Upon meeting Mariana that afternoon, what became immediately apparent, was her candid disposition. Indeed, it was not long before we started discussing politics, a topic scarcely discussed even between close acquaintances. Following a delightful exchange of ideas and opinions, she begun to tell me her story.

The joint annual ball of the Faculties of Arts and Education took place on Wednesday 7th March 2018. Members of both the faculties all arrived in gorgeous dresses and suits for the evening start at 8 o’clock. Not just students, but also professors, former teachers, and members of the public had since weeks been looking forward to what was to become a magical event. This year’s theme was ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, one of Shakespeare’s comedies, set in the woodlands by the light of the moon. This topic added a true sparkle to the evening with the atmosphere becoming complete with fairy-like creatures floating around.

The Erasmus Project celebrates its 30th year in 2017, and 2018 will be the 20th year of it operating in the Czech Republic. Ollie Heppenstall explores its history, impact and what the future might hold for this incredible organisation.

Making the decision to spend a year away from home to study at a university in another country is a big step for a student, but is a choice available to many thanks to the Erasmus programme which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. The ability to study abroad not only means students can learn how education differs elsewhere but also enables them to experience different cultures as well as character-building that could shape a lifetime.

William O’Reilley, a senior lecturer in Early Modern History at the University of Cambridge presented a lecture on November 6 on his upcoming book ‘Selling Souls. Trafficking German migrants, Europe and America, 1648–1780.’

This article was written for a competition held by Charles University by the occassion of this year’s 30th anniversary of existence of the Erasmus programme. The author is Valentina Appolonova from Tallinn University in Estonia, currently hosted by the Faculty of Education of Charles University.

On the 12th, 13th, and 21st of December 2014, students from the Faculty of Arts at Charles University put on a production of ‘Blithe Spirit’ by Noel Coward, directed by Eva Bilská, a PhD student at the Department of Anglophone Literatures and Cultures.

About 30km away from Hradec Králové (135km from Prague) lies a small village that spans both sides of the river Elbe. As you approach by bus the first thing you will notice is the large palatial looking building sitting proudly atop a hill. This is Kuks Hospital, which is also home to the Czech Museum of Pharmacy, owned by Charles University.

An internship at a clinic in Itibo, Kenya is providing student of the CU 3^rd Faculty of Medicine Lukáš Malý with unexpected professional and life experiences. His patients suffer from typhus, malaria and HIV/AIDS, as well as injuries from machete attacks. One HIV-positive mother who he helped to give birth named her son after him.

When preparing an Erasmus trip, you first need to select an attractive destination for the excursion. You must also keep on mind that the destination should not be too far away from Prague (or any other of our university cities). Then you need to plan the programme of the day or the weekend. The very best trips are usually those combining a visit of an attention-grabbing destination and its monuments or other places of interest and an event on which the students can actively participate.