For 26 years, our department has hosted the so-called ‘American Semester’ programme each year. This is a partnership between Charles University's Faculty of Natural Sciences and Dartmouth College (New Hampshire), one of the most prestigious universities in America. This collaboration, which brings a group of American students to Prague every March, began in 1994 thanks to Prof. George Demko and his Czech colleagues, including Dr Ivan Bičík, Prof. Dušan Drbohlav and Dr Ludvík Kopačka.
The programme aims to give American students a thorough understanding of the geography of the Czech Republic in the wider context of European development, particularly the development of Central and Eastern Europe. It features detailed lectures and related excursions covering key aspects of the Czech Republic's spatial and social development, focussing on recent decades. This helps students gain a basic understanding of Czech geography. After an overview exam at the end of the first month, around late April or early May, students work on research projects in groups. Besides academic activities, students have the opportunity to explore Czech and Central European culture and build professional and personal connections with Czech students. The programme runs from the end of March to the end of May.
The implementation of international co-operation with a prestigious American university also has benefits on the Czech side, since it offers new professional and human experiences, not only for teachers but also for bachelor’s, master’s and postgraduate students, who are involved in the organization of the programme. Through joint meetings during excursions and other parts of the programme, as well as during informal sports or cultural activities, students have the opportunity to establish contacts with American colleagues and, last but not least, improve their English.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 27th edition of the American Semester was cancelled and moved to 2021.