Foreign Study Program

Since 1994 the Department of Geography at Dartmouth has collaborated with faculty at Charles University to offer a foreign study program in Prague. Our program focuses not on bringing Dartmouth to another country, but on immersing Dartmouth students in the academics, culture, and environment of the Czech Republic.

Students explore a range of topics in geography, including demographics, public health, urban planning, migration, politics, economics, and human-nature interactions, within the context of place that has undergone a radical transformation from a satellite state of the Soviet Union to a member of the European Union and NATO, and from a communist economy to a thriving capitalist one. Our program provides students with the tools to understand these economic, social, and spatial transformations.

Prague has re-emerged as the cosmopolitan hub of Central Europe, offering rich historical sites and stunning architecture combined with a vibrant cultural scene that includes exceptional museums, theaters, food, and nightlife. Prague is a walkable city with a reliable and efficient public transit system, with regional trains providing access to the diverse landscapes and outdoor recreational opportunities surrounding the city.

The Czech Republic is situated in the heart of Europe, only a few hours away by train from other notable cities including Vienna, Warsaw, Berlin, and Budapest; and a short flight to France, Italy, Switzerland, and Croatia.

Students live in shared apartments with a kitchen and laundry that are centrally located in Prague and close to amenities. Students will attend classes at Charles University, which is both one of oldest universities in the world and a top-ranked university in Europe. Beyond coursework, students will have the opportunity to participate in social and cultural activities with Czech students.

View our department's instagram to see student posts from the 2023 trip.

Application deadline for Prague Foreign Study Program is February 1, 2026.

For more information: https://guarini.dartmouth.edu/programs/geography-fsp-prague

• Geography 36.01: The Czech Republic in the New Europe (in English, by Charles University faculty).
• Geography 37.01: Social and Physical Landscapes of the Czech Republic (in English, jointly taught by Dartmouth professor and Charles University faculty).
• Geography 86: Independent Study in the Czech Republic (in English, independent study guided by Dartmouth professor).

GEOG 36.01 provides the background, concepts, and theories in a classroom setting that are explored during the GEOG 37.01 field excursions across Prague and the Czech Republic. Over the second half of the term, students develop and complete two structured research projects in GEOG 86.

The program will be preceded by an orientation period that includes an intensive program in basic conversational Czech.

(1) One GEOG Course

Additional Information: A GEOG methods course (GEOG 9.01, 11, or 12.01) is strongly recommended.

The Foreign Study Program - Charles University

• Charles University
• Prague Information
• 36 Hours in Prague (NY Times)
• The Cultured Traveler
• Warsaw's wild side