{"id":28591,"date":"2025-10-30T10:22:29","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T14:22:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/landscape-architecture\/2025\/10\/30\/the-early-years-of-nc-state-in-prague\/"},"modified":"2026-06-23T03:54:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T07:54:18","slug":"the-early-years-of-nc-state-in-prague","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/landscape-architecture\/2025\/10\/30\/the-early-years-of-nc-state-in-prague\/","title":{"rendered":"The Early Years of NC State in Prague"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n

As we mark 20 years of impact for the NC State European Center in Prague<\/a>, let\u2019s take a look at the early years when the College of Design established year-round study abroad programs in this vibrant city. 
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\"Dean<\/a>
Dean Marvin Malecha makes a toast to the Prague institute at its grand opening. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n
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“Because there is a long tradition of young designers traveling the world to enrich their education, the College of Design requires all undergraduate students to have a global experience.”<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

In 2005, the College of Design took a bold step that would forever expand NC State\u2019s global footprint. Under the visionary leadership of Dean Marvin Malecha<\/strong><\/a> and Landscape Architecture Professor Emeritus Art Rice<\/strong>, <\/a>the college transformed a longstanding summer study abroad program into a year-round instructional site \u2014 establishing what was then known as the Prague Institute. This milestone reflected the College\u2019s commitment to design education that transcends borders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBecause there is a long tradition of young designers traveling the world to enrich their education, the College of Design requires all undergraduate students to have a global experience,\u201d said Dean of NC State\u2019s College of Design Mark Hoversten. \u201cAs part of that requirement, Czech architect Martin Perlik and Design Alumna Dana Bartelt ’80, ’88 collaborated to take College of Design students on short summer field trips to Prague in 1992. Within a few years, these courses became so popular they extended over the summer for more credits and were co-taught by other Czech design professionals and faculty from a number Czech universities.\u201d
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On June 24, 2005, Dean Malecha stood alongside international and university dignitaries, as well as representatives from the U.S. Embassy, to celebrate the grand opening of the Prague Institute, which was open to all design students. The ceremony marked not only a new chapter for the university but also a testament to the College of Design\u2019s leadership in integrating global perspectives into the creative process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guided by the college\u2019s innovative spirit, the institute offered semester-long programs taught or co-taught by Czech instructors to give students an immersive experience. These experiences incorporated case studies, fieldwork and excursions across Prague and Eastern Europe \u2014 embedding cultural and contextual understanding into the heart of the design curriculum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Downtown<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n
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“Studying in Prague made me appreciate living in a bigger city, in a more urban environment.”<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

For Design alumna Emily Schneider ’05, going to Prague was her first time leaving the U.S. and living in a city larger than Raleigh.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe had a great cohort in Prague that semester,\u201d she said. \u201cI especially enjoyed Paul Tesar as a professor. Studying in Prague made me appreciate living in a bigger city, in a more urban environment. I now live and work as an architect in Washington, D.C.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the stewardship of the College of Design, the Prague Institute became a vibrant hub of international learning and collaboration. The Institute attracted renowned European faculty and drew students from across NC State eager to engage with Prague\u2019s rich cultural, artistic and architectural landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"College<\/a>
College of Design Alumna Emily Schneider’s map design. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy favorite places were the winding streets and small courtyards in the city center,\u201d Schneider said. \u201cI spent a lot of time getting lost (this was before we had Google Maps and a phone) and I cut up my map on the first day for a graphic assignment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the institute evolved, its impact extended beyond design. What began as a design-led initiative became a model for interdisciplinary education abroad, inspiring participation from programs across the university. While design students remained at the heart of the experience, the college\u2019s leadership opened doors for various academic disciplines \u2014 from accounting to engineering \u2014 to explore the world. The Jenkins Master of Accounting program, for instance, launched a graduate-level summer course in Prague that thrived for more than a decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the College of Design celebrated its 75th anniversary<\/strong><\/a>, it hosted a reunion in Prague \u2014 a home away from home for generations of designers, faculty and alumni whose experiences there continue to shape the college\u2019s legacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2017, after twelve years within the College of Design, the Prague Institute became the NC State European Center in Prague<\/strong><\/a>, following a trip to Prague by NC State Provost Warwick Arden, accompanied by Art Rice, who was then interim dean at the College of Design. Center management transitioned to NC State\u2019s Office of Global Engagement, further expanding its programming to encompass additional disciplines and academic programs. Teaching and research opportunities for NC State faculty, as well as study abroad opportunities for students, continued to flourish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDuring the last academic year, a record 436 students studied at the NC State European Center in Prague, representing all of our colleges. This success would not have been possible without the strong foundation created by the College of Design,\u201d said Amy Conger, vice provost for global engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alumni from the early days of the Prague program shared of their time abroad and what expanding their global perspective meant to them:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Katie<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Katie Gray Jackson (Altmann), Summer 2016, Industrial Design<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStudying design in Prague prepared me for my current position as chief of staff for Lenovo\u2019s Global Design Innovation Team by opening my eyes to the global nuances of design, culture and the importance of taking a wide lens to design initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of my transportation design course, we were invited to the final presentation of a master’s program our professor was involved in. We got to see close-up what the automotive designers of the future were creating and learn from their professionalism and storytelling approach. The funny part of this story is that it was one of the first times my classmates and I needed to navigate the underground subway system in the city, which led to a few mishaps and funny memories before we arrived at the presentation at Aufeer Design.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I grew up spending a lot of time in the mountains of North Carolina, so our class trip to the region of Moravia was a highlight for me. It was peaceful, full of gorgeous rolling hills, history, wine and adventure. It somehow simultaneously made the world feel very big and very small \u2014 because I could be halfway around the world and still feel \u2018at home\u2019 in the mountains while soaking in views that were completely unique.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Katie<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

