AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC STUDIES

Transcription

1 The Fund for American Studies: AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC STUDIES in Prague, Czech Republic STUDENT HANDBOOK

2 WELCOME TO AIPES! This booklet has all of the logistical information that you will need prior to your arrival and during your stay in Prague, Czech Republic for the American Institute for Political and Economic Studies. Please read through it carefully. If you have any questions, please the AIPES Director, Matthew Kwasiborski, at Table of Contents Before you Leave... 2 Visa Information... 2 Getting to Prague... 6 Early Arrivals & Late Departures... 7 What to Bring... 7 Once you Arrive... 8 Getting to the Dorm... 8 Registration & Orientation Housing Meals Changing Money Getting Around Prague Commuting Using Taxis During the Institute Night transportation Your Health & Wellbeing Insurance & Medical Care Safety Drinking Water Computers/Internet Telephone Calls Post Office (Ceska Posta) Czech Dictionary: Prague Sites Institute Staff Questions

3 Before you Leave I. Visa Information If you are unsure if you need a visa, please follow the links below to see which countries require a visa to enter the Czech Republic and which do not: For a list of countries that require visas, CLICK HERE For a list of countries that DO NOT require visas, CLICK HERE *Visa-free regime applies to citizens of Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Georgia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro and Serbia only if they are holders of biometric passports. For students who DO need a visa In order to help you deal with Czech border guards, we are currently preparing formal letter of invitation for all AIPES students who reside in a country needing a visa, which will state that: (i) you have been officially accepted as a student of our summer program; (ii) that we are providing you with housing free of charge for the entire duration of the program; and (iii) that you will be provided with a meal plan. The letter will be written in Czech on a single sheet of university notepaper, with the signature and stamp of our Vice-Dean. You should receive this letter no later than one month from your acceptance notification. The letter does not, however, cover the issue of health insurance. When you set out for Prague, therefore, please make sure you have both your letter of invitation and a document to show you have adequate health insurance for your stay. Czech border guards have the authority to deny entry to foreign nationals who are unable to prove that they are insured for health emergencies. Basic procedure for getting a visa When you receive your Letter of Invitation written in Czech, contact the Czech embassy or consulate at which you would like to make your visa application to obtain current visa information, and follow their instructions. This is especially important, because many Czech embassies have their own local rules and regulations (concerning, for example, waiting times), which it is almost impossible to find in Prague. Do this now. And not all countries will have a Czech Embassy or Consulate. If you will not be at your usual address while you are making your visa application, send us an alternative address or fax number where we can reach you to keep you informed. 2

4 Please note: Under current Czech immigration law, visas can only be issued at Czech Embassies abroad, before you come to the Czech Republic. They cannot be issued at the border, nor can they be issued in Prague after your arrival. Making your Visa Application and Application Deadlines The processing time of visa application is usually about days, but some of the busier embassies (e.g. Moscow) have large backlogs. We therefore recommend you to play it safe and leave yourself plenty of time to spare when submitting your papers. (Alternatively, try speaking to the embassy, to find out about their processing time.) Visas are always issued at the embassy where you make your visa application. It is not possible to collect your visa at a different embassy. Students living or studying abroad may like to bear this in mind when planning their visa application. The visa itself takes the form of a sticker, which will be placed in your passport by the issuing embassy. What you will need to make a visa application The following are the documents that you will need to take with you when you are making your visa application. Valid passport: with the date of expiry extending at least three months beyond the date of your projected departure from the Czech Republic. Letter of acceptance: All these three points will be covered Housing voucher: by your Letter of Invitation Evidence of financial support: from Charles University (see above). Health insurance: By which is meant an internationally recognized health policy for the entire length of your stay in the Czech Republic, which covers: (i) accident; (ii) sudden illness; (iii) transport home in the case of severe illness; (iv) possible medical report because of severe illnesses (v) transport of your remains in the case of your death. 2 passport photographs Completed application form. These forms are available only at Czech Embassies, and may not be copied, so we cannot fill them out for you. Applicants must fill them out on the spot with the help of consular personnel. In addition, the embassy will charge you a fee for processing your visa. The exact amount will vary, depending on your country of citizenship and the embassy where you are making the application. Please note that these charges are quite outside the control of TFAS and 3

