Eligibility
- 18 years of age or above
- Good academic and disciplinary standing at Penn State
- 2.50 cumulative GPA or better at the time of application
- Sophomore standing or above at the start of the program
Program Description
Students will choose from one of three program tracks on the CIEE Prague program:
The Central European Studies program track lets you choose from a wide array of courses on Czech culture and society including history, media, art, religion, literature, and politics at Charles University. You can also take up to four courses at FAMU, Central Europe’s preeminent film school. Nonstop cultural activities and guided tours will enrich your academic pursuits and make your journey to Prague one you’ll treasure forever. Courses are taught in English. There is no language prerequisite, but students are encouraged to take a Czech language course.
Students begin with a one-and-a-half week orientation session, which will also introduce students to useful Czech language basics with the intent of making the cultural immersion as enriching as possible. Courses are taught by faculty affiliated with Charles University, University of Economics, Czech Academy of Science, and the Academy of Performing Arts (FAMU) and others.
Prague’s rapidly evolving media landscape makes it an ideal place to explore global communication trends while you learn about the city’s complex culture and rich history. Study at Prague’s most prestigious university and include a hands-on internship to create a rich learning experience. You’ll find inspiration all around you, with 1,000 years of magnificent art and architecture from every period.
Based at CIEE Prague - Vyšehrad, this program allows students to select courses offered by CIEE, the Academy of the Performing Arts (FAMU), and prestigious Charles University – the oldest university in central Europe - to further their studies in journalism, media, and communications while they learn about Czech culture. Students begin with a two-week orientation session, which includes a week-long survival Czech language course. Students may combine this program with a semester of the CIEE Prague Central European Studies or Film Studies programs to stay in the Czech Republic for a full academic year.
This program track includes an optional internship. Gain international experience with valuable internships that require 8–10 onsite work hours per week. Students interview to be selected by the internship providers, take a related seminar (15 hours of class time), and attend meetings and other events with the program staff. You could intern at vibrant start-ups, advertising agencies, media outlets, think tanks, and other organizations. Do not miss the opportunity to boost your resume while studying abroad!
With a rich filmmaking tradition that includes Miloš Forman, Agnieszka Holland, Emir Kusturica, and Jan Sverák, Prague is an ideal place to produce a short 16-mm film or dig into a feature-length screenplay. And with magnificent art and architecture from every period at every turn, it’s impossible not to be inspired by these creations – and the stories behind them. The CIEE Film Studies Program is designed for students with experience in film production, screenwriting, or film studies. Through a combination of specially designed CIEE film courses and FAMU elective offerings, students hone production and writing skills, and develop and produce their own short films in teams of two, or write screenplays. (Note: CIEE reserves the right to combine tracks in the case of low enrollment).
Students choose from one of two tracks:
- Production Track: Create a short 16-mm film, including pre-production, production, and post-production, with supervision from faculty mentors and support from FAMU studio production staff.
- Screenwriting Track: Start a feature-length screenplay, completing its full treatment and writing about half of a first draft. Along the way, provide critical and constructive analysis of your peers’ work and your own.
The program begins with a two-week intensive Czech language program, followed by two 90-minute lessons a week. This course includes interactive outings like shopping, walks, and a scavenger hunt. Students take most of their courses at the Prague Film and Television School of the Academy of the Performing Arts (FAMU), one of the preeminent film schools in Central Europe, and one of the oldest film schools in Europe. Many influential filmmakers and screenwriters are FAMU alumni, including Stanislav Barabas, and Oscar-winners Miloš Forman and Agnieszka Holland. Film production facilities include digital Betacam, HDV, and 16mm and 35mm film.
Dates
Academic Year: late August/early September- mid May
Fall: late August/early September - mid December
Spring: mid/late January - mid May
Each program track on the CIEE Prague program offers different dates. Please refer to the CIEE website for specific dates.
Location
Cobblestone streets, ancient bridges, and a hilltop castle help lend the City of a Hundred Spires its reputation as one of the world’s most beautiful. Prague is unique in Europe, having shed its Communist past and brimming with carefully preserved monuments from every period and style in its millennial history. There’s plenty of quirky, too, like the Zizkov Tower adorned with climbing babies, and the distinctly nontraditional Dancing House. Easy to explore on foot, the city boasts a vibrant cultural life that includes concerts, festivals, operas, and more – many of which you can access on a student budget.
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.
Program Costs
Fall Costs
Spring Costs
The cost of a program is based on Penn State tuition rates and partner institution fees. Due to the variety of locations and partner institutions, costs will vary depending on the program. Education Abroad works closely with our partners to ensure the most accurate cost estimates, however, fees can change quickly and without prior notice. Consult the cost sheets for your chosen program often and if you have any questions please contact your Education Abroad Adviser.
Scholarships
The Education Abroad Office awards a number of grants and scholarships to students who participate in an education abroad program through Penn State Global. The application for the scholarships awarded through the Education Abroad Office is included with your program application. Eligibility is based on academic merit and/or financial need. You must have a current FAFSA on file to be awarded. There are additional scholarship opportunities through our partner universities, Penn State Academic Departments, and other sources. To view a full list of scholarships, eligibility requirements, and deadlines visit Funding Study Abroad.
Program Specific Scholarships
| Scholarship |
Estimated Amounts |
Notes & Eligibility |
| CIEE & Penn State Scholarships |
$1,000 - $4,000 |
Students who apply to a CIEE program are automatically considered for a CIEE & Penn State Scholarship. A separate scholarship application is not required. |
| Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Travel Grants |
$750 - $2,000 |
Students who receive a federal Pell grant are guaranteed this award, which can be used toward the cost of airfare if the CIEE is submitted by the deadline. Application submitted through CIEE. |
| CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant |
$1,000 - $2,500 |
Students who receive a federal Pell grant and show proof of application to the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship are guaranteed a grant. Application submitted through CIEE. |
Learn more about other CIEE scholarships by reviewing the Scholarships & Grants section of CIEE's website.
Student Aid
Penn State students who plan to study on a Penn State approved program can use most forms of financial aid towards the cost of the program. Exceptions include work-study awards and some athletic scholarships. If you have specific questions regarding your aid awards, contact the Penn State Office of Student Aid.
Withdrawal & Refund Policy
Withdrawal and refund details are dependent on the timing and reason for your withdrawal from a Penn State Education Abroad Program. For specific details and steps on how to withdraw, read the Education Abroad Policies.
After Commitment
Once a student has committed to a Penn State Education Abroad program, they are financially responsible for any fees incurred on their behalf. Therefore, if a student plans to withdraw from a program it is their responsibility to immediately notify the Education Abroad office, in writing; email is preferred.
Regardless of the timing or reason for the withdrawal, the student will be responsible for paying the Education Abroad Administrative Fees. Additional fees from the partner institution will be assessed according to their withdrawal and refund policies at the date of the withdrawal notice.
After the Start of the Program
If a student withdraws after the start of a program, any adjustment of Penn State tuition charges will be made according to the Tuition Adjustment Schedule as determined by the Office of the Bursar. Students may be responsible for up to 100% of program costs. In most cases, partial credit cannot be awarded for leaving a program before its successful completion.
For additional information on withdrawal policies, separate and apart from financial consequences, please consult the University Senate Policy on Withdrawal and Leave of Absence.
