Yale Summer Session in Prague: Cinematic Storytelling in Prague

Description

An intensive, hands-on exploration of the history, theory, tools and techniques of narrative filmmaking offered jointly by Yale and FAMU, the national film and television academy of the Czech Republic. The program interweaves a Yale seminar, in which students learn the fundamental principles and techniques of cinematic storytelling via readings, screenings, discussions and creative exercises, and a FAMU practicum in which students expand and apply the knowledge acquired in the seminar in hands-on workshops, exploratory projects and the mentored development and production, in small groups, of fully-realized capstone films.

All instruction is in English. Enrollment limited to 16. 

Courses & Credits

Participants enroll in either ART S144 or FILM S144 (1 Yale credit) at the time of application.

Please note the second credit for this course is a transfer credit from FAMU. Yale students are only allowed to bring in 2 outside credits from any Non-Yale summer experience over their 3 summers while enrolled at Yale.

Yale Summer Session Programs Abroad are intensive, highly structured academic programs led by Yale instructors. 

Instructors

Sahraa Karimi, Lecturer in Film & Media Studies

Ms. Karimi earned her Ph.D. in Cinema (Fiction Film Directing & Screenwriting) from the Film and Television Faculty of the Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Bratislava, Slovakia. She has made over 30 short films and documentaries, with many successfully broadcast in Europe. In 2012 she returned to her native Afghanistan and established a film production company to support Afghan independent filmmakers and artists.  Her documentary film Afghan Women Behind the Wheel won about 25 prizes from important film festivals around the world, while her other film Light Breeze won an academy award from the Slovak Film and TV Academy as the best short fiction film. Karimi's first fiction feature film Hava, Maryam, Ayesha premiered at the Venice Film Festival and was Afghanistan's 2019 entry for the Oscars. The film also won numerous awards, including Cigle D'or, Cine – Festival En Payes De Fayence, France, 2021.  Ms. Karimi has lectured and taught in Italy and the United States.

Class Times 

Class will meet Monday through Friday from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

Students should expect about 4-8 hours of work outside the classroom each week, as well as excursions and other program activities.

Classroom Location

Classes will be held at the Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (FAMU).
Classroom Address: Smetanovo Nábřeží 1012/2, 110 00 Staré Město

Money & Budgeting

Many participants find a combination of credit and debit cards to be the most convenient way of accessing money while abroad. It’s important to have a backup option as well in case of emergency.

Participants should bring a moderate amount (equivalent to $100 or so) of the host country currency in cash when leaving the U.S. to cover initial expenses like bus/taxi fares, snacks, and phone calls for the first couple of days. Please note that participants likely will need more than $100 for out-of-pocket expenses throughout the entire duration of the program. Course instructors will not be able to loan participants money.

Even though the Czech Republic is part of the European Union the Euro is not widely accepted. Czech Crowns (koruna) are used instead. Participants are encouraged to withdraw local currency from one of the ATMs in the Prague airport just outside of security as the exchange rate is much more favorable, and to only change money at banks or the eXchange office on Kaprova Street off the Old Town Square.

Participants should expect out-of-pocket costs not billed by Yale, including but not limited to class materials, coffee, snacks, and transportation to and from the classroom.

Program Cost & Funding

Yale Summer Session Programs Abroad costs are updated annually and include the administrative fee and program deposit, program fee, tuition, and international housing charge.  

Budget

Yale Summer Session Programs Abroad updates program budgets in late January. Please note the year listed on the button below.

Summer 2025 Budget

Trips and Activities

On every Yale Summer Session Program Abroad, learning extends outside of the classroom. Participants can expect a variety of integrated activities and excursions that enhance the academic goals of the program. Trips and activities listed below are included as examples only and are subject to change. 

All required activities and excursion include transportation (when outside of the host city), entrance fees, and most meals. 

Though Cinematic Storytelling in Prague is first and foremost an intensive filmmaking program designed to make the most of FAMU's world-class facilities, resources and instruction, it is also intended to be an immersive cultural experience.

Students will explore Prague and its surrounding areas, with guidance and independently, as part of their coursework, and the city will be the setting and the subject of the students’ film projects. Students are encouraged to live as much as possible like their Czech film-student peers, finding challenge and inspiration in the atmospheric streets, rich history and vibrant culture of Prague.

Guidebooks from most retail bookstores can be an invaluable resource for getting to know Prague. Participants can also learn more about Prague and the Czech Republic on the website myczechrepublic.com.

Housing

All participants are required to live in program-provided housing while abroad and are not permitted to arrange housing independently. International housing is guaranteed from the first day of the program until the official end date.

Participants will stay in fully-furnished four to five-person apartments located a short tram-ride away from FAMU's campus. All apartments also include bedding, Wi-Fi, laundry machines, and full kitchens with basic kitchen utensils provided.

