The Prague Connect program has been canceled per UNC System guidance. All university-related domestic and international travel remains restricted until further notice due to COVID-19 and all study abroad activity has been suspended for fall 2020. We know that you were looking forward to an exciting, challenging, and rewarding study abroad experience this coming fall. We share your disappointment for the need to suspend the Prague Connect program this fall, but have made the decision with your health and safety in mind.

Prague Connect

Prague Connect is a unique program for first-year students who are admitted to NC State as part of Spring Connect. Prague Connect gives students the opportunity to earn NC State credits in Prague during the fall semester, preparing them for academic and social life prior to officially starting their degree program on campus in the spring.

 

 

Application Deadline: May 24, 2020 CANCELED

Decision notifications will be sent via email on or before May 29th. 

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Scholarship Deadline: May 8, 2020

NC State Prague will offer a limited number of scholarships to students with high financial need. Scholarship decision notifications will be distributed by May 22 (extended). Learn more →

Coronavirus (COVID-19 Update): Currently fall study abroad programs are moving forward as planned. Please keep in mind that this can change at any time in accordance with how things progress with the coronavirus. If the program is canceled, the $450 Admin Fee will be refunded and participants will not be charged the program cost. Withdrawal & Refund Policy

Mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation: June/July (Dates TBA)

Due to the impact of COVID-19, the in-person pre-departure orientation cannot be held on campus. However, the orientation sessions will be held in an online format via Zoom. Fall 2020 Prague Connect participants are required to attend four hour-long orientation sessions. Sessions will be live and exact dates, times, and topics will be shared with accepted students.

Program Dates in Prague: September 2 – November 25, 2020

Please note that due to the 90 day Schengen Visa regulations, participants cannot travel to other Schengen countries (most of Europe) before and/or after the program.

The Prague Connect study abroad program is highly structured and includes courses taught by both NC State and European instructors. In addition to the instructors, NC State Prague has an on-site team that is eager to welcome and available to support students throughout the program. Additionally, experienced NC State students will be on-site, participating in a concurrent study abroad program during the Fall 2020 semester. Approximately 30 incoming first year students participate in the Prague Connect program every fall semester. Students are divided into smaller groups of 15 or less for classes.

The program in Prague begins with a week-long orientation and USC 100 course, specifically for Prague Connect participants. During this orientation and course, 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 the Czech culture.

Students will enroll in 14 NC State credits during their 12 weeks in Prague, using the city and NC State Prague as their classroom. The program utilizes the historical city by visiting numerous museums, national monuments, cultural landmarks, and other significant venues to engage students in their course work-providing first-hand experiences that inform critical and creative thinking.

The program cost includes two overnight excursions: one within the Czech Republic and another to Kraków, Poland. Students also have the opportunity to take advantage of numerous local cultural events and day trips throughout the semester.

Courses

While in Prague, students will enroll in a set group of classes. All students will be enrolled in a total of 14 NC State credit hours. Students take classes as a cohort with their Prague Connect peers. With the exception of USC 100, all class sizes are 15 or less.

All classes are NC State credits and most fulfill General Education Program requirements (GEP’s) or electives, depending on academic major. Students will be enrolled as Non-Degree Studies (NDS) during the semester in Prague. Courses matriculate to students’ degree audits when they are officially enrolled as degree-seeking students for the spring semester. All courses are graded with a letter grade and count towards students’ NC State GPA.

Housing

Participants are placed in student housing with their Prague Connect peers. All accommodations used by NC State Prague are located in residential areas of Prague that are easily accessible by public transportation. Students are provided with a public transit pass upon arrival and take a 15-20 minute tram or metro ride into the city center to get to classes at NC State Prague. Accommodations are included in the cost and participants receive additional details about housing prior to departure.

Eligibility

• Students must be admitted to NC State for the spring semester through Spring Connect
  (Students will be automatically enrolled through Non-Degree Studies (NDS) during the Fall 2020 semester in Prague.)
• To be eligible to apply & participate, students must confirm enrollment to NC State

Cost

For details on what the program cost includes, visit the Cost & Funding page.

$450 Admin Fee – due at time of application
$10,500 Program Cost – due July 1, 2020
TOTAL: $10,950

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 Prague Scholarship

NC State Prague will offer a limited number of scholarships to students with high financial need in the form of a reduced program cost. Approximately two to five students will be awarded scholarships in the range of $2,500 to $5,000. In order to apply, students must:

1. Complete the free FAFSA form
2. Complete the very short NC State Prague Connect Scholarship Application by May 8. Students will be notified of the decision by the end of business day on May 15.

NC State Prague Scholarship Application

Shelton NDS Scholarship

Students are invited to apply for the Shelton NDS Scholarship (Shelton NDS 2020 Application Deadline: TBA) To apply, complete the NDS Continuing Education Scholarship Application.

The Shelton NDS Scholarship is not managed by the NC State Prague Office. Questions concerning the Shelton NDS Scholarship should be directed to Dr. Anne Beddingfield (lmbeddin@ncsu.edu) from the Shelton Leadership Center.