5 Charles University, and that we cannot arrange for the visa fee to be waived. Filling out your application form The name of the visa you are applying for is a Study-short-term stay visa. General instructions on how to fill out these forms are now available on the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: _up_to_90_days_for_the_1.html Most of the questions concern your personal details (name, address, etc.) and it should be clear what to do with them. On page two of the form, however, you are expected to give details of a Czech individual or organization, which has invited you to visit the Czech Republic. Here you should give the name of Kamila Krihova, who is the Charles University coordinator for Prague TFAS Institutes and your designated contact person at Charles University. The details you should fill out are as follows (please follow them exactly, and do not make any changes): Surname: Krihova Given name: Kamila Street: Smetanovo nabrezi No.: 6 Town: Praha 1 Postcode: Country: Czech Republic Telephone: Telefax: kamila.krihova@fsv.cuni.cz Organisation: Univerzita Karlova v Praze Identification no. of organisation (ICO): All students will receive one copy of your Letter of Invitation, one of which you should take with you to the Embassy for your visa application. Please make at least two copies of the letter for your reference. Keep the originals for the Embassy and the border guards. Choosing your Embassy The Czech consular system generally designates a particular embassy to take care of the nationals of a particular country. It would be preferable if you could try to respect this system wherever possible. 4

6 The embassies you are supposed to use are listed below. For contact details, please see the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Countries of origin which DO NOT have their own Czech Embassy The following countries do not have their own Czech Embassy, and there may be others. Consular matters relating to their citizens are usually handled at the Czech embassy indicated. Kyrgyzstan The Swiss Embassy in Bishkek has issued visas for students going to AIPES since The Czech Embassy/Consulate in Bishkek does not offer visas for AIPES students. Tajikistan Alternatives: Almaty, Astana, Bishkek, or Moscow Turkmenistan Alternatives: Moscow or Ankara Students Living or Studying Abroad If there are serious reasons why you cannot use the official embassy listed above (e.g. because you currently reside in another country), you can ask the Embassy in your country of residence to consider your visa application. However, their agreement is not automatic. We therefore strongly recommend that you speak to the Embassy concerned before you make the journey. We also recommend that you take your residence permit with you, in case the embassy wants to see evidence that you really are resident in the country where you are making your application. Please also remember that visas can only be issued at the embassy where you have made your application, so time your application accordingly. Troubleshooting If you follow the instructions given here, you should not have any major problems making your visa application. If you do encounter any problems, however, get in touch immediately. We will do our best to sort them out for you. The best way to contact us is by Kamila Krihova Please note that you should only contact Kamila Krihova with questions or concerns related to your visa application and some aspects of your travel arrangements. We are not able to deal with questions regarding payments, reading materials, or any other aspects of the Institute. For any other issues, contact the AIPES Director. 5

7 II. Getting to Prague There is good bus and train service from most Central and Eastern European countries to Prague. Those traveling from more distant places will need to find air transportation. Since summer is a busy time for air travel to Europe, airfares are higher than in other times of the year, and flights fill up quickly. A reasonable airfare to Prague from the east coast of the United States averages about $1,100 round-trip. Students flying from countries within Europe could receive significant discounts of up to 50% or more from national airlines; contact airlines for student travel agencies for student rates. III. Early Arrivals & Late Departures If your travel plans require that you arrive or depart beyond the Institute dates, please inform us so that we can try to arrange accommodations for you in the AIPES dorms. We encourage students to arrive on July 8th as rooms may not be available at the dormitory prior to the Institute. Those who must arrive prior to July 8th due to travel restrictions may be required to stay at another dormitory or youth hostel if rooms are not available at the dormitory. If you are arriving in Prague before the program begins or staying after it finishes, in addition to submitting your travel information, you should the AIPES Director. All travel information is due to The Fund for American Studies by 15 June If you notify us after 15 June 2017, it might not be possible to reserve a room for you. Students are responsible for the cost of accommodations for any extended length before or after the Institute dates. The estimated cost per night at the dormitory after the Institute is 450 Czech Crowns (Kc), which is approximately or $ Here is a link to a large list of the various hostels around Prague IV. What to Bring In packing clothes, be prepared for weather that can vary dramatically during the week. The high temperature in Prague in July averages 25 degrees Celsius (77 Fahrenheit), but temperatures can range from the very hot to the very cold. Students will need summer clothing, but it is often cool at night, so you should bring a sweatshirt or sweater and a jacket. As July typically is the rainiest month in Prague, an umbrella or raincoat is also necessary. Students may dress casually in class, but there will be several formal occasions when 6

