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How can I navigate dozens of study abroad options? Which destination is the best fit for me? When should I go? What needs to be arranged before my departure, and what do I have to do after I return? Can I even do this at all? Students at Charles University come to the Charles Abroad portal with these and many other questions. For more than six years, the website has served as CU students’ guide to the world of international mobility, and it helps show them that going abroad is not as complicated as it may seem at first glance.
Who, where, how?
Charles Abroad is an official platform of Charles University focused on international student mobility. In one place, it gathers information about opportunities for studying and internships abroad — ranging from the Erasmus+ program to inter-university agreements, as well as short-term stays and summer schools. Beyond just listing programs, the portal mainly offers practical step-by-step guides on how to plan your stay abroad, along with answers to all of the questions students might have before leaving.
On the Charles Abroad homepage, visitors can browse the latest international opportunities with all corresponding requirements and deadlines, or search for more specific options in the “Opportunities” section. Here, students can select a particular field of interest they would like to pursue abroad or filter offers by a specific destination country.
If students have more complex questions that the information on our website could not answer, they can contact our team directly – simply scroll to the bottom of the page and leave us your question along with your email address.
From Students, For Students
Although students can turn to their faculty coordinator, the International Relations Office, or the Charles Abroad team with many of their organizational questions, no one knows better how things actually work at each specific receiving institution than returnee students. For that reason, in addition to official information from the CU Rectorate, visitors can find more personal insights coming directly from their peers on the Charles Abroad website.
Sharing experiences during the stay
Students can share their experience even while abroad through our Instagram account @charlesabroad.cz. One option is a takeover, where a student takes over our Instagram Stories for a day and shows followers what everyday life and studying abroad actually look like. Takeovers are not the only way to get involved. Students can also send us their photos, videos, or short reels from their stay abroad. For high‑quality and creative outputs — such as reels — students can even receive Charles Abroad merch as a reward.
Sharing experiences after returning
After returning from their mobility, students upload returnee student survey, where they describe what surprised them, what they would do differently, and what they recommend to others. These authentic insights help reduce uncertainty and reassure new outgoing students that studying abroad is possible despite the obstacles that may arise.
Connecting students with each other
Our Instagram account @charlesabroad.cz also serves as a space for students to connect and exchange practical tips. In our Stories, we regularly post questions such as:
“Is anyone going to Stockholm for Erasmus in the summer semester?”
“How did you find accommodation in Paris?”
“Does anyone have experience with complicated administration at Italian universities?”
These posts reach hundreds or even thousands of students — and when someone responds (which happens most of the time), we are happy to connect them.
Apply for the Charles Abroad Video Contest!
Are you currently studying abroad, or do you have an international friend? Record a short video asking the question: “What comes to mind when you hear ‘Czech Republic’?” and send it to us via email at . We will select five winning videos, and the winners will receive valuable prizes — you might even win a pair of AirPods!
Don’t forget to also subscribe to the Charles Abroad newsletter to receive the latest opportunities directly in your inbox. Follow us on Instagram (@charlesabroad.cz) as well for personal stories from our students abroad!
TEXT: Charles Abroad team