Alex Mathers
Hello! My name is Alex and I am originally from a town called Ayr, which is situated on the southwest coast of Scotland. I first came to Prague in February 2017 as part of an Erasmus+ exchange (back in those pre-Brexit halcyon days) and then returned in August 2018 to start my doctoral studies. Upon arriving, I vividly remember being in awe of the architecture to the point that I most definitely had neck pain from looking up at the buildings all day. To put it into context, the majority of structures in Scotland are, while charming, drab and grey.
The biggest cultural shock for me, apart from everyone driving on the wrong side of the road, was how inexpensive it was to use public transport. I strongly urge all students who are less than 26 years old to take advantage of the discount on rail travel before Father Time starts to dust off his scythe. Now that I am 28 years old and nearing my pension, I regret not exploring more of Czechia for cheap during that golden period. Furthermore, many major cities (e.g., Berlin, Vienna, Warsaw, etc.) are easily accessible from Prague, which makes it an ideal base from which to discover the rest of Europe. As an ardent fan of live music, I went to countless gigs while studying for my master’s degree in Glasgow. Hence, I was pleased to discover that most of my favorite artists/bands visit Prague as part of their European tour.
In terms of accommodation, I was surprised at how far the UCT Prague dormitories were located from the Dejvice campus itself. As a naïve 22-year-old Scot, I quickly found out how little the Duolingo app had prepared me for my first interaction with the Kolej Sázava receptionist. Even though the majority of people in Prague speak English very well, I would advise taking the Czech course offered by UCT Prague, as it will come in handy when you find yourself in a vesnice (village). While Prague 4 was an idyllic setting as an Erasmus+ student (i.e., cheap rent, easy to make friends, etc.), I would recommend finding a flatshare or your own space somewhere closer to the university if you are studying long-term and can afford it. As much as I enjoyed my short-lived period in Kunratice, the one-hour commute to-and-from the laboratory was brutal.
As for UCT Prague itself, the so-called “state exam” that forms part of the doctoral programme was a new concept for me. Despite it being a formidable test to prepare for, it was rewarding in the sense that I gained a better understanding of the underlying principles of my discipline (and my caffeine limit). I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here so far due to the interesting people I have met and the challenging but fascinating nature of my research topic. I would also like to thank all of the staff members who have not only shown patience in helping me with any problems I have encountered but have made me feel welcome, while somehow coping with my accent.