NTNU College of Liberal Arts Explores Czech Culture and Education in Cross-Cultural Series
On April 17, the NTNU College of Liberal Arts hosted a cross-cultural lecture event entitled "Czech Your Options: Discovering Life at Masaryk University" as part of their English Medium Instruction (EMI) project. The guest speaker, Leila Inštitorisová from the International Office of the Masaryk University Faculty of Arts (MUNI Arts) in the Czech Republic, provided an overview of the Czech Republic and its exchange program at MUNI Arts.
Masaryk University, located in Brno, Czech Republic, is affiliated with NTNU as a sister school and is ranked among the top 400 universities globally in the 2023 QS Rankings. Established in 1919, it is the second-largest university in the Czech Republic, comprising nine colleges, including the School of Medicine, School of Humanities, School of Science, School of Art, School of Education, and School of Information.
In her presentation, Inštitorisová introduced Czech cultural traditions and significant sites, highlighting the country's many castles, the third oldest astronomical clock in the world, Czech crystal, glass blowing, and a vibrant expat community. This introduction was supplemented by a short video showcasing the city of Brno.
Inštitorisová also detailed the academic exchange opportunities available at MUNI Arts, the largest college at Masaryk University, offering over 4,000 courses each semester. She explained the international exchange process, including tuition arrangements, where fees are paid to the student's home institution. Exchange students benefit from a comprehensive support system, including assignment of a local buddy, participation in social and sports activities, Czech language courses, and access to international specialists, dormitory information, and more. NTNU students wishing to participate in this or other exchange programs must be nominated by NTNU to qualify. Inštitorisová highlighted the high acceptance rate for exchange students, and encouraged participation.
The event concluded with Inštitorisová distributing souvenirs and mementos from the Czech Republic and MUNI Arts. Attendees actively recommended various Taiwanese attractions and cultural highlights to the speaker.
The College of Liberal Arts plans to host similar cultural exchange activities in the future, emphasizing the importance of bilingual education and the organization of bilingual events. Such activities aim to enrich students' cultural understanding and broaden their international perspectives through engagement in both Chinese and English.