Logistics

Registration and Housing

Students will be staying at the Masarykova Kolej dormitory complex. Registration for all participants will take place on Saturday, July 12th, 2008 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the main lobby of dormitory complex. Signs placed around the Masarykova complex will direct you to where you need to go. The dormitory's address is:

Masarykova Kolej Thákurova

1,160 41 Praha 6
Czech Republic
Tel.: +420 233 051 111

You can visit the Masarykova website at: http://www.suz.cvut.cz/pomoc/mkhotel/indexhotel.html

Rooms are apartment style suites. Each apartment will sleep 6 students sharing one bathroom. Each bedroom contains 2 single beds. Towels will be provided but it is strongly recommended that students bring towels from home. Cleaning service will be provided on a weekly basis.

The Fund for American Studies will assign roommates. In order to promote cross-cultural exchange, roommates will be assigned so that students from the same country are not rooming together. Students who smoke are asked to limit their smoking to areas outside their room unless roommates give permission to smoke in the room.

Keys: The Masarykova dorm uses an electronic key system. Every student will be issued with an electronic smart card at registration, which they can use to open their dorm room. The dorm will charge each student a deposit of Kc 200 for this key, which will be returned at the end of the Institute when the card is returned to reception. The reception desk is staffed 24-hours a day.

Mail Delivery: Because of the short duration of the Institute and inconsistency of international mailing, we recommend students receive no mail. However, students expecting mail should check at the reception desk for any incoming mail.

Internet Access: The dorm has wireless computer access in the main lobby. You may bring your wireless adapted computer into the lobby area and connect to the network. You may or may not be able to access it from your dorm room depending on the location of your room in terms of access to the network. It is possible to purchase a wire from the reception area when you register for AIPES but this may change due to the dorm supply of cables.

Security: As with any dormitory situation, students must take appropriate care of any money or personal valuables and appropriate attention to who enters and leaves the room. Valuables should not be kept in the dorm room while you are not there. All dorms have closets that are suitable for clothing and luggage, but their locking devices tend to be unreliable. As maid service is regular, do not leave any valuables out in plain view. If you have any concerns regarding the storage of any money or valuables, contact the Institute's Program Assistant who will be working as a liaison with the dormitory staff.

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Meals

The Fund for American studies will provide breakfast on a daily basis starting on 13 July 2008. Dinner will be provided on most evenings and when it is not, students will be notified well in advance. Usually, dinners are not provided on weekend evenings.

Breakfast is served in the main cafeteria and dinner is served in the dining hall. Meal tickets will be distributed at registration. To be served, you must present a meal ticket with the appropriate date and meal. Students will be provided with 70Kc tickets for each breakfast and students can choose from a variety of options including omelets. However, if the total meal price exceeds 70Kc, the students are responsible for the difference. And if the student's meal falls short of the 70Kc allotment, they will be paid with another item from the cafeteria and not in cash. It is recommended that students carry extra Kc with them as prices fluctuate from one day to the next. Dinner is served in the dining hall at the dormitory. Breakfast is scheduled from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on weekdays and 7:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. on weekends. Dinner is served from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Times may change upon arrival. We will have a group dinner on 12 July 2008 at 6PM to begin the institute.

Dinner will include offerings of a main course, beverage and dessert. Typical of a dormitory, the meals will not be of the gourmet variety and all offerings may not be available every evening. But the quantity of food should be enough to satisfy anyone's basic appetite.Drinks are also not included with the dinner meal. It is recommended that students visit one of two nearby convenience stores to purchase beverages and use them during dinner. There will be a small variety of drinks available for purchase from the dining hall including beer. There are 3 Czech pubs located within a few minutes walk from the dormitory that offer Czech meals and snacks at a reasonable price. For those wondering what Czech cuisine is like, the national meal is veprove (roast pork), knedliky (dumplings) and zeli (sauerkraut). Gulas (stew) is also popular. Meat can be pecene (roasted), varene (boiled) or mlete (ground).

Students will be responsible for their own lunches. There are several restaurants in or near Wenceslas Square serving a variety of Czech, American and Mediterranean dishes. Restaurants directly located in Wenceslas Square are often much more expensive, but a variety of reasonable offerings exist.

For those who would like food to snack on, there are small refrigerators in each dorm room. There are a variety of small shops close to the dormitory along Eurovpska Street. A typical Czech meal can cost from $4.00-5.00USD in Czech restaurants to $10-15 in touristy locations. A variety of dining options surround the Institute's classroom building near Wenceslas Square.

