Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
WELCOME GUIDE
FOR
EXCHANGE STUDENTS
2014/2015
FACULTY OF ECONOMICS
VŠB – TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF OSTRAVA
CZECH REPUBLIC
http://www.ekf.vsb.cz/en/
(February 2013)
Contacts – International Office, Faculty of Economics ............................................................. 2
Office Hours .................................................................................................................................... 3
Staff: ................................................................................................................................................. 3
ACADEMIC CALENDAR AND PUBLIC HOLIDAY ....................................................................... 4
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 5
VŠB – TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF OSTRAVA ....................................................................... 6
FACULTY OF ECONOMICS .............................................................................................................. 6
Study for Exchange Students .......................................................................................................... 7
Programmes for International Students ................................................................................. 7
Erasmus Programme ........................................................................................................................ 8
HOW TO STUDY AT THE FACULTY OF ECONOMICS ............................................................ 9
EXAMINATIONS ......................................................................................................................... 10
GRADING SYSTEM ...................................................................................................................... 10
Students´ Life .................................................................................................................................... 11
STUDENT CANTEENS ................................................................................................................ 11
LIBRARY .......................................................................................................................................... 11
COMPUTER UNIT ......................................................................................................................... 12
SPORTS FACILITIES ................................................................................................................. 12
PRACTICAL INFORMATION ......................................................................................................... 13
BEFORE ARRIVING IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC ................................................................ 13
HOW TO GET TO OSTRAVA ................................................................................................... 14
UPON ARRIVAL IN OSTRAVA ................................................................................................ 14
Orientation Days ........................................................................................................................... 15
CZECH REPUBLIC .............................................................................................................................. 19
History .............................................................................................................................................. 19
Climate .............................................................................................................................................. 19
Geography ........................................................................................................................................ 19
Ostrava ................................................................................................................................................. 20
Survival Czech ................................................................................................................................. 21
2
Contacts – International Office, Faculty of Economics
The International Office has a staff of three, plus number of student assistants. We will guide you
through the first days of your stay and you can reach at least one of us every day during normal office
hours.
The International Office is situated in the building of the Faculty of Economics, block A, first floor,
offices A 208. The Faculty of Economics is situated at Sokolská třída 33, Ostrava 1.
Our address:
Websites:
http://www.ekf.vsb.cz/k163/en/okruhy/students/
http://www.ekf.vsb.cz/en/
3
Office Hours
Monday 9.00 - 11.00, 12.00 – 14.30
Tuesday 9.00 - 11.00, 12.00 – 14:30
Wednesday 9.00 - 11.00, 12.30 – 14.30
Staff:
Ing. Mária Jašková, Ph.D.
International Office Coordinator, Outgoing students
Room A 208
Tel.: +420-59699/2317, 59732/2317
Fax: +420-596110058
E-mail: [email protected]
Lucie Svobodová, DiS.
Assistant for Incoming Students
Room A 208
Tel.: +420-59699/2184, 59732/2184
Fax.: +420-596110058
E-mail: [email protected]
Student Assistant for Outgoing Students
E-mail: [email protected]
4
ACADEMIC CALENDAR AND PUBLIC HOLIDAY
The Faculty of Economics follows a two-semester academic year. Schedule of the academic year1:
mid September start of lectures in the winter semester
September 28 Public Holiday (Day of Czech Statehood)
October 28 Public Holiday (Czechoslovak Independence Day)
November 17 Public Holiday (Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day)
before Christmas Holidays end of lectures in the winter semester
December 24–31 Christmas Holidays
January 1 New Year´s day
January winter examination period
beginning of February start of lectures in the summer semester
March 27 Day of Teachers
March, April Easter Monday
May 1 Public Holiday (Labour Day)
May 8 Public Holiday (Liberation Day)
mid May end of lectures in the summer semester
May, June summer examination period
July, August Summer Holidays
Winter semester: mid September + 13 weeks
Exam period (WS): 6 weeks (January, February)
Welcome week: first week in the winter semester
Summer semester: beginning of February + 13 weeks
Exam period (SS): 8 weeks (May – mid July)
Welcome week: first week in the summer semester
1 The schedule will be specified before the new academic year starts.
5
INTRODUCTION
The aim of this guide is to familiarize foreign students with studying at the Faculty of Economics of
the Technical University of Ostrava and also to provide them with basic practical information
necessary for day-to-day life in Ostrava as well as in the Czech Republic generally. The guide will not
answer every question and problem students will have at the beginning of their studies in this country,
but with the assistance of the Faculty of Economics International Office and its staff, students´ lives in
Ostrava will be a bit comfortable.
