Traveling is a huge part of the study abroad experience and NYU is here to help with the strain it may have on your wallet. In the first few weeks, they’ll send out a sign up sheet for trips across the Czech Republic. And it’s all free. Dinners, transportation, activities, and lodging are all included.
The only problem? You have no idea what you’re signing up for. Except for a short summary on the All You Need to Know site, you know nothing about the trips. But as almost-veteran NYU Prague students, we’re here to help. Below, we honestly review each of the NYU provided trips so you know exactly what you’re signing up for.
Czech Paradise Hike (day trip)
Trip leaders: Vašek and Markéta
Overview: Although I don’t like hiking, I really enjoyed this trip. First of all, the timing was perfect — during the first half of September it is still warm, but not too warm, and sunny (at least, it was supposed to be). The hiking itself felt like a walk, not too intense, so during the trip you can talk with other students a lot, get to know people better and make friends. We passed breathtaking views while stepping over various rocks across the dense forest. Then we stopped to take a snack, which we were supposed to bring along, and continued hiking for another hour. The Bohemian region is famous for its castles, and we saw Kost Castle on our hike. Later, NYU took us to lunch at a local restaurant (portions there were huge, but good). We had a breather there and enjoyed some free time. But the trip was not over yet: we went for another hike afterwards, but this one I would not even call a real hike, since it was super easy and didn’t involve any climbing or rocks. It was just like a one hour walk. And then we happily and tiredly set off home.
What to bring: Please, don’t do repeat my mistake and bring some hiking boots, you’ll feel way more comfortable and safe wearing them; also don’t forget that it may rain — a raincoat is definitely needed (umbrella works too). As I have mentioned, you will have some time for lunch during the hike, but it’s always a good idea to grab some water and snacks. And remember to only pack comfortable clothes.
Extra Info: If you have never hiked before or don’t like it, don’t worry. This trip is more about enjoying nature, communicating with peers and just experiencing something new.
Říp Hike (day trip)
Trip leaders: Eva, Nick and Kačka
Overview: I do not like hiking, but this was supposedly one of the easier hikes offered. Was it easy for me? Not really. But it wasn’t bad and the views were beautiful. Říp Mountain or Říp Hill is a very small mountain (which is why people refer to it as a hill). It was the passage that the founders of Prague took. The hike was 9 km or about 5.5 miles long. The difficulty of this hike was in its steepness: I definitely found myself grasping for nearby trees for support, but once the ground is more level it was a walk in the park. Once we got to the top of the hill, we had lunch then toured Rotunda, a church of sorts, before walking to see more beautiful views. The hike down was super easy since it was paved. The hardest part of the trip was what came after, when we walked for miles to get to the train that would take us back to campus. We walked so far that the mountain looked like an ant hill (that’s an exaggeration, but we did walk super far).
What to bring: Please buy some hiking shoes with grip and some support. My feet were so sore after this walk that I immediately went to bed after. Water and a snack is another must. You will need it. Also, depending on the weather, bring some sunscreen or a raincoat. The most important thing is strong, comfortable and supportive shoes.
Extra Info: This is like a beginner level hike, so if you are fit then you will be fine. I, however, am not fit. You can also buy souvenirs at the bottom of the mountain after the hike. The hike is a good opportunity to talk with your peers and your RAs.
Liberec (overnight trip)
Trip leaders: Nick, Vašek and Markéta
Overview: Overall, I’d say you need to appreciate the great outdoors to enjoy this trip. It took a lot of hiking and a lot of walking outside, but it was beautiful. For me, it was all worth it. The hiking was a little strenuous, but nothing an average young person can’t handle — there was a steep hill, rocks to climb and a long grassy path. It was fun to learn about a lesser-known Czech town and to see the Czech border with Poland and Germany. For me, the best part about these trips is getting to see more of the Czech Republic and traveling for free. I would have never gone to Liberec if not for this trip, but in the end, I was glad I did.
What to bring: I cannot stress this enough — bring lots of layers. If it’s going to be rainy, which it probably will be, bring a rain jacket, an umbrella or even both. But don’t stress about buying hiking boots even if they insist you need them. Just bring the most comfortable shoes you have, whether that’s professional hiking boots or tennis shoes, and you’ll be fine.
Extra Info: Going into this trip, I was worried I’d have to bring my bag with me on the hike, so I packed as little as possible and ended up wearing my hiking boots to a wine bar. Fortunately, there was a bus where you can leave your things during the hikes, so there’s no need to pack so light.
South Moravia (overnight trip)
Trip leaders: Kačka and Yveta
Overview: The trip was intense as we visited two small towns in South Moravia region — Mikulov, where we spent an evening and slept, and Telc, where we spent the second day. Our first stop on the way to Mikulov was Lednicko-valtický areál (Lednice-Valtice Landscape), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We had a tour of a castle and we also climbed a tower with a breathtaking view. After we arrived in Mikulov — a town which is famous for its wine — we had a small neighborhood tour with a local woman and then we went to dinner to a cute restaurant. The food and wine there were great. During our free time, we came across a loud party where locals were hanging out, drinking Moravian wine and dancing to the Czech songs played by a band. We joined the event and plunged into the local atmosphere. It was an amazing experience. Moravian folk music is an important component of Czech culture, so seeing it live was pretty special. On the second day, we had a small hike to the Holy Hill (Svatý Kopeček) with a mesmerizing view and headed off to Telc, another quaint little town in South Moravia, where we spent a few hours before our departure to Prague.
What to bring: The weather was rainy, so an umbrella and a raincoat are must-haves if you don’t want to get cold and drenched. The hike was not tough and took less than an hour, so simple sneakers are enough. NYU covers lunch, dinner and breakfast, but if you want to have some extra food or drinks make, be sure to bring pocket money.
Extra info: You will have a free evening and afternoon in Mikulov — there are a few cute cafes and coffee shops so I definitely recommend checking them out. Also, don’t bring too much stuff with you because you are going to spend little time in the hotel.
Karlovy Vary (overnight trip)
Trip leaders: Nick, Kačka and Emma
Overview: Karlovy Vary was one of my favorite trips I’ve taken this semester. The town is gorgeous, like something out of a postcard. We started our trip by going on a quick morning tour where we saw the various hot springs Karlovy Vary visitors drink in order to promote healing. I would recommend bringing a water bottle to try some. We also visited a lookout tower (with a mini zoo) and had plenty of free time to do our own thing. This town is known for its spa facilities, so you can use that time for anything from a beer bath to a massage. We toured a castle in a neighboring town the second day, another beautiful experience. The one downside to this trip was the rain, which began to pour down on us from the moment we stepped off the bus.
What to bring: Layers. And a rain jacket. Both of those are must-haves. As tough as you think you are, it’s no fun to be shivering in the cold and the rain wearing only a sweatshirt. I wore a puffer jacket with a cheap rain jacket underneath and I was still a bit chilly.
Extra Info: If you can, take advantage of the experiences Karlovy Vary has to offer. This trip had a lot more free time than others I’d been on, and I’m glad I was able to use it to see the sights, grab dinner, and try out a Czech beer bath.
No trips
I was unable to attend the NYU trips because I came to Prague with nearly all of my trips pre-planned. I had one free weekend and tried to join the Karlovy Vary trip, but I forgot to fill out the mandatory cancelation agreement form and I was taken off the list. So watch out for that email.
Approaching your abroad experience like this is definitely not for everyone, but as someone who enjoys having their months planned out in advance, I loved it. In retrospect, I do wish I set apart a weekend to go on a trip with my classmates (or filled out that cancelation agreement) because I love everyone I have met during this program.