Eligibility
- 18 years of age or above
- Good academic and disciplinary standing at Penn State
- 3.0 cumulative GPA or better at the time of application
- Sophomore standing or above at the start of the program
Program Description
The CzechMates program is a fully-accredited, selective, academic study abroad program in partnership with Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic. At the heart of Europe, Brno is not only an internationally recognized city for industry, innovation and student life, but also an optimum gateway for exploring the beauty and complexities of European culture from its central location between Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Krakow and Prague.
As a unique educational opportunity open to all, while appealing especially to students majoring in communications and related international studies, the CzechMates program seeks to specifically enhance the intercultural and professional competencies of its participants. Through a directed, culturally-immersive, English-language educational curriculum; CzechMates include tailored coursework, extensive and integrated internship prospects, excursion opportunities — and most important — applied educational mentoring across, throughout and beyond the program by an award-winning American professor formerly tenured at Penn State.
The appeal for those admitted to the CzechMates program rests in the privilege it affords to participate in an exceptional study abroad experience. A program specifically designed to provide aided instructional and experiential relevance; producing vital and measurable outcomes for the students in terms of their intercultural, personal and professional competencies.
Students on this program will enroll in the following courses:
- Globalization – Culture, Communication, Globalization or similar media and communications course
- Region and Culture (2-3 courses)
- Language Czech Language for Foreigners
Students will also have the opportunity to intern for 15-20 hours per week (200 hours across the semester), supplemented with a mentoring seminar which meets bi-weekly, led by Professor Elavsky).
Dates
Fall: early September - mid December
Spring: February - early May
Refer to the Masaryk University academic calendar for the specific dates.
Location
Brno, Czech Republic, an internationally recognized hub for industry, culture, and innovation was selected by the NY Times as “a place to go” in 2016 in light of its inviting and compelling local culture. Offering a distinct mix of traditional (Czech) and cosmopolitan (global) experiences, it is an optimum gateway for exploring the beauty and complexities of European culture from its heart.
Masaryk University is an internationally recognized research and teaching institution whose student population is fully-international in scope through its Erasmus affiliation. With its extensive English language curriculum and active student organizations, the university presents a multitude of experiential learning opportunities as well as support and integration services to both assist and augment students as they adjust and extend the ways they independently learn about the world.
Most of all, this location positions students to engage a truly immersive and rewarding experience with insights and sentiments spanning local to global.
Education Abroad in Countries with a Penn State Restricted Travel Designation
In order to comply with Penn State’s International Travel Policy, students interested in studying abroad in countries that Penn State has designated as “restricted” for travel, a petition for a waiver must be submitted. Once a petition is complete, and if the student is approved for study on the program in question, the student may be asked to meet with the Director of Education Abroad and the petition will be reviewed by the Penn State International Restricted Travel Committee (IRTC). The necessary petition will be included in the online application process for this program. To see if your program is taking place in a restricted travel country, please visit the Penn State Global website.