Survival Guide

Orientation Week

Orientation Week is held by ESN one week before the semester starts and it provides you a lot of important information which will help you to settle in the Czech Republic. It is strongly recommended to attend this program. During this week you will get to know the main bureaucratic procedures at CTU.

In addition, we will help you to make new local and international friends through parties, games and a lot of trips. You shouldn’t miss this great opportunity!

DAY 1 – Monday (14 September)

Initial information meeting

  • When: 13:30 – 16:30 (room opens at 13:15)
  • Where: Faculty of Electrical Engineering, room T4:D2-256
  • Topics:
    • Official welcome
    • How to enroll in courses and sports at CTU
    • Life in the Czech Republic and how to survive in Prague
    • ESN membership
    • ESN teams and activities
    • Health and property insurance
    • Visa regulations

Slides from the Initial information meeting

Tandem Evening

A unique program for improving your language learning and teaching skills organized by ESN Languages team

DAY 2 – Tuesday (15 September)

Registration at faculties

Note: This is only for Erasmus students and Exchange students. Degree students (those who are studying for a CTU degree), and also Erasmus Mundus students, please contact your Faculty coordinators at your study department.

Registration at your faculty is mandatory. If you can't attend this registration, you need to inform your faculty!

For the registration at faculties, you need to have the University ID username and password already. See KOS (Study information system).

Note: Even if you have courses at multiple faculties, you only need to attend the registration at the ‘main’ faculty you have in your learning agreement.

  • In-person registration:
    • Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FEL / FEE) – 9:00, room T2:D3-309
    • Faculty of Transportation (FD / FT) – 9:00 - 11:30 and 14:00 - 15:30, building Konviktská 20, Prague 1; room 205
    • Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (FS / FME) – 9:00, room T4:C2-136
    • Faculty of Biomedical Engineering (FBMI / FBME) – 9:00 in Kladno building (náměstí Sítná 3105, Kladno), room KL:B-435
    • Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering (FJFI / FNSPE) – 10:00, building Trojanova 339/13, Praha 2, room T-206
  • On-line registration: (faculty coordinator have already contacted you via e-mail with instructions)
    • Faculty of Civil Engineering (FSv / FCE)
    • Faculty of Information Technology (FIT)
    • Faculty of Architecture (FA)
  • You will need:
    • A government-issued ID (e.g. passport)
    • University ID username and password (a.k.a. KOS login information)
    • A pen
  • You will receive:
    • The list of your classes
    • Your schedule

Second information meeting

  • When: 13:30 – 15:00 (room opens at 13:15)
  • Where: Faculty of Electrical Engineering, room T4:D2-256
  • Topics:
    • Presentation of ESN trips
    • Registrations for trips organized for days 4–7 (ESNcard + cash needed)

DAY 3 – Wednesday (16 September)

Registration at faculties

  • In-person registration:
    • Masaryk Institute of Advanced Studies (MÚVS / MIAS) – 10:00, room 103 (at the ground floor)
  • See Registration on Tuesday for further information

Prague Discovery Game

A great treasure hunt across Prague organized by the ESN Activities team

  • When: 13:30 (room opens at 13:15)
  • Where: Faculty of Electrical Engineering, room T4:D2-256

inteGREATion party

Get to know each other at the very first ESN inteGREAT party and have fun!

DAY 4–7 – Thursday to Sunday (17–20 September)

Trips around the Czech Republic

One-day or two-day events introducing you to a lot of interesting places

  • When/Where: different times and places for each trip, further information during the Second information meeting
  • Do not forget:
    • Cash
    • Small snacks and beverages
    • Comfortable clothes and appropriate shoes
    1. Thursday
    2. 17
    3. September
    4. 8:00

    Karlovy Vary - a Carriage ride through beautiful architecture followed by a forest hike and Becherovka tasting

    Karlovy Vary is a historic city with stunningly beautiful architecture. Filled with healing hot springs and sandstone promenades, it is a sight to behold. This trip will be the first ESN trip to Karlovy Vary that will take you on an old-school horse carriage ride through the promenades. We will then have a traditional lunch, hike up to see Karlovy Vary from above and end the day in Becherovka Museum and alcohol tasting (Becherovka is a herbal liquor similar to Jagermeister). You will get to experience a mix of centuries-old architecture and calm forests.

    💳 Please bring your ISIC card with you!

    🧥 Don’t forget to bring some warm clothes, we’ll spend most of the time outside. Check the weather beforehand if rainproof clothes are needed!

    🥾 The hike will take place in a forest and we will walk about 10 kilometers in total. Please bring shoes that can withstand a little bit of rough terrain and walking.

    🍔 Lunch will be at 12 PM, and we’ll be on the trip for 11 hours. Please bring enough snacks and water so that you aren’t hungry until then and after!

    💸 Since the city welcomes a lot of tourists. There are a lot of things to buy! From spa cups for drinking the hot springs out of, wafers filled with various flavors, to different Becherovka bottles, the city has a lot to offer, so be sure to bring cash with you if you want to buy any souvenirs!

    🌊 The hot springs are for drinking, not swimming so no swimwear is needed!

    ► Detail!

    1. Thursday
    2. 17
    3. September
    4. 9:20

    Konopiště Castle — A Royal Journey

    Set in the lush, green landscapes of Central Bohemia, Konopiště Castle is a grand, historic fortress famous for being the final residence of Archduke Franz Ferdinand d’Este—whose assassination sparked World War I. Filled with rich hunting heritage, sweeping parklands, and deep forest trails, this trip promises a step back into the Gilded Age of royal Bohemia.

