5. Use public transport. Instructions here will vary widely depending on which dorm you have been assigned. Please see your accommodation voucher.

Transkript

1 Getting to Prague Arriving by Air All international flights arrive at Prague Ruzyně Airport, approximately 20 km to the Northwest of the city centre. You can get into town either by catching a city bus (No. 119, 179 go to the airport) or by catching the airport shuttle service. All minibus shuttle services to the airport are run by a single private company called CEDAZ. You will see their white vans waiting outside the terminal. There is also a taxi service run by a company called Airport Cars FIX. There are four ways you can get from the airport to the dormitory: 1. Take a taxi. This is undoubtedly the most comfortable way to travel, but also the most expensive. Prices for a taxi journey from the airport into town range from Kč 120 Kč 870, depending on your precise destination. You will find a price list for the service offered by Airport Cars FIX by the company's stand in the airport lounge. If you do decide to use a taxi, make sure you get a written estimate for the cost of your journey from the company in the airport lounge before you set out, since this reduces the chance of the driver trying to overcharge you. 2. Hire a city shuttle van to take you direct to the dormitory. This is charged at a flat rate of Kč 480 for 1-4 people or Kč 960 for 5 or more people, and is generally cheaper than taking a taxi. However, it is also slower, since the van will have up to eight passengers, and will have to visit up to eight different addresses. Your address may be eighth in line. Write down the address of your dormitory to show to the shuttle driver since communication may be difficult if you do not speak Czech. 3. Take city bus No. 119 or the regular airport shuttle service to "Dejvická" metro station (green line A; by the Hotel Diplomat). Then, after you get to Dejvická, take a taxi. This reduces the length of the taxi journey. To take a city bus (or any other public transport) you will need to buy a transport ticket, and you must remember to validate the ticket by datestamping it when you get on the bus/tram/metro. To take an airport shuttle, you pay approx. Kč 90 directly to the driver. Taxi fares in town are currently around Kč 25 per km. 4. Take city bus No. 100 a special fast and frequent service - from the airport to the Zličín metro station (yellow line B), from where you can get to central Prague quickly. 5. Use public transport. Instructions here will vary widely depending on which dorm you have been assigned. Please see your accommodation voucher. For general information on Prague Ruzyně airport, see the Czech Airport Authority website: which includes full details of transport to the airport by city bus, minibus and taxi (in English).

2 Arriving by Train or Bus Most international trains arrive either at Prague Main Railway Station ("Hlavní nádraží") or at Holešovice Railway Station ("Nádraží Holešovice") to the north of the city. Both stations are interconnected with metro (red line C). International buses usually arrive at Florenc Bus Terminal (point of change: metro lines B and C) or at a bus station Želivského (metro line A). Residence Permit & Visa EU or EFTA students are legally obliged to register with the police in the place of their residence on the territory of the EU within 30 days of their arrival in the country if their intended stay will be longer than 30 days ( 93, Law no. 326/1999). To register, a student must first fill in a registration card. Registration Card When registering with the Immigration Police, students must present the two completed forms, a travel document, evidence of health insurance (European Health Insurance Card) and 1 photograph. In Prague students shall register at this address: Cizinecké oddělení policie ČR [CR Immigration Police Office], Koněvova 32, Praha 3, "Florenc" metro station + bus No. 133, 207 (Černínova stop) Phone: ; Fax: ; ocppraha@mvcr.cz Office hours: Monday: 7:30-17:00 Tuesday: 7:00-14:00 Wednesday: 7:30-17:00 Thursday: 7:00-14:00 Information line: , infoscpp@mvcr.cz EU students are entitled (but not obliged) to apply for a short-term residence permit, either at the Czech embassy in their home country or at an immigration police office in the CR (but the Immigration Police recommend that students apply on the territory of the CR). Students who obtain this short-term residence permit are issued with a special card (known as a European Card) which officially states a short-term Czech address and can therefore be used for many transactions in

3 which official proof of Czech address is necessary (opening a bank account, purchase of a mobile phone on a contract, getting any temporary job etc.) A short-term residence permit is issued for different periods depending on the purpose of the shortterm residence, but for a maximum of 5 years. The authorities must deal with applications at the latest 180 days from the date of application (when you apply on the territory of the Czech Republic, it is 60 days). Students need to present: 1. A travel document 2. A document confirming the purpose of the stay (acceptance letter in Czech and English versions) 3. 2 photographs 4. Certificate of health insurance (translated into Czech) 5. Declaration by the student that he/she will not apply for welfare benefits 6. Completed application form for short-term residence on the territory of the CR (purple form) All documents must not be older than 180 days, with the exception of travel documents, registry data, and photographs of the foreigner if it corresponds to his/her present appearance. All foreign-language documents must be officially translated into Czech. Registration and short-term residence permits are free of charge. An acceptance letter in English and Czech will be issued for every student and sent on their home postal address before their arrival and registration at any faculty, as will other necessary forms (State Border Crossing Report, Registration Card). Note please, according to the law if a student wants to undertake paid work of any kind, regular or casual, he or she must have a work permit. Residents of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are treated in the same way as EU residents. Students from non-eu or non-efta countries who wish to stay in the Czech Republic for more than 90 days have to apply for a visa:

