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Get off the beaten path and explore Brno, where the country’s second largest and fastest growing university, Masaryk University, is located. Take courses in English either on ISEP-Exchange or in the ISEP-Direct Central European Students Program. TESOL programs are also available in the Spring semester.
LOCATION
The historical capital of Moravia, Brno combines a rich cultural legacy with the vibrancy of a university city that is home to six higher educational institutions (of which Masaryk University is the largest) and over 75,000 students. Thanks to its strategic location at the heart of Central Europe, major regional centers such as Prague, Bratislava, Vienna, Budapest, and Krakow, are within easy reach by train and bus. In the immediate vicinity of Brno, the Moravian highlands to the north and west offer outstanding opportunities for hiking, bicycling and skiing. Southeast of Brno is the Czech Republic's main wine-producing region, with its many ancient cellars, now linked by a new network of ecology-friendly bicycle trails. Map it on Google!
PROGRAM TYPE
ISEP-Exchange: Academic year or semester exchanges ISEP-Direct: Academic year or semester programs
ISEP-Exchange for International students. ISEP-Exchange for US students. ISEP-Direct site for students from all member institutions.
Academic year: September to May; Semester 1: September to December; Semester 2: February to May.
ISEP-DIRECT
Students must choose one of the following two options: The Central European Studies Program (CESP Track) or the TESOL Teacher Education Program (TESOL TE Track) (TESOL TE is only offered in the spring semester). TESOL TE students can also take CESP courses. In addition to CESP and/or TESOL TE courses, the students can register for other courses offered at Masaryk (see above), but majority of the courses must be taken from CESP and/or TESOL TE. Information about ISEP-Direct fees and dates.
The ISEP-Direct program fee includes the benefit package for: Tuition, Room, and Meals
ISEP-Direct Program fees: SM1: $8,100 SM2: $8,100 FY: $14,200
For priority consideration, applications for the following semester should be received before February 1 and September 1 unless otherwise noted. Rolling admissions are considered for ISEP-Direct before these final application deadlines: SM1: March 30, 2011 SM2: October 30, 2011
Option 1: ISEP Exchange in University-level courses Arts (archaeology, archive studies, art history, ethnology, esthetics, film studies, fine arts, history, languages & literatures, library science, linguistics, museum studies, musicology, philosophy, psychology, religious studies, social pedagogy & counseling, theatre studies); Economics and Administration (commercial enterprise, company economics & management, financial enterprise, national economy, public economy, regional development & administration); Informatics; Education (art education, drama in education, education for special needs, family education, fine arts, geography, history, languages & literatures, mathematics, music education, physical education, physics, social pedagogy, special pedagogy, technical education); Law; Medicine; Science (animal physiology, anthropology, biochemistry, biology, biophysics, botany, cartography, cellular & molecular diagnostics, chemistry, ecology, eco-toxicology, geology, hydrology & geochemistry, mathematics, microbiology, molecular biology & genetics, physics, plant physiology, systematic zoology); Social Studies (environmental humanities, international relations & European studies, media studies & journalism, political science, psychology, social policy & social work, sociology); Sports Studies (kinanthropology, physical education & sport).
Option 2: ISEP-Direct: Central European Studies Program (CESP); Semester or Full Year An interdisciplinary program designed for students at the upper Bachelor’s and Master"s degree levels. CESP courses include studies of the social, economic, political and cultural transformations that have shaped Central Europe and the Czech Republic in particular at the end of the 20th century and the changes facing this region at the beginning of the 21st century. Language of instruction is English.
Option 3: ISEP-Direct Enrollment: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Program (currently Spring only) The purpose of the program is to bring together Czech and English-speaking students in order to foster understanding and broaden both groups’ social, academic and professional experience - all of which are a vital part of succeeding in teaching English as a foreign language. The program integrates the fundamentals of language learning theory and hands-on teaching practice. A unique aspect of this selective program is that native English speakers and non-native speakers study and practice together. In addition to the TESOL-related courses, students can choose from courses on applied linguistics, the Czech language, and a number of courses relating to the Czech cultural heritage.
