University of West Bohemia

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

The students applying for Erasmus study stay at the University of West Bohemia should send us Application form and Accommodation form within the deadlines:

for winter term: May 17th
for summer term:  November 30th

Then, they should send us Learning Agreement, at the latest 1 month before the semester starts (winter term starts about 20th September, summer term starts about 15 February every year).

The forms can be downloaded in the section "Forms" of our homepage.

The forms can be sent by email to erasmus@service.zcu.cz   or by post to:
International Office
University of West Bohemia
Univerzitni 20
306 14 Plzen
Czech republic

Erasmus coordinator:
- Jadviga Polívková
email: erasmus@service.zcu.cz
tel./fax.: +420 377 635 702

Academic calendar for 2012/13 here

COURSES OFFERED IN ENGLISH

Faculty of Economicslist of courses in English

Faculty of Law: https://portal.zcu.cz 

Faculty of Electrical Engineering: https://fel.zcu.cz/urdeska.aspx?item=erasmus

Faculty of Applied Sciences: list of courses in English  (Department of Computer Science and Engineering)

www.kma.zcu.cz/erasmus (Department of Mathematics)

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering: list of courses in English

Faculty of Philosophy and Arts: list of courses in English

or https://www.zcu.cz/en/study/studijni-predmety/   (click on the faculty you will study at)

BUDDY SYSTEM  - ESN (Erasmus Student Network)

Buddy system is a reception program of the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen. Its aim is to provide help to foreign students with adapting to different conditions and reducing the culture shock.
The foreign student is assigned a buddy, a local Czech student, who is to help in case the incoming student needs an assistance. The "buddy" also becomes a guide helping the foreign student to get familiar with the city of Pilsen and the local student life. 
Students registered in the Buddy system also organize events, trips etc. for the foreign students in the cooperation with the international department of the University of West Bohemia.

You will find more info on: www.esn.zcu.cz.


Orientation Week
The Orientation week is always held one week before the semester starts. Within the frame of the orientation program, for students who newly join the university is introduced the social, cultural life of the town by having excursions round Pilsen organized by the presentation team of the Buddy system, students are taken to  their departments and helpped with setting study programs of their study plans. This time are also arranged all necessary things regarding to bank account, travel cards, student JIS cards and PC access.





ACCOMMODATION 
Accommodation is available for a limited number of UWB visitors at its own halls of residence with single/double/triple bedrooms. All halls of residence have fitted kitchens with facilities for self-catering. 
Students who don’t want to be accommodated in the halls of residence can contact the student organization Stavovská Unie Studentů ( www.sus.zcu.cz),  for help to find a place in private sector. Prices will be higher.

Halls of residence

refundable deposit 4000 CZK for all international students
https://skm.zcu.cz/seznam-koleji.html   (only in Czech language)       
2-bed rooms, price about 2 300 CZK /month:

L2 - Bolevecká 32, 301 55 Plzeň

A1 - Borská 53, 306 14 Plzeň

K1 - Klatovská 200, 301 00 Plzeň 

B1 - Máchova 14, 301 00 Plzeň




CATERING

STUDENT CANTEENS
The university canteens (Campus Bory - Univerzitní 12 and Kollárova 19) provide lunches and dinners over the week. Price is about 30 CZK/meal.
The canteen at Bory opens at 10:30 and closes at 14:30 for lunch. Dinners are served from 16:30 to 18:00
Canteen in Kollárova 19, opens  at 10.30  closes at 14.30.

 

Cuisine and Drinks

A wide range of cuisines is available in all major cities and towns. Traditional Czech cuisine reflects the influence of the neighbouring countries: German roast goose, Austrian schnitzel, Hungarian goulash, etc. Typical Czech food is mostly based on meat, flour and sauce and therefore the Czech cuisine is considered rather heavy by modern standards. Czechs usually have lunch as their main meal (soup and a main course), which is eaten around midday. The most popular meats are chicken (kuře) and pork (vepřové), followed by beef (hovězí), usually served with some kind of sauce (omáčka). Breakfast is relatively light. In recent times, Italian cuisine and healthy diets have become fashionable among young people.

Besides the student canteens there are many eating places all over Pilsen - restaurants, pubs, wine bars, grills, fast food facilities (Mc Donald`s), etc. There is no significant distinction between pubs and restaurants. The opening hours are varied (generally from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.) as well as the prices (from 50 CZK/meal to 500 CZK /meal in the top hotel restaurants and night clubs).
A list of restaurants in the whole of West Bohemia is available on the Pilsen web pages.