4 An application for the permit should be submitted to the Czech Embassy or Consulate in the student's country of origin in good time before arrival. Please be aware that the administration process can easily take 8 weeks. The price of the visa fee depends on country you come from. Even when you have the visa you are legally obliged to register with the Police Foreign Department within 3 days of your arrival. Health Insurance & Medical Care Standard medical treatment is obtainable free of charge. The health care costs are carried by the chosen Czech health insurance fund. To obtain treatment under the provisions of European regulations it is important to contact a medical institution (doctor, dentist, hospital), that has a contract with the public health insurance system (most of them have, but some institutions are purely private). Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), form E111 or Provisional certificate has to be submitted to the attending physician. If you do not have either of these documents, the physician can insist on cash payment. In order for the doctor to ensure his or her own reimbursement from the contracting Czech health insurance fund, he or she will need to see your EHIC card, Provisional certificate, or E111 form, and will copy the information onto another specific internal form, known as "Potvrzení o nároku" (Certificate of entitlement). The doctor will also need to check your ID document (passport, ID card, drivers license). The doctor will normally ask you to confirm your expected length of stay in the territory of the Czech Republic and will advise you to choose one of Czech contracting health insurance funds. You will confirm your choice and expected length of your stay by signature in above-mentioned "Potvrzení o nároku" (Certificate of entitlement). If any medicines, laboratory tests, or any further examinations are prescribed, the doctor should give you an appropriate number of copies of "Potvrzení o nároku" (Certificate of entitlement). The copy should then be submitted to the pharmacy, laboratory or surgery. Please bear in mind, that your European health card insurance (or with the E111 form and Provisional certificate) entitles you only to coverage of the costs of medical care in the Czech Republic and Czech doctors are instructed to try to ensure that you need not leave the country earlier than you planned as a result of medical problems. Other kinds of medically related care, e.g. non-urgent treatment, or medically assisted transport home following serious illness or injury, are not covered, and for these eventualities we recommend you take out extra medical or commercial travel insurance with an insurance provider in your home country.

5 In case of medical need a temporary stay in the CR, visitors with the E 111, Provisional certificate or the EHIC can go to the doctor/dentist/hospital directly with this document. If you are staying in the CR for a relatively long period (1 semester) you may if you wish make a direct agreement with a Czech health insurance company, and register with it. As the registration document you will obtain "Potvrzení o registraci" (Certificate of Registration) which can be submitted to any doctor/dentist/at the hospital before getting treatment. Standard dental care is generally covered by the health insurance system. As in other EU countries, however, some forms of non-essential (cosmetic) treatment or higher quality materials require extra payments. If you need treatment by a specialist, the general practitioner will refer you to one. In urgent cases visitors can go to a hospital with the E111/EHIC directly. In other cases the practitioner issues a recommendation for admission to hospital. Transport to the hospital is covered by the insurance system and is provided free of charge. In case of urgent medical transport or in case of treatment by a doctor from the emergency service it is also necessary to present your EHIC/E111 or Provisional certificate. If the doctor decides to prescribe medicines, he or she will issue a prescription and should also give you a copy of "Potvrzení o nároku" (Certificate of entitlement) as mentioned before. For some medicines the patient must make some financial contribution while some groups of drugs are free for the patient. In the Czech republic, non-prescription drugs and medicines are sold only in pharmacies. They are not available at supermarkets, as in many West European countries. Pharmacies may be recognised by the prominent green cross-displayed over the shop-front. Many have staff who can speak English or German, and are used to offering advice to tourists (especially in the city centres). Health Funding in the Czech Republic Standard medical treatment is obtainable free of charge. The health care costs are carried by the chosen Czech health insurance fund. There are compulsory prescription charges on some medications, materials and forms of dental treatment. These charges are not refundable. If you (by mistake or for any other reason) pay cash for medical treatment that is covered by your home insurance company, you will have to apply for reimbursement at home since such costs are not refundable within the CR. Students from outside non-eu countries are not covered by the EU s E-111 form, and they therefore must have a valid international medical insurance plan, or they must expect to pay cash for all medical care. In case of emergency or an accident use any hospital or health clinic.

