REPORT EXCHANGE VSE PRAGUE

Transcription

1 REPORT EXCHANGE VSE PRAGUE Personal information Name: Anne op de Haar Study + year: Bachelor International Business, 3rd year University: Rijksuniversiteit Groningen Student number: s In case of any questions, do not hesitate at all to contact me: anneopdehaar@live.nl. I am glad and honored to help. A General report 1. Host institution and exact dates of semester abroad Vysoká Skola Ekonomická (VSE), Prague, Czech Republic (CR). In English: University of Economics in Prague 2 nd Semester 2014/2015: 5 February till 27 th of May The university is situated 3 tram stops (about 5 min) from the city centre and around 11 minutes from the university dorms (where most exchange students life). I arrived on the 5 th of February and stayed till the 27 th of May. The semester started with an introduction week on Monday 9 th of February. For exchange students there is the possibility to take all your exams in the last week of classes (which I did) or you can plan your exams in the exam period in the official exam period (most of the time there are several dates per course). For me university lasted till the 15 th of May, the official exam period ended 26 th of June. 2. Contact with home faculty, preparation and journey Contact home faculty The RUG-FEB exchange office definitely helped me with the preparations for my stud abroad. Before leaving we received all necessary information via and an special study abroad lecture. This lecture was also uploaded to Nestor, I checked the lecture several times to make sure e.g. I was taking the right steps, the lecture contained useful information. All necessary material was available the entire semester (also when abroad) under my organizations. The exchange office provided us with information on issues like the Erasmus grant, documents to sign, change OV into a monthly fee During your stay abroad the exchange office will you to remind of the next steps to be taken (e.g. sign a document). The exchange office really wants to help you and s are answered quickly. I had to adjust my LA because some courses took in the pre-registration were to full and I got dropped out. Preparation I did not prepared anything really special before going to Prague. Czech republic is an European country so ID is sufficient and I opted for host university accommodation. A few weeks before departure a website became available where we could find the names of all the people in the program and later on could sing up for events organized by the buddy system. Through the website I found out more Dutch people were going and that we all booked (without knowing) the same flight.

2 Journey I decided to travel to Prague by plane (bus is around 16 hours I believe), the flight took about 75 min. Ryanair does not fly from the Netherlands or Weeze to Prague. The low-budget options I found are either EasyJet from Amsterdam or GermanWings from Dusseldorf. I checked in two big suitcases. I stayed in the dorm so did not had to bring sheets, I took warm and cold clothing, towels, my laptop, make-up and hair products and some other small items (tip = vacuum travel bags). If you go by car and stay in the dorms, take kitchen utilities since they are not provided (only bed, desk, 2 little closets in the room and 1 big one in the central area of the apartment). By car it is about 7 hours. 3. Residence abroad Arrangements visa / residence permit: for EU citizens ID is sufficient Arrival and departure dates 5 th of February till 27 th of May (university from 9 th of February till 15 th of May). My buddy picked me up from the airport and took me to the dorms where she helped me sing in (dorm staff doesn t speak English). She helped me out with my first questions like where to buy groceries and kitchen utilities. I would advice to go a few days before the start of the introduction week, this gave me the opportunity to already settle a bit (unpack, buy kitchen utility) and explore the city. Have a look at the website of the buddy system, there is a lot of useful information. Accommodation: Dorm During my time in Prague I stayed in the university dormitories, like most exchange students. We stayed in the dormitory campus called Jarov. I stayed in the flat called Jarov G, most exchange students stayed in Jarov F. However, the flats are about 500 m apart. The dorms are not the most luxurious but fine to stay for a few months. The dorm is a small apartment with an common area (which is kitchen, hallway and a corner with 4 big closets) and 2 bedrooms with each 2 beds. You live with 4 persons (usually same seks) and share kitchen, bathroom and toilet. As mentioned, the dorms are okay but do not expected a 4-star hotel. The kitchen is 2 hotplates, 1 fridge you share with 4 and the beds are about 1 meter apart from each other. However, the dorms (and university) are always warm (in Czech Republic they like to use heating) and there is warm water. Despite the fact that it is not the most luxurious place and you share a bedroom (from time to time you can miss your own personal space but then I would go out for e.g. a walk) I would advice to stay in the dorms. It is the place where almost all exchange students stay and the place where most things happen. It is the easiest way to get to know many new people. On the Jarov campus there is also a bar Juve, we would go there at least a few evenings per week to meet and have a beer with other exchange students. The dorminty has a 24 hour reception. The staff of the dormitory does not speak English. Luckily there is Google Translate (typ in Dutc/ English and translate to Czech) or you can ask your buddy or another Czech Student to translate. If friends come over, the dormitory also offers a few (very cheap) hotel rooms. This is useful since you can travel together home and to the city.