Czech Specialities

vepřo-knedlo-zelo: roasted pork served with sour cabbage and dumplings; the most typical Czech dish
svíčková: pot-roasted marinated beef in a rich creamy vegetable sauce and served with cranberries, whipped cream and dumplings 
bramboráky: garlic-seasoned fried potato pancake
smažený sýr: fried cheese
nakládaný Hermelín: a soft, marinated Camembert type cheese
párek v rohlíku: hotdog encased in a roll, sold from kiosks
pstruh: trout 
smažený kapr: fried carp
ovocné knedlíky: fruit-filled dumplings, served with sugar and curd
koláče: small pastries topped with almonds, poppy seed, jam, or a sweet curd cheese
štrůdl: apple pie

Czech Drinks

The Czech Republic is world-famous for its beer (pivo), which is an important part of the culture. It is recognized as one of the world´s best. There are over sixty breweries in the Czech Republic, of which Plzeňský Prazdroj (Pilsner Urquell), Budvar, Gambrinus, Radegast and Velkopopovický kozel are the most famous. Slivovice, a plum brandy from South Moravia, is the typical spirit of the region. Another typical spirit is Becherovka, a bittersweet herbal liqueur from Karlovy Vary. Among local wines, Moravian varieties are the best. 


 


SHOPPING and SHOPPING CENTRES

There are several shopping centres in the city, the biggest are TESCO, Olympia, Plzen Plaza and Kaufland. Favourite souvenirs are Bohemian crystal, china (porcelain), ceramic ware, leather goods, classical music CDs, wooden toys, illustrated books, costume jewellery, handicrafts and folk arts and crafts products (earthenware, blue prints, bobbin-lace works, maize-straw works, Easter eggs etc.). Shops are usually open five days a week and on Saturday mornings only. A limited number of food shops are also open on Sundays. 
Tesco, Borská pole, bus 30 (near the university campus)
Tesco, Rokycanská str , trolley-bus 11, T bus 
Plzen Plaza, in the city center, near Sady Petatricatniku, tram 2
Kaufland, centre (Plzeň – Roudná), bus 33,39,41
Olympia, Černice, trolley-bus 13, Olympia bus

Money and prices

The basic monetary unit is 1 Kč (Czech crown - CZK) = 100 h (heller). Banks, exchange offices and some travel agencies provide money exchange services. Credit cards (American Express, Visa, Master Cards, Euro Change, Eurocards) are accepted in ATM (automatic teller machines), in a number of hotels, in some shops, in many restaurants and travel agencies. 
Coins and banknotes are of the following values: 
• coins - 50 hellers; 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 CZK 
• banknotes - 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 CZK 
Basic food is relatively cheap as is public transport and cinema or theatre tickets. Restaurant prices are reasonable (the price depends on the category and quality of the restaurant).

Living costs for students are about 300 EUR/month.

Tipping

A tip of 5-10 % is appreciated in any restaurant with table service. The usual system is that the waiter announces the amount as he or she hands over the bill and the customer while paying announces how much he wishes to pay with the tip included. Tipping is also usually expected at the hairdresser´s, barber´s and other services. 




PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

No less important information is to know which days the University is closed and when are no lectures on a week day.

1.1.            New Year’s Day
April            Easter Monday
1.5.            Labour Day
8.5.            Liberation Day, celebrating the end World War II
5.7.            St. Cyril and St. Methodius Day, celebrating the arrival of the Christian missionaries sent 
                           from Byzantine Empire to Czech lands
6.7.            Master Jan Hus Day, commemoration of the religious reformer’s death at the stake in 1415
28.9.          St. Wenceslas Day, in rememberance of the  patron of the Czech State
28.10.         Czechoslovakian Statehood Day, establishment of independent   Czechoslovakia in 1918
17.11.         Freedom and Democracy Day, commemorating the anti-Nazi student demonstrations of 1939 
                          and the anti- Communist  demonstrations of 1989
24.12.         Christmas Eve
25., 26.12.   Christmas Holiday

 

CZECH CUSTOMS and TRADITIONS

Easter (Velikonoce): Although Good Friday, White Saturday and Palm Sunday are not commonly celebrated, Easter Monday is widely enjoyed. It is a day when various popular customs coming from the pre-Christian era are practiced. Although customs vary in different regions of the Czech Republic, the main Easter Monday tradition is so-called "whipping". Boys call on the girls in the neighbourhood and whip them with plaited willow switches. The whip and the custom are called pomlázka. This "painful" procedure is supposed to guarantee good health and beauty to women in the coming year, and according to tradition girls pay for the service with decorated eggs both real and made of chocolate and sometimes shots of alcohol.

