“Behind the TEFL”

“TEFL, TESOL, CETL, etc…” can all be acronyms used to describe certifications or designations awarded to people who end up teaching English as a foreign language.  When I originally thought about teaching, I imagined sitting in a classroom all day with groups of students. However, upon researching what type of classes, lessons, and opportunities are available, I was surprised by the options available.

Type of TEFL Certification Courses: Online vs. In-Person

While more and more countries are requiring some sort of certification showing that you have the necessary qualities to teach English, depending on where in the world you’d like to teach, you may be ok without getting any certificate!  A TEFL certificate almost always gives you an advantage over those without one, and in Prague, most reputable companies require a certificate. Some TEFL courses are accredited by an external organization (Trinity or IATQuO-The International Accreditation of TESOL Qualifying Organizations) so do your research before choosing a program.

Online courses give you more flexibility to complete the materials and requirements on your own time (and you can do it anywhere with an internet connection). However, if you are someone who needs deadlines and are prone to procrastination, this may not be the best option for you. While it can be less expensive as there are not as many overhead costs (e.g. physical classroom), you also miss out on more face-to-face interaction and actual teaching practice.

In-Person. I took a course in-person, which offered 120+ hours in which you go through a variety of language topics, techniques, and live practice. In-person classes also give you opportunities to put teaching theory into practice and experience various classroom situations. The types of scenarios you may encounter in your teaching practice will help you adjust and adapt to the classes you will have once working for a language school or company. In-person courses are also held all over the world. I originally considered taking a course at home but when I factored in the cost of rent, food, transport, etc, it would cost about the same to do it overseas (minus the plane ticket). Doing so allowed me to experience a new culture, city, and environment at the same time!

Types of work

So you have the TEFL and now you’re wondering, what next? Well, there are a few options to choose from:

–Teach in a Traditional School. You work for a private language school teaching young children throughout the day (most likely in groups). There are also after-school opportunities as well. A teacher is typically paid a fixed monthly salary and are usually paid for holidays.

–Cooperation with a Corporate Language School. This is a popular option in some countries. Basically, you work for a language school that has contracts with various corporations and clients. You travel to that place of business and teach on-site (compared to one location at a traditional school). Typically, class sizes are small, and can range from 1-8 students/adults. You have a much more flexible schedule but are not guaranteed pay unless you teach a lesson or if the student cancels late (usually less than 24 hour notice).

–Private Tutoring. While being a freelancer can be the most lucrative, it does take some time to build up a steady client base. But I have friends who have done well with this route even though there is no guarantee of steady income should your student decide to quit.

Types of lesson

English lessons come in a variety of shapes and sizes. I have had everything from a morning coffee conversation courses to exam preparation. However, these are all variable due to the needs of the students, which is identified at the onset of each course. While the material may change and the focus can shift, constant revision and checking with the student is important. Otherwise, you may end up with a dissatisfied student.

Conversational: Conversational lessons do not simply mean “come and talk about anything”. There should always be some objective behind the lesson, such as practicing a specific grammar point or building specific vocabulary. Other times, it is important for the student to improve their pronunciation and understanding where to stress the words, etc. Throughout each lesson, the 80/20 rule should apply here, where the student talks for 80% of the lesson, and the teacher talks 20%, usually during error correction and asking questions.

Developed Lesson Plans: Mot common with traditional classroom/group courses. You may follow an official book with specific topics and lesson activities pre-made for you.

Exam Prep: Sometimes, students are required to pass exams to achieve a certain level of proficiency while at their employer. With many international companies in Prague, most companies have their employees speaking several languages, and obviously English is the most common after the mother tongue of Czech. These exams have 4 parts: speaking, listening, reading, and writing so these courses should focus on practicing each of these areas.

Other Notes:

Many classes are either 45,60,90 minutes long.

You will find many young, recent college graduates doing this to gain experience living in another country, learning about a new culture, and taking some time to figure out their next steps. Other times, you find older adults who are taking a break and sharing their experience and skills from the business world.

While the pay is not what you may be used to at home, cost of living is also different.

Teaching has given me a perspective on life and culture in another country that I do not think any other job could offer. I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with so many great students and am grateful for not only the opportunity to teach them, but also for what they have been able to teach me about myself and life in general.

 

Disclaimer: This article is based upon my research and knowledge of TEFL. It should only be used as advice and is not professional information. Each situation carries its own set of variables and may need to be handled differently.

So…whats it cost to live in Prague?

Czech Banknotes & Coins

After living here for almost 6 months, I’ve become quite adept to quickly converting prices from Czech Crowns (aka koruna) to American Dollars. And since I’ve been asked this question several times, I’d like to outline some typical costs a typical expat may face.

To note: at the time of this post, the current exchange rate was approximately 24.4 Czech Koruna (Kc) = $1USD. During my time here, it has fluctuated between 21.3 and 25Kc to the dollar,

Some costs have been covered in other articles but here is a rough run down:

Flat/Apartment: Monthly cost for a furnished flat, apartment fees (maintenance, heating, water, municipal services), electricity, and internet: 8200kc or is about $340 per person. Our flat is about 98 square meters, which is a relatively good size for the price, location, and condition.

Transportation: Monthly Cost: 550kc or about $23 for unlimited rides on the buses, trams, and metro system throughout Prague. I’ve stated before that it’s clean, efficient, and reliable with metro device during peak times every 90 seconds and trams coming every 5-7 minutes throughout the day and night service operating 7 days a week.

