PRAHA ESK REPUBLIKA ICE BREAKER Raise your hand
PRAHA, ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA
ICE BREAKER Raise your hand if you have ever been to Europe! Have you ever been to Central/Eastern Europe? Have you ever been to the Czech Republic? Slovakia? Poland? Have you ever been to Prague?
YOUR CULTURAL LIAISONS Agnes (Anežka) Sekowski • Master’s Graduate: Public Affairs & Russian, East European, Eurasian Studies • BHP / Mc. Combs alum Jaromir (Jaro) Sedlar • • Ph. D student in Higher Education Administration Alum of Masaryk University, Czech Republic
THE LIAISON’S ROLE We are your: Cultural liaisons First responders in an emergency situation Local experts Group activity organizers Available to help you during the program We will go over expectations/contact information/availability during on-site orientation on SUNDAY, JUNE 3 rd, 4 PM (16: 00)
PREPARING FOR YOUR TRIP Don’t forget to bring: Copies of passport & other important documents Needed medications & prescriptions Ethernet cable (if bringing laptop) Converter and/or adapters and chargers Esp. for laptops, hair dryers, electric razors, etc. Clothes and shoes (pack light) Business casual / dress clothes (1 -2 outfits) Pack for walking in rain or shine and temperature range: 45 F – 95 F Comfortable walking shoes Swim suit, if plan to swim Toiletries (only if have preference)
PLAN TO PURCHASE…INPRAGUE? Pillow(s) Toilet paper Paper towel or kitchen towel Clothes hangers Sponges Dishes Small and utensils fan
GETTING READY FOR YOUR FLIGHT Buy a converter today if you don’t have one Pack extra set of clothes in your carry-on Flights get delayed, luggage gets lost Triple check your reservation Triple check you have your passport Arrive at the airport early Arrive in Prague well before Mandatory On-site Orientation Your destination: Kolej Jarov, Konevova 198 Fight jetlag = switch to Prague time immediately
ARRIVING IN PRAGUE AT THE AIRPORT IMPORTANT: Say you are a tourist, if asked at customs/immigration (not that you are studying b/c of visa issues) Get some cash (ATM, exchange) Last chance for Convertors/Adapters?
MONEY Currency: Koruna (CZK; symbol Kč) or Crown Notes are in denominations of 5000, 2000, 1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50 Kč. Keep in mind: 2000 CZK ≈ 100 USD ≠ 1 Euro-dog Currency Exchange: Foreign currency can be exchanged at some banks, authorized exchange offices, main hotels and road border crossings. Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs: Major cards such as Visa, Master. Card and American Express may be used to exchange currency and are also accepted in some hotels, restaurants and shops, and at ATMs. *Best option* Not accepted at all shops Let your bank know you will be using your card abroad Travelers’ Cheques: These are accepted in banks, but only rarely in hotels and almost never in restaurants. Banking Hours: Generally Mon-Fri 8: 00 -17: 00. (Close early on Saturdays. )
GETTING FROM THE AIRPORT TO YOUR DORMS Distance from airport to dorm (40 min-1 hr), cab fares, can plan to cab-pool 1. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION 2. TAXI 3. MINIBUS / AIRPORT SHUTTLE
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION (1) PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION = a) Bus b) Subway (METRO) c) Tram * Recommended: Day pass * You will get a month pass on Sunday at the orientation
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION (2) PRAGUE INTEGRATED TRANSPORT (PIT) WHERE TO BUY A TICKET? WHAT TO DO NOW? VALIDATE YOUR TICKET or you will be fined!
TAXI WATCH OUT! Taxis are not safe everywhere Avoid flagging down a taxi Use companies with a good reputation, such as: AAA (Discount) City taxi
MINIBUS / SHUTTLE A reputable company CEDAZ provides Regular shuttle bus from Prague - Ruzyně Airport to the centre of Prague and back according to regular schedule. ~ 6 people
CHECK-IN &ON-SITE ORIENTATION Move-in begins Saturday, June 2 nd Rooms not available in advance Must move-in by Sunday, June 3 rd **On-site Orientation** at 4: 00 PM on Sunday Dorm check-in process Show passport Get keys & dorm ID (fee if you lose it) Liaison walking tour of dorm/surroundings
VSE DORMS: “JAROV” • • • You’re given the choice of requesting roommates 2 people per room, 2 -3 rooms per suite Each suite equipped with “kitchenette” and bathroom/shower Various room sizes per suite, random room assignment • Small refrigerator and stove top, NO microwave or oven • Dishes and eating utensils may NOT be provided • • • Internet Access by ethernet cable (fast) Linens/towels supplied and changed semi-regularly Laundry facility located in dorm for a small fee NO dryers (use a “hanging horse”) Basic fitness room available for small fee • NOT fully equipped
Jarov dorm rooms Bathroom: toilet, shower “Kitchenette” Bed, shelves, closet, desk possible suite layout (can be 1 or 2 bathrooms per suite)
VSE DORMS: “JAROV” MAP & City Information ADDRESS of “Jarov” Dorms: Konevova 198 Praha 3 130 00 Czech Republic Expectations: Soviet-style building in a working class neighborhood Same dorm used by VSE students Used as hostel for summer 5+ blocks, several floors… not sure what to expect Roommate sign-up through CIBER
YOUR HOST UNIVERSITY Vysoká škola ekonomická v Praze (University of Economics in Prague) meeting place: Churchill statue
COURSE INFORMATION ACCOUNTING ACC 380 K. 19 - Int’l Accounting Policies & Procedures (3 credits) BHP Dr. Kristina Zvinakis (UT) Prof. J. Kamas (UT) ACC 380 K. 20 - Int’l and European Accounting Standards (3 credits) Dr. Marcela Žárová (VSE) FIN 357 H - Business Finance Honors, core class (3 credits) Dr. Jay Harzell (UT) Dr. Greg Hallman (UT) IB 372 - Int’l Business (3 credits) Prof. Jaroslav Halik (VSE)
WEEKLY CULTURAL EXCURSIONS Cultural excursions are not mandatory, but it is highly encouraged that all students attend. You will not be reimbursed for cost if you do not attend Cultural excursions will be M-Th either before or after class All entrance fees are included in your program fee Possible Cultural Excursions: Museum of Communism Jazz Boat Dinner Cruise Classical Music Concert
BOHEMIA WEEKEND TRIP!
MORE INFO ON WEEKEND TRIP Spend 2 days touring this historical and beautiful region of the Czech Republic. . . a unique opportunity to explore the country and get to know one another in the program. When: Friday, June 8 – Saturday, June 9, 2012 What: transportation via coach bus, English speaking tour guide, entrance to select museums & tours, accommodations at hostel/hotel Cost: $100 USD Deadline to sign-up and submit payment: Monday, April 30, 2012
CALLING HOME http: //www. skype. com/intl/en-us/home: All you need is a computer with a microphone and speakers. This is by far the easiest way to do it and it’s free. U. S. cell phone: If unlocked, you can make international calls, but you will pay roaming charges. Czech cell phone: You can purchase a non-contract cell phone and buy recharge cards for more minutes.
LAW ENFORCEMENT AND LOCAL LAWS
RISK MANAGEMENT Use your common sense, be aware of your surroundings Don’t go out alone Make sure you have a way to contact us Always carry a little cash (not a lot) You are subject to the Mc. Combs School Professionalism Policy, abide by it
COUNTRY SPECIFIC EMERGENCY CONTACT CARDS
WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Your wallet was stolen! You start feeling very ill one evening. You lost your passport…
QUESTIONS
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