By Dan Fitzgerald

A whirlwind tour of Prague’s Old Town, a Czech history lecture from NYU professor Jan Urban and a visit to Terezín were only some of the events that NYU’s College of Arts and Science Presidential Honors Scholars attended during their weeklong visit, March 14–20.

The scholars spent their time with a combination of academic and cultural events. Scholars attended lectures and guided tours during the day and went to the theater at night. One evening, they attended La Traviata at the Prague State Opera, while on another they saw The Makropulos Affair at the Estates Theater.

Junior Frances Malari came to Prague as part of the Presidential Honors Scholars program last year. “The only way to learn about another culture is to be fully immersed in it,” the journalism major said.

Every year since 1999, about 30 students have visited Prague during NYU’s spring break as part of the scholars program. The Prague trip concludes their intensive, year-long study of Czech culture.

For Malari, the best part of the visit was simply absorbing the richness of the city. “I loved walking on the narrow, cobbled streets and seeing the intricate coverings that adorned almost every building,” she said. “It really made me slow down so I could take everything in.”

The Presidential Honors Scholars program accepts incoming freshmen straight out of high school. Full-time university students can apply to the program before their sophomore year. The process is highly selective. Students must maintain a 3.65 GPA. As a result, only 300–400 students participate in the program every year. Accepted freshmen receive an all-expense paid, mandatory trip to Florence.

During their sophomore year, scholars can visit Beijing, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Dublin, Ghana, Paris or Prague. In the months leading up to their trip, they participate in weekly seminars, attend guest lectures and complete assigned readings to better understand their area of interest.

Presidential Honors Scholars are also required to spend a semester abroad. Trips like the March visit to Prague helps them choose where to go. Lynn Haney, a sociology professor and chaperon on the trip, said that while scholars may have pre-conceived notions about Paris or Dublin, they can experience Prague for the first time with an open mind. “Prague is the place that [scholars] have no idea about,” she said.