Burning of Witches: The night of April 30 is traditionally known as Čarodějnice (Witches´ Night) in the Czech lands. On the eve of May 1st, Czechs all over the country burn effigies of Morana, the "witch of winter", on bonfires to celebrate the arrival of spring.

Lovers’ Day (1 May): On this day, every girl is supposed to be kissed under a blooming cherry-tree; otherwise she will dry up by the end of the year.

St. Nicholas´ Day (Mikuláš): On the evening of December 5th, St. Nicholas comes with devils and angels the houses to find out whether the children have been good during the year. They leave gifts – usually sweets, nuts or fruits. In return the children should read a poem or sing a song. If the child has been naughty, he/she is given pieces of coal and potatoes.

Christmas (Vánoce): There is no Santa Claus or Father Christmas in the Czech Republic. The spirit of young Jesus, invisible to everybody, comes to children and adults for Christmas. The traditional dinner on the Christmas Eve is carp fried with breadcrumbs and served with potato salad. The symbol of Christmas is a decorated Christmas tree, under which the family places gifts, which are opened after dinner. Some families go to church to attend the midnight mass. In some families there are other customs such as singing Christmas carols, cutting an apple in such a way that the core appears as a star, which brings good luck, or making little boats from nutshells and sending them out in a wash basin. According to one of the Czech Christmas customs and traditions, one is supposed to fast all day before dinner to see the "golden piglet". 




HOW TO FIND HALLS OF RESIDENCE and RECTORAT

How to get from the Centre (Jewish Synagog) to K1:

1.  take a tram No. 4, direction BORY 
2.  go to the terminus        
3.  the Dorms are just across the Klatovská street on the right side

How to get from the Centre (Jewish Syna gog) to L2:

1.  take a tram No. 1, direction BOLEVEC 
2.  go 2 stops        
3.  the Dorms are just across the street on the right side

How to get from the Students´ Dormitory to the Rectorat of  the University of West Bohemia:

Take the  tram No. 4, go to the terminus.
Change to a bus No. 24 or 30 (the bus stop is opposite the park on the left hand side from the tram in U Borského parku str). Get off on the 1st stop. The complex of buildings will appear right in front of you. 
The first cube building with green window frames is Rectorat, bleu on the left is the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and the more faraway buildings are the Faculties of Applied Sciences and  Mechanical Engineering.


04.01.13APPLICATION PROCEDURE

The students applying for Erasmus study stay at the University of West Bohemia should send us Application form and Accommodation form within the deadlines:

for winter term: May 17th
for summer term:  November 30th

Then, they should send us Learning Agreement, at the latest 1 month before the semester starts (winter term starts about 20th September, summer term starts about 15 February every year).

The forms can be downloaded in the section "Forms" of our homepage.

The forms can be sent by email to erasmus@service.zcu.cz   or by post to:
International Office
University of West Bohemia
Univerzitni 20
306 14 Plzen
Czech republic

Erasmus coordinator:
- Jadviga Polívková
email: erasmus@service.zcu.cz
tel./fax.: +420 377 635 702

Academic calendar for 2012/13 here

COURSES OFFERED IN ENGLISH

Faculty of Economicslist of courses in English

Faculty of Law: https://portal.zcu.cz 

Faculty of Electrical Engineering: https://fel.zcu.cz/urdeska.aspx?item=erasmus

Faculty of Applied Sciences: list of courses in English  (Department of Computer Science and Engineering)

www.kma.zcu.cz/erasmus (Department of Mathematics)

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering: list of courses in English

Faculty of Philosophy and Arts: list of courses in English

or https://www.zcu.cz/en/study/studijni-predmety/   (click on the faculty you will study at)

BUDDY SYSTEM  - ESN (Erasmus Student Network)

Buddy system is a reception program of the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen. Its aim is to provide help to foreign students with adapting to different conditions and reducing the culture shock.
The foreign student is assigned a buddy, a local Czech student, who is to help in case the incoming student needs an assistance. The "buddy" also becomes a guide helping the foreign student to get familiar with the city of Pilsen and the local student life. 
Students registered in the Buddy system also organize events, trips etc. for the foreign students in the cooperation with the international department of the University of West Bohemia.

You will find more info on: www.esn.zcu.cz.


Orientation Week
The Orientation week is always held one week before the semester starts. Within the frame of the orientation program, for students who newly join the university is introduced the social, cultural life of the town by having excursions round Pilsen organized by the presentation team of the Buddy system, students are taken to  their departments and helpped with setting study programs of their study plans. This time are also arranged all necessary things regarding to bank account, travel cards, student JIS cards and PC access.





