Izzy's Exchange to Anglo-American University | Czech Republic - Murdoch University Study Abroad and Exchange

I always knew I was going to go on exchange in university – I did it in high school for two months to Italy, and I found it the best way to not only travel from there but to really learn about a place. I chose Prague and Anglo-American University because the units it offered suited my degree and my interests. I only got to do one of the units I wanted, but in the end choosing Prague was the best thing I could have done anyway.

The city – Prague is amazing, it’s your classic old European city with a tonne of history, heaps of communist era buildings and the giant flea market holds all sorts of golden finds. I’m super interested in film photography, and due to the ban on the importation of goods during the cold war they have a huge collection of cameras, and loads of shops for developing. Prague’s culture kind of takes a second to find, but once you’re there it won’t stop. Heaps of free community music, wine and food festivals in the spring and summer, 7 national art galleries, operas that are so cheap and so good, museums and exhibitions all the time. In terms of food, you’re average Czech restaurant will be about the same all over the country, full of meat and beer. I’m vegetarian, but it was super easy to find places. And of course there’s heaps of hipster coffee shops and brunch places, book stores, art film cinemas and op shops (and everything is 50c not $6). Some of the best days I had was when we explored Prague, and because we’d been there so long we’d heard of the great places that tourists didn’t know. The flea market Bleší Trhy is one of the biggest in Europe (don’t go when it’s snowing or no one will be there), the abandoned railway station near Žižkov, the “beach” at Hostivar Dam, the beer garden at Letná, Charles University Botanical Gardens, and the 80’s 90s video hits nights every Friday at Lucerna Club. And did I mention everything is crazy cheap? $1 for a pint of beer.

The Uni – super small. With around 1000 students, you get to know half the cohort in your classes. It has a very international student base, but about half are just there for the semester. Heaps of Americans, they have a special special program, and get funding, and so often come over with around 30 from each college alone. They like to stick to themselves and have pre-arranged excursions. I was the only Australian by a long shot, most had never met one (because we are that rare). The classrooms were in a newly re-furbished building, with stunning mirrors and huge windows and chandeliers in every room. The café and courtyard are the only real place on campus outside of the classrooms, but there’s a huge garden with peacocks next door and it’s right in the centre of the old town, 2 minutes from the river and five minutes from Charles bridge and the John Lennon Wall. I had a love-hate relationship with my units, I either loved the content but not the teacher or the other way round. One unit I loved both.

I met an incredible group of friends, and we had many adventures on weekends to other countries. I found, in the end, that I could see myself living in Prague, as different areas of it began to wake up as the warm weather came and I met people outside of uni. AAU was good but I don’t think I would be able to stay there for an entire degree. I learnt a lot about independence and navigating foreign countries, I was able to realise what I love about home, what I don’t, and have a clearer idea of my future and what I wanted to do. All in all, I honestly think you’re just silly if you don’t go on exchange, it’s one of the best opportunities and experiences of your life. Even though I had a lot of trouble at the beginning getting my visa, I learnt a lot and I would not change it for the world.