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Commuting

Each student will be provided with a monthly Czech metro pass. This metro pass will be vaild on all forms of Prague public transportation including metro trains, trams, and buses. The pass will be valid from 13 July to 13 August. It is required that Prague public transit commuters carry verification with them every time they ride the system. The Prague metro police frequent popular stops including the ones used by AIPES on a daily basis. Riders on public transportation must have a pass or a validated ticket. Riders without a pass or ticket are subject to a fine of 700 Kc, or approximately $44.16 USD which must be paid on the spot. If approached, be sure the officer displays proper identification (usually a metal badge, see http://www.dp-praha.cz/cz/index.htm).

Maps of Prague will be distributed at registration to help guide your way through the sights and sounds of Prague. To get to the Institute's Classroom Building and Prague's Center take the Metro from Dejvicka Metro Station on Line A (within walking distance southeast of the dorm).

Classroom Building: Take Metro Line A to the Muzeum station (5 stops; you can only travel in one direction from the Dejvicka metro station), and you will be at the top of Wenceslas Square (Václavské namestí). Walk one block into the square, down the hill, and turn right on Opletalova St. The classroom building is a little more than one block on the right. The address is:

Fakulta sociálních ved UK
Opletalová 26,
110 00 Prague 1.

Charles Bridge or Malá Strana: Take the Metro to Malostranská Metro Station on Line A (the tram stop is also called Malostranská). Or, take the tram # 20 from “Thakurova” (right outside the dorm). Enjoy the walk along the Vltava River from Malostranská!

Prague Castle: Take tram # 20 or #26 to Hradcanska and enjoy the walk through the Royal Gardens. Or go to Malostranská and transfer to Trams#22 and # 23. The Prague Castle is a very popular tourist attraction and therefore it is common that pickpockets and petty thieves ride these trams frequently looking for victims to loot. It is also possible to walk from the dorms using the famous Prague winding streets. You would take the backstreets from the dorm and approach the Castle via Novy Svet (up Gymnazijni, Pevnostni, and U Brusnice streets). It is about a 20 minute walk up hill, so be prepared!

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Early Arrivals/Late Departures

If your travel plans require that you arrive or depart beyond the Institute dates, please inform us so that we can arrange appropriate accommodations. We encourage students to arrive on July 12th as rooms may not be available at the dormitory prior to the Institute. Those who must arrive prior to July 12th due to travel restrictions may be required to stay at another dormitory or youth hostel if rooms are not available at the dormitory. A travel information form was included with your acceptance letter and needs to be returned to The Fund for American Studies by 22 May 2008.

Students may be responsible for the cost of accommodations for any extended length before or after the Institute dates. The estimated cost per night at the dormitory after the Institute is 790 Czech Crowns (Kc), or cca $50.00. If you do not notify us before 22 May 2008, it might not be possible to reserve a room for you.

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Visa Information for Incoming Participants

Non-Visa States

In order to help you deal with Czech border guards, we are currently preparing formal letters of invitation for all AIPES students (including those who do not require a visa), which will state that: (i) you have been officially accepted as a student of our summer program; (ii) that we are providing you with housing free of charge for the entire duration of the program; and (iii) that you will be provided with a meal plan. The letters will be written in Czech on a single sheet of university notepaper, with the signature and stamp of our Vice-Dean. We will issue the letters once we receive your full tuition payment. Most of you should receive the letters within three weeks of your payment being accepted by TFAS headquarters.

The letters do not, however, cover the issue of health insurance. When you set out for Prague, therefore, please make sure you have both your letter of invitation and a document to show you have adequate health insurance for your stay. Czech border guards have the authority to deny entry to foreign nationals who are unable to prove that they are insured for health emergencies.

Students from States Requiring a Visa

AIPES students from countries that do not have a visa-free tourist regime will require a visa to come here. This applies to students from all the following countries: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Macedonia, Moldova, Russia, Serbia, Montenegro, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.

The basic procedure for getting a visa is as follows:

Contact the embassy at which you would like to make your visa application toobtain current visa information, and follow their instructions. This is especially important, because many Czech embassies have their own local rules and regulations (concerning, for example, waiting times), which it is almost impossible to find in Prague. Do this now.
Wait until you receive the official letter of invitation on university notepaper to say that you have been accepted for AIPES 2008 (exactly as above). Then go to the Embassy with your letter, your passport, and the other documents required (see section 3 below).
Let us know which embassy you plan to use to make your visa application (see section 4 below), so we know whom to contact if you run into problems.
If you will not be at your usual e-mail address while you are making your visa application, send us an alternative address or fax number where we can reach you to keep you informed.

Please note : under current Czech immigration law, visas can only be issued at Czech Embassies abroad, before you come to the Czech Republic. They cannot be issued at the border, nor can they be issued in Prague after your arrival. This is a change from previous immigration practice, and some older sources of information may still tell you that it is easiest to pick up your visa on arrival. This is an error. Any source of information that tells you to do this is out of date.