ACCOMMODATION 
Accommodation is available for a limited number of UWB visitors at its own halls of residence with single/double/triple bedrooms. All halls of residence have fitted kitchens with facilities for self-catering. 
Students who don’t want to be accommodated in the halls of residence can contact the student organization Stavovská Unie Studentů ( www.sus.zcu.cz),  for help to find a place in private sector. Prices will be higher.

Halls of residence

refundable deposit 4000 CZK for all international students
https://skm.zcu.cz/seznam-koleji.html   (only in Czech language)       
2-bed rooms, price about 2 300 CZK /month:

L2 - Bolevecká 32, 301 55 Plzeň

A1 - Borská 53, 306 14 Plzeň

K1 - Klatovská 200, 301 00 Plzeň 

B1 - Máchova 14, 301 00 Plzeň




CATERING

STUDENT CANTEENS
The university canteens (Campus Bory - Univerzitní 12 and Kollárova 19) provide lunches and dinners over the week. Price is about 30 CZK/meal.
The canteen at Bory opens at 10:30 and closes at 14:30 for lunch. Dinners are served from 16:30 to 18:00
Canteen in Kollárova 19, opens  at 10.30  closes at 14.30.

 

Cuisine and Drinks

A wide range of cuisines is available in all major cities and towns. Traditional Czech cuisine reflects the influence of the neighbouring countries: German roast goose, Austrian schnitzel, Hungarian goulash, etc. Typical Czech food is mostly based on meat, flour and sauce and therefore the Czech cuisine is considered rather heavy by modern standards. Czechs usually have lunch as their main meal (soup and a main course), which is eaten around midday. The most popular meats are chicken (kuře) and pork (vepřové), followed by beef (hovězí), usually served with some kind of sauce (omáčka). Breakfast is relatively light. In recent times, Italian cuisine and healthy diets have become fashionable among young people.

Besides the student canteens there are many eating places all over Pilsen - restaurants, pubs, wine bars, grills, fast food facilities (Mc Donald`s), etc. There is no significant distinction between pubs and restaurants. The opening hours are varied (generally from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.) as well as the prices (from 50 CZK/meal to 500 CZK /meal in the top hotel restaurants and night clubs).
A list of restaurants in the whole of West Bohemia is available on the Pilsen web pages.

Czech Specialities

vepřo-knedlo-zelo: roasted pork served with sour cabbage and dumplings; the most typical Czech dish
svíčková: pot-roasted marinated beef in a rich creamy vegetable sauce and served with cranberries, whipped cream and dumplings 
bramboráky: garlic-seasoned fried potato pancake
smažený sýr: fried cheese
nakládaný Hermelín: a soft, marinated Camembert type cheese
párek v rohlíku: hotdog encased in a roll, sold from kiosks
pstruh: trout 
smažený kapr: fried carp
ovocné knedlíky: fruit-filled dumplings, served with sugar and curd
koláče: small pastries topped with almonds, poppy seed, jam, or a sweet curd cheese
štrůdl: apple pie

Czech Drinks

The Czech Republic is world-famous for its beer (pivo), which is an important part of the culture. It is recognized as one of the world´s best. There are over sixty breweries in the Czech Republic, of which Plzeňský Prazdroj (Pilsner Urquell), Budvar, Gambrinus, Radegast and Velkopopovický kozel are the most famous. Slivovice, a plum brandy from South Moravia, is the typical spirit of the region. Another typical spirit is Becherovka, a bittersweet herbal liqueur from Karlovy Vary. Among local wines, Moravian varieties are the best. 


 


SHOPPING and SHOPPING CENTRES

There are several shopping centres in the city, the biggest are TESCO, Olympia, Plzen Plaza and Kaufland. Favourite souvenirs are Bohemian crystal, china (porcelain), ceramic ware, leather goods, classical music CDs, wooden toys, illustrated books, costume jewellery, handicrafts and folk arts and crafts products (earthenware, blue prints, bobbin-lace works, maize-straw works, Easter eggs etc.). Shops are usually open five days a week and on Saturday mornings only. A limited number of food shops are also open on Sundays. 
Tesco, Borská pole, bus 30 (near the university campus)
Tesco, Rokycanská str , trolley-bus 11, T bus 
Plzen Plaza, in the city center, near Sady Petatricatniku, tram 2
Kaufland, centre (Plzeň – Roudná), bus 33,39,41
Olympia, Černice, trolley-bus 13, Olympia bus

Money and prices

The basic monetary unit is 1 Kč (Czech crown - CZK) = 100 h (heller). Banks, exchange offices and some travel agencies provide money exchange services. Credit cards (American Express, Visa, Master Cards, Euro Change, Eurocards) are accepted in ATM (automatic teller machines), in a number of hotels, in some shops, in many restaurants and travel agencies. 
Coins and banknotes are of the following values: 
• coins - 50 hellers; 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 CZK 
• banknotes - 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 CZK 
Basic food is relatively cheap as is public transport and cinema or theatre tickets. Restaurant prices are reasonable (the price depends on the category and quality of the restaurant).

