Field Trips for Prague, Czech Republic
You are encouraged to participate in the organized field trips, which are included in your program fees. These excursions generally take place on Fridays or Saturdays. In addition to the included program field trips, you'll also have field trips as part of many of your courses and have numerous informal activities that expose you to the local culture. Destinations may change at the discretion of the Resident Director.
The following are possible destinations, view term calendars for specifics.
Kamenický Šenov Glassworks and Mĕlník
Kamenický Šenov is the center of the glass industry in Europe. You will observe the work on the world's most precious glass decorations and blow your own glass pieces under the guidance of experienced artists.
Konopiště Chateau and Historical City of Tábor
Konopiště castle, the seat of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand d'Este whose assassination sparked the tragedy of WWI, shows the love story of the mightiest ruler of the empire that changed the map of Europe after 1918. Tábor, the fifteenth-centruy revolutionaries' town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world—you will tour the medieval underground, thirteenth century castle, and the maze of the carefully planned street system. A short walk from the city to the popular eighteenth-century Klokoty shrine will conclude the trip.
Kutná Hora
Kutná Hora flourished in the thirteenth century and became one of the most important cities in the Kingdom of Bohemia as well as the Holy Roman Empire. You will visit former silver mines, the high gothic church of St. Barbara and a unique example of baroque-gothic architecture: Our Lady Church. You will also visit and hear a lecture on Ossuary, the eighteenth century chapel decorated with artifacts made of human bones.
Fall term only. Included in program fee.
Visit the western part of Czechia that was populated by German speaking people until the 1940s, when they were removed to Germany. Escape into the beautiful nature and observe the traces of history as well as industrial development. You’ll also get to relax in one of the areas healing spas.
Terezín, Lidice, and Litomĕřice
The fortress of Terezín was built in the eighteenth century as a garrison town to protect the Austrian Empire borders. In 1939, the German Nazis occupied the Czech Republic and turned Terezín into a concentration camp for both Czech Jews and opponents of the cruel regime. The trip includes a guided tour through the camp, a lecture, and a visit to the famous museum of child inmates’ paintings. The small town of Lidice is another WWII memorial site—the town was completely wiped out and its citizens killed as the Nazi leaders wanted to scare the people from all occupied territories. The third destination of the trip is the regional capital, Litomĕřice. Founded in the tenth century, it is one of the oldest Czech royal towns. It is known for its historical monuments, architecture, and serves as a guide to the troubled twentieth-century history of Central Europe.