NYU PragueNYU FallNYU 2011IN PRAGUEin Pre-departure Orientation Agenda

Learn Live Explore •Facilities •Getting There •Student Life •Staff •Arrival •NYU Excursions •Calendar •Orientation •Things to Do •Internships •Housing & Meals •Local / Regional Travel •Registration FAQs •The City •Budget Tips •Billing •Culture & Customs •Health & Safety •Staff Learn: Intro

` Learn • Facilities • Staff • Calendar • Internships & Community Service • Registration FAQs • Billing Facilities

` 2 Academic Buildings located in the heart of Prague’s , a stone’s throw from the Old Town Square! ` Classes take place on campus ` Community events and academic conferences ` Computer labs on campus ` Small reading room/library with English books and magazines PIDEC ` Prague Institute for Democracy, Economy and Culture

` Wide array of actors – academics, politicians, business leaders, and other public intellectuals – come together to discuss some of the most vexing and urgent policy questions in the U.S. and Europe

` Works closely with partner research institutions at NYU and Czech academic institutions and think tanks, such as and the Forum 2000 foundation

` Past panel topics include:

` The state of Czech Political Culture ` Ecological Economics and the Financial Crisis ` Literature in East-Central Europe and Russia since 1989 Academic Staff

` Hired Locally ` Leaders in their field - academics, politicians, journalists, artists and musicians ` Many were intimately involved in the Velvet Revolution and the subsequent transition as student leaders, journalists, and political actors ` Professors include ` Vaclav Bartuska, Ambassador at Large for Energy Security ` Jan Urban, founder and leader of Civic Forum, instrumental in bringing down communism ` Former Editor of Respekt (the newsweekly for the thinking public), Tomas Nemecek ` And more Calendar August 22 Departure

August 23 Group Arrival

Aug. 24-Sept. 3 Orientation

September 5 First Day of Classes

September 28 National Holiday (No classes) November 14-18 Spring Break

December 8 Last Day of Classes

December 12-15 Final Exams

December 16 Student Departure

Do not make travel plans on 10/7, 11/4, 12/2 These dates are reserved for makeup classes Internships & Community Service

` Plentiful Internship Opportunities ` Journalism (Radio Free Europe) ` Business ` Politics & Economics ` Fashion (InStyle)

` Internship Fair during Orientation week!

` Most Internships are NOT for credit

` Community Service ` Amnesty International ` Teach English

` Questions? Contact Jitka Kalasova ([email protected]) Registration FAQ’s

` Students must register for 12-18 credits. ` No language requirements – but consider taking one (Czech, Russian, Polish, or German; please note that it CANNOT be taken Pass/Fail)! ` Waitlists are not a guarantee. Just in case, create a list of alternate classes. ` Attendance is expected and required. Absences will negatively affect your grade. ` All course textbooks are available in the library or at local bookstores. ` Free course packets! Billing

` As with any semester, you will receive an Ebill for your tuition, registration fees and an estimated housing charge. ` Estimated housing charge. This estimate is used as a “placeholder charge” until we place students in their final housing assignment; the initial charge is unrelated to the final housing charge. ` Once the actual housing placement has been made, the E-bill is adjusted, resulting in either a credit or an additional charge. The final charge will appear on your E- bill within 2-3 weeks following the start of the program. Live: Intro

` Live • Getting There • Arrival • Orientation • Housing & Meals • The City • Culture & Customs • Health & Safety • Staff Getting There: Pre-departure ` Submit Paper Forms (by 6/30) ` Health Forms ` Travel Release ` Submit Online Forms (by 6/30) ` Housing ` Flight Info ` Emergency Contact ` Visa (by 5/6) ` Apply soon (Have all your docs? Go now!) ` Workshops end of April! ` The consulate needs your actual passport to affix the visa ` Consulate lists approved visas – by application # – on web site. Neat! ` Banking ` Contact your bank about fees ` Packing ` Do’s and Don’ts - see flash drive in your acceptance packet Arrival Information