One of the above-ground trams

Average Week of Groceries: 700kc (~$25-30) is a good estimate if you shop at one of the main market stores (Tesco, Alberts, Lidl, Billa). Apparently the Czech Republic has one of the highest concentrations of grocery stores per capita. There was an explosion of retail changes following the Velvet Revolution, which leaves many consumers within walking distance to some type of grocery store.

Phone: As I previously wrote, your cost can vary on this but I pay about 400kc a month ($17) for credit that gives me plenty of bandwidth for texting, calling, and using internet (3G). I tend to use WIFI when possible (which it is in almost any cafe) and free apps to talk with family and friends (Skype, WhatsApp, FB Messenger, and Viber).

Average Meal at a restaurant: Between 150-400 kc ($6-17) with drinks included. The best meal of the day to eat at a restaurant is lunch since most places offer a “special of the day”. While it may be the same that is offered at dinner, the prices tend to be cheaper at lunchtime. For instance, one place in central Prague offers an appetizer (usually a soup) plus an entrée for under $5. Tack on a beer for 30 kc and you have a nice sit down meal for about $6.50. For dinner, as long as you stay away from the touristy places, you can find a hearty meal for between 200-300kc ($8-12). Beers run average 30-45kc ($1.25-$1.75). Fast food easily found, with McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, and Subway being some of the most prolific chains. A combo meal will run you about 120kc. And if nothing suits your tastes, sample one of the many street vendors and little shops throughout the city.

Pork Knee- One of the traditional Czech Dishes you can find at many local restaurants

Coffee: Espresso, Cappuccino, Americano…each will run you somewhere between 45-60kc ($1.60-$2.50). Coffee vending machines are popular in many buildings, and are usually a fraction of the price…for instance, a “cappuccino” at my TEFL school was 12kc….while not necessary the best, it did the trick when I would hit the afternoon energy low (2:30pm)

Cappuccino at one of the dozens of Cafe’s around the city

Salaries are about 1/3 of what the average American earns per month. Typical monthly wage for an average worker is about 25,000kc (~900 Euro or $1000 USD) before tax. For most new teachers, they see their average salary around 20,000 for “Full Time” work, which is about 20 teaching hours per week. This does not include prep time, travel time to/from, etc.

So, at the end of the month, you have enough money to pay for your expenses and live a modest life here in Prague. You won’t be saving much, if any, but you will typically earn enough to live comfortably and enjoy all that this city and surroundings have to offer. The experience itself of living in Europe is well worth it for me and seems to resonate with many others as well who decide to come here to teach.

If you’re interested, the following website offers much more detail broken down by country. Also, a popular Expat website, expats.cz, publishes an annual article on the cost of living. While my figures agree with some of theirs, others do not.

Pilsen (Plzen)

Courtesy of the Official Tourism site for Plzen

The City of Pilsen (also known as Plzen) is an easy day trip from Prague. The popular bus company, Student Agency, operates hourly trips from the main bus terminal and you can find yourself in the city within an hour after leaving Prague.

Pilsen was founded in the West Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic in 1245 and, in 2011, was chosen to be the 2015 host city and symbolic European Capital of Culture.

Upon arriving, my friends and I found our way to the city center and main square, where we saw the Cathedral of Saint Bartholomew.

Cathedral of Saint Bartholomew

On the city map, it looked like the Skoda car manufacturing plant and Pilsner Urquell Brewery occupied about 1/2 the city (Skoda is a subsidiary of Volkswagen and Pilsner is part of the Miller Group). We were surprised by the lack of people out and about for a Saturday. Given it was winter temperatures outside, we thought there would be more activity, especially in the city center.

As we navigated through the city, we past the football stadium for FC Viktoria Plzeň, before arriving to the brewery. The Pilsner Urquell brewery is a massive complex of buildings. Founded in 1842, it has grown to be synonymous with Czech Beer and brewed the first pilsner style beer. 1 out of every 2 beers consumed in the Czech Republic comes from this brewery. They brew several brands of beer but are most famous for their pilsner-style beer. The difference between their beer and other pilsners is that they use soft-water and triple boil their wort (pre-beer liquid). The 4 main ingredients for their beer (water, barley/malt, hops, yeast) come from various places in the Czech Republic.

Pilsner Urquell Brewery- in Czech, it’s called “Plzeňský prazdroj”

The in-depth 90-minute brew tour introduced us to the history of the brewery and its humble beginnings as a co-operative brewing partnership. It originated between 26 families who lands adjoined one another until they decided one central location (aka brewery) was needed to brew beer to ensure consistency. We then learned about the beer-making process, took a bus ride to the bottling plant, had a tour of the bottling floor in operation, walked through the old and new brewhouse, and wrapped up with a tour of the underground caves and tunnels where they still store beer that is in the fermentation process.

The line can bottle up to 60,000 cans per hour

Former brewhouse

Fun fact: it took 70 years to hand-carve the 9km of limestone tunnels that occupy the ground underneath the brewery. While the brewery uses modern technology, it was interesting to learn that they still keep some of the historical methods of beer-making today. For instance, they still use a horse and carriage to make local deliveries once a week. And in the tunnels, they still use wooden barrels to ferment some of their batches of beer.