6
VŠB – TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF OSTRAVA
VŠB -Technical University of Ostrava was founded in 1849 in Pribram, and in 1945
was moved to Ostrava, which became the main centre for the mining and
metallurgical industries in the former Czechoslovakia. In 1973, most of the
University was moved to a modern complex of buildings in Ostrava-Poruba.
Currently the VŠB -Technical University of Ostrava has seven faculties:
Faculty of Economics
Faculty of Civil Engineering
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics
Faculty of Mining and Geology
Faculty of Metallurgy and Material Engineering
Faculty of Safety Engineering
Almost 20,000 students study at these faculties. The smooth operation of the University is ensured by its
capable staff of almost 2,000, with tuition being provided by over 900 lecturers. VŠB -Technical University of
Ostrava is a public university.
FACULTY OF ECONOMICS
The main part of the university is located at the campus in Poruba; only the Faculty of Economics is situated in
the centre of Ostrava. The Faculty of Economics has always been relatively independent from VŠB - Technical
University of Ostrava. It was founded in 1977 and today it has approximately 5,200 students and is the biggest
faculty of the University. Tuition at the Faculty is provided by 220 lecturers in addition to numerous external
teachers and experts employed in industry, commerce and the public sector.
The Faculty of Economics offers a wide range of degree programmes – including
Bachelor’s, Master’s and doctoral degrees – on a daily basis from the fields of
economics, management, economic policy and administration, informatics and systems
engineering. The Faculty also organises a number of short-term and long-term courses of
lifelong education for companies, institutions and individuals. Graduates of the Faculty of
Economics go on to make careers in companies, public administration,
banking and individual business activity.
The international focus of the Faculty allows tuition to keep up to date with the latest
developments in economic theory and managerial practice. Current academic knowledge
from the Czech Republic and around the world is fully applied in the Faculty’s
programmes, as is a wide range of experience of global world economic development. In
conjunction with Liverpool John Moores University, the Faculty offers prestigious three-
year MBA studies.
Teaching and research activities are carried out by means of seventeen departments:
Economics, Management, Marketing and Business, Accounting, Regional Economics,
Law, European Integration, Economics Journalism, Mathematical Methods in
Economics, Business Administration, Public Economics, Finance, Applied Informatics, Systems Engineering,
National Economics, Institute of Doctoral and Managerial Studies and Education Innovation Institute. (a part of
this institute is also a center for handicapped students – Slunečnice – which was founded in 2005 and helps
these students during their study). The Faculty also includes the International Office and the Computer Unit.
7
Study for Exchange Students
Programmes for International Students
The Faculty of Economics works intensively to expand its range of courses in foreign languages
available to both local and foreign students. International students can choose not only individual
courses but also complete degree programmes.
The Bachelor’s degree programmes last three years (6 semesters) and is worth 180 ECTS.
The Master’s programmes last two years (4 semesters) and is worth 120 ECTS.
The doctoral studies last from three to six years.
Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes are offered in English, all doctoral study programmes are
in English, while Business and Management, Systems Engineering and Informatics are also in
German.
The possibilities for foreign students include:
1. Complete Degree Programmes for Full-time Students
Bachelor’s Degree Programme Economic Policy and Administration
Branch of study: Finance
Bachelor’s Degree Programme Economics and Management
Branch of study: European Business Studies
Master’s Degree Programme Economic Policy and Administration
Branch of study: Finance
Master’s Degree Programme Economics and Management
Branch of study: Marketing and Business
Doctoral Studies Programmes
Economic Theories
Economy and Management
Economic Policy and Administration
Systems Engineering and Informatics
More information about doctoral studies programmes is available at http://www.ekf.vsb.cz/k162/en/
ENROLMENT CRITERIA
1. Application Form
2. Copies of relevant diplomas (secondary school leaving certificate, university degree diploma
etc.)
