The University of Iowa partners with CEA to offer students the opportunity to study at the CEA Study Center in Prague, Czech Republic, in a variety of academic areas related to their field of study. This program is particularly good for students looking to fulfill General Education program course requirements. Choose from the full curriculum of courses at the CEA Prague Study Center and Anglo-American University in Prague (AAU). There are more than 100 courses, all taught in English, across a range of disciplines. CEA Prague Study Center courses focus on the local context, examining Czech culture and helping you gain new insights into historical and contemporary life in Central Europe. At AAU, your classmates are local students living in Prague for AAU degree programs. AAU's schools—Business, Humanities, Social Sciences, Journalism, International Relations, and Law—provide you with a rich selection of diverse course options. Many courses at AAU and the Prague Study Center incorporate an active learning style that takes you out of the classroom and into the city, lending real-world context to lessons learned in the classroom.

Academic Program

For updated course offerings, descriptions, and syllabi, visit CEA program webpage.

During the semester take courses at, Anglo-American University, Prague’s oldest private university. Courses are taught in English; you’ll attend class alongside local Czech and other international students from more than 50 countries. AAU’s stunning campus is located in the 17th century Thurn-Taxis Palace in the central Mala Strana neighborhood, adjacent to the CEA Prague Center and within walking distance of the Charles Bridge and other notable historic sites

Many courses incorporate an active learning style that takes you out of the classroom and into the city, lending real-world context to lessons learned in class. AAU's five schools—Business Administration, Humanities & Social Sciences, Journalism, International Relations & Diplomacy, and Law—provide students with diverse course options to meet their academic interests.

UI sponsors the CEA & AAU combo option only.

The University of Iowa does not sponsor the CEA and UNYP Hybrid program.

Program Structure

Each semester, students will enroll in 1 core course—with a local, regional, or national focus—and 3-4 additional courses. Courses meet for 42-56 contact hours. Classes meet at various times, Monday-Friday. Active learning components required by your courses may be scheduled on Fridays.

Cultural Activities

CEA offers a variety of cultural activities to match student interests; whether students enjoy music, history, sports, cooking, etc., CEA’s resident staff can help students get involved in the local culture. To help students plan, students will receive a calendar with CEA trips and activities, along with an AICAP (Academics Integrated Cultural Activities Program) booklet with descriptions of the activities on offer during the study abroad program. All activities listed are included in program costs; students are able to sign up for activities during the first week on-site.

Semester students are typically offered three excursions and summer students are typically offered two excursions. During orientation, students will receive a calendar of excursions.

For more information, please see CEA's website for Prague programs at the following link: CEA Prague.

Program Dates

Spring Semester: Early February - Mid May

Fall Semester: Late August - Mid-December

Academic Year: Late August - Early May

For more information

Steps to Studying Abroad

1. Before initiating an application with CEA, students must complete a Discover Study Abroad session at the University of Iowa. 
2. After completing the Discover Abroad session, students must call the Study Abroad office at 319-335-0353 to be assigned to the appropriate study abroad advisor.
3. Once assigned, students must meet with their study abroad advisor to receive program application instructions.

  

Study Abroad
1111 University Capitol Centre
Iowa City, IA 52242

Phone: 319-335-0353
Email: study-abroad@uiowa.edu

Anglo-American University (AAU)

The first private university to offer courses in English to students has over 100 course options at its 5 schools, Business Administration, Humanities & Social Sciences, Journalism, International Relations & Diplomacy, and Law. Located in the heart of downtown Prague, students can get involved in clubs such as basketball club, chess club, cooking club, dance club, film club, football club, photography club, program board, a volunteering club called "Helpful Hands", and yoga club.

Prague

Prague’s hidden courtyards, winding streets, traditional pubs, and eye-catching architecture are uniquely juxtaposed with the city’s very modern business and academic opportunities. Walk to class past UNESCO World Heritage sites. Attend class in a 17th century palace. Immerse oneself into student life in one of central Europe’s most beautiful cities. With a growing economy, vibrant arts and music scenes, an influential intellectual community, and architectural styles ranging from Gothic to Baroque to Art Nouveau, Prague is an ideal setting in which to explore Czech culture. Study abroad in the city that greats like Mozart, Kundera, Rilke, and Einstein called home.