Making your Visa Application and Application Deadlines

The processing time of visa application is usually about 14-21 days, but some of the busier embassies (e.g. Moscow) have large backlogs. We therefore recommend you to play safe, and leave yourself some time in reserve when submitting your papers. (Alternatively, try speaking to the embassy, to find out about their processing time.)

Visas are always issued at the embassy where you make your visa application. It is not possible to collect your visa at a different embassy. Students living or studying abroad may like to bear this in mind when planning their visa application. The visa itself takes the form of a sticker, which will be placed in your passport by the issuing embassy.

What you will need to make a visa application

The following are the documents that you will need to take with you when you are making your visa application.

Valid passport: with the date of expiry extending at least three months beyond the date of your projected departure from the Czech Republic.
Letter of acceptance: All these three points will be covered
Housing voucher: by your Letter of Invitation
Evidence of financial support: from Charles University (see above).
Health insurance: By which is meant an internationally recognised health policy for the entire length of your stay in the Czech Republic, which covers: (i) accident; (ii) sudden illness; (iii) transport home in the case of severe illness; (iv) possible medical report because of severe illnesses(v) transport of your remains in the case of your death.
3 passport photographs
Completed application form. These forms are available only at Czech Embassies, and may not be copied, so we cannot fill them out for you. Applicants must fill them out on the spot with the help of consular personnel.

In addition, the embassy will charge you a fee for processing your visa. The exact amount will vary, depending on your country of citizenship and the embassy where you are making the application. Please note that these charges are quite outside the control of TFAS and Charles University, and that we cannot arrange for the visa fee to be waived.

Filling out your application form

General instructions on how to fill out these forms are now available on the Czech Ministry of the Interior website: http://www.mv.cz/rady/cizinci/pokyny/english.html.

Most of the questions concern your personal details (name, address, etc.) and it should be clear what to do with them. On page two of the form, however, you are expected to give details of a Czech individual or organisation, which has invited you to visit the Czech Republic (Question 12). Here you should give the name of Lukas Budin, who is the Prague coordinator of AIPES and your designated contact person at Charles University. The details you should fill out are as follows (please follow them exactly, and do not make any changes!):

Surname: Budin

Given name: Lukas

Street: Smetanovo nabrezi No.: 6

Town: Praha 1 Postcode: 110 01

Citizenship: Czech Republic

Organisation: Univerzita Karlova v Praze

Identification no. of organisation (ICO) : 00216208

All students will receive two copies of your Letter of Invitation, one of which you should take with you to the Embassy for your visa application. The other, you should keep for the border. If you need extra copies, xerox them. Keep the originals for the Embassy and the border guards.

Choosing your Embassy

The Czech consular system generally designates a particular embassy to take care of the nationals of a particular country. It would be preferable if you could try to respect this system wherever possible.

The embassies you are supposed to use are listed below. For contact details, please see the Czech Foreign Ministry website. Go to: http://www.mzv.cz, click on the British flag, and then choose "Missions Abroad" from the left-hand column.

Countries of origin with their own Czech Embassy

All the following countries have their own Czech embassy, which we would recommend you to use for your visa application wherever possible:

Albania (Tirana)
Belarus ( Minsk)
Bosnia and Herzegovina ( Sarajevo)
Georgia ( Tbilisi)
India ( New Delhi)
Kazakhstan (Almaty and Astana)
Lebanon ( Beirut)
Moldova (Chisinau)
Montenegro (Podgorica)
Russia ( Moscow or Saint Petersburg)
Serbia ( Belgrade)
Turkey ( Ankara)
Ukraine (Kyiv)
Uzbekistan ( Tashkent)

Countries of origin which DO NOT have their own Czech Embassy

The following countries do not have their own Czech Embassy. Consular matters relating to their citizens are usually handled at the Czech embassy indicated.

Armenia ( Tbilisi – Georgia)
Azerbaijan ( Tbilisi – Georgia)
Kyrgyzstan (Almaty – Kazakhstan)
Macedonia ( Belgrade – Serbia)
Turkmenistan ( Moscow – Russia)

Students living or studying abroad

If there are serious reasons why you cannot use the official embassy listed above (e.g. because you are resident in another country), you can ask the Embassy in your country of residence to consider your visa application. However, their agreement is not automatic. We therefore strongly recommend that you speak to the Embassy concerned before you make the journey. We also recommend that you take your residence permit with you, in case the embassy wants to see evidence that you really are resident in the country where you are making your application.

Please also remember that visas can only be issued at the embassy where you have made your application, so time your application accordingly.

