Undergraduate Program in Central European Studies (UPCES) CERGE-EI and the School of Humanities at Charles University UPCES Student Guide Academic Year 2009-2010 Office of International Academic Programs CERGE-EI Revised: January 2010 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................4 About the Program .................................................................................................4 Mission Statement ..................................................................................................4 Short History of CERGE-EI...................................................................................5 Location and Directions to CERGE-EI..................................................................6 Rules for Use of CERGE-EI Facilities...................................................................7 EMERGENCIES and MEDICAL INFORMATION .......................................8 Emergency Numbers..............................................................................................8 Health Care.............................................................................................................8 SAFETY ..............................................................................................................10 Where To Be Careful!..........................................................................................10 What To Do If You Become A Victim ................................................................10 How To Replace A Stolen Passport.....................................................................11 PUPLIC TRANSPORTATION IN PRAGUE.................................................11 Metro ....................................................................................................................12 Trams....................................................................................................................12 Buses ....................................................................................................................12 Tickets (Basic Information) .................................................................................12 Season Tickets......................................................................................................13 SMS Tickets .........................................................................................................13 Ticket Inspection (very important).......................................................................14 TRAVELLING ...................................................................................................14 Buses ....................................................................................................................14 Trains....................................................................................................................15 Airplanes ..............................................................................................................15 Embassies in the Czech Republic ........................................................................17 MONEY...............................................................................................................16 Banking ................................................................................................................16 Currency Exchange ..............................................................................................16 Lost or Stolen Credit Cards..................................................................................17 POSTAL SERVICE INFORMATION ............................................................17 Postal Rates ..........................................................................................................18 COFFEE..............................................................................................................20 TELEPHONE CALLS.......................................................................................24 Local Calls............................................................................................................24 National Calls.......................................................................................................24 International Calls ................................................................................................24 Calling From Abroad ...........................................................................................24 Telephone Rates ...................................................................................................24 Calling Home .......................................................................................................25 DRY CLEANERS ..............................................................................................25 BOOKS AND NEWSPAPERS..........................................................................26 Libraries................................................................................................................26 Newspapers ..........................................................................................................27 Bookstores............................................................................................................28 SHOPPING .........................................................................................................29 EATING OUT ....................................................................................................31 SIGHTSEEING ..................................................................................................31 The Classics..........................................................................................................31 Prague Castle........................................................................................................33 A Stroll Through The Gardens.............................................................................36 Jewish Prague.......................................................................................................36 Museums ..............................................................................................................37 Music in Prague....................................................................................................39 Parks .....................................................................................................................40 ENTERTAINMENT ..........................................................................................41 Cinemas................................................................................................................41 Clubs.....................................................................................................................42 Jazz Clubs.............................................................................................................44 SPORTS ..............................................................................................................45 CERGE-EI Softball..............................................................................................45 Billiards ................................................................................................................45 Bowling ................................................................................................................45 Swimming Pools ..................................................................................................45 Fitness & Health...................................................................................................46 NOTES ................................................................................................................49 IIINNNTTTRRROOODDDUUUCCCTTTIIIOOONNN About the Program • The Undergraduate Program in Central European Studies (UPCES) evolved as a joint effort of two highly reputable institutions striving for a common goal: a top quality undergraduate educational experience focused on integral issues of Central Europe. CERGE-EI and Charles University work together to ensure American and Czech students a challenging educational environment in which they learn from experienced faculty, as well as from one another. • Visiting students take part in courses organized specifically for UPCES and are joined by students of Charles University. This interaction guarantees that students take their courses in an international, multi- cultural environment. CERGE-EI feels strongly that students can develop a true sense of the region through direct academic and social interaction within the local culture. • Participants of UPCES will enjoy the added benefit of the activities taking place in the same building related to the CERGE-EI Ph.D. program and ongoing research activities of the Economics Institute. Seminars on both theoretical and applied economics are presented weekly by a wide array of international scholars and researchers, and regular academic workshops and panel discussions are open to all program participants. Additionally, interaction with an internationally comprised student body offers an even more meaningful experience. Mission Statement • • CERGE-EI is driven by a concern for the current and future development of education in the region, as well as a desire to provide its students with top quality educational and research facilities. CERGE-EI has introduced a new pattern of post-graduate economic education into the region, one which is based on intensive