This program is based at Charles University, the oldest university in Central Europe, founded in 1348. Charles University has a student population of more than 40,000 Czech and European students at both graduate and undergraduate levels. The program through HWS is delivered by the “Undergraduate Program in Central European Studies” (UPCES), which is affiliated with Charles University’s Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education. Each study abroad student is assigned to a Czech ‘student buddy’ upon arrival to help with social and cultural integration.
Approximately 60-80 study abroad students attend the program each semester from a wide range of U.S. colleges and universities. UPCES encourages its students to spend the semester in Prague really immersing themselves in Czech life and culture and thus recommends that students limit their travel within the wider Europe to the beginning or end of the program.