Want to go on a work placement in the Czech Republic? Then you’ve come to the right place! Here’s an article by International Horizons about the Czech Republic. Here we give you some advice on doing an internship abroad in the Czech Republic!
tips for an internship abroad in the Czech Republic: the budget
First of all, travel from France to the Czech Republic can vary depending on the time of year and the options you choose. If you book your plane tickets well in advance and opt for low-cost flights, you can find good prices. On average, you can expect to pay between €100 and €300 for a return ticket, depending on the season and the city of departure.
Once here, local transport in Prague and Brno is well developed and affordable. Students generally benefit from discounts on public transport passes. A monthly pass for trams, buses and the metro costs around €25-30 in Prague and a little less in Brno.
For accommodation, if you’re looking for a studio, prices vary according to location and size. In Prague, you can expect to pay between €400 and €600 a month for a studio. In Brno, rents are slightly lower, and you can find a studio for around €300 to €500 a month. If you prefer to share, this can be more economical, with shared rents of between €200 and €400 a month, depending on the size of the flat and the number of flatmates.
When it comes to food, supermarkets offer good value for money. Allow around 150 to 200 euros a month for a balanced, economical diet. If you like to eat out from time to time, allow an extra budget of around 10 to 20 euros per meal, depending on where you eat.
As for leisure activities, there is plenty to discover in Prague and Brno. Bars and cafés are fairly affordable, with local beers often costing less than €2. For nightlife in discos, expect to pay between €5 and €15 on average, depending on the establishment and special evenings. For restaurants, the budget varies, but you can find good restaurants offering delicious food at reasonable prices, with a full meal starting at around 10 euros.
To sum up, for a work placement in the Czech Republic in Prague or Brno as a student, plan on a monthly budget of around 800 to 1000 euros, depending on your choices of accommodation, transport, food and leisure activities. Of course, it’s always possible to adjust according to your preferences and lifestyle, but this estimate should give you a general idea of the costs you should expect to incur for this enriching experience in these two fascinating cities in the Czech Republic.
Where to change my currency in the Czech Republic
It is generally more advantageous to change your euros into Czech crowns once you have arrived in the Czech Republic. Exchange offices located in the city centres of major cities such as Prague and Brno generally offer more competitive exchange rates than those offered at the airport.
Exchange offices located in tourist areas may also apply less favourable exchange rates, so it is advisable to go to exchange offices located outside very tourist areas to obtain better rates.
Before you leave, it’s a good idea to bring a few euros in cash for initial expenses on arrival, such as transport costs from the airport or small immediate expenses. Once there, you can look for a currency exchange office in the city centre to get a better rate for changing most of your euros into Czech koruna.
It is also essential to check the commission charges or additional fees applied by the exchange offices before proceeding with the exchange. Exchange offices that do not charge commission may be more advantageous.
If you need to use foreign currency regularly during your stay in the Czech Republic, you might also consider using an international bank card, which will allow you to withdraw money from cash machines at generally competitive exchange rates. Be sure to check the international withdrawal charges applied by your bank to avoid extra charges.
To sum up, to get the best exchange rate, we recommend that you change most of your euros into Czech koruna at a currency exchange office in the centre of Prague or Brno once you’ve arrived in the Czech Republic. Keep a few euros in cash for immediate expenses on arrival. Avoid exchange offices at the airport and in tourist areas, as they may offer less advantageous exchange rates.
Tips for going on an internship abroad in the Czech Republic to help you settle in
Here are a few tips to help you settle into life in the Czech Republic and make the most of your stay here:
- Learn a few Czech words: Although many Czechs speak English, learning a few basic phrases in Czech shows your interest in their language and culture. Simple expressions like “dobrý den” (hello), “prosím” (please) and “děkuji” (thank you) will be appreciated.
- Take an interest in Czech culture: Familiarise yourself with Czech history, music, cuisine, traditions and customs. Taking part in local cultural events, visiting museums and trying traditional Czech cuisine will give you a better understanding and appreciation of the country’s culture.
- Meet local people: Join student groups or local associations, take part in social and sporting events, or use apps to meet local people with similar interests. Interacting with Czechs will help you integrate and make new friends.
- Be open-minded: Respect cultural differences and be open-minded towards local customs and values. Being curious and respectful of Czech traditions will encourage positive interactions with the locals.
- Exploring the country: Take advantage of your stay to explore the different regions of the Czech Republic. The country offers a variety of landscapes, historic cities and magnificent natural sites. Travelling around the country will allow you to discover its cultural and geographical diversity.
- Participate in student activities: Join student clubs, attend university events and take part in student activities. This will enable you to meet other international and Czech students, as well as immersing yourself in local student life.
- Respect local rules: Be aware of local laws and rules, and respect the social customs of the country. Politeness and respect are important values in the Czech Republic, so make sure you behave appropriately in different situations.
Broaden your horizons: Take advantage of this experience to broaden your horizons, discover new activities, try dishes you’ve never tasted before and explore areas that are less familiar to you. This will help you grow as an individual and enrich your experience abroad.
And if you want more information, we’ve got a blog about the cultural differences between France and the Czech Republic!
Advice for your work placement abroad in the Czech Republic: that’s it, the rest you’ll have to discover for yourself during your work placement abroad. The Czech Republic really is an atypical European country that’s easy to get to, safe, and where you’ll be able to meet lots of Erasmus and local people. Are you convinced? Contact us and we’ll send you on an internship in the Czech Republic!
For more general questions, visit the International Horizons Internships Abroad FAQ.