6 If your medical problem isn't an emergency, Prague has several clinics that cater to English-speaking clients that can provide a network of services from basic examination to accompanying a patient to the hospital. Please note, however, that these are usually commercial operations that may charge a high fee. If you need to visit a general practitioner, gynaecologist or dentist, you can go to one of the following health centres: Studentský zdravotní ústav Praha Phone: Spálená Praha 1 Nemocnice na Homolce Hospital (foreign pavilion) Phone: , Praha 5, Roentgenova 2 Mediconet Phone: V Celnici 5, Praha 1 (alternative entrance Na Poříčí 1040/10) DC Mediscan - Chodov Phone: Šustova 1930, Praha 11 Chodov (in the same building as Policlinics Jižní Město II) Metro line B, Station Náměstí Republiky Tram Number 3, 5, 8, 9, 14, 22, 24 Metro line C, Station Chodov Bus Number 115, 118, 122, 177, station Chodov

7 Language Classes for Erasmus Three-month standard classes are designed for students of all levels. During the academic year, the instruction is held in trimesters (September December, January March, and April July). Classes are designed to follow one another so that each term the students can progress from one level to the next one. All classes are concluded by a final exam, upon whose completion the students receive Certificates of Achievement and Attendance. Standard Classes for Erasmus Students of All Levels - Fall duration: 2x2 lessons per week (1 lesson = 45 min.) 48 lessons in total levels: beginners - advanced dates: tbc class size: 6-12 students place: Černá 9, Prague 1 price: CZK textbook the price includes all additional handouts discount: for more info write to sffservisplus@gmail.com if you want to apply for any of the below classes, do not hesitate to contact us; enrollment: Registration for courses is open since August 13 th tbc. if you are not a complete beginners, please download a placement test, complete it and send it to the address: sffservisplus@gmail.com

8 Charles University in Prague Lifelong Learning Programme KEY DATA SHEET Name of the institution Charles University in Prague Erasmus code CZ PRAHA07 EUC number IC CZ-ERASMUS-EUCX-1 Address Ovocný trh 3, Praha 1, Czech Republic Web address Head of the institution - Rector Prof. RNDr. Václav Hampl, DrSc. Telephone/ fax/ Head of the International Relations Office Telephone/ fax/ Tel.: / Fax: rektor@cuni.cz Ing. Ivana Halašková Tel.: / Fax: ivana.halaskova@ruk.cuni.cz European Office Institutional LLP coordinator Telephone/ fax/ Incoming students Study and Practical Placements Telephone/ Mgr. Michal Maršálek / michal.marsalek@ruk.cuni.cz Mgr. Ivana Herglová ivana.herglova@ruk.cuni.cz Šárka Hovorková Telephone/ Staff mobility Outgoing students Study and Practical Placements Telephone/ Outgoing students Study and Practical Placements Telephone/ LLP web address sarka.hovorkova@ruk.cuni.cz RNDr. Anna Brotánková anna.brotankova@ruk.cuni.cz Pavel Knap pavel.knap@ruk.cuni.cz On-line application

9 E R A S MU S A R R I V A L IN F O R M A T I O N S H E E T C h a r l es U n i v e r s i t y i n P r a g u e, / Contacts You can find our contacts here: European Office: erasmus@ruk.cuni.cz, Arrival and Registration On your arrival in the Czech Republic (time zone GMT+1), first get to your accommodation and report to reception in the hall of residence or your landlord. If you have applied for accommodation in Charles University halls of residence, you will find your Accommodation Voucher enclosed to your Letter of Admission. Your university registration will be arranged during the Orientation Programme or other meeting(s) with the faculty co-ordinator(s) (you will be informed about them either by a leaflet included in the information package or by from the appropriate faculty co-ordinator). At the meeting or during the orientation week, you will get further information about study practicalities including getting the Study Record Card and/or access data to the (Student) Information System, a faculty coupon for your Charles University ID Card (with the ID card you acquire access to faculty libraries, computer rooms and internet; holding it entitles you to a discount on public transport season ticket, gives you access to university cafeterias, etc.). The Charles University ID card may also be obtained in the form of ISIC card (in this case you have to pay a higher issuing fee, but you are entitled to various discounts in theatres, cinemas and similar in the Czech Republic). Getting to Prague All international flights arrive at Václav Havel Airport Prague, located approximately 20 km of the city centre. You can get into the city centre either by a city bus + metro (we recommend bus Nos. 119, 179 and 100 since they are the fastest ones; bus stop Terminal 2 is located just in front of the Arrivals building and tickets can be obtained by the bus driver or info stand in the arrival hall; timetables are available at as well as on each bus stop) or by catching a taxi or using the airport minibus shuttle service. There are several ways you can take from the airport to your accommodation: 1. Take a taxi This is undoubtedly the most comfortable way to travel, but also the most expensive. Prices for a taxi journey from the airport into town range from CZK 250 CZK 1050, depending on your precise destination. 2. Use public transport A) Take city bus No. 119 to Dejvická metro station (green line A) and travel further by metro (subway) + bus or metro + tram to the city centre or Hostivař Hall of Residence. If you live in Hostivař Hall of Residence, you can take tram No. 26 to Nádraží Hostivař at Dejvická metro station (55 minutes) or get on tram No. 26 closer to Hostivař at the metro station Želivského or Strašnická (both line A); another tram going to Hostivař (No. 22, final station Nádraží Hostivař) meets the metro line A at Náměstí Míru. You can go by metro to Skalka as well (line A, takes approximately 20 minutes) where you need to change to bus No. 125 (10 minutes to stop Nádraží Hostivař where the hall of residence is located). B) Take city bus No. 100 a special fast and frequent service from the airport to Zličín metro station (yellow line B) and travel on by metro. City bus No. 179 takes you to Nové Butovice metro station (yellow line B), but it s less frequent. If you live in Větrník or Hvězda Hall of Residence, use bus No. 179 which provides direct connection with the halls. Bus stop Nad Markétou is located just in front of Hvězda Hall of Residence and about 5 minutes walk from Větrník. Arriving by Train or Bus Most international trains arrive either at Prague Main Railway Station (Hlavní nádraží) or at Holešovice Railway Station (Nádraží Holešovice). Both stations are interconnected with metro (red line C) stations of the same names. International buses usually arrive at Florenc Bus Terminal (metro lines B and C), Nádraží Holešovice bus station (red line C) or at the bus station Želivského (green line A). Prague Public Transport The metro (subway) is the quickest way to travel long distances across the city. It has three lines: A (green), B (yellow) and C (red). It closes down for the night shortly after midnight and reopens at 5:00. Trams and buses connect the metro system to outlying areas, and are also a handy way to make short journeys in the city centre. The most efficient form of night transport is the network of night trams that runs from about midnight until the metro reopens. Travelling on Single-Ride Tickets Tickets are available from many newsstands and tobacconists, ticket offices in the metro, and from automatic machines in the metro and at selected bus and tram stops. Single tickets cost from CZK 24 to CZK 32. The CZK 32 ticket is valid for 90 minutes of unlimited travel. You may change between trams, buses, the metro and trains (in area of Prague) as you wish. You do not need to have a new ticket, regardless of how many times you change, until the time period runs out. Use a CZK 32 ticket to get from the airport to the hall of residence or intercity tram/bus station. After boarding a bus, tram, or upon entering the metro, tickets must be date-stamped in order to make them valid.

