Last weekend, we held our traditional Advent trip, 
which this year welcomed seven inbound students 
currently spending their exchange year 
in the Czech Republic. It turned out to be a 
weekend full of first-time experiences, 
new friendships,  and a magical Christmas 
atmosphere stretching from Prague all the way 
to the Vienna markets. 

After the arrival and adjustment period of the exchange students, we organize an annual gathering of host families — an ideal opportunity to share new experiences, expectations, and plans for the future. This year, we decided to host our autumn gatherings in two locations — Prague and Ostrava — so that every family could choose the one most convenient for them. Both cities offered a friendly atmosphere that encouraged open sharing and strengthened the sense of community among families. Shared experiences and meeting new faces created beautiful memories for everyone to take home. 

Last weekend was all about meeting, sharing, and discovering. In Loutí, the Post-Arrival Seminar (PAO) took place – the first official event for international students spending a semester or a full year in the Czech Republic. At the same time, the Mid-Year Orientation (MYO) was held, the second seminar designed for students who have been in the Czech Republic since February and have already completed the first half of their exchange.

In total, eleven students from all over the world gathered – from Japan, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, Mongolia, Spain, and Chile. This made the weekend colorful, lively, and full of energy.

On Saturday, April 29, we took part in a pleasant gathering of host families, which took place in the beautiful city of Olomouc. Our shared event began at 12:00 at the main train station, where we all met and then headed to a nearby pizzeria for lunch. The meal took place in a friendly atmosphere that set a positive tone for the entire day.

On Sunday, November 3, 2024, a meeting of host families and exchange students took place in Prague. We met at Florenc, near the metro station, and then traveled together by metro to Muzeum.

The first sights we saw were the National Museum and the statue of Saint Wenceslas on horseback. We walked down the entire Wenceslas Square and headed to a restaurant called Česká Kuchyně (Czech Cuisine). Everyone chose something tasty, and it was a great opportunity for all of us to get to know each other.