Experience in Prague, Czech Republic by Tereza

What is it like to live in Prague? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Prague is city with long history, so the historic center is very beautiful and there are many place to see. However, that´s also modern city with good services. There live over 1 million inhabitants, so sometimes you can feel that people are in a hurry like in other big cities, but if you searched you would find there a peaceful place for the rest (there are many parks and also forest). And if you like sports, you can run, skating or biking along the river Vltava. I can really recommend you to visit Prague.

What is the student lifestyle like in Prague?

If you like parties, you can choose of many different ones in Prague. Every faculty also arranges ball every year and many talks or discussions. Orchestra of the Charles University of Prague do many concerts, minimally ones in month. Prague of course offer many chances for visiting cinema or theater and if you are student prices are cheaper. And sometimes, there are some festivals in Prague. I can recommend you to visit Night of scientists, that´s really interesting. Simply, Prague is full of opportunities for fun. Which fun you choose, it depends only on you. :-)

How much does it cost to live in Prague?

From 7 000 to 10 000 Kč for month (1 euro is around 25Kč) for most of the people, it depends on many things like where you live (flat or collage), what you do (parties, theater etc.), what you eat and so.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Prague? Is there any advice you can give?

I think that it´s not so difficult like in Geneva or Stockholm. There are many places on collages and if you searched you would find also nice flat for good price. My only advice is find in time.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

My opinion is that food in university canteen isn´t good, so i prefer to make it on my own. I with my boyfriend sometimes go to some restaurant for diner, but that´s expensive to go there every day. However, what is great in The Czech Republic, there are many really good confectionary stores.

What places would you recommend visiting in Prague?

All the historic center of the city is very nice, Charles bridge, astronomical clock, the castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, riverbank of the river Vltava etc... Than you can visit lookout tower Petřín, National Museum, National Theater (there are big discounts for students when you come half hour before the show), park Stromovka (the name mean´s something like "Park with many trees" :-) ), Divoká Šárka is also really nice place for people who likes nature (like me :-) )... etc.

Is it good to eat out in Prague? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

If you like this way of eating, you can choose from many spots in Prague. I sometimes take out a baguette at the bus station Florenc or pizza at the spot near I.P.Pavlova. I think it´s very similar like in other European cities. I don´t prefer it but when man is hungry it´s a way. :-)

Is the nightlife good in Prague? Where is good to go?

There are many places to visit in night in Prague, theaters, cinemas, opera, dancing clubs or many people arrange their own parties, mostly in Wednesday. :-) There are sometimes big parties for students, for example 6+1 Medik party, Hvězdná pařba etc. (this both this parties are especially for medical students, but you can come too if you are from other faculty).

What advice would you give future students heading to Prague?

Watch out for thieves in metro or tramways.

Not every person in The Czech Rep. speaks English, but most of them try. :-) However, Czechs like to listen how foreigners speak Czech. :-) Say "Dobrý den" (means Good morning) when you come and they will be nicer. :-D

If you like to visit other Czech cities during your stay you can use buses from StudentAgency, they are not expensive and they go to most of the big cities in The Czech Rep..

Enjoy your stay! ;-)