Skip to content

Harvard Summer Program in Prague, Czech Republic

Related Link

Czech language and culture study in the heart of Europe

Faculty: Nora Hampl
(8 credits: UN, GR) Limited enrollment

Dates: July 14–August 15, 2008
Application deadline: April 15
Cost: $7,000

Prague—one of Europe’s most beautiful and enchanting cities—plays host to a remarkable treasury of central European history, art, culture, and social importance dating back to the foundation of the great Prague Castle in 880 AD. Positioned on the River Vltava in central Bohemia, Prague has been the cultural, political, and economic hub of the Czech state for more than 1,100 years.

Architecturally endowed in both the sacred and secular worlds, the “the city of a hundred spires” continues to welcome and delight with its magnificently preserved cathedrals, castles, churches, synagogues, museums, monasteries, monuments, and bridges. Artistic styles range from the romanesque to gothic, Renaissance to art nouveau. Since 1992, the historic center of Prague has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

Located in the heart of Europe, the Harvard Summer Program in Prague, Czech Republic, is a five-week intensive program in Czech language and culture. Based in one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities, this program provides a perfect opportunity for cultural immersion in a country that is rich in tradition and yet has been rapidly changing since the fall of communism in 1989. 

By examining the complex cultural, religious, political, and economic forces that shaped Czech society, students learn about the medieval court of Charles IV, the Hussite religious wars, the magnificence of the baroque period, the struggle for Czech national identity in the nineteenth century, and Nazi occupation and communist rule in the twentieth century. By the end of the course, program participants not only achieve language proficiency equivalent to one year of study, but also gain a deeper understanding of central Europe as it deals with issues of European integration and globalization. 

This program appeals to students who

Course of Study

Students take one of the following two 8-credit classes.

CZEC S-Aab Study Abroad in Prague, Czech Republic: Czech Language and Culture, Beginning Czech
Nora Hampl and Charles University staff
The course combines intensive language study in the mornings with afternoon sessions in which contemporary Czech culture is explored through presentations, sightseeing, and visits to galleries, museums, and theaters. Lectures on Czech linguistics, history, and contemporary politics are offered in the afternoons, along with walking tours of the city. Through language study (equivalent to one year of university Czech), students advance their communication skills and cultural literacy by immersing themselves in the daily life of Prague and by exploring other places in the Czech Republic as well. Integral to the course are trips to a number of sites in the eastern, western, and southern regions of Bohemia, including the towns of Cesky Krumlov and Kutna Hora, and the castles of Hluboka, Karlstejn, and Konopiste. Course instruction is supplemented by social and cultural activities in the evenings and on weekends, including day trips to areas of interest around Prague, as well as screenings of Czech films and evenings of Czech music.

Prerequisites: none

CZEC S-Bab Study Abroad in Prague, Czech Republic: Czech Language and Culture, Intermediate Czech
Nora Hampl and Charles University staff
An intermediate-level course in Czech, designed for students who have already taken Beginning Czech (Ca and Cb) or who have an equivalent proficiency level. This course aims to increase students’ ability to communicate in Czech in different contexts, and to reinforce and expand knowledge of grammar as well as reading and writing skills. Class readings include periodicals and other research materials covering topics in contemporary Czech society and culture.

Prerequisites: Slavic Ca and Slavic Cb or equivalent.

Course Credit

For Harvard College students, this course counts as two half courses (4 credits each) of degree credit.

Transfer credit. Harvard Summer School courses and credits are accepted toward degrees at most colleges and universities. Since degree requirements vary among schools, students are advised to obtain transfer credit approval from their home institutions before registering for Harvard Summer School courses.

Faculty

Nora Hampl, Preceptor in Slavic Languages and Literatures, Harvard University

Staff from Charles University

Application

Students must be at least 18 years old to apply. The application materials, outlined below, are due April 15:

Applications should be addressed as follows:

Nicole García
Office of International Programs
University Hall, Ground Floor South
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA 02138 USA

Students are notified of admission decisions by mid-March.

Cost

The cost of the program is $7,000, plus a nonrefundable $50 application fee. In addition, students are responsible for a health insurance fee (approximately $150; waived if students have US insurance that provides coverage outside the United States) and for transportation to and from the Czech Republic. The program fee covers the following:

Payment Deadlines

For admitted students, a nonrefundable deposit of $700 must be received by April 15 to secure a place in the program. Payment in full is due by May 15. A $100 late fee will be charged for payments received after this date.

Funding

Harvard College students are eligible for scholarships through the Harvard Office for International Programs (OIP). Students may consult the OIP website’s money page or contact the OIP for details. To apply for a study abroad scholarship through OIP, you will need to provide information about the program’s budget. Download* the program budget.

The Harvard College Financial Aid Office summer study webpage also provides information about assistance.

Other Harvard students may be eligible for financial assistance through their Harvard financial aid offices. Students enrolled at other institutions should consult their respective financial aid offices.

Accommodationss

Students will stay in a conveniently located university dormitory in Prague 6. The dorm suites consist of double and single rooms with shared bathrooms and shared laundry facilities. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided in the dining room of the residence hall. 

Additional Information

Contact Nora Hampl; hampl@fas.harvard.edu; (617) 496-8161; fax (617) 496-4466 (to the attention of Nora Hampl).

Students with disabilities should contact the disability services coordinator as soon as possible: (617) 495-0977, (617) 495-9419 (TTY), or disabilities@dcemail.harvard.edu. Request-for-accommodation forms and supporting diagnostic documentation must be submitted by April 25. More information about disability services, including request forms and guidelines for documentation, will be online by early February 2008.

Students applying for admission to Harvard’s study abroad programs should understand that although the University provides reasonable assistance and support to facilitate the participation of qualified students in its programs (including students with disabilities and health impairments), some of our programs are located in parts of the world where accommodations may not be readily available. Students are encouraged to be forthcoming with the disability services coordinator about any specific needs and functional limitations so that the Summer School can collaborate with those students in a way that fosters their safe participation and allows them to fully appreciate any barriers that they may face, depending on the location and rigors of the particular program.

Harvard Summer School is aware of the risks associated with international travel. Should the US Department of State issue a travel warning for any of the countries in which a study abroad program is planned, the program in that country may be canceled.

* Adobe’s free Acrobat Reader is required to view or print PDF forms.