Open Barrel Fermentation

 

These barrels can be used for up to 200 years

After the tour, we made our way to a local pub to get some food and of course, pilsner beer. The pub, Na Splice, was on the grounds of the brewery and is actually the largest in the Czech Republic, accommodating up to 600 people inside.

Following our late lunch, we headed back towards town to explore. It was still very quiet in the city center. Just the week prior, during the opening ceremonies for the Cultural City kick-off, 25,000 people packed the main square. This evening, you could count the people you saw walking around on our hands.

After heading to one last pub, we took the quick 1-hour bus ride back to Prague, capping an enjoyable time in Pilsen. While not as bustling as some of the other cities I have visited in the Czech Republic (Plzen is the 4th largest city in the CZ), it was perfect for a short day trip.

Why I spent Christmas Eve with a group of strangers

Well, technically…the 24 of December is “Christmas” for the Czechs so I guess I spent Christmas with strangers! I know the title of my post may invoke a somewhat negative sentiment, but that’s certainly not the point of my article and it was certainly not a negative evening by any means.

My holiday plans did not call for traveling back the states. I realized that it could present some difficult times as I have never been away from home during the holidays but I was determined to not to let that affect my holiday spirit.

I spent the morning of Christmas Eve in my kitchen table listening to holiday music, cooking food, and planning out some final details for my upcoming road trip. Many of my friends in Prague were either traveling home or had other plans so I wanted to fill my holidays with a mixture of relaxation, reflection, and exploration.

I decided to attend a Couchsurfing (CS) event for a few reasons. 1. It would give me something to do on Christmas Eve rather than sit around. 2. I knew I needed to make the effort to get out and meet new people. 3. I had always wanted to attend a Couchsurfing event so what better time than now? Even if it was only something I enjoyed that evening, I know it would have been a positive experience and one Christmas I wouldn’t soon forget.

Well, let me say that it was one of the most fun nights I have had here in Prague. There must have been 25-30 people who showed up, many of whom were traveling through Prague for the holidays. The host was amazing-such a gracious, friendly, and welcoming guy. I met people from all over the world and we all brought different foods or beer/wine. Throughout the night, I was able to forge new friendships, learn more about the Couchsurfing culture, and hear about other travelers experiences traveling this holiday season.

This night also gave me a renewed sense of curiosity that I felt I had lost a little in the past month…maybe it was because I found myself getting stuck in a normal routine. Or maybe it was that I had not taken advantage of enough opportunities to do what was most interesting to me: meeting new people from all over the world and learning from them. Of course I want to share stories, but considering myself a “novice” traveler, I am much more inclined to ask about other people’s experiences and tips.

I found this quote and feel it is a really nice summation of how I felt after this evening:

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” -Maya Angelou

One thing is for sure: I will be attending more CS events in the future! I met others who had the same passion for travel and exploration and want to exploit that feeling as much as possible this year…and have fun along the way!

Winter Break Roadtrip

In Budapest, overlooking the Danube River and “Pest” side from the top of the hill in “Buda”

A special thanks to Veronie Hrabalova for being my personal tour guide through the great cities of Bratislava and Vienna! Thank you!!

I had a 2-week break during the holidays and did not want to let the time go to waste. I realized my planning of what to do was lacking but with one of my goals to be more spontaneous, why not plan it last minute? So, I planned a somewhat aggressive schedule to get my fix of travel in between Christmas and NYE. My travels would cover 3 countries in 4 days. While this seems virtually impossible if I was in North America, it’s much more common here in Europe (as I write this, I recount a conversation I had with a few other North American travelers I met in Budapest who were in the same “awe” as I when we can go from country-to-country so effortlessly here).

My travels began in Prague and took me first to the capital city of Slovakia: Bratislava. With it being the holidays, I booked tickets between most of the destinations in advance as many popular routes were filling up fast. I left early on the morning of December 26th, arriving midday to their central bus terminal.

The city center is quite small and can be easily seen on foot in a couple of hours. The city resides on the border of both Austria and Hungary (only national capital to border two countries) and while it is not on many travel destination lists, the city has plenty of charm to offer.

One of the many pedestrian streets in downtown Bratislava

As with most old European countries, spires dot the city skyline (St. Martin’s Cathedral)

After having lunch at a local café bearing the name of L’udovit Stur, the man responsible for the contemporary version of Slovak language, we made our way up towards the Castle.

Bratislava Castle

From the top, we had magnificent views of the city along the Danube.

Along the Danube

We proceeded to meander through the remaining streets and along the road towards the train station that would bring me to Budapest that evening. On our way, we passed the Presidential House and gardens. Upon leaving Bratislava, I had a relaxing 2.5 hour ride to Budapest, arriving late that evening to one of their main train stations.

Upon arriving in Budapest

After checking into my hostel, the receptionist showed me to my room. I passed through the kitchen and as I said hello to a few people hanging out in the common area, someone tapped me on the shoulder…it was one of the people I had met at a holiday party…in Prague! I knew a few people would be traveling to Budapest but what are the odds they would be here at the same hostel at the same time!

Yes, this is the entrance to my Hostel (Maverick Hostel & Ensuites)

In the moring, I decided to take a free-walking tour of the city. While a free-walking tour isn’t really free, as it is customary to tip the guide what you feel is respectable at the end of the tour, it’s a great way to see the city if you are traveling solo or want to hear about the history of a city from a local guide. Budapest is actually made up of two former cities; Buda and Pest (separated by the Danube River). The history of Budapest is filled with tragedy and the city has been rebuilt time and time again. However, today, it is a sprawling city that has been called one of the most beautiful and livable in Europe. It has several World UNESCO Heritage sites and has a great location in Central Europe. Our 3 hour tour covered many of the main sites, and besides the cold, it was absolutely beautiful out.

