vienna Budapest Field Study Tour
During both semesters there is an optional field study tour where students travel to three capital cities and learn the history and culture of Vienna, Budapest, and Bratislava from local guides. The trip takes you through the beautiful Central Europe countryside where you visit medieval castle ruins and the quaint Czech town of Cesky Krumlov. In Vienna, see the Schonbrunn Palace gardens and sites like the Fine Arts Museum and Belvedere Palace. Budapest is famous for its ancient hot spring baths, the Danube river, Hungarian Parliament, and the largest European synagogue. End the trip with lunch in Bratislava and a visit to Devin Castle, before returning to Prague.
What students have to say
“There is magic in the air in Prague and USAC Prague will enrich your study abroad experience with great people, food, trips. I do not regret one minute of the time and money I spent and wish I had done two semesters. Prague will always be home and the people I spent six months with will always be family.” -Tanvi Doshi
“My time in Prague with USAC was amazing. The food was delicious and affordable, the culture was rich and inviting, and I met so many inspiring people while studying in Prague. USAC had loads of activities to do on the weekends and the program leaders and professors would often come with us, making the program feel like one big happy family. The USAC class sizes were small, which made the courses engaging and conversational.” – Anonymous
My time in Prague changed the course of my life. After studying abroad in the spring semester of my freshman year, I switched my major. Living in Prague helped me figure out what I really want to do in the future. I highly recommend this beautiful Gothic city to everyone. I miss watching the sunset from a rooftop restaurant or picnics in Petrin Gardens with all of my friends from abroad and I hope anyone who ends up going abroad with USAC to Prague has even more amazing experience.” – Angelique
Additional articles about Prague
Best Places in Prague – A Student’s Guide
7 Great Reasons to Study in Prague
5 Weird Things to Do in Prague
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