Study Abroad in the Czech Republic: Photography in Prague – City & Daily Life

Prague, Czech Republic

The German philosopher Goethe proclaimed Prague to be “the most precious stone in the crown of the world.” Prague draws its visitors through fairytale-like cobblestone streets, and past a thousand years of artistic history.

Long the capital of Bohemia, and twice the medieval seat of the Holy Roman Empire, Prague has always stood as the forefront of culture and industry. The city emerged from the communist era in 1989 to become one of Europe’s fastest-growing economies.

Today, Prague stands at the crossroads of Europe, where East meets West, and history lives next door to modernity. CET Photography students become a part of Prague’s grand intellectual and artistic tradition as they capture on camera one of the world’s most inspiring cities.

FAMU, The Film and Television School of the Academy of Performing Arts

FAMU is one of Europe’s oldest and finest arts academies. In its 60-year history, the school has been hotbed for political resistance and cultural change. It fostered the New Wave of the 1960s. And it served as headquarters for the student-led Velvet Revolution of 1989 that brought down communist rule in Czechoslovakia.

The Academy of Performing Arts boasts a jaw-dropping roster of famous alumni: Josef Koudelka of the Magnum group, Jan Reich, Ivan Pinkava, Milan Kundera and Milos Forman. Occasionally, these luminaries return to their alma mater to visit and lecture to the school’s new recruits. In the audience sit CET Photography students, who soak up all they can from this exclusive arena of film, television, photography and performing arts giants.

CET Center in Prague

The CET center is in the heart of Prague. The neighborhood features excellent public transportation, countless restaurants and cafés, and many museums, movie theaters and stores. The center houses offices for program staff, a library, and a small computer lab with wi-fi access.

CET Photography students take some classes at the CET center. Other classes are on the FAMU campus, a 10 to 20 minute walk away. Students have 24-hour access to darkroom space.

Photography Housing & Meals

Students share apartments with other CET students and Czech roommates. Each apartment has a full kitchen. Apartments are centrally located and typically a 20-minute commute to the CET center.

Meals are not included in the program fee. Students dine in Prague’s many cafés and restaurants, or cook for themselves at home.

Czech Roommates

Sharing a room with a local roommate is frequently cited by CET students as “one of the best parts of the program.” Many students become good friends with their roommates and remain close after the program ends.

Czech roommates come from local universities around Prague. Roommates introduce CET students to Prague and Czech culture. They attend program excursions. Some even take classes with their CET peers.

The result? Cross-cultural relationships that move well beyond the host and guest paradigm.