    We’ll begin our day with a journey out of Prague, stepping right into the North Wing of the castle to explore one of Europe’s most legendary armories. After immersing ourselves in centuries of royal history, we’ll head over to the iconic Castle Restaurant to enjoy a traditional Czech lunch. We’ll finish the trip with a peaceful walk through the surrounding estate, exploring the quiet forest trails and scenic grounds before heading home.

    📍 Meeting Point & Schedule: We will meet at 9:20 AM at Praha Hlavní nádraží (Prague Main Station) right in front of Burger King.

    • Please be strictly on time! The train leaves at 9:45 AM and will not wait for latecomers.

    🎒 What the trip includes:

    • Round-trip train transportation

    • Guided tour of the North Wing Apartments & Armoury

    • Traditional lunch at the Konopiště Castle Restaurant

    💳 Please bring your ISIC card with you! (Or an official confirmation of your studies for student entry discounts).

    🥾 Shoes made for walking: We will be taking a stroll/hike around the castle grounds and surrounding nature. Make sure to wear comfortable, sturdy footwear!

    🧥 Check the weather forecast and dress warm! We will be spending time outdoors in the castle gardens and surrounding forest trails, so bring extra layers for cooler weather.

    🍿 Feel free to bring snacks: Bring water and light snacks if you tend to get hungry between our travel time and lunch!

    ► Detail!

    1. Friday
    2. 18
    3. September
    4. 7:45

    Medieval city of Kutná Hora ⛪☠️⛏️

    On this trip we will take you to the UNESCO world heritage site – the medieval city of Kutná Hora, one of the most important Czech royal cities 👑, the city of silver and royal mint. Gothic architecture and a well-known church. 

    On our visit list are a jewel of the Late Gothic period, the Cathedral of St. Barbara ⛪, 14th century Cathedral Sedlec, unique church, and medieval silver mines. If you play PC games, you might be interested in fact, that game Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is set in this city.

    The price includes:
    transportation, entrance fees and lunch.

    ► Detail!

    1. Saturday
    2. 19
    3. September
    4. 8:00

    Český Krumlov: A hidden gem of the Czech Republic

    Join us for a cultural escape to Český Krumlov, one of the Czech Republic’s most genuine historical towns and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    Founded in the 13th century, the town has been a crossroads of culture and tradition, home to artists, nobles, and craftsmen whose influence is etched in every stone and spire.

    Enjoy a visit to the picturesque Český Krumlov castle, a traditional czech lunch and a walk in the medieval town centre.
     
    The price includes:
    transportation, entrance fees and lunch.

    ► Detail!

    1. Sunday
    2. 20
    3. September
    4. 6:15

    The Deeper the Better: Castle, Cruise & Budějovice

    For many of you, Czechia means stunning architecture — and nowhere did wealth, ambition and imagination show off more boldly than in its castles.
    What is considered the most beautiful castle in Czechia? Google it. The answer is surprisingly unanimous: Hluboká Castle. That will be our first stop — a spectacular neo-Gothic residence that looks like someone tried to build Disneyland a century too early.
    “First stop” hints that there might be more, doesn’t it? Exactly. Next stop: České Budějovice, one of South Bohemia’s most beautiful historic cities.
    By bus? Hell nah.
    We’re sailing there. We’ll cruise down the Vltava from Hluboká straight to České Budějovice, with beautiful river views, a drink in hand, and a bar on board. ;)
    In Budějovice, we’ll finish the day exploring its historic centre, grand main square, and the city that gave the world the original Budweiser beer.

    Price includes: private coach transportation to Hluboká Castle and back to Prague, entrance to Hluboká Castle, boat tickets, a traditional Czech lunch in České Budějovice, and a guided tour of the city.

    ► Detail!

    1. Sunday
    2. 20
    3. September
    4. 8:30

    From Canyon to Castle: The Velká Amerika & Karlštejn Day Trip

    This trip is a wonderful combination of everything one could wish for!
    We will begin by catching a regional bus from Zličín to explore and take in the breathtaking views of nature’s hidden gem - the Velká Amerika quarry.
    From there, we’ll hike down to a local restaurant to enjoy a traditional Czech lunch, followed by an English-guided tour of the magnificent Karlštejn Castle, where we'll step back into medieval times and see where royalty resided!
    Afterward, you’ll have free time to explore the castle surroundings and the charming town of Karlštejn - the perfect opportunity to capture photos.
    We’ll wrap up this memorable adventure with a scenic train ride back to Prague Main Station!
     
    The price includes:
    transportation, entrance fees and lunch.

    ► Detail!

    1. Saturday
    2. 26
    3. September
    4. 7:30

    Bohemian Switzerland

    Discover Narnia in Czechia!

    Did you know that parts of the Narnia movie were filmed in the Czech Republic?

    Join us for a two-day trip to Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland National Park and discover the stunning landscapes featured in the movies. We will hike around the famous Pravčická brána, visit local rock formations and ruins, and explore the beautiful Czech countryside.

    On the second day, we will cross the border into Germany and visit the spectacular Bastei rock formation. Afterwards, we will return to Czechia to explore more impressive rock formations and enjoy the surrounding nature.

    Along the way, there will be time for games, fun, and getting to know each other.

    The price includes:
    Private bus transportation, dinner, 2× lunch, breakfast, evening drinks, accommodation, and entrance fees.

    Please bring: Warm clothes, hiking boots, water, and some cash.
    Meeting: 7:30 at Masarykova Dormitory, in the lobby

    ► Detail!

Please keep in mind there are four types of students: Erasmus students, Exchange students, Erasmus Mundus students and Private (self-paying) students. Private (self-paying) students and Erasmus Mundus students, please, contact their coordinators at their study department for information about visa issues, registration at faculties, etc.