The entire university joined forces on Saturday, November 22, at the Faculty of Law to offer prospective students answers to all their questions. The Na Karlovku 2025 Open Doors Day began with a warm introductory speech by Rector Milena Králíčková, in which she presented the main reasons for choosing to study at Charles University and answered several questions from the audience. Afterwards, brief presentations of the individual faculties followed.
Those who preferred a more personal approach could visit the faculty stands on the first and third floors and obtain information directly from students. Most faculties also prepared accompanying programmes; the stand of the Second Faculty of Medicine offered waffles to visitors after they tried drawing blood from an artificial arm at the Third Faculty of Medicine’s stand. They could then test their newly acquired strength at the stand of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport.
The Faculty of Mathematics and Physics traditionally offered brain teasers and experiments with liquid nitrogen, while visitors to the Hussite Theological Faculty could test their knowledge of world religions. The Faculty of Law once again prepared a “moot court” for visitors, a simplified model of a real court case.
However, life is not just about studying. That is why the entire second floor was dedicated to student clubs. There was something for everyone – theatre, board game, singing and film clubs, but also historical, economic, dental, scientific or international clubs, as well as those focused on equality in society. This was also the focus of the Carolina Centre stand, where visitors could learn about support options for students with health or economic disadvantages.
There is no shortage of entertainment at Charles University. The Prdlý kosti dance group, made up of students from CU’s Second Faculty of Medicine, performed twice, as did students from the Department of Military Physical Education at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, who demonstrated action-packed combat moves. Olympian Anna Šantrůčková, hailing from the same faculty, showed visitors her rowing skills. In addition, those interested could test their knowledge in an interactive quiz with Charles University alumnus Václav Slabyhoudek, a.k.a. Mr. Lišák from the television game show Na lovu (The Chase).
In total, more than 1,300 people visited the Na Karlovku Open Doors Day. How did they like the event, and what do faculty representatives have to say about it? “We came because we couldn’t decide which medical faculty to attend. Here we had a great opportunity to compare them, and now we know,” says Ella Nejezchlebová from Prague and Lukáš Zadák from Litoměřice. But they also enjoyed the accompanying activities of other faculties, as evidenced by the prize packages from the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport they were holding in their hands.
“I enjoy helping applicants find the right faculty. And even if it’s not mine they choose, there’s a better chance here, than at an event like Gaudeamus, that even if they go elsewhere, they’ll still stay at Charles University. And that’s great," says Monika Říhová, a student of Laboratory Diagnostics at the Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové. “I like the family atmosphere here,” adds Kateřina Kryštofová, a student of the new Medicinal Plants and Nutraceuticals programme at the same faculty.
“I am delighted that so many people came today. When preparing the programme, we tried to think of entertainment for everyone, and judging by the enthusiastic expressions on the visitors’ faces, I think we succeeded,” stated the main organizer, Hana Zdražilová.