My (now) husband studied abroad in Prague with me that summer, and we still to this day refer back to the class on Czech language and culture because it was so eye-opening. Professor Davisonova helped us develop empathy for people of totally different cultures and when we meet new people who maybe see the world differently than we do, we remind ourselves of the way this course emphasized that even though you never know someone\u2019s full story, everyone deserves kindness and understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n
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“Prague influenced me by making me feel fearless of international travel.”<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Eight years after I studied in Prague,\u00a0my sister enrolled in the program. My husband and I traveled with her (we called it \u2018dropping Sarah off at school\u2019!) to show her all of our old favorite spots around the city and help her get settled before she started class. I was so happy to return to Prague and to see so much of its rich history kept my memories alive, but with a fresh view. Such a special place, and even more so the second time around!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Prague influenced me by making me feel fearless of international travel, which is a huge part of my job now. I recently traveled for a user focus group to Hamburg, Germany, by myself with a high-stakes assignment. I felt comfortable doing so thanks to Germany\u2019s relative similarities to my Prague travels. Spending the summer in Prague and taking weekend trips all around the continent showed me that I can make my dreams a reality and to trust my gut \u2013 two very important lessons for a frequent solo traveler. I\u2019ve since been on work trips to Italy, Japan, Korea, China and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Musicians<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If there was one thing I\u2019d want to share as words of wisdom with future students thinking about studying abroad at the NC State European Center in Prague, it would be to document everything! In addition to the blog <\/strong>I kept \u2014 mostly for friends and family but also at the request of my department head, who asked for pictures and updates of our class \u2014 I created a travel journal all summer. It is still one of my most cherished belongings: a handwritten account of the memories I will hold dear forever. Many ticket stubs and dried flowers, sketches, and photos.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Laura-Nelle<\/a>
Laura-Nelle Hurst amidst a snowy Prague cityscape. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Laura-Nelle (Parnell) Hurst, Fall 2009, Political Science<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen I studied in Prague, the program was centered around landscape architecture and fashion design \u2013 programs I knew nothing about as a Poli-Sci major. I got the benefit of learning about design with experts while completing Gen Ed courses needed to graduate.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I had great faculty while I was in Prague. I practiced ordering food in Czech with Professor Davisonova, visiting Lany and discussing philosophy with Matej, exploring Czech literature with Pavla, and visiting a mead factory to learn more about beekeeping with Dalibor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Laura-Nelle<\/a>
Laura-Nelle Hurst (top right) and friends exploring Prague.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For their final project, the fashion design students were assigned a role from A Midsummer Night\u2019s Dream<\/em>. They were to design and create a costume based on the role, and then act it out! I was somehow roped in (I was involved with University Theatre back at NC State), so I became the narrator and created my own costume! On the day of the performance, a makeup artist came to the performance space and got us all ready. Then, we performed in our costumes for the rest of the students! It was such a unique experience that I\u2019ll never forget. I just recently found the script!<\/p>\n\n\n

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“If there was one thing I\u2019d want to share with future students about studying abroad in Prague, it would be that your courses will be top-notch \u2014 but exploring the city will be the most educational thing you can do.”<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a>
A snow-covered \u010cesk\u00fd Krumlov<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I have a memory of walking from a brewery near the castle and walking back to our pensione at night in the snow. We wound our way through New Town, over the Charles Bridge, through the narrow alleys and through a deserted Old Town Square. It was a truly magical Walk! Outside of Prague, I loved \u010cesk\u00fd Krumlov and its fairy-tale setting. If there was one thing I\u2019d want to share with future students about studying abroad in Prague, it would be that your courses will be top-notch \u2014 but exploring the city will be the most educational thing you can do. Learn a little Czech and explore the city!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/a>
The Charles Bridge <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Studying abroad helped me become a global citizen. My time in Prague brought new perspectives and made me a more empathetic and curious person. And, it stoked my love for travel. When I got the opportunity to study abroad again as an NC State graduate student, I jumped at the chance because I knew the impact of studying in another country. I was able to spend 2 weeks in Augsburg, Germany, last summer with Dr. Hoggan.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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