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 enroll in a pre-set track of NC State courses taught at the NC State European Center in Prague, where they also receive robust program support throughout from our on-site staff.

Download the brochure.

Virtual Information Session: Recording now available.

In this session, we will review the Prague Connect study abroad program in detail, including information on the application process. Attendees will hear from NC State Prague staff and former program participants.

View Zoom recording here (Access Password: B2*brttJ)

Application Dates

Applications opened on Friday, March 28, 2025.

Application cycle	Deadline	Decision Notification	Commitment Deadline
Early Action/Priority	April 25	April 28	May 12
Regular	May 9	May 12	May 26

*Applications will be reviewed after each Application Deadline, and decisions will be sent out on the respective ‘decision notification’ date. Due to the popularity of the program, we recommend completing the program application as soon as possible to ensure better chances of selection.

Scholarships:

NC State Prague will offer limited scholarships to students with high financial need, in addition to one Social Media Scholarship. See below for details.

Program Dates

Program Dates: August 27 – November 22, 2025

August 7	Pre-Departure Orientation (in Raleigh)
August 27	Arrival Day
August 28 – August 29	Mandatory On-site Orientation
September 1-4	USC 100
September 5-6	Mandatory Excursion within the Czech Republic
September 8	Classes Start
October 23-27	Mandatory Out-of-country Excursion
November 12-13	Last Day of Classes
November 18-19	Final Exams
November 20	Farewell Event
November 21	Check-Out
November 22	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, Czech culture, and local resources.

Students will be enrolled in a full load of NC State courses during their 12 weeks in Prague. Utilizing both the NC State Prague Center and the city itself as ‘classrooms,’ the program introduces students to the historical riches of the city through visits to museums, national monuments, cultural landmarks, and other significant sites of interest. Through these activities, students are to 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 therefore are graded with a letter grade and do count toward students’ cumulative NC State GPA.

Three course tracks are available (see below for full details). Each track consists of 5 classes. All tracks have 3 classes in common: USC 100, SOC 202, and WL 395. Please keep in mind that, regardless of your track placement* all classes are NC State courses and will still ‘count’ towards fulfilling your GEP requirements at NC State.

*In determining track rosters, we will weigh significantly the time of your application submission. We therefore recommend completing the program application as soon as possible to increase the chances of being given your course track preference.

Program Cost

• Admin Fee: $450 ($75 non-refundable Setup fee + $375 Study Abroad fee)
• Program Cost: $10,995
• TOTAL: $11,445*

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 being in Non-Degree Studies (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 Prague Need-Based Scholarship

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 25, 2025. Decisions will be sent out by May 2.

NC State Prague Social Media Scholarship

(Open to All Prague Connect Applicants)

Do you enjoy observing your surroundings, capturing moments through photography and videography, and are you passionate about creating engaging digital content? If so, you could be an ideal candidate for our Social Media Scholarship.

The NC State European Center in Prague provides a social media scholarship to one student willing to devote their efforts to the social media team. This scholarship is awarded through a reduced program fee, ranging from $1,000 to $2,000.

To apply: complete the Social Media Scholarship application section by April 25, 2025. You will be requested to state why you want to contribute to NC State Prague’s social media. You will be notified of the decision by the end of the business day on April 28.

Shelton NDS Scholarships

Students are invited to apply for the Shelton Non-Degree Studies Scholarship, which assists undergraduates who demonstrate the motivation, potential, and character to successfully complete a university degree, yet may not have satisfied the criteria to qualify for immediate admission into a degree program at the university.

Application Deadline: May 2. Decisions will be sent out on May 12.

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