Troubleshooting

If you follow the instructions given here, you should not have any major problems making your visa application. If you do have the misfortune to run into problems, however, get in touch immediately. We will do our best to sort them out for you. The best way to contact us is by e-mail:

(Contact person coming soon)

Fax 00420-222112270

Please note these contact numbers and addresses relate only to your visa application and some aspects of your travel arrangements. We are not able to deal with questions regarding payments, reading materials, or any other aspects of the Institute that are handled from Washington. These questions should continue to be addressed to Matthew Kwasiborski.

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Travel To Prague

There is good bus and train service from most Central and Eastern European countries to Prague. Those traveling from more distant places will need to find air transportation. Since summer is a busy time for air travel to Europe, airfares are higher than in other times of the year, and flights fill up quickly. A reasonable airfare to Prague from the east coast of the United States was about $1,100 round-trip. Students flying from countries within Europe could receive significant discounts of up to 50% or more from national airlines; contact airlines for student travel agencies for student rates.

It is possible to get a good fare, particularly if you check several sources. Students traveling from the United States should contact Ms.Heather Colbalove, MTS travel at: 717-721-7314; Fax 717-733-1909 or Email heatherc@mtstravel.com. MTS travel serves American students studying abroad. This is only for American students, MTS will not be able to assist students from other countries . The major sources for international air fares are 1) the airlines serving your destination, 2) consolidators (discount travel firms), 3) charter operators 4) travel agents and 5) the Internet (try www.travelocity.com , www.aesu.com , www.air-fare.com or do a search for international airfares. You should be able to get a price quote from all of them and do comparison shopping. Meanwhile, keep an eye on the airfare ads in the Travel section of your newspaper. (ISIC holders may be able to find greater travel discounts by air, train or bus - see below.)

Major airlines that service Prague from the U.S. are Delta, KLM Dutch Airlines, CSA, Lufthansa/United, British Airways and Air France.

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Public Transportation

Each student will be provided with a monthly Czech metro pass. This metro pass will be vaild on all forms of Prague public transportation including metro trains, trams, and buses. The pass will be valid from 13 July to 13 August. It is required that Prague public transit commuters carry verfication with them every time they ride the system. The Prague metro police frequent popular stops including the ones used by AIPES frequently. Plain-clothed Metro officers frequently ask riders to show their tickets or passes. Riders on public transportation must have a pass or a validated ticket. Riders without a pass or ticket are subject to a fine of 700 Kc, or $44.00 USD which must be paid on the spot. If approached, be sure the officer displays proper identification (usually a metal badge, see http://www.dp-praha.cz/cz/index.htm).

For students arriving early or leaving late, using public transportation requires tickets that can be purchased at newsstands or machines located at Metro stops. Cash will not be accepted on any form of transportation. After boarding a bus or tram, or upon entering a Metro stop, tickets need to be stamped - look for little boxes with a green or yellow arrow. Tickets of 14 Kc are good for 15 minutes on a tram or bus, or 4 stops on the Metro. It is 26 Kc to ride any means of public transportation for an hour between 5:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. and for 90 minutes any other time. It is also possible for passengers to buy tickets from a driver on most bus routes (but we do not advise this). These tickets cost 26 Kc and are valid for a single journey only.

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Arriving from the Airport

All international flights arrive at Prague's Ruzyne Airport, approximately 20 km to the Northwest of the city centre. If you are arriving from the airport, you have three options to get into Prague: airport shuttle service, taxis or public transportation. You can get to the dorm by taking city bus # 119. Simply exit the airport and cross the first street to the bus stop. You will see a sign for these buses. You can also take the Airport Express (AE) bus service. All minibus shuttle services to and from the airport are operated by a single private company called CEDAZ. You will see their white vans waiting outside the terminal for arriving passengers. There is a flat rate charge of 360 Kc for 1-4 people or 720 Kc for 5 or more people. Write down the address of the dormitory to show to the shuttle driver since communication may be difficult if you do not speak Czech.

Taxis are undoubtedly the most comfortable way to travel, but also the most expensive. In addition, always be warned that Czech taxi drivers have a very bad reputation for overcharging riders. There is an airport taxi service run exclusively by a company called Airport Cars FIX, and thus, their prices are inflated. Prices for a taxi journey from the airport into town range from about Kc 150 - Kc 1000 depending on your precise destination. You will find a price list for the service offered by Airport Cars FIX by the company's stand in the airport lounge. If you speak to their representative, they will give you a written estimate for the price of your journey, which you should give to your driver. See below for more information about taxis .

