Dobry Den!

My name is Gina Hnytka and I serve as the Resident Director for the Czech Republic Education Abroad Program 2017.  I am happy to report that all of our students have arrived and are enjoying the welcoming atmosphere here at Czech University of Life Sciences – Prague.  Today, Daniel Dedina (International Programs Leader at CULS) and a few of the CULS students took us all to lunch at a nearby restaurant.  Afterward, despite a rainy start to the afternoon, the skies cleared and we were able to enjoy an incredible and informative tour of downtown (Old Town) Prague led by Dr. Vlastimil Cerny.

We traveled to Old Town Hall (and climbed quite a few stairs!) to an amazing view of downtown Prague below.  I am in the first picture from the left at the top of the tower in Old Town Hall and the picture below that one is our view from the top.  We walked the Charles Bridge and learned a bit of history about the Czech Republic, walked by the Old New Synagogue (the oldest active synagogue in Europe), and learned about many other famous landmarks on Old Town Square. We also stopped at St. Vitus Cathedral (second picture from the left in the first row) to check out the Gothic architecture, stunning stained glass, and of course, to take a group photo :).

The benefit of touring Prague with economists (both faculty and some students) is that we quickly learned where to find the best exchange rate for USD to Czech Korunas. After our walking tour, we exchanged some cash and headed to dinner together at Lokal, an eclectic restaurant in downtown Prague which served local ingredients and traditional Czech fare.

But, enough from me!  It is getting late here and classes begin tomorrow morning, followed by a welcome reception with the Dean and Faculty for all of the program participants.  Each day you will hear from our students via this blog and will learn about our experience here in the Czech Republic from their individual perspectives.

Na shledanou from Suchdol,

Gina