10 Travel passes If you use local transport regularly, you can save money and time by purchasing season tickets. Passes are valid for unlimited travel on any bus, tram or metro line throughout the city area. They are also valid on some suburban train routes up to the city boundary. The ID / ISIC card of the Charles University with the faculty coupon can serve as transport pass (you only have to add the transport coupons for the period of your stay in the Czech Republic). Students above 26 years of age are not eligible for student discounts. In Prague, they have to apply for the new transport pass Opencard. We recommend the express version. More here: Accommodation University Accommodation is provided in Charles University Halls of Residence. Students are housed in double-occupancy rooms, single rooms are not available. Unit system consists of twin rooms (= rooms with two single beds) sharing bathroom facilities. A small kitchenette is usually at the end of each hall. Students can also use a lavatory and hanging rooms in the building for a small fee. Bedding and bed linen are provided; towels and kitchen utensils are not. If you wish to share a room with a colleague (schoolmate) of yours, please, contact the European Office prior the arrival or ask the Accommodation Office (Reception) when moving in. The allocation of rooms is responsibility of the management of the residence hall. The accommodation will be provided for the period corresponding to your study stay at Charles University. It is always available starting approx. one week before the beginning of the semester/study period (Orientation Week included). To check-in you need: your passport or ID card, the original of your Accommodation Voucher, one photograph and a copy of the receipt from the payment of the deposit. Students who arrive after office hours will be housed for the night (the reception is open 24 hours a day) and registered on the following workday at the Accommodation Office. When checking in students are expected to pay for one month in advance. A deposit CZK 1,800 is to be paid approximately 2 months before arrival. The rent is paid directly in cash (CZK) at the Accommodation Office/Reception at the appropriate residence. No cards accepted. Students make the first payment upon their arrival and must make subsequent monthly payments in advance, always at the latest on the 20/25th of the preceding month (the date is depending on the residence). Private Accommodation It is not difficult to find private accommodation in our university cities. You can either rent a room in a shared flat monthly rents vary between CZK 4,500-9,000 including bills (it depends greatly on the location in the absolute city centre, the rent can be even higher) or a whole flat to share with other students. For a three-room flat (two rooms and a kitchen) in Prague you can pay about CZK 15,000. Flatmates/rooms in shared flats can be found e.g. through There is a large range at but the majority of adverts are in Czech. Visa and Residence Permit All EU or EFTA students are legally obliged to register with the police in the place of their residence on the territory of the EU within 30 days of their arrival in the country if their intended stay will be longer than 90 days. When registering with the Immigration Police, students must fill in a form called Registration Card, provide their travel document (passport od ID card), evidence of health insurance (European Health Insurance Card) and 1 photograph. If you are housed in Charles University Hall of Residence and intend to stay there for the full time of your study stay at Charles University, you don t need to visit the Immigration Police unless you need a confirmation of your registration. The Accommodation Office of your Hall or Residence will register you. Cizinecké oddělení policie ČR (CR Immigration Police Office), Olšanská 2, Praha 3 (directly in tram stop Olšanská, tram lines 9 and 26), Tel.: ; Office hours: Mo + We 7:30-18:00; Tu + Th 7:30-15:00 Students from non-eu or non-efta countries who wish to stay in the Czech Republic for more than 90 days have to apply for a visa. You are legally obliged to register with the Immigration Police Office within 3 days of your arrival to Czech Republic. Medical Care and Health Insurance If you hold valid medical insurance which covers your stay in the Czech Republic, standard medical treatment is obtainable free of charge from the Czech Health Insurance fund, in conjunction with your health insurance policy at home. It is important to contact a medical institution, such as a doctor, dentist or a hospital that has a contract with Czech public health insurance system. Most of them have, but some institutions are purely private and here you would have to pay any costs that should arise. Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) has to be submitted to the attending physician. Emergency Calls (free of charge) Ambulance Police City Police Fire Brigade EMERGENCY DETAILED INFORMATION ON YOUR STUDY STAY IN PRAGUE IS AVAILABLE AT