8
3. CV
4. Language Certificate (if available)
5. Transcript of Records
For detailed information see our websites at http://www.ekf.vsb.cz/k163/en/okruhy/students/programs/
2. Programmes for Exchange Students
Exchange students (Erasmus and others) can choose from a wide range of courses offered by all our
departments in English as well as additional courses in German and Spanish. The updated list of
courses taught in a particular academic year can be found on our website:
http://www.ekf.vsb.cz/k163/en/students/erasmus/list/.
Erasmus Programme
This programme took aim at strengthening the European dimension in
the area of higher education. There are no priorities for the ERASMUS
programme. Each activity included in the ERASMUS programme has its
rules, but from the view of branches they are open to everybody. In
addition to EU countries, the programme is available also to EFTA
group countries and to countries of Central and Eastern Europe, and
Cyprus.
Registration
Exchange students (Erasmus and others) can choose from a wide range of courses offered by all our
departments in English as well as additional courses in German and
Spanish. The current list of courses taught in a particular academic year
can be found in our Guide or on our websites in the List of Courses.
As an ERASMUS student at the Faculty of Economics, you will have to
fill in the following forms before you arrive in the Czech Republic:
1. Student Application Form
2. Learning Agreement
All forms must be completed and returned together with a copy of your passport and two passport
photos to the International Office, Faculty of Economics before:
15 May for the winter semester (30 April if you need to apply for visa)
30 November for the summer semester (30 October if you need to apply for visa)
Both forms must be signed by people responsible for you (institutional coordinator, departmental
coordinator) before sending them to the Faculty of Economics.
9
HOW TO STUDY AT THE FACULTY OF ECONOMICS
The courses you have chosen may be organised as lectures, seminars, tutorials and projects. (Teaching
methods include lectures, tutorials, seminars and casework.) At the beginning of a semester your
course tutor will provide you with a course description giving you the general framework of the course
and the list of recommended or required reading.
Your Learning Agreement Form serves as a registration document for
examinations. All examination dates will be announced by the relevant
course tutor at the introductory lesson of each course. Results for oral
or written examinations will be announced immediately and entered in
the Report on Study Results which, after passing all examinations,
should be handed in to the International Office. This completed form
will serve as a background document for the Transcript of Records.
The Transcript of Records will be sent to your university approximately three weeks after the
examinations have finished.
Study of the Czech language: Students who are interested in acquiring a basic communicative
knowledge of the Czech language may attend a once-weekly course in Czech to be held at the
University in both semesters.
10
EXAMINATIONS
Examinations can be taken throughout the
whole academic year. Examinations may be
oral, oral and written, or written. The type and
date of examinations is determined by the
relevant tutor at the beginning of the semester,
individually, for each type of course. If a student
fails in an examination, he/she can repeat it
twice; the examiner will specify the retake
dates. If you should fall ill and therefore be
unable to participate in or complete an
examination, you may be given permission to
take the examination again. You must get a
medical certificate from your doctor on the day
of the examination and send it to the
International Office. Students sitting for an
examination must bring their own pens and a
pocket calculator when necessary. The Faculty
provides paper and only the officially provided
paper may be used.
ECTS
Grading
Scale
Faculty of
Economics
Grade
Definition
A 1 excellent
B 2+ very good
C 2 good
D 3 satisfactory
E 3- sufficient
FX 4 fail
F 4 fail
GRADING SYSTEM
This table shows the grading system for the
evaluation of foreign students studying at
the Faculty of Economics on ERASMUS
programme (or other foreign students).
11
Students´ Life
STUDENT CANTEENS
One student canteen is located on the University campus, and another is
in the city centre. There are five meals to choose from every lunchtime
or dinnertime. The price of one meal is 2 - 3 EUR.