A less direct but inexpensive alternative is to use public transportation. It is possible to take a bus from the airport to very near the dormitory. You will need to buy a 26 Kc ticket. Do not forget to validate your Metro ticket inside the bus. The information desk in the airport can direct you to the bus stop. Take city bus #119 to Dejvicka, which is the final stop and within walking distance of the dormitory. One 26 Kc ticket is enough to cover the whole of this journey. After exiting the bus, cross the road (use the underpass if traffic is heavy) and walk back up Evropska Street for two blocks in the direction you have came from. Thakurova Street is a shady green square on your right with many trees. The dorm takes up an entire city block on the opposite side of the square. The main entrance is about halfway down the block.

For general information on Prague Ruzyne airport please visit their website: http://www.prg.aero/en. This website will include full details of the various transportation methods explained above.

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Arriving from the Train Station

Most international trains arrive either at Prague's Main Station ("Hlavni nadrazi") or at Prague's Holesovice Station ("Nadrazi Holesovice") to the north of the city. Both stations are on Metro Line C (the red line). To get to the dorm, take the Metro to the "Muzeum" Metro stop. Transfer to Metro Line A (the green line) and take that to the " Dejvicka" Metro station ( 5 stops).

If you wish to walk from the Dejvicka Metro Stop take the exit that is sign-posted for the Airport (at the front of the train) and continue up Evropska Street for two blocks. Walk along the right-hand side of the street, opposite the Diplomat Hotel. (If you are on the same side of the street as the Diplomat Hotel, you have taken the wrong exit.) Thakurova Street is a shady green square on your right, with many trees. The dorm takes up an entire city block on the opposite side of the square. The main entrance is about halfway down the block.

Students with heavy luggage who wish to reduce the distance they have to walk, may transfer to a tram at Dejvicka Metro Station and travel one stop to “ Thakurova.” Any tram in the direction of Cerveny Vrch or Divoka Sarka will do. However, under normal circumstances the dorm is less than 5 minutes walk from the Metro and the time you have to wait for the tram is generally longer than the time it takes to walk.

If you do arrive by tram, the “ Thakurova” stop is by the side of the dorm. To reach the main entrance, walk back a short distance in the direction you have come from, and turn left onto Thakurova Street to reach the main entrance.

To use the Metro and the bus, you will need to buy a 26 Kc ticket in the hall of the train station (available at most newsstands, kiosks, and from coin-operated ticket machines at the entrance to the Metro). You do not have to stamp your ticket a second or third time when you change Metro trains or buses.

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Arriving from the Bus Station

Most buses arrive at the Florenc station, which is also a Metro stop along Line C. Directions are the same as if arriving by train: Take the Metro to the "Muzeum" Metro stop. Transfer to Metro Line A (the green line) and take that to the "Dejvicka" Metro station (5 stops).

If you wish to walk from the Dejvicka Metro Stop take the exit that is sign-posted for the Airport (at the front of the train) and continue up Evropska Street for two blocks. Walk along the right-hand side of the street, opposite the Diplomat Hotel. (If you are on the same side of the street as the Diplomat Hotel, you have taken the wrong exit.) Thakurova Street is a shady green square on your right, with many trees. The dorm takes up an entire city block on the opposite side of the square. The main entrance is about halfway down the block.

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Using Taxis During the Institute

Taxi prices are not regulated in Prague, but drivers must post their price-per-km charge, usually on the door. A reasonable price is 25-30 Kc per km, but it is a good idea to agree on a price before you commit to a ride, and be sure that the meter is running while you are in the taxi. It is recommended that you do not hail a taxi from the street. Be warned that meters are no guarantee against rip-offs, and the taxi drivers of Prague have a reputation for over-charging - especially if you speak English. Generally, a taxi ride should not cost more that 250 Kc between the dormitory and Prague's center. When possible, you should call for a taxi in advance and ask the approximate price to avoid being overcharged by the drive. Three usually reliable companies whose dispatchers speak English are AAA Taxi (Tel. 221 102 211 or 140 14), City Taxi (Tel. 257 257 257), SEDOP Taxi (Tel. 271 722 222).

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Night transportation

The metro does not run after midnight. Therefore, when returning to the dormitory after midnight, one must take a night tram or bus. Night trams function from midnight until 5:00 a.m. You can catch night tram #51 from Vaclavske namesti or Namesti republiky, and it will take you to the Thakurova tram stop near the dormitory. Otherwise, all the lines meet at the Lazarska stop in the center of Prague. For further information regarding other tram stop locations, a detailed map with all night tram stops will be provided to students upon registration.

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Telephone Calls

Each dormitory suite has a telephone with its own extension. Students will be able to receive incoming calls but does not allow outgoing calls. If students wish to make outgoing calls, they can set up an account at reception where they will be assigned a PIN and a direct line. Students will be able to make calls anywhere in the world up to the limit of their credit. Students can receive calls even if they don’t set up an account. However, these calls must go through the operator at reception. To have someone call your room from outside the dormitory, one must first call the reception office and ask for your room extension. Room extensions will be given upon registration. The telephone number for the reception office is 233 051 111.