3 Link to dormitory: (with photo s) Reception and introduction From 9 till the 13 th of February the university organized an introduction week. The first day consisted of picking up documents and student card, arrange student pass for public transportation and some information lectures. The second day we did a team game through the city centre. The purpose of this game is to meet and get to know the other exchange students and explore the city. The third day a few excursions were organized which you could pick one of. I choose to participate in the Jewish Quarter Walking Tour. From Friday till Sunday we went on Ice Breaking weekend. There are not enough places for all students to come along. I would advice to go, it was a nice weekend to get to know even more people. During the day we played some icebreaking games and in the evening we partied. Student life, culture and leisure Student life in Prague is excellent: the city and its building and parks are beautiful, there are a lot of parties (every Tuesday the Buddy System organized a Nation2Nation party, every week in another club), you live in a flat with international students, and last but not least food and drinks are really cheap compared to The Netherlands. In general you pay just a bit less than a euro for half a litter beer (standard size in CR) Prague is also perfect because of its location. Outside Czech Republic I travelled to Vienna, Krakau and Budapest. In Czech Republic I participated in the Moravian Trip organized by the buddy system (wine region in CR) and went to Pilzen (brewery of most famous Czech beer called Pilsner Urquell). Despite the weekly Tuesday party the buddy system also organizes activities and some trips. The throughout the semester. They organized e.g. a relaxed soccer day, a walking tour given by a former homeless person and trips to Moravia and Kutna Hora. After my semester abroad, I feel like I know much more about Europe and its different cultures. For me it was the best experience of the exchange was meeting so many net people/friends, which all have a different background. Language The Czech language is a Slavic language and if you do not speak any Russian or other Slavic language hard to understand. However, you will be fine if you speak English or German: the younger generation speaks English pretty well on average, the older generation seemed to be better in German or Russian (because of communism). In the more touristic places and restaurants/bars, the

4 people understand and most of the time also speak English. Most important things to know are: Dobry den = good day, Ahoy = informal hello and goodby, Deki = Thank you, Nashladanou = goodbye. Grant - Amount The total amount of the Erasmus grant I received was 800 euro. Part of this I received before I left to the Czech Republic. The rest of this amount I will receive when I am back in The Netherland and have all signed documents and this report handed in. Together with the regular scholarship for Dutch students and the monthly fee of about 90 euro I received instead of using my Dutch public transport card, this was enough for living in Prague. Of course, the amount of money you spend depends a lot on how much you travel during your stay. The amount of the Erasmus grant for was set to 220 per month. Ofcourse, this amount The main expenses for abroad were the travelling expenses, depending on the form of travelling (bought tickets separate, they are around euro with luggage), accommodation expenses (100/130) per month and food expenses (approximately 350 per month). Food and drinks are not expensive in Czech Republic and if you want you want eat very cheap a proper meal in the university canteen. 5. Study (general) Introduction/ general advice: Studying in Prague; you might say it is very different, but in fact it is just studying in a different place, at a different university. The principle is the same. Go to lectures, make notes. You also have lectures and for some courses seminars. In the course description you can find more information about the things you have to do for each course, e.g. write a paper, give a presentation and/or make an exam. Instead of Blackboard, VSE uses ISIS (integrated study information system). After using it for a couple of times you will already find your way quite around. However, keep your ears open for useful tips (e.g. where to find grades and see who your classmates are) Dates of beginning and end of lecture series and examination period: The lectures started after the introduction period on the 16 th of February and lasted till the 15 th of May. The official exam period was from 18 th of May till 26 th of June. For international students it is possible to take the exams in the last week of classes. Most courses have several exams dates for which you can sign up yourself online. You can decide yourself what you prefer, you can for example plan all your exams in the last week of lectures, which allows you to start travelling earlier or you can spread the study load a bit more. Remarks on the organization of the study program At the host university s website there was a list with all the courses international students could sign in for. They provided also sufficient and clear information about the application procedure. In the two week of lectures it was still possible to make changes in my study program. You can pick between normal courses and intensive courses (courses that run for a few days till about max 2 weeks). It depend on what you prefer. If you pick normal courses you will have the same schedule every week (take into account that that Nation2Nation parties are on Tuesday evening). For the study almost no textbooks were required. Only for 2 out of my 9 courses I needed a textbook (which you could buy in class or in the shop at the university). The examinations was about what was taught in the lectures and seminars. Note: not all professors are keen on uploading their