8 students will need to wear professional clothing (coats and ties for men, dresses and suits for women). Students will not need to bring linens for their bed. Towels will be provided but it is recommended that students bring towels from home. Laundry facilities at the dorm are available in the summertime. There is a washing machine in the dorm but there is a small fee to use the laundry room. There is no air dryer in the dorm. Irons also are not available. For the Cultural Presentations Evening, you may want to bring traditional music, dress or other props for the show. Prior to arriving, a completed list of students from each country will be sent by to all students based on citizenship. The list will contain address, and students can coordinate with each other as to what to bring for the cultural presentations. There are no video capabilities, but we will have audio capabilities. Please plan to bring enough money to cover entertainment and transportation costs, incidental expenses, and whatever souvenir shopping you might want to do. A typical Czech meal can cost from $5.00USD in Czech restaurants to $10-15 in touristy locations. Once You Arrive I. Getting to the Dorm Students will be staying at the Masarykova Kolej dormitory complex. The dormitory's address is: Masarykova Kolej Thákurova Praha 6 Czech Republic Instructions on how to get to the dorms from the airport, train station, and bus station are below. From the Airport All international flights arrive at Vaclav Havel Airport Prague, Ruzyne approximately 20 km to the Northwest of the city centre. If you are arriving from the airport, you have three options to get into Prague: airport shuttle service, public transportation, or by taxi. To get to the dorm by bus, you can take city bus # 119 or the bus service. Simply exit the airport and cross the first street to the bus stop. You will see a 7

9 sign for these buses. If you have any trouble finding the bus stop, the information desk in the airport can direct you there. You will need to purchase a 32CZK ticket before getting onto the bus. You will find a ticket machine at the bus stop. You must validate your ticket once you are inside the bus (you will see small yellow machines where you put your ticket in to be validated). Once on Bus #119, take it to the metro station Nadrazi Veleslavin. When in the metro platform you want to travel in the direction of Depo Hostivar. You will take the metro approximately 4 stops to metro station Dejvicka. From the Dejvicka exit, there are several options. You want to take the way up to Evropska Street. Once on Evropska Street you want to be on the opposite side of the Diplomat Hotel. The hotel should be on the left side of Evropska street and you should be across from it. If this is the case, walk a few minutes to Thakurova Street. You will see a shady green square on your right with many trees; this is Thakurova Street. As you face the square, the dorm is on the left side. It takes up an entire city block. The main entrance is about halfway down the block and you will see its blue awning as you walk towards it. There are two official taxi services at the airport, Fix Taxi and Taxi AAA. We strongly recommend using only these two taxi services as they offer true rates. Any other taxi service may charge you the special tourist rate. Having the dorm address written on paper or electronically will eliminate any language barriers. For general information on Vaclav Havel Airport Prague, Ruzyne please visit their website. This website will include full details of the various transportation methods explained above. from the Train Station Most international trains arrive either at Prague's Main Station ("Hlavni nadrazi") or at Prague's Holesovice Station ("Nadrazi Holesovice") to the north of the city. Both stations are on Metro Line C (the red line). To get to the dorm, take the Metro to the "Muzeum" Metro stop. Transfer to Metro Line A (the green line) and take that to the "Dejvicka" Metro station (5 stops). The dorm is a short distance (about 2 blocks) from the Dejvicka Metro station. If you wish to walk to the dorm, take the exit that is sign-posted for the Airport (at the front of the train) and continue up Evropska Street for two blocks. Walk along the right-hand side of the street, opposite the Diplomat 8