11 C H A R LES UN I VER S I T Y I N PRAGUE GUIDE for International Students

12 Contents Welcome...4 Legal Conditions for International Students...5 Visa...5 Import of Goods...6 Export of Goods...7 Reporting of Place of Stay in the Territory of the CR...7 Temporary Residence Permit...8 Work Permit...8 Welcome to the Czech Republic...9 Cultural Shock...9 Prague...10 Pilsen...14 Hradec Králové...15 Charles University...17 Past and Present...17 Management and Structure...18 Academic Calendar...21 Evaluation and Grading System...21 Support Services...21 Leisure and Sport...37 Student Clubs and Other Associations at CU...37 Sport Facilities and Activities at CU...44 Culture, Sport, Places of Interest in Prague...46 Culture and Sport in Pilsen...65 Culture and Sport in Hradec Králové...72 Day Trips Round the Czech Republic...77 National Public Holidays...82

13 Visa 3 Others...83 Cost of Living...83 Money and Banking...83 Food and Shopping...84 Post, Mail and Telecommunication...85 Driving in the Czech Republic...86 Some Useful Websites...88 A Bit of Czech Language...89 Appendices...90 Notes:...106

14 4 Welcome Welcome We wish you a warm welcome to Charles University in Prague and hope that you will have an enjoyable and enriching experience as a student here. We hope that coming to study at our university will be an exciting experience, with opportunities to broaden your academic, social and cultural horizons. This booklet has been designed primarily for international students who are coming to study at Charles University as exchange students or will follow a short course at one of our faculties. This brochure contains information about Charles University, its faculties, university accommodation and other services. You will also find information on galleries, cinemas and other tips for leisure activities. We believe you will find this information useful. IAC Staff

15 Legal Conditions for International Students 5 Legal Conditions for International Students Foreign nationals applying to study in the Czech Republic have to contact the Czech embassy in their own country (for a list of foreign embassies in the Czech Republic see the appendix) or Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic ( in order to obtain up-to-date information on visa requirements for study purposes. VISA Due to the Czech Republic s membership of the EU, citizens of European Union (EU) countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom), citizens of European Economic Area (EEA) countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), and citizens of Switzerland, do not require any visa for any type of visit or stay in the Czech Republic. At the point of entry to the CR, an EU citizen need present only a travel document at the request of the police. EU citizens entering the territory of the Czech Republic will be allowed to use national ID cards besides standard travel documents (e.g. ordinary passport, diplomatic passport, service passport). The currently operative EU regulations provide for no necessary minimum period of validity of travel documents or ID cards, neither do they stipulate that ID cards, used instead of travel documents, must have a machine-readable zone. To permit entry to its territory, the Czech Republic will accept all kinds of identity cards included in a handbook currently prepared by the EU that will contain specimens of the indicated national documents of all EU Member States. Foreign nationals from outside the EU continue to need a visa. The residency visa for more than 90 days is valid for 1 year and allows the foreign citizen to travel repeatedly into and out of Czech territory. The residence of foreign nationals in the Czech Republic is governed by the Act on the Residence of Aliens in the Territory of the Czech Republic (law no. 326/99, as amended), which came into effect on 1st January Under the terms of this law, it is not possible for firsttime visa applicants to apply for a student visa on the territory of the Czech Republic, or even to pick up a visa they have previously applied for. Students

16 6 Legal Conditions for International Students therefore must apply for (and obtain) a visa before their departure for the Czech Republic. IMPORT OF GOODS From the EU countries to the Czech Republic: An individual can bring to the Czech Republic for his/her personal use selected goods tax free in the amount of: Pharmaceuticals: amount for personal use Weapons and explosives: only with license Alcoholic beverages: 10 litres of final alcoholic products, 20 litres of consumer ethyl alcohol and alcoholic intermediate products, 110 litres of beer, 90 litres of wine (of which 60 litres of sparkling wine) Tobacco products: 800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 200 cigars, 1 kg of smoking tobacco Fuels: in ordinary tanks + 20 litres. Other products without restriction From the non-eu countries to the Czech Republic: Goods to a value of EUR 175 per travelling person (or EUR 90 for a person under 15) qualify for customs relief. You may import into the Czech Republic the following goods in the following amounts: Pharmaceuticals: amount for personal use Weapons and explosives: only with license 50 g of Perfumes or 0,25 litres of Eau de Toilette Alcoholic beverages: 2 litres of wine, 1 litre of spirits and strong liqueurs, 1 litre of aperitifs, sparkling and liqueur wines Tobacco products: 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars, 250 g smoking tobacco Fuels: in ordinary tanks; max. 10 litres. For more information, please visit the web site of the Czech Republic Customs:

