Prague Connect Fall Program

About the Program

The Prague Connect program gives ‘Spring Connect’ students an opportunity to earn NC State credits in Prague during the fall semester, preparing them for academic and social life before matriculating into their degree programs in January.

Prague Connect is a highly structured study abroad program in which students take a pre-set track of courses taught by NC State and European instructors. These courses are held at the NC State European Center in Prague, where students benefit from a supportive on-site team to welcome and assist them throughout the program.

Applications for the Fall 2024 Prague Connect Program are now CLOSED.

View the program brochure.

Deadlines

Prague Connect Application*	Deadline	Decision Notification
Application Deadline (Early Action)	April 24, 2024	April 29, 2024
Application Deadline (Regular)	May 15, 2024	May 20, 2024
Scholarship Application Deadline	April 24, 2024	April 29, 2024

*Applications will be reviewed after each Application Deadline, and decisions will be sent out within a week. In the case of a high number of applicants, prioritization will factor in the time of application submission. We therefore strongly suggest completing the program application as soon as possible to ensure the chances of selection are better.

Scholarships:

NC State Prague will offer limited scholarships to students with high financial need. NC State Prague will also offer one Social Media Scholarship. Scholarship decision notifications will be sent out prior to the application deadline.

Program Dates

Program Dates: August 28 – November 20, 2024

August 8	Pre-Departure Orientation (in Raleigh)
August 28	Arrival Day
August 29 – August 30	Mandatory On-site Orientation
September 2-5	USC 100
September 6-7	Mandatory Excursion within the Czech Republic
September 9	Classes Start
October 24-28	Mandatory Out-of-country Excursion
November 13-14	Last Day of Classes
November 18-19	Final Exams
November 20	Check-Out & Departure Day

Program Details

Overview

The program in Prague begins with a week-long orientation and USC 100 course, which aims to help new students transition into life in the university and Prague. During this time, students participate in activities and discussions to develop community, clarify expectations, and introduce the approach to courses at NC State Prague. The on-site orientation also serves as an introduction to the city of Prague and Czech culture.

Students will be enrolled in a full load of NC State credits during their 12 weeks in Prague, using the city and NC State Prague as their classrooms. The program exposes students to the historical riches of the city through visits to museums, national monuments, cultural landmarks, and other significant venues. Through these activities, students become better engaged in their coursework, providing first-hand experiences that inform critical and creative thinking.

Eligibility

Must be admitted to NC State for the spring semester through Spring Connect. Students will be automatically enrolled as Non-Degree Studies (NDS) students during the fall term. 

To be eligible to participate in the program, students must confirm enrollment at NC State.

Courses

While in Prague, all program participants will be enrolled full-time, taking a pre-set schedule of classes along with their Prague Connect peers. Except for USC 100, all class sizes are 15 or fewer students.

All classes are NC State courses and fulfill General Education Program requirements (GEPs) or electives. Students will be classified as ‘Non-Degree Studies’ (NDS) during the semester in Prague. However, these courses will matriculate into students’ degree audits once officially enrolled as degree-seeking students in the following spring semester. All courses are graded with a letter grade and do count toward students’ cumulative NC State GPA.

Three-course tracks are available: an international studies course track, a science course track, and a business course track. No more than 15 students will be placed in each track.

Program Cost

• Admin Fee: $450 ($75 non-refundable set-up fee and $375 study abroad fee)
• Program Cost: 10,950
• TOTAL: $11,400*

For more details: Cost & Funding

*Those planning to use 529 Plan funds to pay for program costs are recommended to consult with their 529 Plan providers to ensure this program is eligible for use of these funds.

Scholarships

Due to the NDS status, participants are not eligible for State or Federal financial aid or NC State Study Abroad scholarships. However, Prague Connect applicants are eligible to apply for the following scholarships:

NC State European Center Scholarships

NC State Prague will offer limited scholarships to students with high financial need. Approximately two to five students will be awarded scholarships ranging from $1000 to $5,000. To apply, students must:

1. Complete the free FAFSA form
2. Complete the NC State Prague Connect Scholarship Application by April 24, 2024. Students will be notified of the decision by the end of the business day on April 29, 2024.

NC State Prague Social Media Scholarship

NC State European Center in Prague will also offer one Social Media Scholarship (open to all Connect applicants).

If you are tech-savvy, like taking pictures and making great videos, and love sharing your travel stories, you are the perfect candidate for this scholarship! You will join the communications team and gain hands-on experience.

To apply: Complete the NC State Prague Connect Scholarship Application and the Social Media Scholarship section by April 24, 2024. Include a letter of motivation explaining why you want to contribute to NC State Prague’s social media and a list of social media profiles to which you’ve contributed. You will be notified of the decision by the end of the business day on April 29, 2024.

Shelton NDS Scholarships

Students are invited to apply for the Shelton NDS Scholarship. The NC State European Center does not manage the Shelton NDS Scholarship. Questions concerning the Shelton NDS Scholarship should be directed to Tiffany McLean, tiffany_mclean@ncsu.edu, from the Shelton Leadership Center.

Excursions, Cultural Activities and Field trips

When studying abroad “the world becomes your classroom,” and so your formal learning will be enhanced by opportunities in the greater setting of the city of Prague and the Czech Republic. Local instructors take students to relevant locations for hands-on learning and multiple field excursions. Past trips have included the National Museum, the Museum of Communism, the Center for Contemporary Art, and local Czech movie screenings, to name a few. In addition to the course-related excursions, students can also sign up for optional cultural activities organized by staff throughout the semester (examples may include a night at the opera, a day trip to a medieval castle, or an adventurous hiking trip in area parks and forests).

Housing

The NC State European Center in Prague provides housing for all program participants.
In addition to their program peers who live in the same building, several Czech dorm mates (local university students) also reside in the same building and provide additional support and local connections. All students will have access to a shared kitchen in the student residence. The program fee includes a standard double room.

• Housing
• Student life
• Health and Safety