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CZECH REPUBLIC Country Booklet
Geography & History Czech Republic is located in Central Europe. Czech Republic bordered by Germany, Austria, Poland and Slovakia. Summer is June-August (relatively hot), Winter is December-March (cold and snowy). The Czech state, known as Bohemia, was formed in the late 9th Century. In 1918 the land of Bohemia became a part of Czechoslovakia, what was a common state for Czechs and Slovaks. On the 1st January 1993, Czechoslovakia peacefully split into 2 independent states, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
The majority of the 10.5 million inhabitants of the Czech Republic are ethnically and linguistically Czech (95%). Other ethnic groups include Germans, Roma, Poles and Hungarians and Slovaks. Most people in Czech Republic are without a religion, they are atheist (39.8%). Those of the Roman Catholic religion account for 39.2%. The currency is the Koruna (CZK).
Culture Music is the most popular form of art in the Czech Republic and there is even a saying, "Co Čech, to muzikant", which means "Every Czech is a musician". Today’s music has its origin in traditional folk and classical music. The most famous music festival is called ‘Prague Spring’.
Prague Spring Music Festival
Czech literature and culture played a major role when Czechs lived under oppression and political activity was suppressed. In the early 19th century and in the 1960s, the Czechs used their cultural and literary effort to strive for political freedom, establishing a confident, politically aware nation. Theatre in Czech Republic has rich tradition with roots in the Middle Ages. In the 19th century, the theatre played an important role in the national awakening movement and later, in the 20th century it became a part of the modern European theatre art.
Find out about the city of Ostrava HERE
The two leading sports in the Czech Republic are football (soccer) and ice hockey, both drawing the largest attention of both the media and supporters. Tennis is also a very big sport in the Czech Republic.
Culture- Cuisine Czech cuisine is marked by a strong emphasis on meat dishes. Pork, beef and chicken are also popular. Goose, duck, rabbit & wild game are served. Fish is rare, with the exception of fresh trout served at Christmas. Two unique Czech dishes are Vepřo-knedlo-zelo (roast pork with dumplings and sauerkraut) and Svíčková na smetaně (marinated beef sirloin). Aside from Slivovitz, Czech beer and wine, Czechs also produce two uniquely Czech liquors, Fernet Stock and Becherovka. Kofola is a nonalcoholic cola soft drink which competes with Coca Cola and Pepsi. The main dish of the day is lunch (served between 1 - 2 p.m.), usually two courses: soup and main dish, dinner is usually smaller (6 - 7 p.m.)
Vepřo-knedlo-zelo
Svíčková na smetaně
Kolache (pastry filled with fruit)
Main Cities- Prague Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river and is home to about 1.3 million people. Prague has been a political, cultural and economic centre of Europe and particularly central Europe during its 1,100 year existence. The city played major roles in the Protestant Reformation, the Thirty Years' War, and in 20th century history, during both World Wars and the post-war Communist era.
Charles Bridge
Prague Castle
Prague is home to a number of famous cultural attractions, many of which survived the violence and destruction of twentieth century Europe. Main attractions include the following: Prague Castle, the Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, the Jewish Quarter, the Lennon Wall, and PetĹ™Ăn hill. Since 1992, the historic centre of Prague has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
Old Town Square
Lennon Wall
Visa Requirements Australia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore- Citizens do NOT require a Visa to enter Czech Republic. Mainland of China, Indonesia- Citizens require a Visa to enter Czech Republic. This is the Schengen (Short-term) Visa.
Please confirm the Visa you require with your TN Manager (contact you have in Czech Republic) before you apply for any Visa.
“EDISON” EDISON is a project, which brings multicultural education into Czech high, elementary schools and kindergartens by delivering interactive sessions about political, social and economic situations and student life in home countries of Exchange Participants (EP’s).