17 Legal Conditions for International Students 7 EXPORT OF GOODS Tourists do not usually need a license to take goods out of the Czech Republic when these goods are not intended for commercial purposes but for the personal use of the traveler or as a present. In some cases, however, export of goods is subject to special legal regulations (such as cultural heritage preservation, protection of items of cultural value, health protection, environmental protection, and safety protection) and in these cases the presentation of an export license is required by the customs office. Tax/Duty Free If tourists from non-eu countries (= foreign physical persons who do not have permanent residence on the territory of the EU and his/her stay in the Third Country non-eu- is entered in the passport or other ID recognized as valid by the Czech Republic) make lump-sum purchases of over CZK 2,000 (these goods are not of a business nature and will be taken out of the territory of the EU) and if the goods in question are taken across the borders within three calendar months of the purchase, it is possible for them to apply for a VAT refund using the customs office confirmation within the usual term. REPORTING OF PLACE OF STAY IN THE TERRITORY OF THE CR Foreigners residing in the Czech Republic under a residence visa issued for less than 90 days or under a long-term residence visa, and foreigners authorized to reside in the Czech Republic without a visa, are obliged to report the beginning, place and estimated duration of their residence at the local Aliens Police office (competent at the place of their residence) within three workdays following the date of their entry into the territory of the Czech Republic (this does not apply to aliens under 15 years of age, members of the staff of diplomatic missions or international governmental organizations accredited to the Czech Republic and their family members registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Aliens - EU citizens are obliged to report to the police the place of their stay in the territory of the Czech Republic within 30 days, provided the intended length of stay exceeds 30 days. The same applies to family members of EU citizens, provided they stay in the territory of the Czech Republic.

18 8 Legal Conditions for International Students TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT If an EU citizen intends to stay in the territory of the Czech Republic for a period exceeding three months, he/she will be entitled (but not obliged) to apply to the police for a special residence permit (temporary residence permit). The issue of the said permit is not a condition for the stay of EU citizens in the territory of the Czech Republic, irrespective of the purpose of the stay. On the other hand, it has benefits for a foreign resident in situations where proof of a Czech address is required, e.g. for some rental and purchase agreements. If the application is handled affirmatively, the police issue the EU citizen with a permit card Průkaz o povolení k pobytu státního příslušníka členského státu Evropských společenství (cover in purple colour). Citizens of Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland and their family members who are not EU citizens will be issued by the police residence permit cards Průkaz o povolení k pobytu (cover in green colour). Application basic requirements: Completed application Travel document or EU ID Documents related to the purpose of the stay (= CU study confirmation letter) Two identical photographs (passport size) Proof of health insurance valid in the Czech Republic Affidavit that you will not be in receipt of social benefits. Detailed information and the application forms may be requested by , fax, phone, or mail. The requested documents will be delivered by mail. WORK PERMIT EU students do not need a work permit to work in the Czech Republic. Other international students (non-eu) are required to hold a work permit to undertake paid work of any kind.

19 Welcome to the Czech Republic 9 Welcome to the Czech Republic CULTURAL SHOCK Leaving home and travelling to study in a different country is an exciting challenge but it can be a stressful experience. Almost everyone experiences "cultural shock" to some degree. Cultural shock is the term used to describe the disorientation and frustration many people experience when they enter a culture different from their own. It includes the shock of new unfamiliar environment, meeting a lot of new people who speak foreign language and finding out that things are done differently. Separation from your family and close friends is also an important factor. Cultural shock can be expressed in a variety of ways. Symptoms may be both physical and psychological such as: feelings of sadness, loneliness, physical aches and pains, insomnia or the desire to sleep a lot, feeling vulnerable, anger, etc. People who are experiencing culture shock complain about all aspects of life - the food, the weather, the people, and idealize their own home country. Many who experience it do not even realize that they are suffering from it; people often do not fully understand culture shock until they return home to their country, when they are surprised to see their own country with new eyes. The process of personal adaptation to new environment has distinct stages which last a different length of time for each one of us. 1. Excitement (sometimes called a Honeymoon Period) Everything is new and exciting. You find everything interesting and people seem to be friendly. 2. Crisis Everything is difficult and confusing. You feel homesick and isolated and complain about the new country. This is the stage we hear referred to as culture shock. 3. Adjustment (turning point) You feel more confident and relaxed. Customs and traditions become clearer; the culture in general seems more familiar. 4. Integration You have recognized that the new culture has much to offer. You find differences valuable and important. You are able to function in both cultures with confidence.