The Czech Republic

Capital: Prague

Language spoken: Czech

Currency: Czech koruna (CZK)

Prague:

Population: 1.3 million

Distance to Berlin: 174 miles

Distance to Paris: 550 miles

Prague is situated in the middle of the Czech Republic, and in just a few hours you could be in Germany, Austria, Slovakia, or Poland. Prague is rich in history and features old and new styles not seen anywhere else. With its narrow curved streets, marvelous courtyards, and green parks that make up 30% of downtown, Prague is a city for those who love to walk. Prague is an open textbook of modern and traditional literature, art, and culture surrounded by the remarkable architecture of its walls, castles, and frescoes.

US Department of State Country Information

The US Department of State provides safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Each country information page contains a Travel Advisory, Alerts, and other important details specific to that country that could affect you.

Pay close attention to the entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, health conditions, and other details to help decide whether traveling to any given country is right for you. Non-US citizen travelers may also wish to seek guidance from the embassy of their country of citizenship. The UI International Travel Policy for Students addresses restrictions on student travel to high-risk locations and engagement in high-risk activities abroad.

Living Arrangements

When in Prague, students will live in CEA housing, in an apartment shared with other CEA students. Assignments are based on availability and confirmation date.

Passport

US Citizens

If you do not have a passport, it is important that you apply for one as soon as possible to ensure you receive it before the program begins. US citizens can find more information about how to apply for a passport on the US Department of State’s website.

Important notice for students without a valid passport or whose passport will expire within the next 12 months:

US citizens can find more information about how to renew a passport on the US Department of State’s website.

Students without a valid passport should apply for a new passport or a passport renewal as early as possible.

Students with a valid passport should check the expiration date. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months AFTER the anticipated return to the US from studying abroad. If your passport is not valid for at least 6 months after your anticipated date of return to the US, you must renew your passport before applying for the visa you will need to enter your host country.

Expedited processing service is available for US passports (although this still takes several weeks and is at an additional cost). UI Study Abroad encourages students to ask the passport agency at the time of application whether expedited service is recommended.

Non-US Citizens

Students who are not US citizens should contact their consulate for more information if they need to get a new passport or renew their passport.

Travel Arrangements

Students will work with their program provider to make travel arrangements to their program site. The cost of travel is not included in the course fee. UI Study Abroad will not arrange a group flight to your study abroad destination.

Do not purchase plane tickets until you have received instructions on how to do so from your program provider.

Local Transportation

Within your host city and around the country, students will utilize public transportation such as buses and trains. Excursions and general travel require a lot of walking, so bring some comfortable shoes!

Eligibility

This program is open to all UI students who are in both good academic and also disciplinary standing. Applicants must also meet the minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.

Students are not required to have any Czech language background prior to applying for the program, as most courses in this program are taught in English. However, learning to speak at least some Czech is certainly encouraged.

It is the UI Study Abroad office's policy that all students who study abroad must be in both good academic standing and also good disciplinary standing. Students who, even after being accepted into a program, are put on either academic and/or disciplinary probation for any period of time overlapping with the study abroad program dates are ineligible to study abroad.

In these cases, students must forfeit their acceptance and will NOT be allowed to study abroad. Any student who must forfeit their acceptance and/or attendance on a study abroad program due to a probationary status is wholly responsible for any and all financial expenses incurred.

Cost

There is a $50 UI non-refundable application fee. Students will pay the CEA program fee, Study Abroad administrative fees, and will be enrolled in Iowa Regents international health insurance. A Confirmation Deposit as well as a security deposit is due to CEA that students need to pay CEA directly for themselves and does not go on the U-Bill.

The program fee includes tuition and fees, housing, and on-site support services as well as pre-departure services. Expected additional costs include but are not limited to: meals, local transportation, airfare, personal expenses, visa fees, and textbooks.

Program Cost Sheet

Cost Sheets (for an estimated cost of attendance)

The Spring 2024 course fees can be found at the following link: Spring 2024 Cost Sheet

The program cost sheet outlines the total estimated costs associated with participating in this program and can be used for financial aid purposes. Cost sheets include fees charged on students’ U-Bills, as well as out-of-pocket expenses. Actual out-of-pocket expenses will vary from individual to individual. Housing charges may vary, depending on options chosen. Quoted estimates are conservatively high, yet realistic.