The Czech Republic's country code is 420. To place a call from outside the Czech Republic, dialers must dial the international access code plus 420 before calling a number. Thus, if someone were to call your room from another country, they would have to dial the international acess code plus 420-233-051-111 to get to the reception office.

Note: The telephone operator at the dormitory may not speak English.

There is a pay phone in the lobby that you can make outgoing calls using a phone card, which can be purchased at the reception desk or at most post offices or news stands. Phone cards come with different amounts of phone-time credit and vary in cost. To make a call, pick up the receiver, insert the card and dial. The units of phone time are displayed and count down after you are connected to your party.

An international operator can be reached from Prague by dialing 0135. For a less expensive international call, you can use an Internet calling service called X-Call by directly dialing 052 from any payphone before dialing the country code of your destination. The cost of a call to the United States using X-call is approximately $0.25 per minute.

If you have an AT&T or MCI calling card, you can call any location in the world from Prague. For MCI access, dial 00-420-00112 for AT&T access; dial 00-420-00101. To access language interpreters, dial AT&T Language Line services at 408-648-5871 following the access code. In case of emergency, friends or relatives can contact The Fund for American Studies staff in Washington at (001) 202-986-0384. Fund staff will relay the message to us in Prague.

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What to Bring

In packing clothes, be prepared for weather that can vary dramatically during the three weeks. The high temperature in Prague in July averages 25 degrees Celsius (77 Fahrenheit), but temperatures can range from the very hot to the very cold. Students will need summer clothing. But it is often cool at night, so you should bring a sweatshirt or sweater and a jacket. As July typically is the rainiest month in Prague, an umbrella or raincoat is also necessary. Students may dress casually in class, but there will be several formal occasions when students will need to wear professional clothing ( coats and ties for men, dresses and suits for women). There will be a pool and volleyball party scheduled, so bring swimwear and a towel. For the Country Presentations Evening, you may want to bring traditional music, dress or other props for the show. Prior to arriving, a completed list of students from each country will be sent by email to all students based on citizenship. The list will contain email address, and students can coordinate with each other as to what to bring for the Country Presentations Evening.

Students will not need to bring linens for their bed. Towels will be provided but it is highly recommended that students bring towels from home. Laundry facilities at the dorm are not available in the summertime. There is a washbasin in each dorm suite where you can hand-wash your clothes.

One popular laundry mat for travelers in the summer, and an eclectic cultural center, is Laundry Kings next to the Hradcanska Metro Stop. You can wash your clothes, or they can wash them for you, while you surf the Internet, watch CNN, or read a newspaper. Another laundry mat where English is spoken is Prague Laundromat, Korunni street 14, Prague 2 (Namesti miru Metro stop, line A). If you need an iron, we recommend you bring a small one with you.

Please plan to bring enough money to cover entertainment and transportation costs, incidental expenses, and whatever souvenir shopping you might want to do. Remember that you will be provided a meal plan that will cover breakfast and dinner, but you must buy your lunch. A typical Czech meal can cost from $4.00-5.00USD in Czech restaurants to $10-15 in touristy locations.

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Changing Money

As of 13 May 2008 the exchange rate is approximately 16.06 Czech crowns/koruna (Kc) to the US dollar or 24.90 Kc to Euro. We recommend students use credit cards, debit cards or ATM cards whenever possible and limit the amount of cash you travel with. It will save you the worry and concern of walking around with large amounts of cash, or leaving money unguarded in the dormitory.

Automatic teller machines (ATM, or in Czech, bankomat) located throughout the city are an excellent alternative to changing money as you can use ATM or debit cards to get cash without a commission. There is an ATM located within the airport in case you arrive in the country without Czech Koruna.
There is an ATM located at the Dejvicka Metro Station. Most ATM transactions and credit card purchases will also give you an exact exchange rate, and most Czech businesses now accept major credit cards, at least in the centre of the city. Check with your bank to see which ATM card you have. Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus, Visa and American Express are widely accepted cards. You can get a Visa cash advance at Komercní banka; passport identification is required. But be warned that using a credit card for an ATM or cash advance often requires fees - check with your bank.

Traveler's checks are also a secure way to travel without cash. Visitors with American Express travelers' checks may redeem them at the American Express office on Wenceslas Square (Vaclavske Namesti 56) at full value with no commission charged. That office is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. You may also exchange foreign currency there for Czech currency, but a commission is charged. Visitors with Thomas Cook travelers' checks, or Eurocheques, can also receive commission-free exchanges. Mastercard cash advances and emergency card replacements are available at the Thomas Cooke office in Wenceslas Square (Vaclavske Namesti 47).