Former Royal Palace

Parliament

St. Matthias

That evening, after exploring most of the city, I met up with a few people and went to one of the famed “Ruin Bars”-Szimpla Kert. These are bars located in old, formerly abandoned buildings and are made up of a mixture of odds & ends.

Typical seating area

The following morning, I awoke and decided that I wanted to go to one of the famous Thermal Baths. The two well known baths are ‎Széchenyi Bath and Gellert Baths. I made my way up to Széchenyi Bath and passed one of the monuments dedicated to former national leaders.

Square of Heroes

The baths were incredible. Even though it was below freezing outside, hundreds of people spent hours relaxing in 18 indoor and outdoor baths. The temperatures of the thermal waters ranged anywhere from 16 to 40 C. It was a relaxing and enjoyable time, much needed to recharge my batteries for the final leg of my trip.

‎Széchenyi Bath

Final Stop: Vienna. The one day I had in Vienna was something out of a winter wonderland story. While below freezing, it was a beautiful city to explore in the snow and the snow-cover made the former palaces and castles even more picturesque. It was very busy with many people exploring the city. I explored the outer castles and palaces before heading toward the inner part of the city, known as “The Ring”.

Belvedere

Belvedere

Shonbrunn

The “Ring” is downtown, where one can find most of the main sites, museums, and attractions.

Hofburg Palace

St. Stehpan’s Cathedral

The day sped by and while I say many sites, I am determined to come back when the weather is warmer to explore even further and capture more of the beauty this city has to offer. It’s a 5 hour bus ride from Prague, so it is easily accessible for a weekend trip.

As I rode the bus back to Prague, I reflected on the types of people I met along the way and the interesting stories they all have of their travels. From Au Pairs to Peace Corp workers, it’s so fascinating and makes me want to travel even more in 2015. It’s motivation to get out from behind the computer and see and experience the world. Others have told me that travel makes you a different person and that is can be hard to sum up in words. As I slowly grow my travel experiences, I begin to understand what they mean…and the prospects of exploring more in the coming year is one thing I cannot wait to do!

 

What are some of your best travel experiences and memories? Is there one word you can use to sum up your views or thoughts towards travel?

Christmastime in Europe

Old Town Square Christmas Tree

My first Christmas away from my family turned out to be a great experience. While I learned a lot about all the traditions and customs around Christmastime in Central Europe, it also gave me an opportunity to reflect on how fortunate I have been to have had the opportunity to spend my past holidays with my family. I know that for some, the holidays can be a difficult time but it can also serve as a time to reflect on what you are grateful for and what you can look forward to in the new year.

Some of the differences I’ve encountered between “American” vs. “European” Christmas:

Santa Claus vs. Saint Nicholas: I must say, people don’t really care for Santa Claus here…they view him as a commercial entity designed to make people buy material things. In fact, the modern-day image of Santa was created by Coca-Cola to help them market their beverage during the holiday season. In Europe, Saint Nicholas is the Saint they vie as “Father Christmas” and the one who rewards the good boys and girls with sweets and gifts.

Christmas Markets: One night towards the end of November, these wonderful markets seemingly pop up in various squares overnight. The small stands sell anything from handmade gifts and trinkets to mulled wine and the traditional trdelnik. It’s always an enjoyable experience to grab a cup of mulled wine and stroll through the markets. Each square had a slightly different atmosphere but all were decorated with lights, christmas trees, and nativity scenes. Note: There are some markets located near main tourist areas and are typically filled with “souvenir stands” that are overpriced (IMO). I found that the locals typically go a little outside the city center to Andel or Namesti Miru (Metro Stops) to find more local gifts.

Christmas Market in Namesti Miru

Days of Celebration: My first experience of how they celebrate Christmas differently in Europe was on the night of December 6th. This is when,  for all the good boys and girls, St. Nicholas (NOT Santa) comes around and leaves candy in their shoes. For those on the “naughty/bad” list, they get a piece of coal. The children wake up the morning of December 6th to find their gifts. The night of the 5th is also a time of celebration in many main cities where people dress up as St. Nicholas, the devil, or an angel. I happened to be visiting the city of Brno that night and saw it firsthand myself. It was quite a surprise to see people, young and old, and animals, getting so festive for an otherwise normal night (to me).

 

At Christmas, the bank holiday runs 3-days (December 24-26) so you will find most shops closed during this period. The Czechs and many other Central European countries also opt to celebrate “Christmas” on December 24th rather than on the 25th.

Food: In Central Europe, the main meal primarily consists of carp and potato salad, with dessert being cookies. The few weeks leading up to Christmas provide many locals the opportunity to buy fresh carp and have it prepared on site. Many stands like the one below pop up with small pools of live carp ready for purchase.

Many fish stands, like this one, spring up throughout the city the weeks leading up to Christmas

Holiday Traditions:

Melted lead in water: I found this tradition a bit peculiar but nonetheless interesting. What happens is that you take a small piece of lead and heat it up until it goes into its liquid form. You then take a spoonful and pour it into a bowl of cool water. The metal will cool into some shape. You then look at the shape and use a guide to determine your fortune. I have actually been told that you can purchase these kits at any local bookstore but was unable to find one when i went searching for it.

