Why Photography at FAMU?
Spend a semester in beautiful Prague steeped in all things photography. As a CET Photography at FAMU student, you develop your analog and digital photography skills while under the mentorship of a seasoned professional, work with both medium and large format, and even get comfortable using a darkroom. And to finish your term abroad, you exhibit your work at a gallery in Prague for your peers, teachers, and local art enthusiasts. You go home creatively and technically equipped for future projects and jobs, long after the program ends.
Academics
Semester
Snapshot
- Recommended Credits: 12-18
- Core courses on photography theory and practice
- Electives in all aspects of photography
- Exhibit your final project at a gallery or café
- Host University: Film and Television School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (FAMU)
Curriculum & Syllabi
You take two core courses on photography, one language class, and up to three FAMU electives to meet the recommended total of 12 to 18 credits. Your core courses and Czech language class are taught by CET, while the direct-enroll electives are taught by experienced FAMU faculty active in their fields.
You take two 3-credit core courses that bridge theory and practice in photography.
Many electives at FAMU are open to CET students. Take up to three electives to meet the total of 12 to 18 recommended credits. Courses and credits differ each term but past students have taken:
- Documentary Studio
- Visual Theory
- Graphic Design and Photography
- Photographic Techniques
- Studio Photography
- Studio of Classic Photography
- Postconceptual Studio
Explore more electives at FAMU.
- Terms: Winter is the FALL semester; Summer is the SPRING semester
You may also substitute one FAMU elective for a CET Prague elective.
You take 20 hours of survival Czech in the first week, and have reduced class hours after that. Most students are Czech language beginners, but if you’ve taken Czech before, we have a class for you, too. This class is exclusively offered for CET students.
- PR/LANG 101 Beginning Czech Language (3 credits)
A Taste of the Industry
The program is based at FAMU, the Film and Television School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill university—it’s one of Europe’s foremost art academies. As a student, your day-to-day will reflect the fast pace, fluidity, and even unpredictability of industry life. If you’re looking to work in the creative field, FAMU is your chance to build useful skills and gain real world experiences.
Štěpánka Stein
Mentor, CET Photography at FAMU
Your faculty mentor is Štěpánka Stein, an award-winning photographer. Learn from her in one of your core courses, Fine Art Photography & Workshop. And beyond regular class meetings, Stein also works with students one-on-one. She’ll instruct you in the darkroom, adapting her pace to match yours. And when you’re ready to exhibit your work, she’ll not only help you hone your concept, she’ll guide you through framing and hanging, too.
Learning by Doing
"The Fine Art Photography course taught by Štěpánka Stein was by far my favorite part of the program, and in the end I produced work that I am proud of."
Smith College | Spring student
Housing & Meals
COVID Modifications
Because of precautions CET is taking related to COVID-19, your housing experience will look different from standard programming. Please see the COVID playbook page for more information.
- Apartment
- Off-campus housing
- Live with CET peers and local Czech students
- 2-6 people/apartment
- 2-3 people/room
- Fully equipped kitchen, living room, shared bathroom per 2-3 students, in-unit washer
- Wifi, A/C, linens, basic furnishing, kitchenware
Share a conveniently located apartment in downtown Prague with CET peers and local Czech students. Take in the views during your beautiful 20- to 30-minute commute to class, where you either walk or take public transport with your CET-provided pass. Residences have many layouts, but you always have peers around to chat about your day and just relax with after a busy day at FAMU.
Czech Roommates
In addition to your peers, CET-picked Czech students also live in your apartment building to help you acclimate to life in a new country. Want to learn about Botas 66, the classic Czech sneakers? Looking for the best spot to have a countryside photoshoot? Try out one of the many Vietnamese restaurants in Prague? They also organize a regular “Czech Table” so you can practice your language skills around the city. You might visit the Prague Zoo, sample various Czech desserts, or visit the hometown of one of your roommates.
Eating in Prague
For meals, take advantage of the city’s vibrant and affordable food scene by trying all the local specialties. Větrník (caramel-dipped profiterole), anyone? What about Smažený Sýr (fried cheese with tartar sauce and potatoes)? Don’t forget to try every variation of Chlebíčky, open-faced sandwiches found at delicatessens all over the city. Feeling like a home-cooked meal? Grab ingredients at the supermarket and have a night in with your roommates.
Life in Prague
- Known locally as: Praha
- Population: 1.281 million
- Local Currency: Czech Koruna (Kč)
- Famous for: Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, lower cost of living in Europe, great public transport, beautiful architecture
Once class is out, Prague is waiting for you. Enjoy the perks of living in “the world’s greenest city” by reading in the park. Go paddle boating in the river on a nice day. See a world-class play at one of the city’s many beautiful theaters. Museum hop from the National Gallery to the DOX Center for Contemporary Art, then unwind at a cozy café. Prague has a little something for everybody.
