Budget
Program Fee: $2,200 USD
Estimated Total Cost
Airfare: $1,100
Airport Transportation: $160
Meals not covered by program fee: $250
Miscellaneous Expenses/Intl Insurance: $150
Total=$3,860
Students can apply for a $1,000 EL award to reduce the estimated cost to $2,860
Important Dates
Students can apply for a $1,000 MIIS Experiential Learning award to offset the cost to participate in this program. This brings the estimated cost of the 2.5 week program down to $2,860.
Application Deadline: November 1
Deposit Deadline: $500 partial payment of $2,200 program fee due November 15 (confirmation from MIIS financial aid can be accepted in lieu of partial payment). This fee is refundable if the program is cancelled.
Program Fee Balance Due: $1,700 due December 1
Other Required Meetings
Pre-Program Meeting 1: Friday, November 17 (9:30-10:30am PT)
Pre-Program Meeting 2: Friday, December 1 (10-11am PT)
Information from Previous Programs
Itinerary
Details forthcoming. Participants should plan on flying into Vienna or Prague at least the day before the start of the program and the day after the program ends respectively. The group will spend the final two days of the program in Vienna. View sample schedule from 2023.
Course Logistics
Reactor location
The VR-1 reactor is located in the northern part of Prague easily reachable by taxi or public transport from the historical city centre (15-20 minutes).
Computers and Internet connection
During the course, lecture room will be available for participants equipped with enough computers (English Windows OS with Microsoft Office) connected to the Internet. Also participants can connect to our wireless internet.
Site visits
All technical visits will be organized by CTU staff.
Lunch & Refreshment
Lunches are available at the cafeteria within the university campus (for very affordable prices). Tea and coffee will be provided by reactor staff during shorts coffee breaks in in the university campus.
Culture program
Reactor staff will organize sightseeing tour in the old Prague quarters (Prague castle, Charles bridge, Old-town square, etc.) or tour to the famous Karlstejn Castle upon the request.
Transport from hotel to the reactor
The hotel and research reactor are within walking distance.
Public transport
Wide network of metro, tram & bus lines is the best way to reach any place in Prague quickly and comfortably. The network is owned by Prague Public Transport Company. It is necessary to buy single-trip ticket in advance and the ticket should be marked in the vehicle (tram, bus or in the entrance of the metro). Reactor staff could arrange long-term tickets for the whole course (all metro, tram & bus lines) upon request.
Transportation between Vienna and Prague
The most comfortable way is via train, it takes exactly 4 hours from Prague to Vienna. One return ticket is around 40-50 EUR per person (when buying in advance), there are options for reduce fares for student groups. There are buses as well, less comfortable but one return ticket is between 30-40 EUR.
Taxi
If necessary, it is cheaper and more reliable to order taxi by telephone (for example 14014 for AAA Taxi).
Visa
Citizens of the USA don’t need a visa for visit the Czech Republic. Students hailing from other countries should research visa requirements for Austria and Czech Republic and apply for the appropriate visa on their own. If a letter of invitation is required from either CTU or MIIS, please contact Carolyn Meyer at cmeyer@middlebury.edu
Medical insurance
CTU does not guarantee any health insurance for the course participants. Reactor staff can arrange the medical insurance for urgent first aid with the co-operation of health insurance company upon request.
GeoBlue is one provider contracted through Middlebury who has monthly plans under $100. NAFSA also makes recommendations on international insurance providers.
Security Evacuation Insurance
Middlebury has an agreement with Global Rescue for medical and security advisory and evacuation services for Middlebury and MIIS students on college-sponsored activities abroad, as well as faculty and staff traveling on college business. Global Rescue is available to assist travelers affected by medical and security emergencies while studying, working, or traveling abroad. They are available to consult and ensure appropriate medical treatment or safety measures are being taken. In addition, Global Rescue will arrange for the provision of health information services through their operations team and Johns Hopkins Medicine to include medical advice, case monitoring, hospital and clinic referrals, and evacuation services. This consultation service comes at no cost to the traveler. Any costs associated with treatment, transportation, or evacuation will be the traveler’s responsibility.
Travelers in need of either of these services can contact Global Rescue at +1-617-459-4200 and identify themselves as a Middlebury/MIIS traveler. The membership card may be downloaded here.
Currency and Exchange Rate
Czech currency is CZK – koruna (crown), 1 koruna = 100 haleru. Rates as at September 2022: 1 USD ~ 22 CZK. In the city centre there are plenty of exchange offices where you can exchange money. Common credit cards are accepted mostly in the hotels, restaurants and shopping centres.
Other Resources:
Resources in the event of harassment or assault
Czech Technical University in Prague Department of Nuclear Reactors
Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering This is the only faculty in the Czech Republic that has “nuclear” departments and that enables its students to work directly on a fusion reactor and also on a fission reactor. The faculty has its own VR – 1 nuclear reactor and the Golem fusion tokamak.