Benefits: Accommodation Provided- Host Family, Dorm or Hostel! Internet Access Close contact with the Host Local Committee Lunch Provided in the schools Learning Points: Develop practical facilitation skills Duration: 6 weeks Possibility to develop language skills Issues: Cultural Understanding Explore Czech Republic’s rich culture! Meet people from all over the world Chance to impact young peoples thinking Working in a multicultural environment and team Change your global perspective
“EDISON”- Job Description Job Description 1
EP’s will work with other EP’s from around the world in delivering sessions to either elementary, high school or kindergarten students. The schools will be changed approximately every 2 weeks
Job Description 2
The topics of the sessions can include teaching Czech students languages (English), Arts or simple Math's through activities and interaction. Sessions may require the EP to also speak about leadership
Job Description 3
EP should prepare games, activities, sessions, presentations (power-points) about their home country (Australia), specifically, the culture- social, political and economical situations
Job Description 4
Before EP’s begin their work at the school they will attend a National/Regional Train the Trainers Conference. This is a 5-day preparation seminar for training on presentation and communications skills and team-building to prepare the EP’s for their project
Job Description 5
EP will take part in a Global Village and should be prepared for this by bringing traditional clothes, food, brochures etc. as well as a presentation about their home country
Measurable Results Expected It is expected that after the project, Czech students will have a greater from the EP appreciation and understanding of internationalism. The students will therefore be more culturally aware and know of the differences between life in Czech Republic compared to other countries.
Watch an EP’s Exchange experience in Czech Republic CLICK HERE!
“SPEAK!” SPEAK! is a project focused on improvement of university student´s level of languages. It is an intensive language course which is lead by EP’s in an interactive way. The whole course is based on communication and interactive methods.
Benefits: Accommodation Provided- Host Family, Dorm or Hostel! Computer & Internet Access Provided Close contact with the Host Local Committee Duration: 6 weeks Issues: Language Literacy
Learn more about the SPEAK! Project HERE
Learning Points: Develop practical facilitation and teaching skills Impact the English language education of Czech students Possibility to develop language skills Explore Czech Republic’s rich culture! Meet people from all over the world Work in a multicultural environment Change your global perspective
“SPEAK!”- Job Description Job Description 1
EP’s will work with other EP’s from around the world in delivering language education sessions to high-school or University students
Job Description 2
The purpose of the project is to improve the English language skills of the students. EP’s need to prepare interactive materials such as graphic slides, games, conversational role plays, songs etc. in order to create interactive language classes with the students
Job Description 3
EP should also prepare a presentation on their home country (Australia) about the culture, traditions, way of life. EP’s need to bring flags, souvenirs, costumes, traditional food for this presentation
Job Description 4
Before EP’s begin their work at the school they will attend a National/Regional Train the Trainers Conference. This is a 5-day preparation seminar for training on presentation and communications skills and team-building to prepare the EP’s for their project
Measurable Results Expected from the EP
It is expected that after the project, Czech students will have better English literacy skills and will be able to achieve higher on English tests. Students will also evaluate the performance of the EP.
Get a glimpse of the SPEAK! Project HERE!
EP Story- Ruob Listen to Ruob’s Exchange Experience HERE!
Ruob Yan (AIESEC Melbourne) EDISON, AIESEC Praha, Czech Republic "Last November in my uni break, I made an impulsive decision to go to the Czech Republic on a cultural education project, travelling around to schools as part of a international cultural education team. I immersed myself in a foreign culture, experienced a proper winter for the first time, drank more amazing beer than I ever have, made lifelong friends across every continent, made more of an impact on kids and students than I ever thought I could, learned things about my character and capabilities, and truly developed as a person. That experience was the best time of my life so far"
EP Story- Ling Zuo
Ling Zuo (AIESEC Melbourne) Crazy Christmas, AIESEC Karvina, Czech Republic "6 weeks in Czech was really mind-blowing! Me and another 9 wonderful people from Brazil, Guatemala, India, Australia and China had built such an amazing friendship. It was really like meeting cultures from all over the world. We worked together, went travelled in Vienna together, drank fruit punch together, and even missed the last train in the middle of the night together, and it was -25 degree cold. Our faces were even shown on the local newspaper!"
…Interested in going on Exchange to Czech Republic? …Interested in Applying for any of these Projects? APPLY NOW!
CLICK HERE!