The UC Davis Study Abroad program in Prague, Czech Republic was one of the highlights of my college career.
Scrolling through my Instagram Explore feed, one day, I stopped at a picture that featured two swans in a body of water with an old city and a sunset as the backdrop. I instantly fell in love and learned that it was a city in the Czech Republic. Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic and is in the central-eastern part of Europe. I had always wanted to travel to Europe but I made it my mission, from then on, to make Prague my first stop.
Years later, as I curiously flipped through the UC Davis Study Abroad catalog, I stumbled upon the page featuring the “Business and Communication Internship in the Czech Republic.” My eyes widened and my heart skipped a beat because I knew this would be my chance to visit Europe and the city I have long-awaited visiting.
Application Process
From there, I began my summer study abroad application which was a long, but not difficult, process. Additionally, I looked for outside scholarships to reduce the cost of the experience. One scholarship program I found very resourceful was the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. Not only did they help me cost-wise, but they made me feel safe traveling across the world with access to additional international resources.
After completing my application and getting accepted into the program, it was time to find my internship. The UC Davis Study Abroad Office worked with a third-party organization named EUSA to help find and choose my internship in Prague. In order for them to understand my professional interests, I completed a survey detailing what aspects of business or communication I was most interested in and submitted a résumé. Then, I had a video consultation with an on-site internship coordinator so that they can learn more about me and so that I could ask them any questions. I got a provisional internship placement and they connected me with my potential supervisor so that I could learn more about the company and duties I would be responsible for. EUSA made sure to understand what I was looking for in an internship and find the best option for me.
Internship
In the end, I interned as a Marketing Assistant at a jewelry atelier, called Klenota, where they made handcrafted jewelry pieces. My primary responsibilities were to increase their online traffic to the U.S. version of their website by increasing the visibility of their website in search engines, also known as search engine optimization (SEO). With my background in Marketing, specifically digital marketing, this was a perfect fit for my interests. I worked Monday through Thursday from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM and the rest of the week I had time to explore Prague and visit other countries in Europe.
Every day for work, I would commute from my residence, just outside of Old Prague, and take a 20-minute subway ride. Public transportation in Prague was very efficient and on time, compared to the U.S. For example, every 3 minutes there would be a subway ride coming in and out of the station. Additionally, there were trams and buses all over the city so that I could get to my destination on time. However, I preferred walking around Prague because it allowed me to explore the city and find hidden gems.
Prague Life
Being in Prague during my two-month stay was one of the happiest moments of my life! From the bustling streets of the Old Town Square to the serene gardens in the Wallenstein Garden, there was something for everyone. My two favorite places in all of Prague were the Clock Tower and the Petrin Lookout Tower. These two places could give you the most unique views of Prague and would allow you to take in all its beauty at once.
Conveniently located around these places are also delicious eateries and restaurants. One of my favorite traditional Czech dishes is the roast pork dumplings with sauerkraut. And since the U.S. dollar is a stronger currency than the Czech Koruna (crown), I could enjoy this meal for less than 100 crowns which would only cost me about $4.00 in the U.S.
Overall, this study abroad experience far exceeded my expectations and allowed me to grow professionally and personally. I was able to get hands-on experience in my desired field and in a completely different country. I also found time to explore the city of Prague–and 8 other countries in Europe–which gave me a wider perspective on the lives of various cultures and people.
