Vladimír Černý

By Shuan Sim

Vladimír Černý, 26, is graduate student at Charles University in Prague studying religion, philosophy and ethics. This semester is his third as an NYU RA. He spoke with The Prague Wanderer about his work as an RA, and how the name of his band might sound Nazi-like to a Czech person.

The Prague Wanderer: What do you think are the differences between American college students and Czech ones?

Vladimír Černý: Americans ask more questions, because I think they know a lot about “how” — how to ask, how to find information. Czech students know more about “what” — about facts. A big difference is that American kids are more focused in their knowledge. Also, I think Czech students are more grown up in some sense.

What do you mean?

Some American kids are surprised by everything — on how to do laundry, on cooking. Czech students are expected to be able to do all these.

Would you say you’ve learnt something about yourself or other people in your time as an RA?

I’ve learnt social skills through a lot of experience with different characters. Americans have made me more confident, because they’re confident. I saw that they do things because they can. I thought to myself, “Since I can sing, I should sing.” And so I did, especially when describing a song to someone, I would sing the tune to them. I wouldn’t dare to in the past.

Also, sometimes I meet an NYU student, and they’re not in my close circle of friends. Some of them can be rude, but I need to help them, and I’ve learnt to ignore rudeness and help them anyway.

Speaking of singing, I heard you are in a band?

Yes. I’m singing, (NYU RA) Kristýna Hladíková plays the piano, (NYU RA) Jan Čuma plays the guitar and drums and (NYU RA) Tereza Cislerová plays the guitar and bass. We’re the RA Band.

Is that the name of the band? Do you plan to come up with a name for it?

Yes that’s the name of the band. I think we’re sticking with it because we’re only planning to play for NYU. However, even if we do play for others outside of NYU, the name RA Band is unusual to Czech people.

Why?

RA will sound a bit weird to Czech people. It sounds like “Aryan” when pronounced in Czech. It’s funny that none of us are blond or have blue eyes.

Have you had any performances yet?

No. We formed at the end of the first semester, so there was no opportunity. During the second semester, the students didn’t seem very interested. This semester we hope to put up a show, we want to even. Perhaps a Christmas fair, or talent show, where we perform as a guest?

And you’re also involved in theatre?

The group is called Teatro Párty, it’s an alternative thing and we’re coming up with a script about stereotypes with no conversations, only movement and facial expressions. We’ve been rehearsing in the basement of Osadní, and the group is interested in performing at NYU, too.