LIBRARY
The main part of the Library is situated on the University
campus, but a smaller section of the Library is situated at
the Faculty of Economics. The opening hours of the
Library at the University campus are:
Mon, Tues, Wed 08.00 – 17.00
Thurs 10.00 – 17.00
Fri 08.00 – 15.30
The University Library offers a wide range of services to academic staff and students as well as
cooperating with other libraries at both the national and international level. The Library at the Faculty
of Economics mainly stocks literature on business economics, but it also caters for other subjects. You
can also order a book to be delivered from the main campus to the Faculty of Economics library.
The Library monitors the internet regularly in order to keep up to date on subjects of interest in the
fields of business and economics. Via the Library’s homepage, you can reach sites where relevant
information may be retrieved.
12
COMPUTER UNIT
An extensive Faculty computer network has been
operating at the Faculty of Economics since 1991. It is
also possible to use the internet via this network,
which includes 12 central computers.
Exchange students can access the internet in the
computer room at the Faculty of Economics, but we
recommend you bring your own notebook with you to
Ostrava.
All computer rooms are open Mon - Thurs from 7.00.
to 20.00. and Fri from 7.00 to 17.00.
SPORTS FACILITIES
The University campus offers various opportunities for leisure. Sports facilities include sports grounds,
gymnasiums, tennis courts, fitness centres, and a sauna. Students can choose from a wide range of
sports – badminton, basketball, cycling, floorball, football, ice hockey, swimming, table tennis, tennis,
volleyball, yoga, aerobics, track and field, handball, dancing, climbing, indoor football, bodybuilding
and rowing.
13
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
BEFORE ARRIVING IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
When you are nominated by your university as an Erasmus student, please
fill in the enclosed Student Application Form and Learning Agreement and
send them to us. We will confirm the Application Form and Learning
Agreement and send them back to you together with a Letter of Acceptance.
Visa and Residence Permit
EU Students:
Students from the EU countries, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and some other countries
DO NOT NEED A VISA to come and study in the Czech Republic. To enter the CR, EU students need
only a VALID PASSPORT OR NATIONAL ID CARD.
EU citizens may apply for a temporary residence permit if they intend to stay in the CR more than 3
months.
Non-EU Students:
Students from other countries are required to have a valid visa for their stay in the CR.
Note!!!!! You can only apply for the permit outside of the Czech Republic. Application on Czech
territory is impossible; the application has to be submitted to the Czech embassy or Consulate in the
student’s home country. It is necessary to apply for visa as soon as one received the letter of
acceptance, because this procedure can take up to 60 days.
Basic documents necessary for a visa:
1. original visa application form
2. letter of acceptance
3. valid passport
4. 2 passport-size photographs
5. confirmation of accommodation in the CR
6. financial contract or other supporting documents of financial support for your stay in the CR
7. official extract from the CR Criminal Record Register, confirming that the applicant has not
been prosecuted and punished for criminal acts in the CR
14
HOW TO GET TO OSTRAVA
It is possible to arrive in Ostrava by plane, either from Prague or
Vienna. Ostrava-Mošnov airport is about 25 km from Ostrava city
centre and can be reached by taxi – the fare is around 35 EUR.
There are two ways to get from Prague airport to Prague city centre, to
the main railway station “Hlavní nádraží”. If you have to use a taxi, be
sure that you have agreed a price at the beginning of the journey
(around 30 EUR). Or you can go by bus and use the metro
(underground). Bus and metro tickets (32 CZK) are sold at the
newsstand in the airport or in the yellow ticket machines at the bus
stop. Take bus no. 119 (every 10 minutes from 4.30 to 22.30) for the metro station Dejvická. The
journey takes about 25 min. At the Dejvická metro station it is possible to transfer to the underground
green line (line A); change at Muzeum station (city centre) to the red
line (C) and ride one stop to the Hlavní nádraží station (the main
railway station).
The train journey from Prague to Ostrava takes around 4 hours.
Ostrava has four railway stations. For you the best one to use is
Ostrava–Svinov station. A one-way ticket from Prague to Ostrava
costs approximately 20 EUR.
If a student lets the International Office staff know three weeks in
advance what his or her travel plans are, they will arrange for the
student to be met either at Ostrava–Svinov railway station or at
Mošnov airport on their arrival. (Please, fill in Arrival Form.)
