Written by Noelle Drummonds, (Elon University), CET Prague, Spring 2026
Studying Security in the Heart of Europe
Prague offers more than just academics; it presents history, culture, and character. Its manageable size makes the city feel easily livable, especially for American students who are unfamiliar with the European way of life, but still lively enough to be steps from Franz Kafka’s apartment, the Astronomical Clock, or Wenceslas Square. Prague sets itself apart because it exists outside of the traditional Western European lens, offering a perspective that feels essential for understanding today’s world.
This drew me to the Global Security Studies program. I registered for courses on Central and Eastern European geopolitics, resistance and dissent, and conflict and cooperation. Prague has been shaped by empires, occupations, and revolutions, so it makes my courses and excursions feel unique and relevant as an International Relations major. Plus, it’s located in the heart of Europe, making it extremely convenient to travel!
Learning the City
I live in the beautiful district of Nusle in Prague 4. We have beautiful architecture, useful grocery stores, and restaurants located near our apartment. Upon arrival, I learned that Prague holds a large population of Vietnamese immigrants. I am obsessed with asian cuisine, so having a restaurant every quarter of a mile has been an absolute joy.
The night after move-in, we went out exploring in Old Town. The yellow streets of Prague were so exciting as we saw the ancient gothic churches, Charles Bride, and main square. Prague has a massive shopping center with plenty of new brands and clothing styles called the Palladium, so I, obviously, had to test it out. Afterwards, we went to a local cinema and saw Marty Supreme with Czech subtitles!
Speedrunning through Prague
On day two of orientation, CET surprised us with a fun scavenger hunt through the city. We had a list of sites to visit, including an amazing brunch café to eat at. I was paired with four other students and we immediately headed to the first location. We saw a club in which Bill Clinton had performed in, wild peacocks at the park, and the rotating Franz Kafka head. In my opinion, the best part was the famous John Lennon Wall.
In one of the photos, our task was to buy the “cheapest” item possible at the supermarket, so we improvised and started weighing slivers of garlic! The employee was very intrigued by our goal with so little of the product. We ended the night with a dinner cruise through the Vltava river with a variety of buffet-styled meals to choose from. My personal favorite was the salmon!
Stepping into Jewish History
An incredible opportunity CET offers is the ability to go on additional tours, excursions, and local activities in the region. I went on the Jewish Walking Tour through the Old Quarters and saw wonderful architecture and religious history dating back to the 13th century. We went to the Old New Synagogue, which is the oldest of its kind in Central Europe! Walking through the Old Jewish Cemetery, we got to see centuries of burial sites, including that of Rabbi Loew, the creator of the famous Golem of Prague tale. It was an unique experience to learn about the settlement and lives of the Jewish population, especially in context to pre-20th century anthropology.
Český Krumlov
The town revolves around the Vltava River, flowing all the way from Prague. The cobblestone streets are like a footnote of Medieval Europe, and until the town became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was restored in 1992, it was captured in its 13th through 19th century condition. When we arrived, we were given time for lunch, so my friends and I found a classic European restaurant called Papa’s.
Afterwards, CET brought us on a tour of the town, where we learned about the complex layers of architecture and the legacy the royal Rosenberg family and Third Reich each left on Český Krumlov, ending with a tour of their preserved theater. The program had arranged a dinner for everyone at the authentic Czech restaurant, Depo; I had guláš for my entree and apple strudel for dessert.
On day two, we were given time to explore, so we headed to the castle. There were artifacts from both Czech and German ancestry and a tower you could climb up to get a view of the whole town. Before we returned to Prague, we made sure to stop by the town’s chocolate shop. I bought an assortment of biscoff, nutella, and pistachio truffles and wished I had gotten more.
So far, the Czech Republic has offered so many new opportunities and experiences that I have loved trying. I am excited to see what the rest of the semester will bring!