5 presentation on ISIS, for these courses you have to made good notes. For most courses we had to give a presentation but that is about the same for me as in the Netherlands. Level of education language problems Different to Groningen where courses usually are 5 ECTS you can pick courses ranging between 3 till 7 ECTS. The more ECTS, the heavier the course Is supposed to be. The level of education is less difficult compared to Groningen. We did had to do some studying but there is still enough time left to also do other things. I did not experienced any language problems. The English of teachers and fellow students is of a proper level. Study facilities/ International Office abroad The study facilities are in general ok: it ranges from pretty old and bad to really good and new. The university of economics consists of three parts: the Old Building, the New Building and Paradise building. These names perfectly reflect these buildings. Contact with the International Office abroad was good, they were very helpful and nice. Summary of subjects taken. For the study abroad a total of 30 ECTS had to be filled. The guest university provides you a list of which courses the exchange students can follow, ranging from 3 to 7 ETCS each. Course 1: Basic Czech for foreigners (A1) - 3 ECTS Learn the real basics of the Czech language like pronunciation, introduction into the grammar and spelling and how to introduce yourself. This course required an exercise book that can be bought at the university. Course 2: Economics of Life 5 ECTS Looking at life from an economic point of view, e.g. create an model about how people find their partner, analyze the costs and benefits of the use of drugs and discuss the problem of free riding in relation to the church. Course 3: European Politics in Comparative Perspective - in English 3 ECTS Learn the basics of politics for a few European countries. E.g. in Germany they use an presidential system and in French they use an single round elective system. Course 4: From Kafka to Havel: Introduction into the History and Culture of Czech Lands 3 ECTS Each class an introduction into a different aspect of the Czech culture. E.g. their history, music, traditions, habits and cuisine. Course 5: Introduction to Environmental Economics and Policy - in English - 6 ECTS Introduction into looking at environmental issues from an economic point of view. This course required an textbook. It is useful to buy since the course has an open book exam. Course 6: Management of cultural tourism in EU 3 ECTSa Introduction into cultural management and the cultural tourism managment policies of Cech Republic and some other European countries. Course 7: Organizational Design 7 ECTS Introduction into organizational design. The first weeks consisted of some general theory which was tested in an open book exam. After the exam we had to go use the five steps of te the O3A-model to propose a new structure for the company your team picked. Conclusion % general tips I had a great time in Prague. It is a beautiful city with a good student life. For me, the international experience (meet and become friends with people from all over the world) was the best.

6 B Specific report - (Separate report for each subject) 1. Host institution and study period Vysoká Skola Ekonomická (VSE), Prague, Czech Republic (CR). In English: University of Economics in Prague 2 nd Semester 2014/2015: 5 February till 27 th of May 2. Lectures and literature I took 7 courses in Prague. For the normal courses, each course at least had a lecture a week and most also had at least one seminar per week. One lesson lasts always 90 minutes. Sometimes the lecture and seminar were planned behind each other (sometimes just teaching for 180 minutes, sometimes a clear separation between lecture and seminar). The compulasary reading is different per class. Information about the compulsory reading is provided online and during the first week of class. For basic Czech we had an exercise book and each week we had to do some exercises as homework. For Introduction to Environmental Economics and Policy we had an textbook which we could use during the open book exam. For all other courses the literature was provided online on ISIS. For all other courses we had to read some articles but the courses consisted mainly aboutc absorbing the information provided during class. TIP: in the first week of classes all important information, like exam dates and all course requirements and which is not always to be found online is provided. So during the first week you will found out what the course really is about. 3. Overview of lecture program Content, lecture-related activities, relevance to Groningen study program, study load and assessment in Groningen for each subject. Course 1: Basic Czech for foreigners (A1) - 3 ECTS Content: The aim of the course is to learn the basics of Czech language and acquire the skill to communicate in the most common conversational situations. Course provides to foreign students the basic Czech, allowing them to reading basic texts and develop the essencial communication skills in the most common conversational situations. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: - learn the basic vocabulary - read and understand simple texts - deal with basic conversational topics Course content:

