Czech Republic

Live among history and magic

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The Czech Republic is renowned for its support of writers, artists, and the bohemian lifestyle. Outside of the historic capital of Prague, you’ll find a countryside full of farms and forests, villages and castles. The beautiful mountain ranges, rivers, vineyards, and farmlands, coupled with cities and fairytale villages make for a unique intercultural experience of self-discovery and intercultural journey.

Czech teenagers enjoy spending their free time outdoors: hiking, cycling and swimming in the summer or skiing in the winter. You shouldn’t miss the opportunity to join after-school activities, including sports, drama, and computer sciences. Czech teens like to spend time and go out together.

People of Czech Republic

Czech people value direct communication, friendliness and modesty. One of the things you’ll notice in the Czech Republic is that people say hello and goodbye to strangers in various situations, such as small shops, lifts or train compartments. A little insider’s tip: remember to take your shoes off when you go into a Czech home.

Host Family & Community

You will probably be hosted in the rural areas of Bohemia and Moravia, although AFS students have also lived in Prague and Brno. Czech families rarely have more than two children and will warmly welcome you. . They are usually close-knit, and it’s common for extended family members to live together, especially grandparents. In small towns, people live in apartment blocks but enjoy visiting their country cottages during the weekend.

School

You’ll most likely attend a local public high school called a gymnasium, which prepares students for University. You can expect to spend your school day with a “tree class”—a group of students who attend all their classes together. You don’t need to wear a uniform but it’s typical for students to change from shoes into slippers when entering school.

Food

Czech people enjoy their cuisine, which is a mix of German, Hungarian, and Polish influences. Dumplings, meat, potatoes and rice are very popular. Most dishes are topped with a thick sauce and vegetables or sauerkraut. Caraway seeds, bacon, and lots of salt are common flavorings. While meat is a big part of the Czech diet, vegetarianism is also pretty widely accepted.

Language

The main language spoken in Czech Republic is Czech, many people are quite proficient in English and also speak Slovak, Polish, German or Russian. Having a basic knowledge of English will be an asset in the beginning and will help you learn the local language. AFS will organize language courses in the first few months or provide you with materials to learn the language on your own before going on your exchange.

Let AFS guide your intercultural adventure

With over 75 years of experience in student exchanges, we know what we’re doing when it comes to support and education! AFS provides comprehensive orientation for all students and families before, during and after your exchange – AFS volunteers and staff will be there to support and guide you the whole way through. In-person orientation camps in New Zealand and your host country are supplemented by our world-leading online Student Learning Journey, an interactive course that brings AFSers from around the world together to develop essential global skills, learn intercultural communication techniques, and practice social impact. This journey will help you maximise your experience, cope with the challenges of navigating a new culture and community, and gain knowledge, skills, and a global understanding throughout your time abroad and as you return to your home country. Find out more about our educational expertise here!

Explore the Programmes Available in Czech Republic