20 10 Welcome to the Czech Republic It is important to realize that cultural shock is quite normal and temporary. However, here are some things that might help you to minimize those effects. Obtain as much information about the country, people and culture as possible Keep in mind that this is a normal experience Keep in touch with your family and friends Have familiar things around you that have personal meaning Make friends with local students and other international students Talk to people in your department and/or faculty Contact the international club Do your favourite sport, go to the cinema, relax You might also consider contacting the Psychological Counselling Centre for International Students Even though that cultural shock may be a very tiresome period, it also has positive aspects. Studying abroad can be a significant learning experience. You will meet a lot of new people, make new friends and see your own culture from a new perspective. You might even find a great many customs, ways of doing and saying things, and personal attitudes which you will enjoy and miss after you get back home. PRAGUE Getting to Prague By air Prague has only one international airport Letiště Ruzyně (Ruzyně Airport) which is located to the north-west of the city, about 17 km from the city centre. The airport has no metro or train connection with the city centre and is only served by buses and taxis. City Bus No. 100 a special fast and frequent service connects the airport with the Zličín metro station (yellow line B) from which you can get directly into the centre of Prague. Local Bus No. 119 connects the airport to metro station Dejvická - green line A. The bus runs between 5.30 and 23.30, approximately every minutes. Tickets cost CZK 32 and are available for purchase from the newspaper stand or the vending machines in front of the terminal. Shuttle minibus services to the closest metro station (metro station Dejvická - green line B) are provided every half hour , by CEDAZ Ltd. (tel./fax:

21 Welcome to the Czech Republic ; web site: at a cost of CZK 90, including one piece of luggage (travel time is 30 minutes). More information on Ruzyně Airport and flight timetables is available on the web site of the Czech Airports Authority at: By train The Czech Republic has one of the most extensive railway networks in Europe. You can reach almost every small town by rail and trains are indeed a romantic way of travelling around the country. Travel can be rather slow, however, often involving several changes. The quickest way of travelling along the major lines is on express trains or fast trains (rychlík). Local passenger trains (osobní vlaky) stop everywhere and are very cheap. Direct rail links connect Prague with more than 20 European cities, including Munich (journey time 5 hours), Vienna (journey time is 4 hours 30 minutes), Berlin (journey time 5 hours 30 minutes) and Paris (journey time 10 hours). Seat reservations are strongly recommended on all services. International trains (EC, IC) arrive at two railway stations in Prague: Praha - Hlavní nádraží (The Main Railway Station) Praha - Holešovice (Holesovice Railway Station) Both are situated in the centre of Prague, near a metro station (red line C). More information on train and bus connections you can find on the web site: (National Timetable Information System). By bus The Czech Republic has connections from/to major European cities several times a week. International buses usually arrive at the main Bus Station Florenc (on metro station Florenc, yellow - B and red - C lines). Other major bus terminals are as follows: Bus station Na Knížecí metro yellow line B, Anděl stop Bus station Holešovice ČSAD metro red line C, Nádraží Holešovice stop Bus station Roztyly metro red line C, Roztyly stop Bus station Želivského - metro green line A, Želivského stop Bus station Černý Most metro line yellow line B, Černý Most stop All these bus terminals are easily accessible by Metro (the name of the stop usually corresponds with the name of the terminal). More information on bus and train connections you can find on the web site: (National Timetable Information System).

22 12 Welcome to the Czech Republic Prague Public Transport Prague public transport system consists of the metro, trams, city buses and the funicular to Petřín. The metro (subway) is very cheap, efficient and fast. The Prague metro system consists of 3 lines (green line A, yellow line B, red line C) with interchange metro stations Muzeum (A C), Můstek (A B), and Florenc (B C). The metro operates daily between 5.00 and Trains leave stations every 2 4 minutes during rush hours on working days, otherwise every 4 10 min. Trams operate between 5.00 and The average interval between most trams is app. 8 minutes during rush hours on working days; otherwise every 10 minutes. During the weekend the trams leave every 7 10 min. A uniform interval of 30 minutes applies to night service ( ). Lazarská stop is the central interchange point of all night trams. The interval between most buses is 5 15 min from Monday to Friday during rush hours. Otherwise the buses leave every minutes in the morning and minutes in the evening. Weekend intervals are minutes. Night buses leave every minutes depending on the line number. The funicular (lanovka) to Petřín (Petrin Hill) operates daily (from November to March ). It runs every 10 minutes in the summer season (from April to September) and every 15 minutes in winter season (from November to March). Fares and ticketing Single ticket type (adult persons over 15 years) Passes Tickets for students (19 26 years) Basic (90 min) CZK 32 Short-term (30 min) CZK 24 1 day (24 hours) CZK days (72 hours) CZK 310 Monthly pass or 30- day pass with arbitrary start date CZK 260 Quarterly pass or 90- days pass with arbitrary start date CZK month CZK 1, month CZK 2,400 Tickets may be purchased at ticket vending machines, which are installed at all metro stations and at surface transport stops and are designed to provide single tickets. Please note that the ticket has to be validated (stamped) upon entering a metro station or the tram or bus (only the first time, no stamping on transfers). Keep the ticket until you exit the metro station, since an inspector has the right to check it even after you have left the train!