7 How Czech works. Pronunciation. Stress. Introduction. Czech genders. Nouns. Greetings. Basic social phrases. Town. Giving and following directions. Verbs. Prague. Adjectives. Numerals. The Czech Republic. My country. Verbs. Shopping. Nouns in plural. Hotel. Restaurant. Modal verbs. Likes and Dislikes. Adverbs. Lecture-related activities: Active lecture/seminar/workshop/tutorial 30 % Presentation 20 % Mid-term test(s) 25 % Final test 25 % Relevance to Groningen study program: not much related, took the course to learn to local language. Study load Attendance at seminars/workshops Preparation for seminars/workshops Preparation of presentation 22 h 10 h Preparation for mid-term test(s) Preparation for final test Total Assessment in Groningen: 3 ECTS 10 h 10 h 78 h Course 2: Economics of Life 5 ECTS Content: The course introduces students to the economic way of thinking about social issues that are seemingly non-economic, but have been fruitfully studied by economists since the 1960 s: Family, sex, crime, health and even religion. The lectures introduce the main ideas and models on each topic; in seminars the students engage in a critical discussion of assigned original articles. Upon the successful completion of the course, the students should - understand the rational forces that shape people s decisions in various aspects of their lives - be familiar with the basic economic models of family and other non-market behavior - use these models to assess public policies concerning family and other nonmarket behavior Course content: 1. Economics of life introduction 2. Marriage and the family - an economic approach, economic issues and applications 3. Matching and dating 4. Marriage and labor markets 5. Fertility and family policy 8. Drugs, alcohol and economics 9. Criminal behaviour 10. Crime control policy 11. Health as human capital Lecture-related activities: TYPE OF TEACHING METHOD DAILY ATTENDANCE Participation in lectures Attendance at seminars/workshops/tutorials Preparation for seminars/workshops/tutorials 39 h Preparation for mid-term test(s) 13 h Preparation for final test Total 130 h Relevance to Groningen study program: look at aspects of life in an economic way Study load Active lecture/seminar/workshop/tutorial 30 %

8 Presentation 20 % Mid-term test(s) 25 % Final test 25 % Assessment in Groningen: 5 ECTS. Course 3: European Politics in Comparative Perspective - in English 3 ECTS Content: Students should profit from basic knowledge about political systems and processes of European countries and learn to analyse political processes. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: - understand the processes of politics in Europe - analyze critical situation and predict the methods of solution - use comparative approach - identify and understand key thesis in scientific text in English Course content 1. Introduction to politics: - presidential, parliamentary, semipresidential system - electoral stystems - party systems 2. Classic political systems: Great Britain, Germany, France 3. Political processes: transition to democracy in Spain 4. Transition to democracy in Central and Eastern Europe: Russia, Poland Lecture-related activities: Active lecture/seminar/workshop/tutorial participation 10 % Term paper 40 % Final test 50 % Relevance to Groningen study program: Free elective course, good if you want to learn basics of European politics Study load: Participation in lectures Preparation for lectures 24 h Preparation of term paper 10 h Preparation for final test 28 h Total 88 h Assessment in Groningen: 3 ECTS Course 4: From Kafka to Havel: Introduction into the History and Culture of Czech Lands 3 ECTS Content: The course is designed for foreign students and is supposed to be an introduction to the history and culture of the Czech lands. The aim of this course is an overall summary of the most memorable moments in Czech political, economic, and cultural history. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to - characterize the roots of the czech statehood and state traditions - identify the reasons for the German complex in Czech history - explain the development of Czech religiosity and secular society in the European context - characterize the social contract during the Czechoslovak normalization - summarize the menaing og Czech authors for the European literature in the 20th Century

9 Course content: 1. Somewhere in the Middle of Europe: Geography of Czech Lands. 2. "And Forefather Čech climbed up the hill, he looked around and saw this beautiful, beautiful land": Czech lands between prehistory and the first state. 3. The Iron and Golden King - Czech lands in the time of legendary who-made-the-nation monarchs. 4. The strange Czech-German complex. From "Bílá Hora" to the "Beneš decrees". 5. "One more?" Why is the Czech Republic a beer nation? Traditional cuisine and Czech eating customs. 6. Music in Czech cultural heritage. 7. Why don t Czechs go to church? Faith, tradition, and liberal thinking in Czech society. 8. Czechs + Slovaks = Czechoslovaks? From the first republic to the split of the Federation. 9. Truth about the bad communists and "panelaks": Czechoslovak society under the conditions of communist dictatorship. 10. "You for coffee?": customs and hospitality in Czech culture. 11. Simply Clever: Which brands make the Czechs proud? 12. Sun, the yelling fat lady and strawberries?: How to understand the national sense of humor -the case of Czech cinematography. Lecture-related activities: Mid-term test(s) 40 % Final test 60 % Relevance to Groningen study program: free elective course, interesting if you want to learn something more about the country you life for a couple of months and understand their culture. Study load Participation in lectures Preparation for mid-term test(s) Preparation for final test Total 78 h Assessment in Groningen: 3 ECTS Course 5: Introduction to Environmental Economics and Policy - in English - 6 ECTS Content: Subject wants to familiarize students with the basics of economics, politics and management of protection of environment, particularly with the use of practical examples. The course is suitable for exchange students studying at the University of Economics Prague and for students preparing to study abroad. Lecture-related activities: Active lecture/seminar/workshop/tutorial participation 10 % Presentation 30 % Final test 50 % attendance 10 % Relevance to Groningen study program: A course which enriched my regular student program since we do not have a course about environmental economics. learn basics about environmental economic and policy Study load Participation in lectures Attendance at seminars/workshops/tutorials Preparation for seminars/workshops/tutorials Preparation of presentation Preparation for final test Preparation for final oral exam Total Assessment in Groningen: 6 ECTS 13 h 32 h 35 h 24 h 156 h