Golden Pig: Tradition has it that you are supposed to fast the entire day on the 24th until dinner. If you accomplish that, then you will be rewarded by seeing a golden pig, which should indicate you will have good luck in the new year. However, my take on it is that you are so hungry you start hallucinating and the pig is one of the images you see.

Walnuts with candles in water: You take the walnut shells and place a small candle in it. You then place the walnuts with candles into a bowl of water. You light the candles and see if they either sink or float. The individuals whose candles don’t tip over and sink will have good luck while those who turn over and sink are not rewarded with any luck.

Throwing the shoe: Women perform this tradition. They stand facing away from a door and remove a shoe. They are supposed to toss the shoe over their shoulder towards the door. If the shoe is pointing towards the door, then that means she will move out of her parents house in the coming year. However, if she finds that the shoe is pointing in some other direction, she is destined to remain at home for another year.

Cutting the Apple: A member of the family takes an apple and cuts it down the middle. They split open the apple hoping to find a star shape formed. If so, then good luck will prevail in the new year…however, if a cross is discovered or if the apple is rotten, then bad luck will besiege itself upon those partaking in the tradition. One student went as far to tell me that it can even mean that someone will die in the coming year…I rather not take any chances with this tradition and forgo it all together!

Fish Scales: With carp being the main part of the meal, I guess a tradition using part of it makes sense (kind of like the tradition of pulling the wishbone from a turkey during Thanksgiving). Tradition has it that if you take some of the fish scales and either put them under your dinner plate or into your wallet, you will be rewarded with good luck and money in the new year. I was actually at a local pub around Christmas when one of my friends took some scales out of their wallet to prove that it is still practiced!

Do any of you have any special holiday traditions? What do you like most about the holidays?

 

 

The Flat Hunt

This post is long overdue but I still wanted to provide information and insight into finding accommodations and living situations in Prague

The Flat (Apartment) Hunt

As I approached the end of my TEFL course, it became crunch-time to try to locate a flat. Our coursework kept us busy throughout the day and with limited options to view apartments with english-speaking agents, our search became the main priority (along with finishing the course and finding a job). Thankfully, I had an additional week to stay with my host to get things sorted out. What made finding a flat important besides having a place to rest my head at the end of the day was that I needed a residential address in order to start my visa application process.

My room during my first month in Prague

September ended up being a busy month for housing as many students move back to the city for school. We started looking for a furnished, 3 bedroom apartment online and quickly found that our options were a bit more limited than we originally expected. It was compounded by the fact that we were in class till 4/5pm and most places only scheduled viewings during the day. We scoured various sites, postings, and Facebook groups designated to flat-sharing (having your own room but sharing a flat with strangers).

Here is some common information about living in Prague:

Living Options: Most flats are furnished but you do end up paying a bit more than if renting an unfurnished flat. However, when searching for the # of bedrooms, there is a difference in how you search. Most sites do not have a search set up to view by number of bedrooms…you search based upon the total number of rooms and type of kitchen. For example, if you search for a “3+1” you are not necessarily going to see just 3 bedrooms/1 bathroom. Similarly, if you search for a “3+kk”, this does not mean 3 bedroom/1 kitchen.  +1 refers to a separate kitchen room and +kk refers to a kitchen corner.

Costs: Depending on the condition of the building and flat, as well as the location, general prices for a 1 bedroom can usually be found for 10,000kc ($450) and up (both unfurnished/furnished). If you go through an agent, you additionally pay a Realtor Fee which is the standard 1 month rent + 21% VAT (tax). Most people find reasonable accommodations through joining a flat-share. In a shared flat, you can live in a comparable property for roughly $400 USD a month for a furnished flat (with utilities included). For utilities, you typically pay a set amount for utilities based upon average use for the prior year. Then, once a year (typically in the spring), you settle any difference with the company. Most leases run the standard 12 months.

Location: Prague 1 & 2 are the most desirable neighborhoods since they are close to everything and you can find many expats living in these two districts (but with these locations come higher price tags). However, with the buses and trams running throughout the city 24/7, as long as you are along a bus or tram line, you are never unable to get home via public transit.

Districts of Prague

Our Flat:

Our search led us to a newer apartment building right off a tram stop in Prague 4. It is a 5-story building with a lift (elevator) and located along a small brook and adjacent to a park and walking trail. The apartment is fully furnished with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room, cooking/dining area, a washing machine, and balcony. I originally imagined living in a building that would be older than most buildings in the USA but found this flat perfectly suitable for our needs. My roommate agreed and we proceeded with the contract signing in the following days.

Our flat is located next to a restaurant…I may become a new regular customer

We located a 3rd flatmate through one of the flat-share groups on Facebook. To note, it seems to be much more common in Europe to use one of these groups instead of the normal “Craigslist Roommate” ads. Due to the number of people coming in and out of the city for work, travel, and Erasmus (study abroad), there are generally a steady stream of rooms available. Many who come without housing stay in hostels (there are over 100 in Prague) but those are only suited for short-term stays. If you find yourself with a spare bedroom, you can also offer to host TEFL students (there are many schools in the city), post on AirBnB, or post to one of the flat-share sites.