In Ostrava
Student Halls of Residence at the University campus are situated in Poruba. From the Ostrava-Svinov
railway station the campus can be reached by tram no. 8 heading away from Ostrava city centre (tram
stop “17. listopadu”).
The Faculty of Economics is situated in the city centre. From the University campus in Poruba it can
be reached by trams nos. 8 heading towards Ostrava city centre (tram stop Stodolní).
UPON ARRIVAL IN OSTRAVA
The first thing students should do is to go to the accommodation assigned to
them.
During “Orientation Days” following your arrival in Ostrava, a meeting will
take place where you will get all necessary information about your studies at the
Faculty of Economics and your accommodation. You will also confirm your
enrolment and a student identity card will be arranged for you.
Each student is provided with a student identity card stating his/her name and
identity code. It is important that you always carry your student identity card;
without it you cannot use the Library, computer rooms, University canteens,
and sports facilities. Some museums and other facilities also grant discounts to students who show a
valid student card. We recommend you arrange your international student card (ISIC) before leaving
home.
15
ACCOMMODATION
An Accommodation Registration Form must be completed and returned to the International Office at
the Faculty of Economics before:
15 May for the winter semester
30 November for the summer semester
It is not easy to find a private room, and that is why accommodation is provided in the student Halls of
Residence at the University campus. There are newly renovated student Halls of Residence on the
University campus in Poruba located about 11 km from the centre of Ostrava (20 min by tram). There
are also a number of cafeterias and snack bars on site. Students pay around 100 EUR per month and
share a room with another student. Every room is equipped with basic items of furniture. There are two
rooms within one accommodation segment, plus a shared bathroom. There are several communal
kitchens on each floor, and students also have access to washing machines and a drying room. Rooms
are equipped with basic facilities, and you do not need to bring bedding and bed linen.
Internet access is available only in some rooms. Otherwise, students have the option of using computer
rooms on the University campus.
Partners can have a shared room in the hostel if they ask for it in time.
Taken into consideration a growing number of exchange students it is almost impossible to stay alone
in a two-bed room.
Rent is always payable no later than the 15th of each month and must be paid in cash. In addition to a
monthly-paid rent, students have to pay a deposit at the rate of 5,000 CZK after their arrival in Ostrava
if they want to stay in the Halls of Residence at VSB-TU Ostrava in Poruba. This sum will be given
back on condition the accommodated person has paid the rent and returned the room undamaged and
tidy on vacating the accommodation.
Detailed information, room possibilities and the price list can be found at
http://accommodation.vsb.cz
Orientation Days
At the beginning of your stay in Ostrava, everything will be new: the
country, university, city, people, and language. Therefore the ESC
(Erasmus Student´s Club) organizes the “Orientation Days” prior to the
start of both the winter and summer semesters. During these days
international students get to know some aspects of the country, city and
Faculty. They contact the Faculty’s Erasmus coordinator and arrange a
meeting to discuss the schedule of their programmes. The Faculty
Erasmus coordinator will help them with all the necessary documents
required for obtaining a student transport pass, access to the university canteen and library access.
Students also have a chance to meet their Czech counterparts. The highlight of this first week is a party
with representatives of the Faculty. Orientation Days are held first week before the official start of the
semester. Buddies will help you with arranging bank accounts, travel cards, ISIC cards etc.
16
COST OF LIVING
International students should have sufficient funds to cover their expenses while studying in the Czech
Republic. Living expenses for the average student in Ostrava are about 6,000 CZK (250 EUR) per
month.
Transport: 300 CZK
Books: 400 CZK
Accommodation: 3.000 CZK
Food: 3.500 CZK
HEALTH INSURANCE
All exchange students must arrange their own health insurance and it is strongly recommended that
you arrange third party liability insurance. You can inform your home insurance agent about your stay
in the Czech Republic. Medical care is provided free of charge for foreign visitors only in emergency
situations; otherwise there is a charge. You may be asked to show your health insurance card by the
admissions officer. A general practitioner and a dentist can be seen in the modern Health Centre next
to the Halls of Residence in Ostrava–Poruba.