` Arrival Cheat Sheet will be posted to Blackboard the week before arrival! ` Mandatory Check- in: the first day of the program (Aug. 23). No earlier and no later! ` Staff will meet students outside of customs to direct them to shuttles or taxi to housing ` Students arriving at other airports, by train, or outside of set times are on their own, including transportation to their housing (roughly 500 Kc, or $25) – cash in Czech Crowns only ` Contact your parents when you get in! Orientation

` Orientation is a MANDATORY 2 week-long session. ` 2-credit Global Course: Czech History and Culture ` Intensive Czech language ` Information on Health & Safety ` Academic Advising ` Housing Info & Neighborhood Tours ` Historical and Getting Around Prague Tours ` Internship Fair ` Fun Events: Bowling, Opera, Ice Hockey and More! Housing & Meals

` NYU Housing is mandatory! ` Assignments are based on information submitted in online forms (more info to come) ` We will try to accommodate Roommate requests ` Doubles, Triples, Quads, and limited singles ` No meal plan! ` Housing estimate is the same for all students & does not reflect final cost. Final housing bill will be sent after start of program. ` Housing assignments will be sent to your NYU email account about 2 weeks before check-in. Housing

` Linens provided (sheets, towels, blankets, and pillows) ` Fully equipped kitchens ` Laundry facilities, study room and student lounge, computer with internet ` Phone in each room ` Wireless internet ` No smoking and no alcohol allowed in residence buildings ` Don’t forget an adapter/converter! ` 24/7 housing security guards ` RAs are local Czech students Machova

` Located in , fashionable residential area with cafes and shops ` Singles, Doubles, Triples and Quads ` 60 person occupancy ` Shared bathrooms and kitchens on each floor ` 15 minutes to the NYU center Slezska

` Newest dorm! ` Located in Vinohrady, fashionable residential area with cafes and shops ` Singles, Doubles, Triples and Quads ` 35 person occupancy ` Shared bathrooms among suites and kitchens on top and bottom floors ` 15 minutes to the NYU center ` 5-10 minute walk from Machova Jaurisova

` Located in , a slightly grittier area with a real Czech flavor ` Singles, Doubles, and Triples ` 30 person occupancy ` Apartment style, with kitchens and bathrooms in each suite ` Good for those who prefer quieter living ` 25 minutes to the NYU center ` 15-20 minute walk from Machova and Slezska Osadni

` Located in Holesovice, former industrial area now with galleries and clubs ` Singles, Doubles, Triples and Quads ` Largest dorm: 70 person occupancy ` Apartment Style, with kitchens and bathrooms in each suite ` 25 minutes to the NYU center ` All Music students live here (Practice rooms with pianos on top floor and in basement)

The City

` Pronounced Pra-ha in Czech

` Capital of the Czech Republic

` 20 million tourists per year; as well as many study abroad students

` Very walkable city, centered around the Old Town Square

` Tram and subway system very easy to use (run like clockwork!) ` Subways stop running at midnight ` Trams run all night, every 30 mins ` Home of Prague Castle, Wenceslas Square (site of the Velvet Revolution) and the Clock Tower Culture & Customs

` Czechs are reserved ` Ethnically homogenous ` Traditional! (role of women, celebrations) ` Society is changing at a rapid pace ` The customer isn’t always right ` Not much is open 24/7 (except the stands on Wenceslas Square) ` Czechs tend to be early to bed, early to rise, although they are increasingly switching to a 9 to 5 (not 7 to 3) schedule ` Beer is a way of life! And good for you, too Culture & Customs cont’d

` Tips: just round up to the nearest 10 Kc (e.g., 54 Kc to 60 kc) ` Many young people live at home ` Remember you aren’t living in NYC … and that’s a good thing! Living conditions are not the same as in the United States so be flexible, patient and enjoy the differences! ` Internet access can be a bit erratic as compared to US ` Fun, safe but quiet city! Health & Safety ` Bring a full supply of daily prescriptions with you. Medications cannot be shipped internationally and may not be available locally ` Students with special needs, academic or other, must inform the Moses Center for Students with Disabilities in advance ` Bring copies of your prescriptions (generic name and dosage), eyeglass prescription, etc. ` Learn the Czech word/phrases for any food or medical allergies. Ask our site staff! ` Pre-departure referrals, including doctors: [email protected]. Please let us know if you require regular medical attention! Health & Safety

