CIEE-Prague: Film Studies

Program Details

Program Location Prague, Czech Republic
Sponsor CIEE
Program Type Co-sponsored
Course # SA 31007
Duration Semester
Upcoming Program Dates
Spring 2025 01/13/25 to 05/10/25
Current Program Dates
Fall 2024 09/02/24 to 12/21/24
Page Links
Click here to apply for this program!
Please Note: Programs may be altered or adapted with little notice

Overview

Bring your film production, screenwriting, or film studies experience to Prague and become part of its rich filmmaking tradition that includes Miloš Forman, Agnieszka Holland, Emir Kusturica, and Jan Sverák. Whether your focus is in production or screenwriting, you’ll choose from specially designed CIEE film courses and electives at the Prague Film and Television School of the Academy of Performing Arts (FAMU), one of the preeminent film schools in Central Europe. Classes are in English and include a two-week intensive Czech language course to facilitate cultural immersion.

All courses are complemented with CIEE co-curricular activities and excursions beyond the city to enhance classroom learning and provide intercultural understanding.

Cobblestone streets, ancient bridges, and a hilltop castle help lend the City of a Hundred Spires its reputation as one of the world’s most beautiful. Prague is unique in Europe, having shed its Communist past and brimming with carefully preserved monuments from every period and style in its millennial history. There’s plenty of quirky, too, like the Zizkov Tower adorned with climbing babies, and the distinctly nontraditional Dancing House. Easy to explore on foot, the city boasts a rich cultural life that includes concerts, festivals, operas, and more – many of which you can access on a student budget.

For more program information, please visit the program website. This program is sponsored by:CIEE.

Eligibility

The program is open to Purdue students in good standing who have completed at least two semesters of university study by the start of the program. Successful candidates will demonstrate academic success, maturity, and a desire to experience another culture.

Production track: Overall GPA of 2.5 in an art-related major, preferably film. Demonstrate formal or informal experience with directing and use of digital/video camera. Portfolio sample of recent work via Vimeo/YouTube link (maximum 15 minutes in length). Sample should demonstrate a complete narrative and ability to develop a story. One or two storyboards/treatments for a short film to be shot in Prague.

Screenwriting track: Overall GPA of 3.0 in art-related major. At least two courses in screenwriting or creative writing plus an original screenplay and proposals for two additional screenplays. 

GPA Requirement: 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
Language Requirement: none


Purdue Credit

Direct Credit available from the following: [College of Liberal Arts]

Students interested in completing courses while abroad from Purdue colleges or departments that are not listed above should discuss this with their study abroad advisor before applying to the program.


Academic Program

The Film Studies program is designed for students with experience in film production, screenwriting, or film studies to hone their production and writing skills. Students choose either the production track or the screenwriting track. In the production track, students create a 16-mm film, including pre-production, production, and post production. In the screenwriting track, students begin a feature-length screenplay, completing its full treatment and writing about half of a first draft.

More information about academics can be found on the CIEE website.


Excursions

Potential excursion opportunities include:

  • Day trip to Pilsen, the fourth largest city in the Czech Republic
  • Cheer on a local sports team at a hockey game
  • Sample local Moravian wines at a sommelier-led wine tasting
  • Bike along the paths along the Vltava River and see another side of Prague
  • Watch an opera in one of the amazing baroque opera houses
  • Take part in a Czech cuisine cooking class and participate in many other Prague-based activities organized by local staff to spark your interest in local art, film, music, culture or sports.

Housing

Students may choose from three housing options:

Homestays: Live with a Czech family, with or without another CIEE student, and immerse yourself in the city’s culture. Each student has an individual room. Breakfast and dinner, on the family’s schedule, are included.

Apartments: Students can live in apartments shared with other CIEE students. If local health and safety regulations permit, most students live in double or triple rooms. Each apartment will have shared common spaces, including kitchen and bathroom.

Residence Halls: Students usually live with a mix of CIEE students, local and international students in dormitory-like buildings. If local health and safety regulations permit, most students live in double or triple rooms. Students usually share kitchens and common areas.

More information about housing options can be found on the CIEE website.


Estimated Program Costs

Students pursuing program participation accept financial responsibility. Purdue will take measures to mitigate financial risks, although will not be liable for loss.
 
Students should carefully note what costs need to be paid to Purdue University or to a co-sponsor or agency, and what costs need to be paid at the overseas study location.  This will vary by program.

The Program and Housing Fees include: Tuition, on-site orientation, homestay housing, 2 meals per day and excursions.

Please note: some housing options carry additional fees and may or may not include meals.

Costs for this program are estimated and subject to change. The cost figures listed below are for: Spring 2025

Costs per semester to be billed by Purdue and Co-sponsor
Program Fee $16,006.00
Study Abroad Fee $914.10
Housing $3,750.00
Insurance $194.00

Approximate additional costs per semester
To be paid by the student.
Round-trip Airfare $1,000.00
Local Transportation $45.00
Visa $114.00
Books and Supplies $45.00
Meals $506.00
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses $0.00 - $250.00
Travel Documents (passport, photos) $175.00

Financial Aid

CIEE has scholarships available, more information can be found HERE.

Purdue University financial aid may be applied to the costs of studying abroad. Students interested in receiving financial aid should

NOTE:  Recipients of certain tuition remission and scholarship programs should pay careful attention to the regulations for using those benefits for study abroad.  Ask your financial aid advisor about any limitations.

Click here for a list of scholarships and grants available to assist with the costs of studying overseas.


Application Deadlines

For full consideration, students must submit all supporting documents (typically an essay, transcripts, 1-2 recommendations, and copy of passport) before or by the application deadline.  Popular programs fill quickly, often before the deadline. To ensure a place in a program, apply early.

As soon as a student submits an online application, a My Study Abroad account is created. Applicants should consult this page often to check on the status of the application.

Program Application Deadline
Fall Semester Mar 1
Spring Semester Sep 1



Returnees Information

Click below to search for Purdue students who have participated in this program and are willing to be contacted.  If you get no results, you can use the search form to find people who studied in the country you are interested in.


Resources

The websites listed below contain information about this program. The accuracy of information at external sites cannot be guaranteed.


For more information on this program, please contact the Study Abroad Office by phone (765) 494-2383 or email studyabroad@purdue.edu.