UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS, PRAGUE W. Churchill sq. 4 Prague 3, Czech Republic. EXCHANGE OFFICE Daniela Slámová exchange@vse.

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1 UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS, PRAGUE W. Churchill sq. 4 Prague 3, Czech Republic EXCHANGE OFFICE Daniela Slámová exchange@vse.cz 1

2 UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS, PRAGUE Intensive Summer Language Course Welcome guide 2

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4 INDEX THE UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS, PRAGUE 5 History of the University 5 Few notes on the University 6 Academic calendar 7 ISLCs STUDENTS 7 Programme description 7 Duration 9 ISLC at the University of Economics, Prague 10 The course in summer INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS 11 Application 11 Some final notes 13 INFORMATION FOR PARTICIPANTS 14 When 14 Where 14 Program 14 Housing, meals 14 Costs, pay and payment 15 How to 17 USEFUL INFORMATION 18 About the Czech Republic 18 Language 19 Living in the Czech Republic 20 4

5 The University of Economics, Prague History of the University 1919 The Commercial College (VŠO) was founded as an independent department of the Czech Technical University. It has specializations in Wholesale, Trade, Banking and the Organization of Industrial Companies Along with all other universities, VŠO was closed down by the Nazis 1953 The University of Economics (VŠE) was established consisting of five faculties: General Economics, Finance and Credit, Statistics, Production Economics and Commerce VŠE experienced a general reorganization, following the Velvet Revolution VŠE became a full member of CEMS (Community of European Management Schools) and PIM (Partnership in International Management) 2006 The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) was introduced The EDUNIVERSAL project awarded VŠE as the 1st Business School in the Central and East European Zone The European Commission awarded VŠE with ECTS Label and DS Label for the period. 5

6 Few notes on the University of Economics, Prague The University of Economics, Prague has approximately students that study six faculties five in Prague and one in Jindřichův Hradec in South Bohemia. The education is guaranteed by more than 700 academics and high quality researchers. VŠE fully adopted the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), which enables taking of individual degrees of study at various Czech institutions and abroad. VŠE is also active in the field of lifelong learning. Graduates of the University occupy responsible positions in the private and public sectors. Most are employed in the sectors of industry and services, trade, marketing, banking, public administration, accounting, audit, tourism and information technology. 6

7 Academic calendar Fall Semester 2015 Nomination deadline: 1 May 2015 (15 April for non-eu) Application deadline: 30 May 2015 (15 May for non-eu) Registration of Courses: 8 June 1 September 2015 Orientation week: 14 September 20 September 2015 Classes: 21 September 18 December 2015 Exam period: 21 December February 2016 (all exchange students will be given a chance to finish their exams by end of classes, i.e. December 18) Public and other holidays: 28 September 2015 (Day of the Czech statehood) 28 October 2015 (Foundation of the independent Czechoslovak State) 17 November 2015 (Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day) 24 December 2015 (Christmas Eve) 25 December 2015 (Christmas Day) 1 January 2016 (Restoration Day of the Independent Czech State) Spring Semester 2016 Nomination deadline: 1 November 2015 (1 October for non-eu) Application deadline: 30 November 2015 (15 October for non-eu) Registration of Courses: 5 January 27 January 2016 Orientation week: 8 February 14 February 2016 Classes: 15 February 13 May 2016 Exam period: 16 May 24 June 2016 (all exams can be finished before the end of May) Public and other holidays: 1 January 2016 (Restoration Day of the Independent Czech State) 28 March 2016 (Easter Monday) 1 May 2016 (Labour day) 8 May 2016 (Liberation Day) 5 July 2016 (St Cyril and Methodius Day) 6 July 2016 (Jan Hus Day) 7

8 PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION Intensive Summer Language Course (ISLC) has been created to provide more students the possibility to study Czech language and culture before coming to the Czech Republic as an exchange students. The course is designed for students spending their semester abroad in the Czech Republic. Goals of the courses are to teach students to communicate in the target language in everyday situations and learn about the culture of the country. 8

9 There is offered beginner level only. The course also includes various cultural and social activities to help students get to know the country, where they will spend several months of their life, and its inhabitants. 9

10 General information the course lasts 2 weeks held from August 24 till September 4 The course participants should acquire basic communication skills in Czech language, i.e. after completing the course participants should be able to understand simple texts, react in real life situations and communicate in Czech (meeting/greeting others, orientation in the city, travel arrangements, shopping, doctor s visit, etc.). We believe these skills would be helpful to the students during their further stay in the Czech Republic and would be a good base for their potential further Czech language studies. 10

11 ISLC at the University of Economics, Prague University of Economics, Prague is proud to have an opportunity to organize Intensive Summer Language Courses. As an institution we have long-time experience in running preparatory language courses. During the whole course, members of the International Office administrative staff will be available for course participants and teachers/lecturers. Further personal assistance to the course participants will be offered by the student organisation ESN VŠE Praha Buddy System that is known for providing perfect support services to all international students at VSE. All students will have a reserved place at the dormitories. The course in summer 2015 from August 24 till September 4, 2015 we plan to run 1 course (in case of high demand we will open 2 courses) Course capacity is students All students will have reserved place at the dormitories 11

12 Information for Applicants Application Who can apply? Any student who is coming to study at University of Economics, Prague for a semester or two abroad. How to apply? To apply you need to fill in an online application which is available on our website ozs.vse.cz/english. Applications have to be submitted online as following: 1. Fill in the online application form. 2. Within approximately a week time after application deadline you will be notified if you have been successful. 3. After the confirmation of the application you will be sent the payment details for the application fee. Only after paying the fee your application is definite. 4. At the beginning of the course (registration) you will need to provide us with a confirmation of payment of the rest of the tuition fee. 5. In case of full capacity in our course, you will be put on a waiting list and contacted by the respective organizer as soon as a place in a course is free. 12