`All students attending NYU in Prague will use HTH Worldwide Global Health Insurance. ` Free of charge for students (SHC will pay) `No advance out-of-pocket payment for students to see a doctor or counselor `24/7 hotline for emergencies and to assist in making appointments `Students should consult site staff if they need help making a doctor’s appointment `Do NOT cancel your domestic health insurance!!!!! `REMEMBER to register with HTH when you receive the email print a copy of the card and bring with you. Student Life Staff Info

`Martina Faltova – Student Affairs Coordinator, Housing

`Sarah Coffey – Student Affairs

`Building Managers

` Market Helebrantova (Slezska) ` Honza Horkova (Machova) ` Maria Dzurnakova (Osadni) ` Darima Batorova (Jaurisova)

`Czech RAs

`Two Emergency Phones: Staff and RA Explore: Intro

` Explore • Student Life • NYU Excursions • Things to Do • Local / Regional Travel • Budget Tips Student Life

` Activities & Programming ` Dinners, Sport Events, Concerts, Drama & Musical Events, Open Mic Nights, City Tours, Museum Visits, Theater, Hiking, Skating, Film Screenings

` Health and Wellness ` Yoga, Swimming, Gym, Weekly City Practice Counseling sessions

` NYU Prague Student Council ` Meetings once a week ` Some events organized by the council: ` NYU Prague Master Chef! ` NYU Prague club night (pics at right!) ` Stop by a meeting – or join the council - and tell us what YOU want to do! NYU Excursions

` NYU Prague organized day and weekend trips to nearby cities and towns

` Included in the cost of your tuition

` One overnight and two day trips –sign up during orientation!

` Sample Excursions:

` Head to the Pearl of Central Europe, Cesky Krumlov: home of a Renaissance Castle with a moat and bears!

` Take the waters and munch on spa wafers in Karlovy Vary

` Visit Terezin, a World War II Transit and Concentration Camp Things to do

` Museums ` National Museum (History) ` Veletrzni Palac, DOX (near Osadni) – Modern Art ` Sightseeing ` Prague Castle ` ` Petrin Hill – great views! ` Music ` Opera ` Classical Concerts at Rudolfinum ` Jazz Concerts ` Sports ` Hockey and Soccer matches! ` Zlute Lazne (September) Local / Regional Travel Prague is very centrally located in both the Czech Republic and Europe, so there are great opportunities to travel!

Within Czech Republic:

` Cesky Krumlov (left) ` Karlovy Vary ` Brno ` Karlstejn Castle ` Plzen ` Terezin ` Kutna Hora (bone church) ` Lots more – Explore! Budget Tips

` Figure out how much money you will have. ` Consider that you can’t work abroad because of visa restrictions (unless you are an EU citizen!). How much can you realistically save before going? ` Think carefully about what you plan to do while you’re away. ` How much do you plan to travel? How do you plan to get there? Where do you plan to stay? Are you comfortable staying in hostels? You get the idea. ` Consider everyday expenses. ` Prague is relatively inexpensive, but things can add up quickly – ask site staff for advice on where to shop/eat Budget Tips ` Ask for student discounts ` Get an ISIC card before you leave New York for discounts on concert tickets and more ` Buy groceries ` Groceries are cheaper than eating in restaurants. Cook any chance you get! ` Watch out for Tourist Traps! ` Restaurants with English menus posted outside; Many places in the center, especially where they try to entice you! ` Take local transport ` Local public transportation is always cheaper - $100 for 3 months and one free month from NYU Prague (But take a taxi at night! It’s much safer) Contacts

` Prague Site Rep ` Tania Barnes ` 212.998.4284; [email protected]

` Student Services Office ` 110 E. 14th St, Lower Level ` 212.998.4433

` NYU Prague Offices ` Male Namesti 2 110 00 Prague 1 ` Phone: 011-420-224-226-658

` Student life: [email protected]

` Academics: [email protected]

` Public Safety: 212-998-2222 Questions? Nashledanou a hodně štěstí za oceánem!