Czech Republic VS Belarus: find your internship abroad!

Jun 17, 2025 | Czech Republic

Czech Republic VS Belarus: the (very) honest showdown to choose your next adventure abroad

Good. You want to go abroad. Great idea.
But with dozens of possible destinations in Europe, it’s hard to know where to settle. You type on Google, read a few articles, watch a couple of YouTube videos, and in the end, you’re even more unsure than before. And that’s totally normal.
So today, let’s keep it simple. We’re going to compare two countries you might not have thought about: the Czech Republic and Belarus. Two different countries, two completely opposite experiences, and maybe your future destination for an internship, studies, or your first job.

No institutional fluff here: just an honest and 100% human comparison.

Czech Republic: the heart of Europe… and of fun

The Czech Republic is a small Central European country that has nothing to envy from its big neighbors. If you think “small country = little interest,” you’re way off.

Here, every street corner is a mix of old stones, millennia of history, and modernity. Its capital, Prague, is honestly one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. And we’re not just saying that to sell a dream: you have to go there once to understand.

Prague Castle, the old town with its cobbled streets, the Charles Bridge with its statues watching you pass by… all of this gives the city a magical vibe. But Prague is also student nights, cozy pubs, music festivals everywhere, cafés with an amazing atmosphere, and of course… beer. Lots of beer. And good beer, too.

The Czechs are actually the biggest beer consumers in the world. Here, drinking a beer on a terrace—even in winter under a heated blanket—is part of everyday life. It’s not uncommon to see students from all over the world clinking glasses together in a historic bar after classes.

And it’s not just Prague! Brno, Ostrava, Pilsen, Cesky Krumlov—each city has its own style, vibe, and cool spots to discover. You can also easily escape into nature, to the mountains in the south or the vast Czech forests.

In terms of safety, the Czech Republic is one of the safest countries in Europe. You can walk home at 3 a.m. without feeling in danger — which is far from trivial when you’re moving abroad.

Belarus: the great unknown of Eastern Europe

Belarus (or Belarus if you want to sound like a true expert) remains a big question mark for many people. Few tourists, little information, few media coverage…

Minsk, its capital, is a mix of massive Soviet architecture, very wide boulevards, but also nice cafés, really interesting museums, and pleasant parks. You can feel there’s a powerful history behind every building. A history that’s sometimes heavy, but fascinating.

For example, Independence Avenue in Minsk stretches nearly 15 kilometers: it’s one of the longest avenues in Europe. Walking along it gives you that strange feeling of being tiny amid the Soviet blocks. Some love it, others hate it, but no one remains indifferent.

And when it comes to nature, it’s truly stunning: vast endless forests, calm rivers, and European bison roaming free in the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park. If you love long walks, isolated places, and “out of this world” vibes, Belarus has plenty to offer.

But be careful: Belarus is very politically charged. Authoritarian regime, limited press freedom, restricted access to social networks, pervasive surveillance. It’s not the kind of place where you post your Instagram stories without thinking. Belarus is a life choice that’s quite radical, very far from Western standards.

Round 1: Language – what will you be speaking over there?

Czech Republic:

  • Czech is the official language.
  • But don’t worry, English is very common, especially among young people and in the workplace.
  • French? A bit less so, but the Czech Republic is an observer member of the Francophonie, so that sometimes helps.

Belarus:

  • Here, it gets complicated: Belarusian and Russian are the two main languages.
  • English is rarely spoken outside certain professional circles.
  • If you don’t speak Russian or Belarusian, you’ll often find yourself stuck.

👉 Advantage Czech Republic: much easier to get by if you speak English or French.

Round 2: finding an internship or a job – the real question

Czech Republic:

  • No visa needed if you’re European. You book your ticket, arrive, and work.
  • Many international companies are established there.
  • The sectors hiring heavily: finance, IT, communication, marketing, energy, science, engineering.
  • Very low unemployment.

Belarus:

  • Visa required, with fairly heavy administrative procedures.
  • The sectors open to foreigners are limited: mainly IT, engineering, construction, and some international projects.
  • The job market remains more closed and unstable.

👉 Big advantage for the Czech Republic: much simpler, more jobs, and significantly lighter administrative procedures.

Round 3: the people – who will you meet?

In the Czech Republic:

  • Czechs are often a bit reserved at first, but super friendly once you make the effort to reach out to them.
  • Very open to cultural exchanges.
  • Huge international student community.
  • And they know how to party. Trust us.

In Belarus:

  • Belarusians are more reserved and attached to their traditions.
  • They’re less used to being around foreigners.
  • If you stay long enough and integrate, you’ll discover very warm people who are proud of their country.
  • But the language barrier can be a hurdle at first.

👉 Advantage Czech Republic: far more opportunities, social connections, and events for students and young professionals.

Round 4: what to do during your free time?

Czech Republic:

  • Prague: you’ll never get tired of it.
  • Super diverse music festivals (Colors of Ostrava, Metronome Prague…).
  • Forests and mountains for nature lovers.
  • Castles, medieval villages, spas, hiking, climbing.
  • And always cafés, bars, and clubs to unwind after classes or work.

Belarus:

  • A vast playground for nature lovers.
  • Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park and its bison.
  • Lakes, forests, and cross-country skiing in winter.
  • Minsk offers some museums and activities, but the nightlife is more limited.
  • Ideal for true adventurers looking to go off the beaten path.

👉 Advantage Czech Republic if you’re looking for an active and varied social life. Belarus for true lovers of solitude and pure nature.

A little bonus that matters: the cost of living.

Czech Republic:

  • Reasonable cost of living for Central Europe.
  • Rent in Prague: €400–600 for a studio.
  • Affordable food and outings.
  • Public transport is super efficient and cheap.
  • A pint of beer at €2 or €3 — honestly, who can beat that?

Belarus:

  • Even lower cost of living.
  • Rent in Minsk: €200–350 for a shared apartment.
  • Local food is very affordable.
  • Transport: almost free.
  • Local currency (the Belarusian ruble) is quite unstable.

👉 Technical tie: Belarus is cheaper, but the Czech Republic remains very affordable considering the quality of life you get.

The real question in the end: what kind of experience do you want to live?

Going to the Czech Republic means choosing the perfect balance between a change of scenery and modern comfort. You’ll have a real international experience, meet students from all over Europe, and discover a beautiful, vibrant country. You’ll be able to go out, learn, work, and enjoy yourself without worrying too much about administrative hassles.

Going to Belarus means living a much more offbeat experience. It’s an almost “off-the-grid” choice for those seeking pure adventure, far from the usual paths. But let’s be clear: it’s demanding, sometimes frustrating, and often confusing.

Final verdict (and totally unapologetic):

The Czech Republic wins on almost every point.

Administrative ease, language, jobs, quality of life, social connections, activities… everything is much simpler and more enjoyable for an internship or a professional experience.

Belarus isn’t a bad choice: it’s an unusual destination, very nature-focused, with a real change of scenery. But you have to be ready to step completely out of your comfort zone and accept the administrative, linguistic, and political constraints.

If you want a great first experience abroad, meet people, improve your English (and a bit of Czech), all while living in a country with a high quality of life — go for the Czech Republic. You won’t regret it.

Now all that’s left is for you to write to us so we can organize your departure. And you? You’re already packing your bags and ready for your first “Na zdraví!” (cheers in Czech 🍻).