Erasmus Experience in Prague, Czech Republic by Tevfikcan

Why did you choose to go to Prague, Czech Republic?

As a kid, I have been to Prague and impressed by its beauty like many others. During my university life, I took the advantage of the geographical closeness of Bratislava to Vienna and taught myself Slovak. This experience made me think of starting learn Czech, then I decided to study at the Charles University in Prague and took some courses in Czech.

How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

I've received a scholarship (ca. 250€ monthly), for 5 months, from the Austrian agency for international mobility and cooperation in education, science and research.

Would you recommend the city and the University of Prague to other students?

Yes, definitely! The city is one of the most cultured cities in the World and the Charles University in Prague is one of the oldest in Europe. The only bad thing about the city is its biting cold in wintertime.

How much does it cost to live in Prague?

Compared to life in Vienna, Prague is cheaper. I shared a 60 square meter apartment, just next to the Old Town Square and paid the same rent as my dorm room in Vienna.

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available in the University?

Well, it depends on your native language, but non-Slavic learners usually complain about the difficulty of the Czech language.

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Prague from your city?

From Vienna, the bus company Student Agency has the best prices.

And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Prague?

Definitely! My favorite one is Ambiente Brasileiro, U Radnice 8/13. It is an all you can eat grill restaurant and a ''Disneyland'' for meat lovers. They even have sushi bar and serve pineapple after meal.

Is there any other advice that you could give to future students who are going to Prague?

The towns close to Prague (Konopiste, Melnik, Karlova Vary etc. ) should be visited.