The new flat

What are your experiences living abroad? Have you had a good or bad experience with location/roommates/etc?

 

Update 25.1.15: A popular expat website, foreigners.cz, recently published a nice article explaining the differences.

Berlin

Brandenburg Gate

My first trip outside the Czech Republic since arriving here in early September was to the Capital City of Berlin, Germany. However, the purpose of this trip was not solely for pleasure: I had an appointment to apply for my visa at the Czech Embassy in Berlin. Regardless, the prospects of visiting a new country excited me and formed a rough plan of sites to see during my quick 24 hour trip.

I decided to arrive in Berlin the night before my appointment due to the bus and train schedules, which would put me with little to no time to find my way to the Embassy. In doing so, I also alleviated any headaches and stress in travel delays and gave myself a few hours in the morning to explore parts of Berlin. There are several bus lines that go between Prague and Berlin and I ultimately decided to go with Student Agency bus service. Despite the name sounding like a student service, it is actually a very popular bus line for travelers of any age.

My bus left one of the city’s main depots at 5:30pm Tuesday and the ride was smooth and without issue. The bus offered free WIFI, hot drinks, and a personal entertainment system in each headrest with choice of movies, TV, music, and games. With the on-board “Cabin Attendant”, I felt more like I was flying on a plane than sitting on a bus. I spent most of the 5 hour journey watching 42 (Jackie Robinson biography) and The Town (had to get my fix of Boston).

We arrived in Berlin ahead of schedule and I then navigated my way to the nearest metro stop. Berlin’s system is composed of 2 main parts that serve the city: the U-Bahn (underground) and S-Bahn (above-ground). Buses also fill all points in-between. After some confusion and construction delays on the U-Bahn, my anticipated 30 minute trip took 1.5 hrs before arriving at Wombats Hostel.

Upon checking in, the receptionist handed me a voucher for a free drink at their rooftop bar (affectionately called the womBAR). Once I settled into my room and made-up my bed, I headed to the 7th floor to grab a drink. It was very busy but a great place to unwind after a long day. I enjoyed a beer and hung out for a bit before deciding it was best to get some rest and be ready to go in the morning.

In the morning, I awoke, packed up my things, and headed out around 8:45. I had previously mapped out a few places I wanted to visit, including a memorial dedicated to the Berlin Wall, the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag (Parliament Building), Checkpoint Charlie, and any other interesting stops along my route. After getting some euros, I quickly made my way up to the Bernauer Straus Park where there was the Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer (Berlin Wall Memorial) which had several monuments commemorating the division of Berlin from 1961-1989. As I walked along the street, I passed several points detailing the history of the wall, attempts to flee from East to West Berlin, and the tragedies that occurred when families were separated between the concrete wall. There is also a 60m section of the original wall. I found it a bit eery that most of the buildings immediately adjacent the Wall did not have windows that would face or look onto the opposing side. Although it was a moving and somber memorial, it is quickly contrasted by the hustle and bustle of everyday life as people commuted to work or went to school on the street parallel the park.

One of the many Berlin Wall markers where it once stood

Original Portion of “The Wall”

Following the memorial, I decided to head to the mitte area (or “Heart of Berlin”) to walk down Unter den Linden (main street) and see some more sites. The street is known for being a beautiful tree-lined beautiful but unfortunately a fair amount of construction was going on, thus taking away from the otherwise picturesque walk. I decided it was time for coffee and I ducked into a café to get my caffeine fix.

Sufficiently caffeinated after a nice cappuccino, I continued my walking tour of Berlin. I came up to the Bradenburg Gate, which symbolizes the tumultuous history of Germany and was the backdrop for many demonstrations during the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. It is also the site where President Regan said the infamous statement “Mr. Gorbachov – tear down this wall!”. Crews were cleaning up scaffolding and remnants of celebrations that had occurred 2 days prior to mark the 25th anniversary since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Walking around the gate and through a small park, I found myself in front of the Reichstag (German Parliament) building. While tours of it are free, advanced reservations are required…duly noted for next time. It was built during the 19th Century and its centerpiece is a large glass dome that houses the main hall for Parliament.

Reichstag Building

It was only about 11am by this time and my interview was not until 1:30. With more time than expected, I decided to look at my map and find a few more points of interest before making my way over to the embassy. I walked back down the Unter den Linden to Gendarmenmarkt, which is an open square that houses a concert hall and two cathedrals. Workers were setting up shop for one of the large winter markets that take place. A short walk then brought me to Checkpoint Charlie, which is the most famous border crossing between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. Even though the area is now overrun with commercial enterprises and businesses (a 2 story McDonald’s overshadows the small guard post), the historical photos gave a glimpse into the tensions that were once a daily occurrence in the area. As my time started to run out, I grabbed some German currywurst for lunch and then headed to the Embassy.

Checkpoint Charlie (overshadowed by the 2 story McDonald’s…)

Sign @ Checkpoint Charlie

My appointment at the Embassy went off without a problem and with all my paperwork submitted, I just need to wait and see when my visa will be approved. After leaving the Embassy with one of my classmates who also had an appointment at the same time, we found our way to the Topography of Terror Museum, which housed original sections of the wall, as a well as the former site of the SS and Gestapo Headquarters during the Nazi Regime.

Topography of Terror-former site of the headquarters for the SS and Gestapo.

