Written by Jasmine Garcia-De Los Santos, (Mount Holyoke College), CET Film Production at FAMU, Spring 2026
It would be a lie to say getting on the plane was easy. This was the second trip I have ever taken on a plane, which brought a wave of mixed emotions. As a first-generation daughter to immigrants, it was difficult to find this moment with excitement. Coming from a rough fall semester and a rather bleak winter, I was afraid that this semester abroad would be the same.
The day we arrived in Prague was snowy and cold. The fog was strong, and the drive to our apartments felt like an unknown tunnel of mystery and anticipation for what this semester was going to bring.
A New Beginning at First Week Orientation
At the beginning of our orientation, we were assigned a scavenger hunt that would allow us to explore many places in the city with a randomized group of other CET students. This was the first completely sunny day in Prague, which made the weather absolutely perfect for exploring. We stopped by many important monuments, artworks, and architectural wonders that make up Prague. After scavenging, my group and I decided to walk down a park that had the perfect view of the Charles Bridge.
The sun was setting, and the soft waves of the Vltava River were gently pushing against the rocks. Nearby, a family of nutrias was roaming around. A perfect shade of blue blended with the background of the large crowds of people walking through the distant bridge. Overlooking a view I had never imagined I could see, I kept taking photos to send to my parents, awestruck. I couldn’t help but think of my dad, who has taught me to be fearless in the exploration of new places, and my mom, who has taught me the beauty of being grounded in my current surroundings. At this moment, I promised myself to have the courage to experience this semester to the absolute fullest.
Las Chicas Del Apartamento Siete (The Ladies From Apartment Seven)
My friend, Bryanda, and I began our study abroad application together during the Spring of 2025. Neither of us had any idea just how the beginning of this journey would bring us together. We agreed to be roommates and were placed in an apartment with five other people.
As an all-women apartment, we all became close pretty quickly. We all have similar schedules as we are all CET FAMU students. We frequently do movie nights in our living room, followed by intense conversations about our opinionated reviews. Living with a Czech suitemate has also been an amazing experience. We often get tips on the best places to thrift and grocery shop. We all like to go out on excursions together, whether it’s going to the movie theater or visiting museums!
Poniendome Las Pilas (Putting in the Work)
I’m typically used to taking about four classes a week, spread out throughout the week, so receiving the schedule for our core classes was a little overwhelming. Our days are packed with a variety of classes from morning to late afternoon. Additionally, we get to pick 2-3 electives at the FAMU International building.
My favorite elective so far is called Visual Theory. In this class, we have been able to reflect on the way we see ourselves and the power images. Heavily conversation-based, we all learn from each other as we share films and art that have made an impact on us. We often get to more philosophical questions surrounding our personal views of the work we do as filmmakers. A lot of our core courses involve learning more about technical skills and developing our films for the semester, so it is nice to have a class that ties everything together through a more interpretive way.
We’re Making A Movie!
The biggest part of the FAMU program surrounds our narrative film projects. The process begins quite quickly. During the first two weeks, we pitched our ideas for stories we wanted to make. By the third week, we had finalized crews of 3-4 people. We frequently met with mentors to help us shape the stories that have been selected.
We have been able to learn more about screenwriting, storyboarding, lighting techniques, and editing tools. In the next few weeks, we will be able to get more hands-on experience with the film equipment we will be using. By the end of March, we will use everything we have learned to begin filming our projects.
I will be working as a director of photography for my project, which I am very excited about. It is amazing to be surrounded by so many creative people, from the classroom to being in the FAMU community.
Spring is Ahead
This piece would not feel authentic if I didn’t mention the emotional toll of being away from home in today’s political climate. The anxiety of being so far from loved ones has been more prevalent than ever. I’ve spent time learning how to balance the place I am in while keeping up to date with global, national, and local news from back home. I will not turn away from what is happening around me and in the world. Nevertheless, I am incredibly appreciative of the opportunity to experience the art and culture of Prague while simultaneously studying what I am most passionate about. I look forward to seeing what the rest of the semester will bring as we transition into the spring weather!