Living costs for students are about 300 EUR/month.

Tipping

A tip of 5-10 % is appreciated in any restaurant with table service. The usual system is that the waiter announces the amount as he or she hands over the bill and the customer while paying announces how much he wishes to pay with the tip included. Tipping is also usually expected at the hairdresser´s, barber´s and other services. 




PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

No less important information is to know which days the University is closed and when are no lectures on a week day.

1.1.            New Year’s Day
April            Easter Monday
1.5.            Labour Day
8.5.            Liberation Day, celebrating the end World War II
5.7.            St. Cyril and St. Methodius Day, celebrating the arrival of the Christian missionaries sent 
                           from Byzantine Empire to Czech lands
6.7.            Master Jan Hus Day, commemoration of the religious reformer’s death at the stake in 1415
28.9.          St. Wenceslas Day, in rememberance of the  patron of the Czech State
28.10.         Czechoslovakian Statehood Day, establishment of independent   Czechoslovakia in 1918
17.11.         Freedom and Democracy Day, commemorating the anti-Nazi student demonstrations of 1939 
                          and the anti- Communist  demonstrations of 1989
24.12.         Christmas Eve
25., 26.12.   Christmas Holiday

 

CZECH CUSTOMS and TRADITIONS

Easter (Velikonoce): Although Good Friday, White Saturday and Palm Sunday are not commonly celebrated, Easter Monday is widely enjoyed. It is a day when various popular customs coming from the pre-Christian era are practiced. Although customs vary in different regions of the Czech Republic, the main Easter Monday tradition is so-called "whipping". Boys call on the girls in the neighbourhood and whip them with plaited willow switches. The whip and the custom are called pomlázka. This "painful" procedure is supposed to guarantee good health and beauty to women in the coming year, and according to tradition girls pay for the service with decorated eggs both real and made of chocolate and sometimes shots of alcohol.

Burning of Witches: The night of April 30 is traditionally known as Čarodějnice (Witches´ Night) in the Czech lands. On the eve of May 1st, Czechs all over the country burn effigies of Morana, the "witch of winter", on bonfires to celebrate the arrival of spring.

Lovers’ Day (1 May): On this day, every girl is supposed to be kissed under a blooming cherry-tree; otherwise she will dry up by the end of the year.

St. Nicholas´ Day (Mikuláš): On the evening of December 5th, St. Nicholas comes with devils and angels the houses to find out whether the children have been good during the year. They leave gifts – usually sweets, nuts or fruits. In return the children should read a poem or sing a song. If the child has been naughty, he/she is given pieces of coal and potatoes.

Christmas (Vánoce): There is no Santa Claus or Father Christmas in the Czech Republic. The spirit of young Jesus, invisible to everybody, comes to children and adults for Christmas. The traditional dinner on the Christmas Eve is carp fried with breadcrumbs and served with potato salad. The symbol of Christmas is a decorated Christmas tree, under which the family places gifts, which are opened after dinner. Some families go to church to attend the midnight mass. In some families there are other customs such as singing Christmas carols, cutting an apple in such a way that the core appears as a star, which brings good luck, or making little boats from nutshells and sending them out in a wash basin. According to one of the Czech Christmas customs and traditions, one is supposed to fast all day before dinner to see the "golden piglet". 




HOW TO FIND HALLS OF RESIDENCE and RECTORAT

How to get from the Centre (Jewish Synagog) to K1:

1.  take a tram No. 4, direction BORY 
2.  go to the terminus        
3.  the Dorms are just across the Klatovská street on the right side

How to get from the Centre (Jewish Syna gog) to L2:

1.  take a tram No. 1, direction BOLEVEC 
2.  go 2 stops        
3.  the Dorms are just across the street on the right side

How to get from the Students´ Dormitory to the Rectorat of  the University of West Bohemia:

Take the  tram No. 4, go to the terminus.
Change to a bus No. 24 or 30 (the bus stop is opposite the park on the left hand side from the tram in U Borského parku str). Get off on the 1st stop. The complex of buildings will appear right in front of you. 
The first cube building with green window frames is Rectorat, bleu on the left is the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and the more faraway buildings are the Faculties of Applied Sciences and  Mechanical Engineering.


04.01.13

background image