A gap year in Czech Republic
Gap years in Czech Republic
Looking for somewhere that’s famous for culture AND beer? Having shaken off its beer-hating communist leaders, the Czech Republic is carving out its own identity; and we think you’ll like it. With a refined economy and some great training courses, it’s proving popular with student backpackers. What can you do on weekends? From amber-coloured beers to bar dumplings, from absinthe to abseiling, there are weeks of pleasure to be found here. Get on the interrail track and Czech-in to the world’s favourite Republic!
Gap Year Opportunities
Voluntary packages aren’t common in the Czech Republic, a civilised, high-income country with a stable economy. If you want to begin a gap year here, you’re better off utilising its excellent training schools to pick up an interesting skill. You’re then perfectly equipped to take your new talents on your travels with you.
There’s plenty to choose from, whether it’s teaching English (which could take you all over the world), skiing, snowboarding, acting, directing or producing. Prague Film School offers workshops from about £1700 for a month.
Getting Around
The Czech Republic is a greener option for your gap year. You can travel on an Interrail ticket (via Cologne, Frankfurt or Paris) – buy a flexible pass that will let you travel on any train all over Europe, which is probably the best value country-hopping you can get.
About the Czech Republic
While you can still expect to pay less for food and drink than in the UK, the Czech economy is one of Europe’s more high-performing. Exports (including Pilsner beer and Skoda cars) and tourism (employing 1% of the population) have been important in the country’s post-communist revival. Although property dealers and doom-merchants are talking about economic problems, the country has a thoughtful investment strategy and, after something of a recession in 1999, is on the up and up.
Demographically, the Republic is ethnically heterogeneous: 94% of the population is native Czech. As a country it’s had a long tradition of unique musical composition, with famous composers such as Dvorak making important contributions. As well as introducing the world to Pilsner, the Czech Republic brought us polka, a style of music which has inspired composers all over the world. The native musical style is – even today – very distinctive.
In 1948, the communist party led a military takeover that would place them in sole control for more than 40 years. The regime started out extremely oppressively, nationalising education and industry; thousands of Czechs were compelled to work for state-owned companies with long hours and few holidays. Up to one million Czechs fled the country during this period. The regime ended in 1989 when, supported by public resistance, the country was returned to democracy. During the communist period, religion was very strictly regulated, with the result that today 59% of the Czech population is atheist or agnostic.
What to see in the Czech Republic
Of course you’ll start with Prague: most backpackers do. And why not? Plentiful beer, goulash and dumplings make it a homely place to settle for a few weeks (fur muffs optional). Order some garlic-plunged dish, drink yourself beerfull, and send some handknitted woollies back home to the folks. What could be better?
When you’ve finished boozing, there’s plenty of culture to be enjoyed. Czech out (sorry) some traditional music or opera at the National Theatre. For architectural boffins, the city is a perfect place to discover every style from Art Nouveau to Baroque, Renaissance and Gothic. Despite the tourists, Prague is home to architecture’s most well-kept back catalogue.
Ready to move on? Outside of Prague, you can escape the tourists (but not the dumplings) by taking a trip to northern Czech for hiking and skiing in the Krkonoše mountains; visiting southern Moravia for some home-grown wine; or going castle-spotting in Český ráj or Český kras. Next stop? Paris, baby...