Medical care for EU/EEA citizens who are properly insured in their home countries is provided in
compliance with the Council (EEC) Regulation No. 1408/71 and the Council (EEC) implementing
Regulation No. 574/72 - detailed information is available on the website of the Centre for International
Reimbursements (www.cmu.cz)
Note please that the expenses for repatriation are not covered by the provisions of the aforementioned
Council Regulations and it is therefore advisable to contract an insurance policy to this end.
As regards non-EU/EEA citizens, medical care is provided to the extent stipulated in the respective
intergovernmental/inter-ministerial agreement under which the scholarship is awarded. If the
agreement concerned does not provide for any coverage of medical care, the admitted applicants are
required to arrange a health insurance policy for the period of their stay in the Czech Republic (for
details please consult the consular section of the Czech Embassy in your country).
BANK ACCOUNTS
Exchange students may be able to open a student bank account on arrival. Student account holders
receive a bank card which is accepted by all cash machines and shops, and they also get internet access
to their account (entirely free of charge). Not every bank will provide account facilities to foreigners.
That is why using an international credit card will usually be the easiest and most convenient way of
withdrawing your money.
In order to exchange your money you can go to any bank or exchange office, which buy and sell
currencies according to the daily exchange rate.
Bank accounts are necessary especially if you would like to receive the accommodation scholarship
from VSB. Accomodation scholarship is for ERASMUS students only.
SPORTS AND LEISURE
The City of Ostrava offers visitors various opportunities to practice sports and enjoy your leisure time:
Indoor swimming pool (swimming pool, sauna, solarium)
17
Fitness centres
Indoor sports (ice hockey, volleyball, basketball, floorball, squash, bowls, billiards, handball, horse
riding)
Outdoor sports (hiking, cycling, horse riding)
Ostrava zoo
The viewing tower of the New City Hall (86 m high)
Astronomical observatory and planetarium
Open-air coal mining museum
Many places of interest around the City of Ostrava
UNIVERSITY SPORTS CLUB
Members of the University Sports Club have access to all sports activities free
of charge. You can choose from badminton, volleyball, basketball, football,
swimming, tennis, aerobics and many others. Sports equipment is available for
all the courses (for a small fee).
SOCIAL LIFE
3 theatres (all performing at high standards)
2 cinemas, 1 multiplex cinema
various cultural facilities (9 cultural centres, the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra of Ostrava, the
Ostrava Conservatory)
rock clubs (Parník, Rokle, Sklep). Stodolní Street with its many bars and music clubs
a wide range of restaurants
l6 galleries and exhibition halls
specialist restaurants (Indian, Asian, Greek, Italian, Spanish …)
department stores, supermarkets (9.00–22.00), hypermarkets (24 hours), McDonalds’, and a
number of other specialised shops (usually open Monday to Friday 9.00–18.00 p.m. and Saturday
9.00–l2.00 a.m.)
banks (open Monday to Friday 8.00–l7.00)
Credit cards are becoming more widely accepted now, but are still not commonplace. Most
hypermarkets and large supermarkets accept credit cards, as do most of the shops in the centre of
Ostrava. The most widely accepted credit cards are: MasterCard/EuroCard, Visa, Diner’s Club, and
Maestro.
18
TELEPHONES
International calls: The country code for the Czech Republic is +420. It is possible to dial directly
from the Czech Republic to the full range of foreign countries from call boxes using a phone card. To
make a direct call, dial 00 + country code + number.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
It is possible to reach any destination in Ostrava using the city’s public transport system (buses, trams
and trolley buses). A 60-minute ticket costs 26 CZK, a 15-minute one 16 CZK.
There is an option to buy long-term tickets (for a month 10 EUR or a quarter of a year 23 EUR). Taxis
are available, but they are rather expensive in comparison to city public transport.