23 Welcome to the Czech Republic 13 In cooperation with all mobile operators, the Prague Transit provides passengers with an SMS ticket service, making it possible to purchase a single transfer ticket using a mobile phone. Customers wanting to purchase an SMS ticket must not have Premium SMS services blocked (these can be activated free of charge by calling the operator s help line). More information on how to purchase SMS tickets is available here: Sales points in the metro usually have a complete selection of tickets, especially monthly and quarterly passes and 30-day and 90 day passes with arbitrary start dates, which can also be purchased in electronic form on the opencard (further information on the opencard you will find here Electronic passes are sold only at selected sales points. Monthly and quarterly transit passes with arbitrary start of validity can be recorded on an anonymous opencard at all Prague Integrated Transit opencard coupon sales locations. Sales locations Line A B C Station Dejvická, Hradčanská, Můstek, Skalka, Želivského, Náměstí míru, Strašnická, Depo Hostivař Černý most, Rajská zahrada, Hloubětín, Vysočanská, Palmovka, Florenc, Karlovo náměstí, Anděl (Na Knížecí), Smíchovské nádraží, Hůrka, Luka, Zličín Háje, Opatov, Roztyly, Vyšehrad, I.P.Pavlova, Kačerov, Ládví, Nádraží Holešovice, Kobylisy, Prosek, Letňany Opening Hours Monday Friday AM PM Saturdays Passes are valid for unlimited travel on any bus, tram or metro line throughout the Prague city area. They are also valid on some suburban train routes up to the city boundary. Further information on Prague Transport is available on the web site: Taxi Unfortunately, taxi drivers in Prague do not have a good reputation. There is no standard price for taxi services, but drivers are required to display their prices, usually on the door. A reasonable price is CZK 25 per km, but it is a good idea to agree on a price before you commit to a ride, and be sure that the meter is running while you are in the taxi. Usually reliable companies whose dispatchers speak

24 14 Welcome to the Czech Republic English are AAA Radiotaxi (tel: ), Profi Taxi (tel: ), and Halo Taxi (tel: ) Car Rental See the booking engine for the CR and Europe: For planning your car route try: PILSEN Getting to Pilsen There are trains and buses to Pilsen from Prague. By train Fast trains and EC trains connect Pilsen with Prague several times a day. The trains depart from Praha - Hlavní nádraží (The Prague Main Station) and arrive at Plzeň - Hlavní nádraží (The Pilsen Main Station). The ride takes from 90 to 135 minutes approximately (depending on the type of the train). By bus The main bus station in Prague is situated near the metro station Florenc (metro line B and C). There are several buses going to Pilsen from there every day. Pilsen Public Transport Pilsen has extensive city transportation network consisting of trams, trolleybuses and buses. Single tickets can be purchased at most newspapers stands and tobacconist's shops. The ticket must be stamped (validated) in the tram, trolleybus or bus entered. The schedules are posted at each stop. Everyone riding on Pilsen s municipal transportation network can also buy tickets by simply sending a text message from a cell phone. More information on how to purchase SMS tickets is available here: Fares and Ticketing Single tickets (Adult persons over 15 years) Non-transfer CZK 18 Transfer ticket 30 min CZK 16 Transfer ticket 60min CZK 20 Transfer ticket 180 min CZK 34 Transfer ticket 24 hours CZK 60

25 Welcome to the Czech Republic 15 SMS tickets SMS 35 minutes CZK 20 (plus your operator s SMS charge) SMS 24 hours CZK 70 (plus your operator s SMS charge) Tickets for Free tariff (1 123 days) CZK Price according to the period of validity students 6 months (190 days) CZK 2,260 (15 26 years) Annual (380 days) CZK 3,910 A passenger with the Pilsen Card (further information on the Pilsen Card you will find here can use a season fare, which due to the unique free tariff for days, provides a perfect possibility to plan the purchase more than 100 days in advance according to one s needs, as well as a favourable transfer ticket, which can be bought by means of the electronic wallet of the Pilsen Card in the self- service terminals Cardman directly inside the vehicles of the Public Transport of Pilsen. Main Ticket Offices Address and Contact Tylova 12, Plzeň Tel: Denisovo nábřeží 12, Plzeň Tel: Opening Hours Monday Friday Saturday More information on public transport in Pilsen is available at: Taxi Within the city of Pilsen, there are price regulations which specify maximum taxi rates. The registration number and pricelist must be displayed on both front doors of the cab. The customer has the right to obtain a proper receipt from the taxi driver. The usual tip is about 10 percent. There is a taxi stand in front of the main railway station. HRADEC KRÁLOVÉ Getting to Hradec Králové There are buses and trains to Hradec Králové from Prague. By train There are several direct trains departing from Prague (Praha Hlavní nádraží and Praha Holešovice) to Hradec Králové every day. By bus Take a bus from the main bus station Florenc (most buses heading for Hradec Králové leave from platform No. 14).