10 Hotel. (If you are on the same side of the street as the Diplomat Hotel, you have taken the wrong exit.). You will see a shady green square on your right with many trees; this is Thakurova Street. As you face the square, the dorm is on the left. It takes up an entire city block. The main entrance is about halfway down the block, you will see its blue awning as you walk towards it. Students with heavy luggage who wish to reduce the distance they have to walk can transfer to a tram at Dejvicka Metro Station and travel one stop to Thakurova. Any tram in the direction of Cerveny Vrch or Divoka Sarka will do. However, under normal circumstances the dorm is less than a 5-minute walk from the Metro and the time you have to wait for the tram is generally longer than the time it takes to walk. If you do arrive by tram, you should exit at the Thakurova stop (it is only one stop away from the Dejvicka Metro station). Facing the Dejvicka Metro station, the dorm will be on your left. You will see a shady green square with many trees; this is Thakurova Street. As you face the square, the dorm is on the left side. It takes up an entire city block. The main entrance is about halfway down the block, you will see its blue awning as you walk towards it. To use the Metro and the bus, you will need to buy a 24 Kc ticket in the hall of the train station (available at most newsstands, kiosks, and from coinoperated ticket machines at the entrance to the Metro). You must validate your ticket when you enter the metro (you will see small yellow machines where you put your ticket in to be validated). You do not have to stamp your ticket a second or third time when you change Metro trains or buses. From the Bus Station Most buses arrive at the Florenc Bus Station, which is a Metro stop along Line C (the red line). Directions are the same as if arriving by train: Take the Metro to the "Muzeum" Metro stop. Transfer to Metro Line A (the green line) and take that to the "Dejvicka" Metro station (5 stops). The dorm is a short distance (about 2 blocks) from the Dejvicka Metro station. If you wish to walk to the dorm, take the exit that is sign-posted for the Airport (at the front of the train) and continue up Evropska Street for two blocks. Walk along the right-hand side of the street, opposite the Diplomat Hotel. (If you are on the same side of the street as the Diplomat Hotel, you have taken the wrong exit.). You will see a shady green square on your right with many trees; this is Thakurova Street. As you face the square, the dorm is on the left side. It takes up an entire city block. The main entrance is about 9

11 halfway down the block and you will see its blue awning as you walk towards it. II. Registration and Orientation Once you arrive at the Masarykova Kolej dormitory complex, you will see signs that will direct you to where you need to go. Registration will take place in the dorm lobby between 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 8th, More detailed information will be given to you upon registration. Orientation Session 1 will be held at 8:00PM (20:00) will be held in Kongresory Hall inside the dormitory followed by a group dinner in Akademia Restaurant. This order of dinner and orientation will be determined on the day registration. For more information on the dorm, you can visit the Masarykova website: III. Housing Keys: The Masarykova dorm uses an electronic key system. Every student will be issued an electronic smart card at registration, which they can use to open their dorm room. The dorm will charge each student a deposit of 200 Kc for this key, which will be returned at the end of the Institute when the card is returned to reception. The reception desk is staffed 24-hours a day. Internet Access: The dorm has wireless computer access in the main lobby only. You may bring your laptop to the lobby area and connect to the network. You may or may not be able to access the wireless internet from your dorm room depending on the proximity of your room to the lobby. The dorm rooms also have internet ports, so you could bring your own internet cable or possibly purchase one from the reception area when you register for AIPES. Phones: The dorm rooms are not equipped with phones that can receive outside calls. We recommend that you bring your phones from home. Check with your local provider for their rules of phoning from Prague. Popular mobile phone carriers in Prague are Vodafone and O2. In an emergency you can locate the AIPES Staff and they will be able to assist you. Mail Delivery: Because of the short duration of the Institute and inconsistency of international mailing, we recommend students receive no mail. However, students expecting mail should check at the reception desk for any incoming mail. 10