Major banks will also change money for a small commission (about 2 percent). There are also numerous other exchange outlets around town. Always ask what the commission is before you use them - especially in areas with lots of tourists. Many of them charge high commissions and have hidden costs. Avoid product pitches and "special" offers, such as "free" city maps. We recommend you exchange some currency before arriving, or at the airport if you are using a taxi or public transportation.

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Computers/Internet

Computer access at Charles University will be available in the classroom building from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. Those wishing to use email outside of these times should visit one of Prague's Internet cafes:

Please use this link to locate various Internet cafes around Prague. You will have to scroll down to find Prague or Praha within the country of the Czech Republic. Each location in Prague or Praha will offer different Internet Cafes around the city. Just to remind you, that thr dorm is located in Prague 6 and there is an offering in this part of the city.

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Insurance/Medical Care

Since EU entry, basic medical care for EU nationals should be covered by the health insurance policy from your home country. However, in order to receive treatment, you must show the attending physician either a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a form E111. If you do not have either of these documents with you, you may be charged cash. Please also note that your EU insurance covers only basic health care in emergencies. It does not cover specialist treatment, non-emergency treatment, or medically assisted transport home following an accident. For these reasons, we recommend all EU students to check with their insurance provider at home exactly what is covered by their insurance policy, and to take out extra medical or commercial travel insurance if necessary.

Foreign nationals from outside the EU are not covered by the EU’s special arrangements, and may be required to produce valid health insurance at the border. We therefore strongly recommend all students arrange health insurance before their departure for the Czech Republic. Check with your health insurer to see what their policy is for international travel; insurance may be limited to emergency room coverage only. ISIC holders are offered a helpful travel insurance policy.

For emergency care, cash payment may be required. If you have an emergency, the Na Holmolce Hospital at Roentgenova 2, Prague 5 has a foreigner's clinic that will be able to provide a physician who speaks English (tel. 214 421 46). There is also an overnight first aid centre at Vitezne namesti 13, Prague 6, very near the dorm (tel: 233 340 912). Open Mon.-Fri from 6:00pm to 7:00am, and all day on weekends). However, not all doctors here will speak English.

If your medical problem isn't an emergency, Prague has several clinics that cater to English speaking clients that can provide a network of services from a basic examination to accompanying a patient to the hospital, but usually for a high fee. These include Unicare, s.r.o. at Na Dlouhém lánu 11, Prague 6 (tel. 235 356 553 or on call 24 hours at 608 10 30 60; American Dental Associates, V Celnici 4, Prague 1 (tel: 221 181 121); Canadian Medical Centre, Veleslavinska 1, Prague 6 (tel: 235 360 133, or 724 300 301 after hours), Mon.-Fri. 8:00am- 8:00pm, Sat. 9:00am- 4:00pm. It is closed on Sunday.

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Safety

We cannot emphasize enough Prague's nasty reputation for pickpockets and petty crime. It's a significant problem that is easily avoidable with proper care. Wallets, purses, and foreign passports are desirable targets for pickpockets, so please be careful when you are out in public, especially at sites where crowds gather, such as Old Town Square, Prague Castle, Charles Bridge and nightclubs. Be especially alert when boarding and disembarking the trams and Metros, and look out for groups of people who are shoving or appear to be having a loud argument - often a distraction to the victim and a guise for the pickpocket's accomplices. Many pickpockets work in gangs of three or more to lower the risk of discovery. Quite possibly, your wallet will have passed through several hands before you even notice it's gone. Suggestions for safety are as follows:

Do not carry your passport and do not carry more cash than necessary.
Keep your money and ID in secure places;usually the front pockets are safe but money belts that can be kept inside clothing are recommended.
At the airport, bus and train stations, keep your money and passports hidden or in money belts. Do not let anyone know you speak English.
Make photocopies of your passport and other valuable documents and keep them separate from the actual documents. You can do this at the classroom building free of charge.
Travel in pairs or groups, particularly when you have luggage.
Do not leave your purse unattended at nightclubs or restaurants, no matter how briefly. Do not leave it hanging on chairs or by your feet. It will disappear!
If approached by a police officer, make sure they display proper identification.
Always exchange money in a legitimate place of business (banks, post offices, exchange kiosks-although they usually offer a poor rate of exchange); it is common for people to approach you looking to exchange money on the street. This is a big scam in Prague and highly illegal; you will be offered a ridiculously favorable exchange rate but if you make the transaction you will receive a big pile of nothing! For the best exchange rate, use banks or ATM machines.