The cost sheet includes the Study Abroad Administrative Fee and Mandatory Iowa Regents CISI Travel Insurance. Please see the respective web sites for further details. If the fee is inclusive of UI tuition, it is calculated by Current Tuition. Please contact your study abroad advisor with questions regarding this cost sheet – call 319-335-0353 to schedule an appointment.

CEA also requires separate enrollment in its own health insurance policy, therefore students are required to have double insurance coverage. This cost is included in the program fees. If you have questions about this please contact your advisor.

Consult with your Study Abroad advisor for any clarification about fees and billing. Note that when you withdraw from a program, any money already paid directly to a program provider and/or a host university will potentially be forfeited. Check with your specific provider/host university for details. Additional penalties for cancellation of airline tickets may also apply. Check with your airline for further details.

Cost sheets do not include the following optional costs:

Additional Optional Costs Paid to CEA

These fees are all optional and are not included in the course fee for the program. The cost should be paid directly to CEA. Failure to pay these fees will result in CEA withholding your transcript.

Optional fees vary by session, and will be available shortly before the upcoming session.

Personal Travel Costs

Costs for personal travel are not included in the cost estimates provided on the cost sheet. If you plan to travel outside of your host city or country during or after your study abroad program, you will need to budget for additional funds to cover the cost of your personal travel.

The cost of personal travel depends entirely on each student’s individual travel plans and spending habits. Estimates for personal travel costs provided by past students on this program vary significantly from $1,500 to as much as $9,000 or more per session.

More Information about Optional Additional Costs

Students should budget additional funds to cover optional additional costs not described on the program cost sheet. Contact CEA for more information about these optional additional costs.

Costs charged to the U-Bill

• Application Fee (charged at the time of application, before financial aid/scholarships disburse)
• Course Fee- Including the program course fee, housing, some excursions, CEA health insurance (charged shortly before departure)
• Study Abroad Fees (charged shortly before departure)
• CISI Health Insurance (charged shortly before departure)

Out-of-pocket costs (not charged to U-Bill)

• Round trip airfare (paid by student directly to travel agent or airline- approx. 6-8 weeks prior to departure, before financial aid/scholarships disburse)
• CEA Application fee (paid by student prior to departure, before financial aid/scholarships disburse)
• Consular and visa fees, when needed (paid by student prior to departure, before financial aid/scholarships disburse. Contact CIBT Visasfor more information.)
• Books, materials, and supplies (paid upon arrival to the Czech Republic)
• Food (paid by student at their discretion while abroad)
• Rental or purchase of required cell phone- does not include usage fees (paid as needed while abroad)
• Local transportation (paid at student’s discretion while abroad)
• Personal expenses (paid by student at their discretion while abroad)
• Passport (paid by student prior to departure, before financial aid/scholarships disburse)
• Medical exam/immunizations (paid by student as needed prior to departure, before financial aid/scholarships disburse)
• Optional fees paid to CEA (paid by student as needed while abroad)
• Personal travel expenses (paid by student as needed while abroad)

How to Apply

• Meet with the appropriate study abroad advisor to discuss your study abroad plans well ahead of the application deadline. Your application will not be approved until you've completed this step. You can set up an appointment by calling UI Study Abroad at 319-335-0353.
• Meet with your academic advisor to review your program and ensure that it is a good match for your academic and personal goals.
• If you and your academic advisor agree that the program is a good match for you, complete the UI Study Abroad application. Please note that for study abroad programs through Fall 2022, students will not be charged the $50 application fee until travel is assured. If a student chooses to withdraw prior to the application fee being billed, it will not be charged.
• Students participating in the 6 week Summer session must choose to take6 s.h. or UIowa studetns can enroll in the 9 week summer session and take 9 s.h. when they submit their UI application.
• Create an account for the CEA online application in the MyCEA portal. Complete all of the online sections of the application. Select your study abroad advisor (Ryan Ourada), listed above, in the Advisor Approval Form task.
• Submit the CEA application.
• UI students are not required to pay the CEA $100 application fee. If you are asked to pay the CEA application fee, contact your UI study abroad advisor.
• Your advisor will complete the Advisor Approval Form and submit it to CEA along with your unofficial transcript. If CEA asks you to submit a transcript, contact your UI study abroad advisor.
• CEA will contact you by email to notify you of your acceptance status. This email will refer you to additional documents posted on your MyCEA account. After you receive your official acceptance from CEA, UI will also send acceptance materials to you by email. This email will refer you to additional documents you will need to submit to UI Study Abroad to confirm and finalize your participation in the program.
• To confirm your participation in the program, you will be required to pay the non-refundable $500 CEA Confirmation Deposit as well as the refundable $350 CEA Security Deposit. You must pay these directly to CEA through your MyCEA account.