12 Security: As with any dormitory situation, students must take appropriate care of any money or personal valuables and appropriate attention to who enters and leaves the room. Valuables should not be kept in the dorm room while you are not there. All dorms have closets that are suitable for clothing and luggage, but their locking devices tend to be unreliable. As maid service is regular, do not leave any valuables out in plain view. If you have any concerns regarding the storage of any money or valuables, contact the Institute's Program Assistant who will be working as a liaison with the dormitory staff. Laundry: The dorm has washing machines located throughout the building. You will need to reserve the room through the dorm reception only. You can purchase laundry soap at the dorm or one of the convenience stores located by the dorm building on Evropska Street. The dorm does not have irons or drying machines. IV. Meals Breakfast will be provided every day you will stay at the dorm. You will receive your breakfast tickets on the day you check in and you will receive the exact amount of tickets for the numbers of mornings you will be registered at the dorm. Breakfast is included in the price of your room. Breakfast is served in the main cafeteria. Meal tickets will be distributed at registration. To be served, you must present a meal ticket. Breakfast is scheduled from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on weekdays and 7:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. on weekends. We will have lunch together as one AIPES 2017 group. As of 17 th of April we are still negotiating with several places near the classroom building to host our group for lunch. Students are responsible for their own dinners, (unless it is a special event that is noted in the schedule.) There are several restaurants in or near Wenceslas Square serving a variety of Czech, American, and Mediterranean dishes. Restaurants directly located in Wenceslas Square are often much more expensive, but a variety of reasonable offerings exist. There are many "Potraviny" shops (convenience stores) close to the dorm and throughout Prague. There is also an "Albert" supermarket on Evropska Street within walking distance from the dorm. A typical Czech meal can cost from $5.00USD in Czech restaurants to $10-15 USD in touristy locations. A variety of dining options surround the Institute's classroom building near Wenceslas Square. 11

13 V. Changing Money The Czech Koruna (CZK or kc) has an exchange rate of Czech crowns/koruna (Kc) to the US Dollar or Kc to the Euro as of 17 th of April. We recommend students use credit cards, debit cards, or ATM cards whenever possible and limit the amount of cash you travel with. It will save you the worry and concern of walking around with large amounts of cash, or leaving money unguarded in the dormitory. Automatic teller machines (ATM, or in Czech, bankomat ) are located throughout the city and are an excellent alternative to changing money as you can use ATM or debit cards to get cash without a commission. There is an ATM located at the Dejvicka Metro Station. Most ATM transactions and credit card purchases will also give you an exact exchange rate, and most Czech businesses now accept major credit cards, at least in the centre of the city. Check with your bank to see which ATM card you have. Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus, Visa and American Express are widely accepted cards. You can get a Visa cash advance at Komercní banka; passport identification is required. But be warned that using a credit card for an ATM or cash advance often requires fees - check with your bank. Major banks will also change money for a small commission (about 2 percent). There are also numerous other exchange outlets around town. Always ask what the commission is before you use them - especially in areas with lots of tourists. Many of them charge high commissions and have hidden costs. Avoid product pitches and "special" offers, such as "free" city maps. We recommend you exchange some currency before arriving, or at the airport if you are using a taxi or public transportation. Please do not exchange money from individuals on the street. They are scam artists and are operating illegally. This can be a custom for students in some of our countries at AIPES but it is not a custom here in the Czech Republic. I. Commuting Getting Around Prague At registration, each student will be provided with a monthly Czech metro pass provided you sent us your electronic photo before AIPES. This metro pass will be valid on all forms of Prague public transportation including metro trains, trams, and buses. The pass will be valid for the duration of the Institute. It is required that Prague public transit commuters carry verification with them every time they ride the system. The Prague metro police frequent 12

14 popular stops, including the ones used by AIPES, on a daily basis. Riders on public transportation must have a pass or a validated ticket or they risk being fined 800 Kc, (approximately $35.00 USD or Euros) which must be paid on the spot. If you are approached, be sure the officer displays proper identification. If you arrive before the official start of AIPES, you are responsible for your transportation. You can find hourly and daily tickets at every metro station and most tram stops. The Prague Transportation Service also has a reliable website as well as an app that you can use while in Prague to map out your travel plans. The website is: (or please search your app store). Maps of Prague will also be distributed at registration to help guide your way through the sights and sounds of Prague. To get to the Institute's Classroom Building and Prague's Center, take the Metro from Dejvicka Metro Station on Line A (within walking distance southeast of the dorm) to the Muzeum station (5 stops; travel in the direction of Depo Hostivař.), and you will be at the top of Wenceslas Square (Václavské namestí). Walk one block down the hill along the right side of the square and turn right on Opletalova St. The classroom building is a little more than one block on the right. The address is: Fakulta sociálních ved UK Opletalová 26, Prague 1 II. Using Taxis During the Institute Taxi prices are not regulated in Prague, but drivers must post their price-perkm charge, usually on the door. A reasonable price is Kc 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. It is recommended that you do not call for a taxi from the street. Be warned that meters are no guarantee against rip-offs, and the taxi drivers of Prague have a reputation for overcharging - especially if you speak English. Generally, a taxi ride should not cost more than 250 Kc between the dormitory and Prague's center. When possible, you should call for a taxi in advance and ask the approximate price to avoid being overcharged by the drive. Three usually reliable companies whose dispatchers speak English are AAA Taxi (Tel or ), City Taxi (Tel ), SEDOP Taxi (Tel ). 13