IMPORTANT ADDRESSES AND PHONE NUMBERS
International emergency
number
112
Emergency numbers (fire) 150
Emergency numbers
(ambulance)
155
Emergency numbers (police) 158
Information about Czech phone
numbers
1180
Information about phone
numbers abroad
1181
Traffic Accident Service 1230
Hospital Poruba 597 374 506
Health Service-phone 596 121 111
Ostrava City Transport
Information
597 401 555
Ostrava Airport 597 471 136
Main Railway Station -
information
596 185 505
Bus and Coach Information 596 633 751(Czech lines)
596 626 731(international
lines)
Ostrava City Information
Centre
Nádražní 7/686, 702 Ostrava 1
tel./fax: 596 123 913
Services offered: street finder, information on domestic bus timetables and bus tours abroad, train and
airline timetables, taxi services, tickets to theatres and concerts, maps, souvenirs, postcards, phone
cards, city transport tickets, accommodation arrangements, guides and interpreting services.
19
CZECH REPUBLIC
The Czech Republic is a formation of three historical lands of the
imperial and royal Crown - Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia. At the head
of the Republic there is a president who is elected for a term of five
years by the Parliament. Parliament consists of two chambers - the
Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. The supreme body of executive
power is the Cabinet and its Prime Minister.
Area: 78,864 sq km
Population: 10.3 million
Capital: Prague
Currency: Czech crown (CZK)
Official language: Czech
Political system: A parliamentary Democracy
History
Around the 4th century B.C. the present Czech Republic was populated by Celts, the Celtic Boii tribe
gave the country its name – Bohemia, from the 5th to 6th century Czech tribes – Slavs came, in the
second half of the 9th century Christian missionaries arrived, from 9th century to 1306 a gradual
strengthening of the Czech state during the reign of the Přemyslid dynasty went on, 1355 Charles IV,
Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia came to power, 1348 Charles University of Prague was
founded, 1526 the Habsburg dynasty succeeded to the throne of Bohemia – the formation of a multi-
national empire began, 1918 proclamation of Czechoslovakia independence, 1939–1945 – German
occupation, February 1948 – Communist take-over, 1968 “Prague Spring”, 1968 August Soviet-led
armed invasion in Czechoslovakia, 1977 “Charter 77”, 1989 “Velvet Revolution”, fall of the
communist regime, beginning of democratic changes in the society, 1993 dissolution of
Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic was founded.
Climate
The Czech Republic lies in the temperate climate zone of Europe, which makes for pleasantly mild
summers and winters with only moderate amounts of precipitation. Average temperature in summer is
+20 degrees C and in the winter -6 degrees C.
Geography
The Czech Republic is situated in Central Europe. It is a land-locked country protected by mountain
rangers on all its sides and sharing borders with Germany in the west, Poland in the north, in the south
and Slovakia in the east.
20
Ostrava
Ostrava is the third biggest city in the Czech Republic, 4 hours away from Prague and
Vienna by rail and 1 hour from Prague by plane. Ostrava is
surrounded by the Beskydy and the Jeseníky mountains, the terrain
of which enable one to do all kinds of winter and summer sports including hiking,
skiing and walking tours.
The history of Ostrava dates back to the 13th century, when it was mentioned for the
first time in writing as a tributary town in testament of Bishop of Olomouc.
Discovering coal in Ostrava, establishing the iron works and connecting the city to the
Northern Ferdinand railway resulted in extensive industrialisation of Ostrava and
surroundings.
After the establishment of Czechoslovakia there was another expansion of industry
and cultural life. Today, Ostrava with its 335,000 inhabitants is strengthening its
metropolitan position as an administrative, trade, industrial and social centre of the
region, in spite of declining traditional industries which needs the complex
transformation of the region.
There are two universities in the city: the Technical University in Poruba with seven
faculties and the University of Ostrava in the centre of the city with four faculties.
21
Survival Czech
Good morning! Dobré ráno.
Good evening! Dobrý večer.
Good night! Dobrou noc.
Hello! Ahoj.
See you! Na shledanou.
Good bye! Sbohem.
Thank you! Děkuji.
Please! Prosím.
Sorry! Promiňte.
Sorry, but I don’t understand. Promiňte, ale nerozumím.
Yes. Ano.
No. Ne.
How much is it? Kolik to stojí?
Beer, please. Pivo, prosím.
Let’s go for a beer. Pojďme na pivo.
Cheers! Na zdraví.