Activities & Excursions
See the Local Arts Scene
Away from the City
Working on your script, attending a lighting seminar, and keeping up with your FAMU electives will take up the bulk of your time, but CET also makes sure you have plenty of opportunities to take a break and see other parts of Central Europe.
- All students visit Český Krumlov during orientation. The area has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site due the town’s architecture, the castle, and the magnificent Baroque theater contained within the castle.
- You also spend a long weekend in Berlin, Germany with other CET at FAMU students. Get a backlot tour of Babelsburg Studio, visit a film museum, and discuss a film with young German filmmakers after a screening.
- [Fall only] Join Czech and other international students of the photo department to visit Ponešice for a 3-day outing at the FAMU’s study and training center.
- Attend a film festival* in the Czech Republic with CET. Fall students usually go to the Ostrava Kamera Oko International Film Festival in Ostrava, Czech Republic while Spring students usually attend the One World Fest or Febio Fest in Prague.
- Optional excursions around the Czech Republic help you get to know the country you’re studying in a little bit better. Locations vary from term to term but you might go to Kutná Hora, Jáchymov, Karlovy Vary, or Plzeň.
*The film festival excursion is dependent on local conditions and options in Prague. Excursions to film festivals may not happen every semester.
Volunteering Weekend
Give back to the city that’s hosting you by participating in a weekend of community service*. Head outside of the city limits to help further a local NGO’s mission. Working alongside CET students, Czech roommates, and other Czech volunteers, you may help out on an organic farm and education center or help with housing construction projects for those in need. Volunteering is a great way to make local friends and see another side of the Czech Republic.
*The volunteering weekend is dependent on local conditions and options in Prague.
Volunteering weekend may not happen every semester.
"The photography assignments both within CET and in FAMU courses are pushing me creatively and out of comfort zone, I feel like I've grown since I've been here."
Bowdoin College | Fall student
On-site Staff
Jiří Bukovinský
Director of Prague Programs
Kevin Johnson, Ph.D.
Academic Director of Prague Programs
Program Fees
Fall/Spring
|
$21,990
Fall/Spring: $21,990
Of the total program fee, $19,190 goes to tuition and fees, and $2,800 goes to housing and other student life fees.
All of your classes and program-related learning are included with your tuition.
A budget for your final project is included with your program fee. No crowd-sourcing necessary.
From pre-departure to orientation, from on site to re-entry, CET provides you with the support you need every step of the way.
You’re provided with a comprehensive insurance plan through GeoBlue that even includes medical evacuation coverage.
The excursions and workshops that we arrange are included in your tuition. All you need to do is get on the bus.
If you’re a US citizen, we process your standard visa in Washington, DC. If you’re an international student, you apply independently but we provide the documents you need and are here to answer questions along the way.
Your textbooks and course supplies are covered and waiting for you on site.
You receive an official transcript jointly issued by CET and FAMU at the end of the term. You also have the option to request a School of Record transcript from the University of Minnesota for an additional fee if necessary.
Estimated
Out-of-Pocket
Costs
- Round-trip Airfare: $1,000 - $1,500
- Meals: $2,000 - $2,500
- Personal Expenses: $1,300 - $1,500
- Visa Fees: $110
General pre-requisites:
- Must be 18 or older at the time of program participation.
- Open to students from any US college or university
- GPA: 3.0 or higher preferred, but admissions decisions are made on a case-by-case basis; lower GPAs still encouraged to apply
- Language: Open to all levels of Czech, from absolute beginner to advanced
- Photography: Previous experience in photography is required
Required equipment:
- 35mm camera with manually adjustable controls for shutter speed and aperture (F/stop)
- Normal lens (ca 50mm)
- DSLR digital camera
- Optional light meter (TTL, built-in or hand held)
- Submit your application by the deadline.
- CET and the Faculty Advisory Committee review your application and portfolio.
- CET issues admissions decisions approximately 2 to 3 weeks after the application deadline.
Complete the application through your online CET account. This is a brief form that asks for basic information and has a few short answer questions about why you want to study abroad.
All applicants for the CET at FAMU programs are required to submit a portfolio of visual work that will be reviewed by the Faculty Advisory Committee and factored into the admission decision. Learn more about portfolio requirements and the admissions process.
Use the link in your online account to send a recommendation request to one of your previous instructors.
This is an online form that your study abroad office completes to let us know you meet the requirements to study abroad. To send the electronic form request, simply enter the name and email address of your study abroad advisor in the designated fields of your online account.
Your online CET account has specific instructions for submitting an official transcript.
Fall deadline:
April 1st
Spring deadline:
October 1st
Price Subject to Change:
CET reserves the right to increase quoted charges at any time without prior notification, based on increased instruction costs, exchange rate fluctuation or other cost increases beyond CET’s control.