15 III. Night Transportation The metro does not run after midnight. Therefore, when returning to the dormitory after midnight, one must take a night tram or bus. Night trams function from midnight until 5:00 a.m. You can catch night tram #51 from Vaclavske namesti or Namesti Republiky, and it will take you to the Thakurova tram stop near the dormitory. Otherwise, all the lines meet at the Lazarska stop in the center of Prague. For further information regarding other tram stop locations, a detailed map with all night tram stops will be provided to students upon registration. I. Insurance & Medical Care Your Health & Wellbeing Since EU entry, basic medical care for EU nationals should be covered by the health insurance policy from your home country. However, in order to receive treatment, you must show the attending physician either a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a form E111. If you do not have either of these documents with you, you may be charged cash. Please also note that your EU insurance covers only basic health care in emergencies. It does not cover specialist treatment, non-emergency treatment, or medically assisted transport home following an accident. For these reasons, we recommend all EU students to check with their insurance provider at home exactly what is covered by their insurance policy, and to take out extra medical or commercial travel insurance if necessary. Foreign nationals from outside the EU are not covered by the EU s special arrangements, and may be required to produce valid health insurance at the border. We therefore strongly recommend all students arrange health insurance before their departure for the Czech Republic. Check with your health insurer to see what their policy is for international travel; insurance may be limited to emergency room coverage only. ISIC holders are offered a helpful travel insurance policy. For emergency care, cash payment may be required. If you have an emergency, the Na Holmolce Hospital at Roentgenova 2, Prague 5 has a foreigner's clinic that will be able to provide a physician who speaks English (tel ). There is also an overnight first aid centre at Vitezne namesti 13, Prague 6, very near the dorm (tel: ). Open Mon.-Fri from 6:00pm to 7:00am, and all day on weekends). However, not all doctors here will speak English. 14

16 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 a basic examination to accompanying a patient to the hospital, but usually for a high fee. These include Unicare, s.r.o. at Na Dlouhém lánu 11, Prague 6 (tel or on call 24 hours at ; American Dental Associates, V Celnici 4, Prague 1 (tel: ); Canadian Medical Centre, Veleslavinska 1, Prague 6 (tel: , or after hours), Mon.-Fri. 8:00am- 8:00pm, Sat. 9:00am- 4:00pm. It is closed on Sunday. II. Safety We cannot emphasize enough Prague's nasty reputation for pickpockets and petty crime. It's a significant problem that is easily avoidable with proper care. Wallets, purses, and foreign passports are desirable targets for pickpockets, so please be careful when you are out in public, especially at sites where crowds gather, such as Old Town Square, Prague Castle, Charles Bridge and nightclubs. Be especially alert when boarding and disembarking the trams and Metros, and look out for groups of people who are shoving or appear to be having a loud argument - often a distraction to the victim and a guise for the pickpocket's accomplices. Many pickpockets work in gangs of three or more to lower the risk of discovery. Quite possibly, your wallet will have passed through several hands before you even notice it's gone. Suggestions for safety are as follows: Do not carry your passport and do not carry more cash than necessary. Make photocopies of your passport and other valuable documents and keep them separate from the actual documents. You can do this at the classroom building free of charge. Keep your money and ID in secure places; usually the front pockets are safe but money belts that can be kept inside clothing are recommended. At the airport, bus and train stations, keep your money and passports hidden or in money belts. Do not let anyone know you speak English. Travel in pairs or groups, particularly when you have luggage. Do not leave your purse unattended at nightclubs or restaurants, no matter how briefly. Do not leave it hanging on chairs or by your feet. It will disappear! If approached by a police officer, make sure they display proper identification. Always exchange money in a legitimate place of business (banks, post offices, exchange kiosks-although they usually offer a poor rate of 15