Meals

Students will be responsible for all meals except special group dinners, and are encouraged to create their own culinary experience of Prague by combining meals in the city's many affordable restaurants with food purchased at local supermarkets and farmer’s markets and prepared in their apartment kitchens.

Notes

Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements and are expected to arrive in Prague on the first day of the program, and depart no earlier than the last day of the program (see 'Dates' above); additional information will be provided upon admission. Students are not allowed to travel outside of the Czech Republic during the dates of the program.

YSS Tuition Assistance / International Study Award (ISA):

• This program consists of two courses, one that is a Yale credit course (taught by a Yale instructor) and one that is a credit from FAMU, our partner institution.
• YSS financial assistance cannot be granted for non-Yale credits; only the one Yale credit of the two-credit program is eligible for YSS financial assistance. Only the Yale 1-credit course is eligible for YSS financial assistance. 
• FAMU course credit is transferred back to Yale, while the Yale course credit is automatically rolled to the transcript as a Yale College course credit.
• This limitation applies to YSS financial assistance and not the ISA. The whole program is ISA eligible.
• Similarly, this program does not meet the YSS COVID-19 Courses eligibility requirements for an abroad option as the tuition cost for the program is only for one Yale credit. As noted, the second credit is transferred in from FAMU.

Climate

During the summer, Prague will be relatively humid and fairly warm, and it will rain occasionally. The climate of the Czech Republic is very similar to that of the northeastern United States and temperatures range widely, from about 60 to almost 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Average temperatures range from 60 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit.

Packing Considerations

All equipment required for the completion of filmmaking exercises and projects will be provided by FAMU, along with public computers, so it isn’t necessary for students to bring their own cameras, computers, or any other electronic gear, although they are welcome to do so for personal use. Bed linens will be provided in the student apartments. Towels will not be provided but can be purchased inexpensively in Prague.

Clothing

Prague can get quite hot in the summer, so participants should bring clothing that will be comfortable in the heat. It’s also possible that temperatures will dip into the low 60s, particularly at night, so some long pants and a sweater or two may be useful. Czech students and creative professionals tend to dress casually, as in the U.S. Jeans and t-shirts are common in summer. Czechs usually dress more formally for cultural events, but this is not required. Participants should prepare for a few rainy days and should pack appropriate clothing, including a raincoat. Production exercises and excursions will not be rescheduled due to weather.

The cobblestone streets and sidewalks of the city center can be hard on shoes and feet, so students should bring a pair of sturdy, comfortable shoes.

Electricity Adapters

The Czech Republic uses the same 230V/50hz electrical current used throughout Europe. Most electronics (laptops, phone chargers, etc.) are designed to accept a wide range of electrical inputs, so participants will only need to bring a few inexpensive adapters to plug American devices into Czech power sockets. Less sophisticated devices like hairdryers will likely require a current converter to change the input from 230V to 110V.

Social Interactions

Ethnic Bias and Nationalism

Most Czechs are equally accepting (and equally wary) of visitors of all ethnicities, but the Czech Republic is one of the least ethnically diverse countries in Europe, so even well-meaning Czechs can exhibit unconscious bias and do or say things that may make people of color feel othered. Many Czechs are proud and protective of their culture, which has been threatened by many invasions and occupations over the past century. While for most Czechs, this pride is positive and welcoming of visitors’ curiosity, some students from minoritized groups have reported experiencing more hostile ethno-nationalism (for example, muttered epithets or offensive posters). Students of color should feel safe in Prague, but if they experience either unconscious bias or explicit racism, they are encouraged to inform the program instructor, who can note the instance and do his best to address the issue. Students' experiences, learning, and feelings of safety are of the utmost important to the program instructor, and he is committed to being available to listen and advise as desired.

Questions

For course content questions contact instructor, Sahraa Karimi. For general program questions, contact studyabroad@yale.edu.

Important Information Before Applying

• All YSS Programs Abroad are intensive, highly structured academic programs for Yale credit and grades.
• Students may only apply to one YSS Program Abroad per summer.
• Admission is not guaranteed. Applicants should anticipate that more students will apply than there are spots available, and Yale College students should apply to a backup Non-Yale Summer Abroad opportunity.
• Ensure that your transcript reflects how you have met the pre-requisite, if applicable, prior to applying.
• Participants must commit to the full program dates. Late arrivals and early departures are not permitted.
• Participants are required to be enrolled in all program courses.
• Participants should expect evening and weekend requirements. Students who have questions about religious observance during a YSS Program Abroad are encouraged to Meet with an Adviser.
• Program-arranged housing is required for all YSS Programs Abroad. Students are not permitted to secure independent housing. Students who have housing-related questions about placements, allergies, religious observance, or disability-related access are encouraged to Meet with an Adviser.

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