Students who successfully complete the course of study earn the internationally recognized Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) issued by University of Cambridge ESOL. Language of instruction is English.
COURSES TAUGHT IN ENGLISH
For information regarding courses in English, please see Course Information.
ACADEMIC NOTES
At the present time, most courses at Masaryk University are taught in Czech, though most faculties and departments offer consultations for students in English. However, as part of the current drive to internationalize the university, each year sees the introduction of a considerable number of new courses taught in foreign languages (mostly English, but also French and German). A list of these courses can be found on the Web site of the Office for International Studies (see link above).
LANGUAGE NOTES
Students do not need any prior Czech in order to study at Masaryk University. An intensive mini-crash course in survival Czech forms part of the orientation-week program for international students. During the semester, weekly Czech lessons for international students are taught by members of the Department of Czech for Foreigners. I-to-I applicants do not need a TOEFL score to take courses in English but an ISEP Language Proficiency Report (LPR) MUST accompany an application for any language of instruction.
Note: The host institution ultimately determines your proficiency level and course eligibility.
HOUSING AND MEALS
Option 1: ISEP-Exchange International students live in a modern university residence that offers double rooms, each with an ensuite bathroom and kitchenette. Frequent and inexpensive public transport puts the university’s faculties within easy reach. A meal stipend is provided; international students can benefit from very inexpensive meals in the university cafes and cooking facilities in their dorms.
Option 2: ISEP-Direct (CESP and TESOL) ISEP-Direct fees include tuition, housing and meals. International students live in a modern university residence that offers double rooms, each with a bathroom and kitchenette. A meal stipend is provided; international students can benefit from very inexpensive meals in the university cafes and cooking facilities in their dorms.
ORIENTATION
The first day of Orientation week (Monday), students will be given a packet with an orientation week program. The International Student Club arranges a Buddy Program, including having a Czech student meet international students upon their arrival in Brno.
In addition to arrangements for registering for courses and obtaining all the various official documents, a typical orientation week includes tours of the university and its facilities, lectures on Czech culture and Czech society and on the Czech university system, an intensive course in Czech (ranging from "survival" Czech for complete beginners to various degrees of advanced courses for those who already have knowledge of the language), a welcoming party with Masaryk University teachers and students, a tour of Brno, visits to Brno museums, and a day-long excursion in the environs of the city (Maravian Carst). See http://czs.muni.cz/en/in/students/studies/xprogram-isep for more details. More information is available at http://czs.muni.cz/en/in/students/studies/xprogram-isep. The webpage of the International Student Club: http://isc.muni.cz
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
The International Student Club on campus promotes and sponsors activities to help exchange students transition into life at Masaryk. A list of their activities can be found under the "Featured Programs" link.
Orientation benefits are also included in your program. This includes arrangements for registering for courses and obtaining documents you will need. A typical orientation week also includes tours of the university and its facilities, talks on Czech culture and Czech society and the Czech university system, a mini-“crash course” in Czech, meeting with Masaryk University teachers and students, a tour of Brno, and a day-long excursion in to the city.
Masaryk also sponsors day-long excursions into the surrounding area, which are available for all ISEP students; however the costs are not included into the program fee for ISEP Exchange students. In the past, students participating in ISEP have traveled to places like Vienna, Budapest, Krakow, the Cerna Hora brewery and the National Park, Moravian Karst.
PROFILE
Founded in 1919, Masaryk University is the second largest higher educational institution in the Czech Republic. University facilities include several new university and faculty libraries, a wide range of sports facilities (gymnasiums, sports fields, rowing center, indoor and outdoor tennis courts), a botanical garden, and several student clubs at individual faculties. Total enrollment: over 37,000 students. Thanks to a loan from the European Investment Bank, the university is now engaged in building a new campus and refurbishing existing buildings; when completed, all the university’s faculties, research centers, and residences will be equipped with the most up-to-date facilities.
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Brochure
ISEP-Exchange for International students. 
ISEP-Exchange for US students. 
ISEP-Direct site for students from all member institutions.