The CzechMates programme comprises coursework centered on holistically developing student competencies (personal and professional) related to critical thinking, international communication (broadly-defined) and intercultural collaboration.
Course options are aligned within the following disciplinary trajectories:

1. Globalization studies

Globalization/Media/Culture – this course provides an in-depth overview of contemporary topics and subject matter that links students’ personal and professional identity to a broader understanding of global processes as they link to local, regional, national, and international concerns. CzechMates program participants will take this course in association with Masaryk University students from a range of countries, capitalizing on the opportunity for a deeper engagement (through grounded dialogues, collaborative groupwork and experiential learning) to more effectively foster the cross-cultural acumen of all participants therein.

2. Elective courses

Students choose 1-2 more courses (which must be approved) at Masaryk University related to their major and internationalization as they intersect the Central European context from a variety of disciplines including Media Studies, Business, History, Political Science, Agricultural Sciences, Kinesiology, International Relations, etc. Check course options in the Catalogue.

3. Language

Czech Language (may not count for credit at some home institutions)

4. Internships

Internships (approx. 15 hours/week; 200 hours across the semester), supplemented with a mentoring seminar which meets weekly. More details can be found in the section dedicated to Internships.

Internships are an integral part of this programme. What does a CzechMates internship entail?

• 200 hours total/semester = internship + mentored seminar
• Varied internship sites are open in the following disciplines/areas including: Advertising, PR, Strategic Communication, Journalism, Social Justice, Arts, Fashion, Sports Communication, IT, Business, Marketing, International Relations, Agricultural/Food Sciences, Environmental/Sustainability Issues, Public Policy, Practical Research (Kinesiology/Exercise/Aging)
• Site options vary by semester. Please contact us directly to discuss how your interests and professional goals can match up with the specific internship options we offer.

Internships within the CzechMates program provide an important extra avenue to extend the practical learning capacities of the participants. Internships can be done for credit (or not), and involve local, regional, and international organizations across a spectrum of interests, including media companies, sports teams, IT start-ups, public administration offices, (NGO’s and social justice organizations, as well as city/university appointments), research labs, and entrepreneurial hubs.

These internships provide engaged, meaningful and applied work experience through activities that nurture student understanding not only of skills particular to their area of study and educational goals but also related to intercultural communication in real-world professional settings. Moreover, the students produce real deliverables – utilizing their skills as native English speakers — that can tangibly underscore and showcase (on the web, in a portfolio, etc.) their educational growth.

Furthermore, student participation in a concurrent seminar linked to their internship experience serves to nurture their capacities to both more constructively reflect upon it and more effectively articulate an enhanced understanding of what they learned – e.g. in future interviews and job placement materials – as part of their evolving professional development and career placement strategies.

Internship examples:

• Czech Television
• Kyndryl (formally IBM)
• KBC
• HC Liberec (Premier League Hockey Club)
• Moravian Gallery
• Brno Expat Centre
• Foreigners.cz
• Frank Bold (Environmental Law Firm/NGO)

• Nadace Partnerstvi (Environmental NGO)

What are ECTS?

ECTS are the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System, i.e. the way credits are awarded within Europe. The conversion from ECTS credits to your home institution's credit system is defined by your home institution. Please refer to your Study Abroad Advisor for detailed information.

Application

The application form is available online. Choose the CzechMates programme.

The application process for the CzechMates programme operates competitively on a rolling basis. Students should be in touch with Michael Elavsky, cme@czechmates.org, during the application process about their internship interests. Notifying us of your intent to apply is the first step, as it can increase your chance of acceptance.

Requirements

• Current enrolment at an institution of higher education
• For US students, the minimum grade point average (GPA) requirement is 3.00 overall.
• Completion of a minimum of 2 semesters at undergraduate level
• Minimum level B2 English language proficiency or above. Example of minimum requirements: TOEFL iBT 79, IELTS 6, Cambridge B2 First (FCE), or comparable certification

Application requirements

Application deadline:

• Autumn semester: April 1
• Spring semester: October 1

Documents required for online application:

• A passport sized picture
• Scan of passport or other ID documents
• The transcript of records
• Motivation outlining internship interests
• CV or resume
• proof of current degree in English/Evidence of minimum level B2 English language proficiency or above for non native speakers

Tuition and fees:

Estimated additional costs (per semester)

• Room: €1,200
• Meals: €1,200
• Insurance: €450
• Airfair round-trip: €1,500 (from USA/Canada)
• Additional personal expenses: €500
• TOTAL approximately: €4,850

Included in tuition and fees

• Orientation Week (social and cultural activities and Czech Language course)
• Czech Language course
• ISIC card (required of all students)
• International Student Club Membership (ESN)
• Czech SIM Card
• Cultural and Social activities
• Volunteer opportunities
• Buddy Program
• 24-hour emergency phone
• Access to full university course offer (hundreds of courses)
• Internship placement, mentoring, and hands on approach

Non-european students and information about visa

The Czech Republic requires non EU citizens to apply for a student visa for all studies over 90 days. Once the application deadline has closed, and students are accepted into the programme, Masaryk University sends the proof of accommodation and the document of the purpose of stay. Originals of these documents are required for applying for the visa. We encourage all students to research the visa requirements and understand the process and to apply as quickly as possible.

Students must have valid passports at the time of applying for the visa, and in most cases submit their passport with the visa application, so the visa sticker can be added.

The standard processing time for student visas is 60 days AFTER the application has been received. However, we encourage students to give themselves 90 days, so as to not be stressed waiting for their visa to arrive.

For example:

• Flying out 1 September? Apply by 1 June.
• Flying out 1 February? Apply by 1 November.

After acceptance

Students will be contacted by our Welcome Office regarding the following topics:

• Visa application and process (if necessary - apply 60-90 days prior to planned arrival, information provided after acceptance)
• Course registration (signup is roughly 1-2 months before the semester start)
• Accommodation registration (signup is roughly 1-2 months before the semester start)
• Student buddy sign up (signup is roughly 1 month before the semester start)
• Orientation Week (signup is roughly 1 month before the semester start)

In the meantime students can review the International Student Guide for more information.

Prior to arrival, students should work with Michael Elavsky on their internship placements. 

Orientation Week

The orientation week program includes an intensive "survival Czech" course, introductory talks on Czech culture and society, a tour of Brno and visit to the city museum, a reception bringing together international and Czech students as well as Masaryk University faculty, and excursions to the surroundings of Brno. More details about MU Orientation Week. Orientation week fees are included in the programme fees.

Application deadlines:

• Autumn semester: April 1
• Spring semester: October 1

Academic Calendar:

The official dates are below, however in most cases, students are able to take their exams before the Christmas holidays in the case of the fall semester, and by the end of May in the case of the spring semester. Please note - it is the students responsibility to confirm this with teachers during the first week of classes, if the exam dates are later in the syllabus.