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Desirous to step into the footsteps of a faculty pupil who studied overseas within the Czech Republic? We not too long ago caught up with Molly from the College of Puget Sound, a faith, spirituality, & society (RSS) and gender queer research (GQS) double main, who did a research overseas program in Prague through the fall semester.
Uncover how Molly’s research overseas expertise with AIFS Overseas helped her discover Central Europe and grow to be a extra assured, impartial particular person!
Selecting a Program Location & Time period
When you determine you wish to research overseas, the enjoyable half begins: selecting the place on the earth you wish to go and when. AIFS Overseas permits you to browse tons of superior packages in thrilling worldwide locations across the globe, so yow will discover a program that’s finest for you. Right here’s why Molly selected to research overseas in Prague:
“There have been so many causes I selected Prague. As somebody who research historical past, faith, and gender, I used to be entranced by Czech historical past and needed to discover its tradition. Furthermore, I felt that there was a big hole in my training, notably concerning Central and Japanese Europe and former Communist nations. I used to be drawn to Prague’s wealthy political and spiritual previous, and the way in which these histories proceed to form its current. I might suggest this program to future college students who’re open-minded and keen to interact with the distinctive tradition.”
Whether or not you’re fascinated about a full semester or a short-term program, AIFS Overseas permits you to research or intern overseas when it’s handy for you. Right here’s how Molly described her choice to check overseas in Prague through the fall semester:
“I selected to check overseas within the fall time period for a number of causes. At my dwelling college, there have been vital courses I wanted to soak up the spring for my diploma, so the autumn match finest with my tutorial schedule. I used to be additionally excited to expertise Czech Independence Day and the Christmas markets, each of that are distinctive to the season.”
Why AIFS Overseas?
With trusted, extremely inclusive packages that provide hands-on studying experiences and unforgettable worldwide adventures, selecting AIFS Overseas is simple for a lot of school college students and up to date graduates. Right here’s why Molly determined AIFS Overseas was proper for her:
“I used to be motivated to decide on AIFS as a result of it was one of many few packages that provided Prague as a location. Furthermore, I needed a research overseas expertise that was supportive and culturally partaking. What made AIFS stand out was this system’s holistic nature, from the excursions to volunteer and internship alternatives… Many former college students [said] that AIFS Overseas [programs] supplied a sound construction whereas nonetheless permitting for impartial exploration, which was very interesting to somebody touring overseas for the primary time. Figuring out that I might have a dependable community, in addition to particular person freedom, made AIFS the precise alternative for me.”
College Expertise
Learning overseas is a chance to immerse your self in a totally new studying atmosphere. You may take distinctive programs, apply your research to an area context, and be taught from professors with various views.
Molly attended Charles College the place she liked all of her programs and located the hands-on studying experiences to be extraordinarily priceless:
“I really feel extremely fortunate as a result of all of my courses had been superb, however one which particularly stood out was The Development of Czech Nationwide Identification and its Symbols. The category met as soon as every week for 3 hours, however solely the primary half was spent within the classroom. For the second half, our professor would take us out into town, utilizing Prague itself as our classroom. These excursions introduced the course materials to life and allowed us to attach historic and cultural ideas on to the areas and monuments round us.”
Language Studying
Don’t know a second language? No downside! Many AIFS Overseas packages don’t require you to have any prior overseas language expertise. However as Molly discovered, taking a Czech language course in Prague was extraordinarily useful:
“I didn’t want prior language expertise to be eligible for my program, however as soon as accepted, it was strongly beneficial that we begin training. My Czech abilities improved considerably, thanks largely to a required two-week intensive course at first, the place we discovered important phrases and tips on how to navigate on a regular basis conditions, like ordering meals… Talking a brand new language can really feel intimidating, however in my expertise, many Czech folks genuinely appreciated the hassle, even when your grammar or pronunciation wasn’t good.”