10 Course 6: Management of cultural tourism in EU 3 ECTSa Content: The course summarizes the strategic knowledge in the field of cultural tourism in the Czech Republic, selected countries of the EU and on the level of the European Union in the context of globalization and Europeisation processes. Students will be introduced to the subject of management of cultural tourism in terms of regional, national and multinational and in the means of institutional anchoring of the subject, its major policies, its structure, actors and the most important data. Alongside the emphasis on the content of the course, emphasis is placed on learning the terminology of cultural tourism in the English language. The course will enable students to acquire core competencies in the field of management of cultural tourism and provide them with guidance on how to use the cultural potential of the selected EU countries including the Czech Republic and new trends in this area. Acquired knowledge will be put to practical use and application in the management in the field of cultural tourism Course content: 1st The basic definition of the field, concepts and definitions 2nd Europe as a destination of cultural tourism, cultural tourism development in CR and EU 3rd National and European legislation in culture and tourism 4th National and European programs in culture 5th National and European programs in tourism 6th Management of cultural tourism in the Republic (national and regional level) 7th Management of cultural tourism in the V4 countries 8th Management of cultural tourism in Germany and Austria 9th Management of Cultural Tourism in France 10th Management of cultural tourism in Spain and Portugal 11th Management of cultural tourism in the Benelux 12th Trends in cultural tourism in the Czech Republic and their influence on national policy-making of culture and tourism, the future of cultural tourism in the CR Active lecture/seminar/workshop/tutorial participation 10 % Term paper 20 % Mid-term test(s) 30 % Final test 40 % Lecture-related activities: Relevance to Groningen study program: Enricheing course. Interesting to look at & learn about the hospitality sector in an business perspective, instead of the more touristic perspective I had before. Study load Active lecture/seminar/workshop/tutorial participation 10 % Term paper 20 % Mid-term test(s) 30 % Final test 40 % Assessment in Groningen: Course 7: Organizational Design 7 ECTS Content: There is not an organisation without structure. Therefore, organisational leaders must understand the possible structures, but must important; they must be prepared to design the adequate structure for their organisations. This course provides the state of the art of organisational designs and it offers the opportunity to learn a specific procedure to set up the structure of the organisations. Upon the end of the course students know: - to analyse the design of the organisations based on the point of view of two opposites schools.

11 Upon successful completion, students will be able to: - explain the two main schools of organisational design; - classify selected Organisational Design approaches at both schools; - describe basic functional aspects of selected organisational design models; - argue the structure of an organisation in the frame of its strategy; - compose a 4 to 6 schematic value chain of a selected organisation; - use basics concepts of systems theory for organisational design; - identify the different parts of an organisation; - plan the characteristics and role of each part of the organisation; - explain the basic principles of an specific organisational design procedure; - apply in different organisations or projects the basic concepts of an specific organisational design procedure. Course content: Organisational Design approaches and models. System theory. Organisational analysis and planning. Designing an organisational structure. Lecture-related activities: Active lecture/seminar/workshop/tutorial participation 10 % Term paper 35 % Presentation 10 % Mid-term test(s) 10 % Final test 35 % Relevance to Groningen study program: Course which depends your knowledge about organizational design and e.g. related to the course organizational design which I had in my first year of my bachelor. Study load Participation in lectures Preparation for lectures Attendance at seminars/workshops/tutorials Preparation for seminars/workshops/tutorials Preparation of term paper 36 h Preparation of presentation 12 h Preparation for mid-term test(s) 10 h Preparation for final test 14 h Study from in English Literature 6 h Total 182 h Assessment in Groningen: 7 ECTS

12