It’s hard to believe that the Spring 2023 semester is coming to an end. It feels as if we just arrived in Prague, just learned our first Czech phrases, and just tried Bageterie Boulevard for the first time. As the end of the semester approaches, it’s a time to reflect on all of the memories made over the last few months in Prague. But for some students, Prague wasn’t their first-choice location to study abroad. This week, The NYU Prague Blog Staff asked multiple students to reflect on their study abroad experience in Prague, despite it not being their first-choice location.
Ava Weyland
I had always dreamed of going abroad to Paris, and when I was placed in NYU Prague, I was not sure what the semester was going to look like or what the future would hold. However, after spending four months here, I could not be happier that I ended up in the Czech Republic. If I had done more research about the programs before applying, I would have learned how beautiful Prague is, how easy it is to travel from here (I’ve gotten to visit 12 countries!) and how incredible and tight knit the NYU Prague community is. I’ve gotten to learn and grow so much, make lifelong friends and the past four months have been the adventure of a lifetime. If I’d known what my semester was going to be like, there is no doubt in my mind that Prague would have (and should have) been my first choice. I am so sad to be going home soon, but I am so grateful for this experience and I would recommend Prague to anyone choosing to study away.
Photo courtesy of Ava Weyland
Bryn Borzillo
The idea of spending a semester in Paris fueled my desire to study abroad, but actually studying in Prague made the semester so much more valuable. When initially applying for a global program, Paris seemed like the obvious first choice to me as I was aiming to finish my language requirements immersed in French culture. Yet after spending a weekend in the city, I quickly realized it was a fantastical, idealized dream of a place. What was actually a fairytale come to life was living in Prague and getting the privilege to walk down the streets of Old Town on my way to class, traveling affordably around Europe to explore so many different locations and making new friends with so many of the cool people at NYU Prague. Not only did I get to live so centrally to most of Europe, but I also got to learn and experience aspects of a culture which I had previously known very little about. While it was an entirely new experience for me, I am so grateful that I got to explore such a unique city for all of the architecture and history it has to offer. From fun brunches at local cafes to touristy exploring of the various parks, castles, and views of the city on the weekends to pub nights after class, I have absolutely loved everything I’ve gotten to experience in Prague and am so grateful I got the opportunity to end up here instead. 
Photo courtesy of Bryn Borzillo
Maya Istafanous
I originally had Madrid as my number one choice for study abroad, but now, after being here, I wouldn’t change it for the world. I was quite nervous at first as I was put in Osadní, which is primarily a dorm for music students, when I am not. I wasn’t sure what I would have in common with people, and I knew I wouldn’t be in a lot of the same classes, so making friends was a bit daunting. It all worked out amazingly as I have now met some of my closest friends just by being open and outgoing. Prague itself has also been amazing–it is a city full of history, passion, castles, and lots of fun bars. The Czech Republic is full of cool little cities, and NYU has taken us to quite a few, my personal favorite being Mikulov in South Moravia. Prague’s central location has been perfect for traveling as well, and I’ve been able to visit seven countries so far! If I could go back and tell myself one thing, it would be that things happen for a reason. I’ve grown so much as a person while being here, but it’s all felt supported and safe. Prague has been an amazing opportunity, and it’s definitely an underrated study abroad choice. I couldn’t be happier about my time here, and I’m already sad to leave!
Photo courtesy of Maya Istafanous
Pasha Toub
My first choice for my semester abroad was Madrid, as I desperately wanted to learn Spanish to speak to my family on my mom’s side. At the time, Prague felt rather spontaneous and unexpected, but I decided to follow through for the classes that were offered. I’m incredibly glad I did–despite not learning a language, I feel I am much more fulfilled by the people and resources around me than I may have been in Madrid. Once I adjusted, the fact that Prague was my second choice just felt irrelevant. I’m even heavily considering coming back!
Photo courtesy of Pasha Toub
Sakshi Kumar
Prague wasn’t my first choice. In fact, it wasn’t a choice for me at all. The location didn’t offer many classes for my major, and I had heard it was cold until May. Plus, all of my friends were going to Madrid or London. So when NYU decided to give me 24 hours to accept or decline Prague, a site I hadn’t ranked, I had no idea what to expect. I came here knowing one person who I thought would be my only roommate, but soon found out I’d be living in a suite of 7. I think all I have to say on how easy it was to make friends is that the other six girls in my suite cheered when I walked into the dorm after 20 hours of travel. On a campus of 100-something students who live in close proximity and share two school buildings, I was bound to find people I’d enjoy being with. On top of making about 30 new friends, Prague is a beautiful city and a great homebase. It’s clean, quiet, reliable and never falls short of things to do. It’s also so rich in history that is relevant and even experienced by our professors and people we meet and talk to everyday. Between ladies night at Las Adelitas on Wednesday and Vietnamese food tours in Little Hanoi, Prague quickly became one of my favorite cities that only got better as the temperature warmed up (unfortunately they were right about the cold, but it’s a minor inconvenience). It’s a weird feeling that a place I knew nothing about with people who spoke a language I’ve barely heard in my life now feels like a second home. Even if I can’t wait for iced coffee and Chipotle in two weeks, I’m leaving with everything I wanted and more, and I wouldn’t have given up the experience for any other study away site.