"My studies have given me many things, for example, I have friends in my class and I understand and speak Czech better. We have experienced a lot of things in the classroom and outside as well, just because we practice a lot of speaking and correct writing in class. My life has changed because I understand better now. But my purpose or goal was to speak or understand my in-laws better because they are my parents now and also because my wife and I only speak Spanish. I would like to understand their culture better and talk to everyone."

"Last semester, I studied at ÚJOP in Prague. Thanks to this I am now more confident in Czech, I can talk to my teachers and classmates and my speaking has improved a lot. It improved so much that I decided to take part in a presenting competition in Czech at ÚJOP and I took second place. I was very happy about that. It helped me a lot, I can now speak Czech with Czechs quite well. The competition was held in Český Krumlov, but my favourite place is still Prague"

"It was very important for me to overcome my fear of speaking. After just one month on the course, I was able to make an appointment with my mother's doctor by phone (!), explain everything to her at the consultation and also arrange for the car to be repaired at the garage. It was a miracle!"

"I would definitely recommend learning Czech, and UJOP Charles University has been the best option for me. I've tried many language courses, from the free ones to pay-as-you-go, and definitely, UJOP was the best.

I also recommend taking the Intensive course. Don't be afraid, because at the beginning, I was afraid and lacked confidence in learning Czech with Czech speakers. However, once you're there, you hear Czech every day from your teacher, your classmates, and your brain gets used to it. Then, you start to feel, 'Oh, this language is actually really interesting,' and you're no longer against it.

So, I would definitely recommend going to UJOP Charles University. You can take, for example, a six-week course, which is what I did initially with the A2 level. I gave it a try, loved it, and continued with the semester course."

Welcome to the Karolinum. A year ago I sat in the same seats as you, listening to the same opening ceremony in this beautiful building, wondering where my future was taking me. What I was feeling, was probably the same as what most of you are feeling today: nervous, tired; obviously confused listening to the ceremony in czech, as I didn’t speak any yet. Most vividly, however, I felt scared. I felt terrified to acknowledge that I had left my home, my family and friends, everything familiar to me; and I wanted to go back. I was afraid that if I really commit myself to studying here and fail, that I would be nothing more than a failure.

Everyone here has arrived to the Czech Republic under different circumstances, but we have all come with one purpose: to learn czech.

I knew, as all of you know, that this was going to be very hard. You can imagine what lies ahead of you. All the flashcards, the frustration, the afternoons, evenings, and nights of studying - I don’t have to tell you this. I am here to remind you to believe in yourself. It’s okay to struggle. It’s okay to feel stressed or scared at times. Know that all your peers are going through the same thing, and know there are many people at UJOP who want to help you, and want to see you succeed. Don’t be afraid to give it your all, and to reach out when you need help.

Time will fly by. It really does feel like yesterday, that I sat here listening, just like you. Though your main priority is learning, take the time to enjoy this part of your life. Be open to new experiences, meet people and make friends, eat good food, find little things to enjoy, and most importantly, remember to live. Balance between hard work and fun is what makes such a difficult task possible.

My mother always says; “Luck favors the prepared.” Be proud of yourself for choosing to prepare for your future. With hard work you can do anything, even learn czech. The road is long and scary, but you must give it your all. I congratulate you on making it this far. Please, go forth, and learn!

"UJOP Charles University helped me a lot. Even though I didn't have a solid high school foundation in mathematics and programming, I don't feel that I know less than the local students, precisely because in Poděbrady I had not only language training, but also professional subjects, without which my studies in the first semester would have been significantly more demanding. I didn't have much experience with programming. Before I started at UJOP, I only had the basics, but then we had homework from Mr. Jílek, and that really helped. The university course Language C is difficult, but if you already know something, it is a huge advantage. So everything that is covered in the UJOP course – everything will be useful to future students. In general, I would really recommend keeping an eye on professional subjects.

I notice that students of other language schools often have problems with Czech concepts in mathematics, which is not a good thing – you will not have time for Czech at university, every student should be able to understand at least in exercises and lectures. You won't have time to revise what a trigonometric function is and how its typical values are calculated, or to study the basics of complex numbers that every Czech high school student must understand. I don't know any other school that devotes so much time to specialized subjects and has good teachers. It is a pity that in recent years the number of hours for vocational subjects in Poděbrady has been decreasing."

"At UJOP we studied all the topics we needed for the entrance exams for medical faculties. For example, in Medical English, we practiced questions we can be asked at the interview. Thanks to that, at my university admission exam, I answered questions without hesitation because we had already covered such topics in our foundation programme. The teachers gave us valuable tips and showed us effective ways to respond to questions like this."

Dear students, dear teachers, dear guests,

It is a great honour for me to stand before you today in this historic hall of the Carolinum, where the stories of so many students begin. When I look at you, I remember my own beginnings at UJOP. Two years ago, I was exactly where you are today – full of determination, but also full of doubts.

I came from Uzbekistan to fulfill my dream of studying medicine at one of the most prestigious universities in Europe. And today I'm here to tell you that you too can achieve your goals.

Studying at UJOP meant much more to me than just language courses. It was a place that gave me a solid foundation and prepared me for the challenges I had to face. Czech was only the first step. It was the key to opening the door, but UJOP gave me something even more important – confidence, discipline and support.