Bartenders and waiting staff at restaurants and clubs in locations heavily visited by tourists join taxi drivers in having a bad reputation of taking advantage of tourists. Always keep record of what you order and the cost as to avoid any false additions to your bill. And always count your change when returned to you. If you avoid pubs and restaurants in Wenceslas Square, Old Town Square or next to the Charles Bridge - you generally will be OK. Nearly all of Prague's pubs and restaurants will offer you a great taste of Czech culture as long as you are willing to break from the tourist routine.

Prague can be brutal to a naïve visitor. Minor carelessness will result in rewards for Prague's many petty thieves!

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Institute Staff

Throughout the Institute, there will be two Institute staff members living in the dormitory who will be available to assist you. Matthew Kwasiborski will be serving as the Institute Director, and he can assist you with questions pertaining to the Institute or faculty. A Program Assistant will serve as the Czech liaison for AIPES, and will be able to assist you with any arrangements concerning the dormitory, public transportation, and medical care. The Program Assistant will speak Czech, and can assist you in bridging any language barriers that you encounter. Please check the bulletin board at the entrance to the dormitory, as the Institute staff will post messages and information there. The teaching assistants selected by the Institute's professors will be assisting AIPES staff.

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Names of Key Places In Prague

Old Town = Stare Mesto

Prague Castle = Hradcany

Charles Bridge = Karluv most

Wenceslas Square = Vaclavske namesti

Old Town Square = Staromestske namesti

Lesser Quarter, Little Side = Mala Strana

For more information about Prague, you may wish to visit the following websites on the Internet: www.czechsite.com and www.everydayprague.com . These websites contain a long list of activities and descriptions of places that will help make your visit to Prague the most enjoyable experience of you life. The Prague Post is the most useful and popular language newspaper in Prague: http://praguepost.com

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Post Office (Ceska Posta)

The main post office is located about 50m from the classroom at Jindrisska 14, just off Wenceslas Square. Open Monday - Sunday, 2:00 a.m. – 12 midnight. You can find English instructions on the board at the entrance to the main hall. A telephone room is to the right of the entrance hall. You can make international calls by paying a deposit to one of the clerks. Post cards and a basic airmail letter up to 20 grams within Europe costs 17 Kc, overseas airmail 18 Kc (up to 10 grams 11 Kc). Mailboxes on the streets are orange.

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Drinking Water

The water in Prague may not taste great, but in most cases, it is perfectly safe to drink. We advise students from The United States to drink bottled water because differences in naturally occurring bacteria between Europe and North America might cause illness. Most people, however, prefer bottled water that comes with or without bubbles (or "gas" if you are asked your preference in a restaurant). Dobra voda ("Good Water"), the most common brand of bottled water, is conveniently color-coded: red cap is with bubbles, blue cap without.

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International Student Identity Card (ISIC)

The International Student Travel Confederation (a service of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) issues the ISIC for students to help in their travels around the world. ISIC holders can receive travel related benefits and services throughout the world, including health insurance. Many travel agencies, airlines, museums and other entertainment and travel related organizations recognize the ISIC and offer significant discounts. The ISIC costs approximately $20. To obtain an ISIC, students must have a passport, a passport-sized photograph and proof that you are a full-time student. There are over 5000 organizations worldwide that issue the ISIC. For more information, visit the ISTC website on the Internet at www.istc.org , or you can call collect the ISIC Help Line anywhere in the world at 44-181-666-9205.

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Questions

If you have additional questions about the Institute, please contact Matthew Kwasiborski at The Fund for American Studies at telephone number 001-202-986-0384, fax number 001-202-986-8930, or email at mkwasiborski@tfas.org.

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About the Czech Republic

Although the Czech Republic is among the smaller countries of Europe with a population of about 10 million, it has a remarkably rich history. From the 7th to 19th century, the people of Bohemia were ruled by many kings and rulers. Among them was Charles IV (1346-78), King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, during whose reign Prague grew into one of the largest cities in Europe. Much of that period can still be seen in buildings and other physical landmarks that remain.

In the second half of the 16th century, Prague was the seat of the Hapsburg Empire, and in the early 20th century a part of the Austrian Empire. Czechoslovakia gained independence in 1918 - becoming an island of democracy in Central Europe. This freedom lasted only 20 years because the country came under Nazi occupation during World War II. Although democracy was restored after the war, Czechoslovakia became a communist country after only three years, and remained under Soviet rule until the 1989 Velvet Revolution. The Velvet Revolution ushered in a period of profound change and rejuvenation, renewed contact with Western thought, technology, information and economic. At the end of 1992, Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. On March 12, 1999 the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary officially entered into NATO and on 1 May 2004, together with 7 other post-communist countries, it joined the European Union.

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