 We then walked by Checkpoint Charlie on our way to the UI-Behn to make our way to Alexander-platz square to grab some food. While our intent once arriving at Alexander-platz was to get food and explore, we had difficulty getting our bearings and only found enough time to find a place to grab a quick bite to eat and then grab a coffee…at no other place than Dunkin’ Donuts! As we sat in the shop, I felt as though I could have very well just have been home haha.

America…or rather, Germany Runs on Dunkin’

We then made our way back to the bus station in time to catch our 5pm bus back to Prague. As I write this on the bus while somewhere between Berlin and Dresden, I can’t help but think of the excitement I had coming to Berlin. Even if it was only for 1 day, I accomplished and saw a lot. While there were a few sites that remain to be seen (Museum Island, TV Tower, etc), I look forward to going back in a month to pick up my visa and see some more.

Till next time, Auf Wiedersehen!

Some Additional Notes

-The metro system (U or S-Bahn) is clean, efficient, and effective. It is also an honor-based system where there is no gate the pass before entering the station. You just need a validated ticket or pass.

-The city is also very clean and well maintained. A lot of construction and refurbishment was going on in advance of the winter-season ahead.

-Berlin appears to have a very prolific bike scene and have an extensive bike sharing network throughout the city (like Hubway back in Boston). The sheer amount of people commuting in the morning by bike was like nothing I had seen before. This is one downside of Prague, where they have not yet adopted a bike-sharing network. While it could be due in part to the walk-ability of Prague (being a smaller city), or to their efficient tram system, I still see the benefit of such a bike network for visitors and locals alike.

-Prices are more in line with most other European Countries. Here’s a quick rundown of my trip costs:

Trip Costs (in Euros/EUR/€)

Transportation: 60€. 52€ for roundtrip bus and 10€ for 1-day metro pass:

Accommodations: 10€ for 1-night stay in hostel

Food: 15€ for coffee and food for 1 day

Misc: 95€. To note, 90€ was for the Embassy Fee.

Life in Prague: Updates

In my last post, I talked about a few things “in the air” as I completed my TEFL Course and starting looking ahead to what the next several months would potentially have in store for me. Below is a short update on each point:

Job

The career office at school helped us “TEFL-ize” our resumes to make them geared towards opportunities to teach English as a foreign language. After having my resume sent to several schools, I lined up a few interviews to discuss possible teaching opportunities. In the end, I decided to sign on with 2 teaching companies. However, this process will ramp up over the next month or two as I obtain my visa and trade/work license. I intend to write a separate article on the job search and interview process. At the time of this post, I had just completed my first week of teaching.

Housing

A friend I met during our TEFL course and I went on the flat hunt and, after viewing a few places, chose an apartment in Prague 4. While there was a 5-day gap between my current host stay and the lease beginning, I was fortunate enough to be able to stay at my host apartment for a few extra nights until the flat was ready to move into. Our 3-bedroom, fully furnished flat, is located close to a tram stop and in a nice residential area. While many transplants look for places in Prague 1 or 2 (more centrally located), the time of year, current rent prices, and availability of flats proved difficult to find given the short time frame. Being close to a tram line allows for easy access to and from the city center (10-15 min) anytime of day (night trams run between 12-5am). After a short search, we located a third roommate and she moved in shortly after our lease started. We have finally settled in after a few trips to IKEA for some household goods and of course, the Swedish meatballs in their cafe. I’m fortunate to have 2 great flatmates (both from the UK) and look forward to group dinners and good times. More on the types of housing and typical flat search in a future post.

Settling into the new flat

Visa

If you are a non-EU citizen, this process can be confusing. Thankfully, there are many services offered out there to help you navigate the process to be legal. Our school recommended one that I am using and so far, she has been very helpful and responsive.

I will be traveling to Berlin, Germany next month for my embassy interview. Once being approved, I will travel back to Berlin to pick up my visa. This will also be in conjunction with my work/trade license, allowing me to work legally in the Czech Republic. Once this process is complete, I will be posting some additional information and insights.

Odds & Ends:

What else have I been doing? Well, besides getting adjusted to the world of teaching, I’ve been settling into the apartment and trying to enjoy the last few warms days in Prague. There are a seemingly endless amount of festivals and outdoor activities to do before the cold weather sets in, so I have been trying to attend what I can.

Outdoor Food Festival at the Exhibition Area

Signal Festival: The image of the church is being projected onto it

“Ghetto” Food Festival @ Cross Club…yes, those are grasshoppers…too bad I was already full of crickets and worms…

How to use your phone abroad

There are a variety of options to use your own phone abroad

Before I left for Prague, I had a rough idea of what I was going to do with my current phone. AT&T allows you to temporary suspend your phone number and service plan for a period of time in exchange for a nominal fee (usually $5-10/month). I wanted to keep my number when I returned home so this seemed like a logical step. However, I still planned to bring my iPhone with me and use it like an iTouch/tablet when in proximity to free WIFI (which is readily available in many bars, restaurants, and cafes). I could use free apps, such as Skype, WhatsApp, or Viber to keep in touch with family and friends without having to pay for a data plan or incur roaming charges. My intent was to buy a cheap phone with a Czech number to use for necessary calls or in case of an emergency. However, once I arrived here, I realized there were other potential options available that would allow me to use my existing phone and avoid carrying 2 cell phones.