13 Important deadlines and dates Application deadline: May 15, 2015 Course dates: August 24 September 4, 2015 In-person registration: August 24, 2015 Application fee: to be paid by July 1, 2015 Payment of the full tuition fee: confirmation needs to be provided at the registration on August 24, 2015 as the latest. Housing dates: dormitories available from August 21 till September 6, 2015 (in case of earlier or later arrival/ departure you will need to notify our office). For any information regarding our course feel free to contact us on 13

14 Information for Participants When Summer language course is going to be held from August 24 till September 4, Where The course is taught at the University of Economics, Prague in the Rajská budova (Paradise building). Information about student registration and times will be sent to all participants via in July. Program Preliminary program for the ISLC courses can be found at our website ( The final program with explanations will be delivered on the first day of the course. Housing Housing will be provided to students on our dormitories Jarov. For address and more information see again our website. Accommodation will be reserved by our office and students will receive all necessary information in the informative in July. Rooms are always double-bedded, there are two rooms sharing one flat unit. The cost for the living is 152 CZK (app. 5,5 EUR) per person per night which is paid after arrival in cash. Student are allowed to arrive earlier, we highly recommend to arrive approx. 1-3 days in prior of the course. We have reserved rooms till the weekend after the course (August 20). Meals There will be canteen open during the summer 2015 at the university. Furthermore students will receive information about different possibilities around the university in the welcome package. Tips for trips Our office will organize several trips and cultural event for the students. We will update more information about all trips that we will organize later. 14

15 Estimated additional optional costs Most of the EU students coming under Erasmus framework have the possibility to ask for a grant. In the chart below are some estimated costs for the whole ISLC: CZK CZK EUR EUR Housing Food Month pass Trips and cultural events organized by our office Other costs TOTAL Pay and payment The full tuition fee for the course is CZK which is approximately 450 EUR. The full fee needs to be paid by the registration day (first day of the course). The application fee is CZK (app. 200 EUR) and needs to be paid by June 1. 15

16 Without the application fee the application is incomplete. CZK EUR* USD* Total tuition fee Application fee * estimated; the price needs to be paid in the CZK After the deadline we will confirm to all students that applied online if they have been accepted and ask all selected participants to pay the application fee. The fee is non-refundable (i.e. in case of cancelling the participation, the fee will not be sent back). Total tuition fee includes the application fee, so at the beginning of the course and after paying the application fee, students need to pay only the difference between the fee and the total amount. The fee cannot be paid in cash. 16

17 How to 1. apply for the dormitories: Students will reserve a place on the dormitories via the online application. 2. get from airport/ bus or rail station to dormitories: Students will receive a Czech Buddy a VSE student who will pick them up from the airport/ station and bring them to dormitories. Buddies will also help with basic shopping, getting to know the city etc. 3. get from dormitories to school: Again, the Buddy will help students to get to school. The easiest way is to take tram no. 9 from dorms to station Husinecká which is close to school (see map). 4. use public transportation: Again your Buddy will help you to buy the public Transportation ticket. For more information about Ticket price see here. Some useful links Prague Information Service Public Transportation in the Czech Republic General information about the Czech Republic Study in the Czech Republic ESN VŠE Praha Buddy System Photos and movie from last years of organizing the EILC courses are available here. 17

18 You should know about the Czech Republic: Population: 10,5 million (the Czech Republic) 1,251,000 (Prague) Time: Central European (GMT+1), summer time Central European +1 (GMT+2) Electricity: 220 V, 50 hz Country code for telephone calling: Czech Republic or +420 We recommend you to bring a universal plug/socket adapter. North American 110V appliances will also need a transformer. 18

19 I Hear Everywhere The official language is Czech. Most local people have basic or possibly intermediate knowledge of English or German, elderly people can usually speak Russian. In the majority of hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, historical monuments, shops and services, communication is possible in English, German and sometimes French/Spanish. Foreign currency can be exchanged in banks or exchange offices. There are many tourist exchange offices throughout the city centre, some of which are open Mon Sun till late evening. Do not exchange your money on the street!!! ATMs: We recommend you to set up a bank account here. A local account is much cheaper and more convenient than using your home bank account. For more information see the Banks section below. However, if you are in the Czech Republic for one semester only, this might not be necessary. There is quite a dense network of bankomat (ATM machines) in the Czech Republic, especially in Prague. Almost all these terminals accept both international VISA and EuroCard/MasterCard, also Cirrus, EdC/Maestro and American Express cards. It is a good idea to check the labels on each particular ATM before using it. Also beware of thieves when you are using your credit or debit card. EuroCard/MasterCard, VISA and American Express cards are accepted in major shops especially in tourist areas of the city. 19

20 Living In The Czech Republic...or daddy send me more money!!! Although in most aspects the life in the Czech Republic is rapidly approaching Western standards of living, the cost of living remains substantially lower than in Western Europe. Some examples: Budget meal in a restaurant is about 2,5-6 EUR; a mid-range about 6-10 EUR; a meal in a top end restaurant starts at 10 Eur. A beer in an average pub costs 1 EUR. Tickets to the opera or ballet (with an ISIC card) can be as little as 3 EUR! Generally, it is possible to enjoy a very comfortable life with as little as CZK (approximately 250 EUR) per month. Summers are usually mild, sunny and a bit humid. Winter weather includes freezing temperatures. 20