Semester Abroad at the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague

Our students Carolin and Christoph report on their studies abroad

“We are two fifth-semester industrial engineering students spending our winter semester at VSCHT in Prague – and as our stay draws to a close, we can look back on an intense, educational and unforgettable time.

We started right at the beginning with a Welcome Week, where we got to know many other Erasmus students. Our first impression of Prague was immediately positive: a beautiful city, a lively international community, and an open environment where it's easy to make friends. Finding accommodation was more challenging than expected, but in the end, we found a 5-person shared apartment that we are very happy with.

We like the university itself, but the courses offered by VSCHT, which specializes heavily in chemistry and environmental engineering, only partially fit our study plan. Therefore, we took some courses at the Business School.

Here, we noticed how straightforward many organizational processes at MCI actually are. In Prague, several departments are often involved, which sometimes means that processes take a little longer.

The courses at the Business School are basically similar to those at MCI, but differ greatly in terms of examination procedures. Midterms, oral exams, presentations, weekly tests, and homework assignments are standard here. Exam dates can also be postponed or changed at short notice—something we are not used to. We have come to really appreciate the clear system at MCI.

Working with international students is incredibly enriching. You get to know people from all over the world and see how different approaches, work mentalities, and communication styles can be. At the same time, we have noticed that work ethic and respect for teachers vary greatly. But we wouldn't want to miss out on any of these experiences – they are simply part of the exchange.

After the first few weeks, our everyday life in Prague quickly settled into a routine and now resembles our life in Innsbruck very closely – only without the mountains and snow. At first, the people in Prague seem more reserved, but thanks to our buddy student, we were able to discover many hidden places, try out cozy cafés, and experience the city beyond the tourist highlights.

Prague also has a lot to offer in terms of leisure activities: from trips to Carlsbad, Pilsen, or even Warsaw to wine and autumn festivals, university sports events such as ice hockey or handball, boat trips on the Vltava River, and Sparta Prague soccer games, there was something for everyone. The city is diverse and it really never gets boring.

Looking back, we would choose to spend a semester abroad in Prague again – even if we would have liked a more suitable range of courses and clearer organization. The experiences, the people, and the daily adventures here mean a lot to us and have enriched our time here incredibly.

Our recommendation: Don't write off Prague just because it's not far away geographically. The city has beautiful corners, a fascinating culture, and is definitely much more than just a party hotspot.

Finally, we would like to thank MCI, the Department of Industrial Engineering, and the International Office for giving us the opportunity to have this experience and for their support before, during, and after our stay."