So below are some options I researched and wanted to share in hopes of saving others potential hassle and money if they find themselves traveling or living abroad for an extended period of time:

1. Pay for an international phone/data plan with your existing phone provider: I would not recommend this option unless you are able to get a great deal. I visited AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile before leaving for Europe to inquire about international plans. None of their plans proved to be either sensible or economical for me. At AT&T, the representative I spoke with went as far as telling me to avoid getting any international plan with them since their options are very limited and quite pricey for calling cost per minute and data limits. The best option I found was to terminate my AT&T plan, switch to T-Mobile, and get their cheapest international calling and data plan. Even though T-Mobile would pay any termination fees, their cheapest phone and data plan would still cost approximately $70-90/month. I deemed this option too expensive for my needs and my search went on.

Avoid this unless you have a carrier who offers a really great deal

2. Purchase a new phone once in your country of destination: This was my original plan. There are many companies from which you can buy a phone (e.g. O2, Vodafone, etc.) and they tend to be relatively cheap (as cheap as 400kc or $20USD). Doing this can also help you avoid some of the confusing aspects of unlocking your current phone or “porting a number” (discussed later). In addition, if you are accident prone, you don’t run the risk of losing or breaking your smartphone from home. However, unless you want to shell out a several thousand koruna (Czech currency) for a smartphone, you’ll end up with a pretty basic phone, so you may still need to rely on your existing smartphone should you want to use the internet or other apps.

Purchase a new phone to use in a foreign country

3. Don’t use any phone: While there are many apps you can use through your computer to keep in touch with others, I would not suggest this option. Especially in today’s world, quick and effective communication is key. This was evident when arranging apartment viewings, scheduling job interviews, and planning meet-ups. Also, since I will be working as an “Independent Contractor”, a phone will be a vital piece of equipment should teaching opportunities become available or in cases where I need to reschedule a class.

4. “Port your number” to another carrier: This seems to be a lesser known option but one anyone should look into. “Porting your number” involves calling your current service provider to authorize a “Transfer of Liability” where you can keep your current number and then “piggyback” off another carrier. While this may be common if switching domestic carriers, it’s a bit different when considering foreign carriers. First, you need to see if the foreign carrier you want to go with is a “partner company” with your domestic carrier. Next, you need to see if the cellular network frequency of the phone number you currently have would be compatible with the network in the new country (your current service provider can provide you with this information). If not, you will not be able to use your current number abroad and need to pick another option for cellular service. I considered this option but was unable to do so since my domestic number is not compatible with the cellular networks in the Czech Republic…oh well!

5. Use your current phone: I ended up using my current iPhone (4S) and found that I had a few options to consider.

a. Unlock your cell phone and purchase SIM Card: To do this, you first need to see if your phone can be used in the country you’ll be living in. Most cellular networks in Europe operate over GSM/GPRS and you can check your phone carrier site for compatibility. GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), is basically the standard network structure that allows cell phones to communicate between each-other. GPRS (General Packet Radio Services) is the system that facilitates data transfer on cellular networks.

If your phone qualifies and you do not have any other phone contract obligations, then you can submit an unlock request with your carrier. This opens up your phone to accepting SIM cards from other carriers and using their networks to place and receive calls. Make sure to have your IMEI number ready, which is a unique identifier your carrier uses to authorize unlocking a specific phone with the manufacturer (e.g. Apple, Samsung, etc.). You can normally find this number under the “Settings” feature on your phone.

Once approved, and your phone is unlocked, you can go to any phone carrier and purchase a pre-paid SIM Card. A SIM Card (Subscriber Identify Module) is basically a unique identifier (e.g. a phone number) tied to a specific subscriber. Two big carriers in the Czech Republic are O2 and Vodafone, even though some supermarket chains have started to get into the phone business (such as TESCO). You purchase a pre-paid SIM card with a new number and credit on it and then “Pay-as-you-Go” or “Top Off” when your credit gets low. I paid 150kc (roughly $7.50USD) for the SIM card and 150kc credits. Since I don’t expect to use my phone for calling outside the country often, this is an economical solution to only use it when necessary within the Czech Republic. Texts to other O2 numbers within the Czech Republic are free and are 1.90kc ($0.10USD) to other users. Calls start at 5.90kc (~$0.25USD) and there are various incentives for free calling credits if you “Top Off” regularly. Additionally, I signed up for a cheap data plan that is automatically renewed each week so I can email between classes and keep current with anything else. What is also great is that if I travel to another country not covered by O2,  I can just find another carrier, purchase a SIM card, and switch it out with my existing SIM card to allow for coverage in that country!

SIM Cards. Cheap.Easy.Effective

b. Unlock your phone, buy SIM card, and subscribe to a monthly phone plan: I did not go with this as I didn’t think the cost would be justifiable and you may be locked into a contract.

c. Google Voice & Skype: An option that seems to be gaining some ground with world travelers is the use of Google Voice. I did some initial research and it seems like a great option to keep costs low. However, at this time, I have not decided to pursue it further. In summary, you port your current number to Google Voice (for a 1-time fee of $20) and then set up your account to have calls forwarded to your Google Voice account. Another option is to have a registered Skype # and forward those calls as well. However, you may have to cancel your current service plan and pay a hefty termination fee if you are still in contract. While a bit more involved to get fully set up, it seems like a viable option to consider!

So when you travel abroad next time, remember that you have options if you want to stay in touch with friends…however, remember the following:

Don’t let your phone get in the way of exploring the world