Housing
AIFS Overseas packages present secure and central housing so that you don’t have to fret about the place you’re going to remain throughout your time overseas. Hear Molly describe her expertise dwelling in a dorm in Prague:
“I lived in a dorm with different AIFS and ECES (East and Central European Research) college students from the U.S. I had my very own room however shared a rest room and mini fridge with a roommate. Among the best elements of my housing was that each one of my AIFS mates had been in the identical constructing, which made it straightforward to attach and spend time collectively. We additionally had entry to a shared kitchen, which was extremely useful for making meals, and a chilly breakfast was supplied on weekdays, a pleasant bonus and nice to have earlier than going off to class.”
AIFS Overseas Actions & Excursions
AIFS Overseas has on-site employees in every of our program locations. These trusted employees members are there to assist you all through your program and may additionally lead programmatic journeys, excursions, and actions round your host metropolis and nation. As Molly explains, these included AIFS Overseas journeys and actions had been nice alternatives to journey and be taught extra concerning the Czech Republic from the native employees:
“I went on our journey to Brno/Moravia, which was actually memorable as a result of one in every of our on-site employees was from there and will share [her] native perspective. I additionally received to go to Karlovy Fluctuate, a spa city, the place I attempted the spring mineral water and hung out within the saunas, such a novel expertise! One in every of my favourite elements of this system was our ‘Z walks,’ the place our employees member Z would take us across the metropolis or to museums to show us about Czech historical past, artwork, and tradition. These walks made Prague really feel a lot extra alive and acquainted.”
Weekend Journeys
Throughout your free time overseas, you’re greater than welcome to take journeys to different cities and nations by yourself or with mates. As a Central European nation, the Czech Republic is a perfect launching level in your worldwide travels. Hear Molly listing a number of the locations she visited throughout her research overseas program within the Czech Republic:
“I went on a bunch of weekend journeys: Bratislava, Vienna, Salzburg, Budapest, Munich, and Barcelona. I attended Oktoberfest in Munich and celebrated Halloween in Barcelona, which was a tremendous expertise. However actually, Salzburg was my favourite. We went mountain climbing and received to see all The Sound of Music spots. It was lovely and felt actually particular.”
AIFS Overseas Help
Regardless of the place you research overseas with AIFS Overseas, you may relaxation assured that you just’ll have trusted on-site employees there that can assist you get oriented and acclimated to your host metropolis. For Molly, the AIFS Overseas on-site employees had been a sport changer:
“Everybody I met via AIFS was actually superb. My on-site employees, particularly, made such a distinction. They confirmed me locations I by no means would’ve found by myself and had been all the time there if I wanted assist. I’ve celiac illness, they usually went out of their means to assist me discover secure meals choices and advocate for me, which made me really feel actually cared for.
Each time I bumped into any obstacles, my on-site employees had been superb and all the time helped me determine issues out. They made it straightforward to get entry to no matter I wanted.”
The Influence of Research Overseas
Learning overseas doesn’t simply form your current; it may possibly considerably affect your future, offering readability on what you wish to do—academically, professionally, and personally. Molly’s time in her research overseas program formed her outlook and impressed her subsequent steps:
“My time overseas has given me a lot confidence and independence. I’m at the moment making use of for a Fulbright, a Watson Fellowship, and grad colleges, and figuring out I’ve navigated dwelling and learning abroad makes me really feel like I can tackle something.”
Are you able to take the leap and research overseas like Molly did in Prague with AIFS Overseas? We’d love that can assist you begin your journey!
Right here at AIFS Overseas, we all know a factor or two about serving to school college students research overseas. Our packages include many priceless inclusions (which actually take the stress out of planning!), reminiscent of housing, cultural and social actions, journeys and excursions, complete insurance coverage, 24/7 emergency assist, on-site employees, and extra. Once you select AIFS Overseas, you’ll take consolation in figuring out you’ll have assist all through your complete expertise.
