Anglo-American University - AAU Speciality : Journalism and Media Studies
programme: BA in Journalism and Media Studies: Journalism

Attending AAU not only a tremendously fun time in my life, but also extremely fulfilling both emotionally and professionally. I made connections with alumni, learned a new sport, understood what my next steps were in terms of dream career pursuit, and I got to have some of my course journalism work published in the local Czech Radio! I would recommend it for anyone looking for an international experience to serve as a launching pad for your career.

I greatly enjoyed my time at AAU and remain very grateful for the experience. One area where I believe the university could improve, however, is in the structure and substance of first-semester orientation.

Many students who choose to study at AAU arrive in Prague without having previously encountered a wide diversity of political, cultural, or philosophical perspectives. While exposure to those differences is one of the greatest benefits of studying abroad, AAU can at times unintentionally foster a somewhat socially and intellectually homogeneous environment. Because of this, I believe the university should place greater emphasis on cultivating a campus culture that encourages open dialogue across differences.

A number of universities in the United States have adopted institutional statements or orientation programs centered on free inquiry, viewpoint diversity, and civil discourse. Examples include the “Chicago Principles” first articulated by University of Chicago, which affirm the university’s commitment to free expression and the open exchange of ideas, as well as orientation initiatives at schools such as Purdue University and Arizona State University that emphasize respectful disagreement and intellectual pluralism as central to academic life.

AAU could benefit from implementing something similar: perhaps a dialogue-across-differences workshop during orientation, alongside a university values statement that students sign acknowledging their responsibility to engage respectfully with disagreement and to recognize that the pursuit of truth requires intellectual plurality and viewpoint diversity.

I also believe there should be clear policies and procedures in place for situations where students or organizations undermine these principles through harassment, exclusion, or attempts to silence differing viewpoints. Likewise, all recognized campus groups should affirm the same institutional commitment to open inquiry and respectful engagement as part of their recognition process.

Attending this university was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The energy on campus is incredible—everyone is so driven and focused, which motivates me to push myself harder. The curriculum is challenging but rewarding, blending theory with practical applications. I have the chance to participate in innovative research projects and even travel to conferences where I met leaders in my field. The cultural diversity here is amazing, and I’ve learned so much just from interacting with my classmates. This experience prepared me not just academically, but personally and professionally.