My Year in Prague: 5 Great Reasons to Study Abroad

Petřín Hill - Prague, Czech Republic

“A highlight of my college experience.”

Regardless of whether studying abroad is on the top of your college bucket list or if you’ve never considered it before, it can be an amazing option for you as a performing arts student to enhance your training and add some variety to your college experience. I personally spent this past school year studying film acting at Prague Film School in the Czech Republic, and it has definitely been a highlight of my college experience so far. In fact, I was only planning to spend a semester abroad, but I ended up extending it to a year because I found myself enjoying it so much and getting so much more out of it than I expected. If you are currently studying performing arts in college (or if you are planning to do so), here are some reasons why you should consider making study abroad a part of your educational journey: 

1. It’s A Chance To Learn New Skills

Behind the scenes of my very first time acting on set! 

Before studying at Prague Film School I wouldn’t have been able to tell you the difference between a 16 and 32mm lens to save my life, and I fully assumed that the Assistant Director on a film set was just the assistant to the director. (Spoiler alert: ADs are more like the film equivalent of a stage manager in theatre). Needless to say, I learned a lot. 

At first glance studying abroad might just seem like racking up some college credits in a foreign country, but it can also be an amazing opportunity to supplement your education and take classes that you may not have access to otherwise. In my case, studying in Prague was a chance to learn how to act in front of the camera and balance out the live theatre-heavy training at my home university, but there are so many options out there. Depending on the location and program that you choose, you may find yourself doing things such as learning the art of Commedia dell’arte in Italy or immersing yourself in classical theatre in the UK right where Shakespeare was born. Follow your interests and see where they take you!

2. You Will Make International Connections

Trying trdelniks, a tourist staple in Prague, with my Swedish friends Gabrielle & Valentina.

Arguably, the best part of studying abroad is the people you will meet while you are there. My particular program attracted students from all over Europe, so it was fascinating to ask them questions about their home countries and learn about different ways of thinking and living. As a result of making friends with such diverse people I have made so many memories that I never saw coming, like trying Balkan food with my Bosnian and Serbian friends or co-writing and producing a short film with my Swiss roommate. With globalization on the rise, study abroad can be a great opportunity to expand your network and collaborate with people from different cultural backgrounds.

3. You Will Gain A Broader Perspective of the Entertainment Industry

One of the biggest unexpected benefits that I walked away with after studying abroad is a deeper understanding of the entertainment industry and how it operates globally. A lot of BA and BFA programs offer classes on how the entertainment industry works within the US, but studying abroad may give you more context on how the industry operates in other parts of the world. 

While I was studying abroad, I was surprised to find out that many American production companies choose to film their movies and television shows outside of the US. As an English-speaking acting student in one of the most popular filming locations in Europe, I was lucky in that I ended up getting my very first audition opportunities for big-budget productions in Prague. Although I didn’t end up booking anything, it was a great experience as I was able to meet all of the major casting directors in the city and learn about how the casting process works in Europe. Once you spend some time abroad and immerse yourself in the arts scene of a different country, you may realize that you have more options of where you can take your career than you may have thought!

“Interesting People Make Interesting Actors.”

4. You Will Grow As A Person

One of my favorite cultural experiences in Prague was seeing the Czech Opera “Rusalka” at the Narodní Divadlo, or National Theater.

One of my favorite cultural experiences in Prague was going to see the Czech Opera Rusalka at the Narodní Divadlo, or National Theater. 

Have you ever heard the phrase, “interesting people make interesting actors”? I like to think that it’s true, and a great time to cultivate yourself as a person is while studying abroad. As an artist you never know which influences you will end up drawing inspiration from, so I would highly encourage you to seek out as many cultural experiences as possible in your host country. Participate in local holiday celebrations, visit a landmark in your host city, go see a show at your host country’s national theater, or go to the museum and see that art piece that you learned about in art history class in real life. 

I would also like to emphasize that as aesthetically pleasing as those European skyline pictures on your camera roll may look, studying abroad is not perfect and you will more than likely run into some hiccups along the way. In fact, I would argue that most of the personal growth that I experienced came as a direct result of the obstacles that I ran into while abroad. Some examples include having to go to the US embassy in Prague to get my passport replaced (it’s a long story…) and dealing with homesickness for the first time as someone who has never dealt with it before. I’ve walked away from my study abroad experience with so much more confidence in my own ability to adapt and problem solve, and I’m sure that you will have a similar experience if you choose to go abroad.

5. Studying Abroad Is More Accessible Than You May Think

I know what you may be thinking - studying abroad sounds great and all, but doesn’t it cost a ton of money? I totally understand - college is expensive, and adding an extended international trip on top of it seems like something reserved for students with the most financial resources available to them. The good news, however, is that if you have the desire to study abroad, chances are that you will be able to make it a reality with just a little bit of pre-planning. 

First of all, the cost of living in your host city is a really important consideration when planning to go abroad. Before my trip, I was heavily debating between London and Prague, but one of the reasons that Prague ultimately won out is its low cost of living. I’m sure that London would have been an equally wonderful experience, but choosing an affordable host city allowed me more financial wiggle room to explore the city and make the most of my time there. 

I would also recommend looking into scholarships that are specifically targeted towards students looking to study abroad. In my case, I was lucky enough to receive the Gilman Scholarship, and I would 100% percent recommend taking advantage of this opportunity if you meet the requirements. Regardless, research scholarships online and contact your school’s fellowship office to see what scholarship opportunities are available to you.

“I’ve walked away from my study abroad experience with so much more confidence in my own ability…”

After sharing a little bit about my time studying abroad and the things that I took away from the experience, I hope that you will consider making it a part of your educational journey as well. Wishing you the best of luck with your adventure, and bon voyage!