17 exchange); it is common for people to approach you looking to exchange money on the street. This is a big scam in Prague and highly illegal; you will be offered a ridiculously favorable exchange rate but if you make the transaction you will receive a big pile of nothing! For the best exchange rate, use banks or ATM machines. Bartenders and waiting staff at restaurants and clubs in locations heavily visited by tourists join taxi drivers in having a bad reputation of taking advantage of tourists. Always keep record of what you order and the cost as to avoid any false additions to your bill. And always count your change when returned to you. If you avoid pubs and restaurants in Wenceslas Square, Old Town Square or next to the Charles Bridge you generally will be OK. Nearly all of Prague's pubs and restaurants will offer you a great taste of Czech culture as long as you are willing to break from the tourist routine. Prague can be rough on a naïve visitor. Minor carelessness will result in rewards for Prague's many petty thieves! Protect yourself so that you can have the best experience possible this summer! III. Drinking Water The water in Prague may not taste great, but in most cases, it is perfectly safe to drink. We advise students from the United States drink bottled water because differences in naturally occurring bacteria between Europe and North America might cause illness. Most people, however, prefer bottled water that comes with or without bubbles (or "gas" if you are asked your preference in a restaurant). Dobra voda ("Good Water"), the most common brand of bottled water, is conveniently color-coded: a bottle with a green cap is with bubbles, a blue cap is without. Computers/Internet Please use this link to locate various Internet cafes around Prague. Each location in Prague (Praha) will offer different Internet Cafes around the city. Just to remind you, that the dorm is located in Prague 6 and there is an offering in this part of the city. Telephone Calls The Czech Republic's country code is 420. To place a call from outside the Czech Republic, dialers must dial the international access code plus 420 before calling a number. Thus, if someone were to call your room from 16

18 another country, they would have to dial the international access code plus to get to the reception office. Note: There is a pay phone in the lobby that you can make outgoing calls using a phone card, which can be purchased at the reception desk or at most post offices or newsstands. Phone cards come with different amounts of phonetime credit and vary in cost. To make a call, pick up the receiver, insert the card and dial. The units of phone time are displayed and count down after you are connected to your party. An international operator can be reached from Prague by dialing For a less expensive international call, you can use an Internet calling service called X-Call by directly dialing 052 from any payphone before dialing the country code of your destination. The cost of a call to the United States using X-call is approximately $0.25 per minute. In case of emergency, friends or relatives can contact The Fund for American Studies staff in Washington at (001) Fund staff will relay the message to us in Prague. Post Office (Ceska Posta) The main post office is located about 50m from the classroom at Jindrisska 14, just off Wenceslas Square. Open Monday - Sunday, 2:00 a.m. 12 midnight. You can find English instructions on the board at the entrance to the main hall. A telephone room is to the right of the entrance hall. You can make international calls by paying a deposit to one of the clerks. Post cards and a basic airmail letter up to 20 grams within Europe costs 17 Kc, overseas airmail 18 Kc (up to 10 grams 11 Kc). Czech Dictionary: Prague Sites Prague = Praha Old Town = Stare Mesto Prague Castle = Hradcany Charles Bridge = Karluv most Wenceslas Square = Vaclavske namesti Old Town Square = Staromestske namesti Lesser Quarter, Little Side = Mala Strana For more information about Prague, you may wish to visit the following websites on the Internet: These websites contain a long list of activities and descriptions of places that will help make your visit to Prague the most enjoyable experience of your life. The Prague Post is the most useful and popular language newspaper in Prague: To 17

19 see various events around Praguie on a daily basis, we recommend this Prague TV link: Institute Staff The AIPES Director is Matthew Kwasiborski. He can assist you before, during and after AIPES. There will also be additional staff (3-5) who also be present during AIPES to help you with any questions/issues you have during your time with us in Prague. Questions If you have any questions about the Institute, please contact the AIPES Director, Matthew Kwasiborski (mkwasiborski@tfas.org). 18