A reminder that UI sponsors the CEA & AAU combo option only.

The University of Iowa does not sponsor the CEA and UNYP Hybrid program.

Post-Acceptance

• You will be working with both UI and CEA directly. Please follow instructions from both. Following your acceptance, you will receive information and further instructions from CEA. Later, your UI Study Abroad advisor will contact you regarding orientation sessions, registration, and other required UI procedures and documentation.
• You will need to provide scans of the picture page of your passport to both UI and CEA. If you do not have a valid passport at the time you apply to study abroad, provide the scans as soon as you receive your passport.
• You will be billed on your U-Bill for your program fee, administrative fees, and Iowa Regents health insurance.

Withdrawal Policy

After applying for a Study Abroad Program, notice of withdrawal must be made in writing to University of Iowa Study Abroad. The date on which the letter or e-mail message is received is the date by which your costs will be calculated. If for any reason you withdraw after the confirmation deadline and before or during the course of the program, the amount/percentage shown in the following chart represents what you will be required to pay to the University of Iowa.

Application Deadline

Spring: September 24

Fall/Academic Year: March 15

Acceptance and Confirmation Materials

Coming soon.

Health & Safety Planning

In addition to submitting their Confirmation of Participation form, students should review the following:

Study Abroad Resources

Passports and Visas

Iowa Regents CISI Health Insurance Information

Students are also encouraged to complete the Health Preparation Guide for International Travel form with their medical practitioner. This document is intended to help you plan for your medical needs abroad. Please DO NOT turn this form in to UI Study Abroad.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

For more information about receiving financial aid while studying abroad, please review the following:UI Financial Aid Information

You can find more information about options for funding your study abroad experience including scholarships on Undergraduate Scholarships for Study Abroad.

In addition, take a look at CEA Scholarship website for information about scholarships offered directly through your program provider.

Visa

U.S. passport holders should follow the Visa batch process instructions provided by CEA. Make sure to submit all required documents by the submission deadline. Otherwise you will have to apply for your student visa independently.

U.S. Citizens will need a student visa if they are going abroad for a semester, or academic year. Typically, they will not need a visa for the summer sessions.

Non-US Citizens- should refer to the Czech Visa website for more information on Czech visa requirements.

UI Study Abroad will hold advising appointments and/or information sessions to provide details on the visa application process. UI Study Abroad staff can provide some assistance on the Czech visa application process, but ultimately the individual traveler (the student) is the person who is responsible for providing correct information on the visa application and securing the visa and all other required documentation prior to travel.

Prior to starting the visa application process check in with CEA for more information; they have a preferred timeline that students need to follow.

Orientation

In order to prepare for your time abroad, you are required by the University of Iowa to complete two orientations. These may be in addition to orientations provided by your on-site provider. See below for more information.

Online Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation

You are required to complete the International Programs ICON course "Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation" prior to departure. This orientation is mandatory for all students going abroad under the auspices of the University of Iowa. It covers many practical matters about living overseas, such as health and safety, communication, money, goals, and much more. You will be enrolled in this course by International Programs and an email will be sent to you once enrolled. If you have any questions, you can email safety-abroad@uiowa.edu

Program-Specific Orientation

This orientation will be facilitated by your study abroad advisor and will cover content specific to your program and host country. It could be conducted in a group setting or one-on-one depending on your type of planned activity abroad. Your study abroad advisor will send you more information about this mandatory in-person session.

Predeparture Resources

CEA will provide you with a variety of pre-departure resources to prepare you for your study abroad experience. These will include a packing list, cultural information, housing instructions, etc. Ensure that you thoroughly review any information provided to you by CEA and refer back to it if you have any questions.

These materials may be periodically updated to reflect new program information prior to departure. Be sure to check your CEA Account often.

There are no photos available for this program yet. Do you have any photos to share with us? If you do, please contact us at:

1111 University Capitol Centre
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1802
USA

Phone: (319) 335-0353
Fax: (319) 335-0343
E-mail: study-abroad@uiowa.edu