I remember how difficult it was – a new language, a new environment, high demands. But it was in this environment that I understood that UJOP is not just about learning. It's a community that supports and guides you. You have classmates from different parts of the world around you who are going through similar challenges. You have teachers who not only impart knowledge to you, but also motivate you and believe in your potential.

The last days before the exams were difficult. But what kept me going was the experience from UJOP. I knew I got the best I could. UJOP has taught me that hard work and the right approach can achieve even the most ambitious goals. And that's why I was able to successfully pass the entrance exams and get into all 5 medical faculties of Charles University.

Today I stand in front of you as a second-year student of the 2nd Faculty of Medicine of Charles University. But more importantly, I stand before you as someone who once had the same fears and doubts as you. And if I could give you one piece of advice, it would be this: believe in the power of the path you have embarked on. Believe me, what may be scaring or worrying you right now is just another step towards your success.

UJOP gives you not only knowledge, but also the tools to overcome obstacles. Every hour you spend here is an investment in your future. It's not just about learning Czech, it's about becoming a more resilient, confident person ready for all the challenges that await you in academia.

And I would like to tell you that I will not leave you alone. Although I am now a second-year student at the 2nd Faculty of Medicine, I am active at the faculty and try to help new students and applicants who want to get there. Whether you need advice, encouragement or just someone to listen to you, I will be here for you. I know very well how difficult this journey can be, and I want to help you overcome it.

All of us who have been through UJOP know that it is not an easy path, but it is the path that will prepare you for future success. And I can tell you today from my own experience: if you persevere, if you try and believe in yourself, you will achieve your goal. I am proud to have been and am part of this community now, and I believe that one day you will be proud of what you have achieved here.

Thank you and I wish you good luck and strength in the coming academic year. Believe that every step you take now brings you closer to your dream.

"I came to the Medical Prep course in UJOP Charles University because I did not cope well at the Faculty of Medicine of Charles University.

The preparatory year gave me enough time to revise as well as learn new skills to take care of myself.

In addition to the English language, I also improved the Czech language enough to travel around the Czech Republic.

I love the fact that the school is located in a spa town. When I realized I will study in a castle on the riverbank, it seemed pretty interesting to me.  

The school organizes lots of events like Christmas, Halloween, or St. Nicholas' day. It helps us to socialize with different people in our diverse community of students from both the English and Czech preparatory programs."

"First, I applied to General Medicine at Charles University directly, but unfortunately, I did not pass. This Pre-Medical course really helped me to prepare for the entrance exam – I can say it now, as I am actually accepted to the university now.

One of our teachers here is actually a professor at the Faculty of Medicine of Charles University that I wanted to go to. This is a really big advantage. The teachers and curators are very supportive. They helped me also with my school reports, nostrification, and visa."

"I did not pass my entrance exam to Charles University, but I did not want to give up on my dream. My agency advised me of this Preparatory program.

The course did really help me, as now I have got to the university I wanted. I am confident; I do have more knowledge than I did a year ago.

I find medical ethics really useful, as this topic I have not really learned about previously. We covered practical situations that can happen in the everyday life of a doctor. Now I have the chance to consider different aspects, and I will be able to make a well-thought-out decision faster.

UJOP Charles University is really flexible - for personal reasons, I could not join the program at the beginning. The staff here is very caring and made sure I felt welcomed and settled down well. I feel UJOP is a safe place to be and express myself freely.

My initial expectation was that the preparation year would be long and sad waiting for my university, but I was wrong. It is funny, but I am grateful that I did not get to the university straight away. Now I have more knowledge, more friends that are coming with me to the university. This year was definitely worth it!"

"I applied directly to the Faculty of Medicine of Charles University one year ago. During the exam, I realized there were topics I had never learned at school. I did not pass the exam. I was recommended the preparatory program at UJOP Charles University.

Throughout this year, I have learned subjects and topics I had not covered in biology, chemistry, or physics so far. This knowledge gave me the foundation to pass the entrance exam, and I have been accepted for next year's studies.

Poděbrady is a nice and safe town. I recommend everyone to come here and study. During the year here, I visited many other places in the Czech Republic, such as Pilsen, Prague, and Hradec Králové. It is easy for foreigners to travel and navigate here. I also had time to go to other countries in Europe. Here we are in the center of Europe, so catching a train, bus, or plane is pretty cheap and easy. During the year, I found a group of new friends who helped me feel at home. We love watching football matches together and having a lot of fun in our free time."

"I was exploring my options to go to universities all over Europe. In the Czech Republic, I found the Faculty of Medicine of Charles University in Hradec Králové. It seemed pretty interesting. But that time it was too late because the admission was closed. So, I was about to lose one year, but I continued my search on the website, and I found the Medical preparatory course at UJOP Charles University.

My main objective was to increase my knowledge and become more aware of the country.

Poděbrady is a small and pretty town; I familiarized myself with the environment: trains, buses, food, communication, banking system. Even though the Czech language is not that easy, with the support of the teacher, I acquired the basic knowledge and can get on with life here easily."

"I was recommended a preparatory programme at UJOP Charles University. During one year I learned subjects and topics that I had not yet studied in biology, chemistry or physics. These gave me the foundation to pass the entrance exam, and, as a result, I was admitted to study at university."

Speech by an alumna at the opening ceremony of the academic year at the rectorate building of Charles University

Congratulations to all present on the start of the academic year!

I am very grateful for the invitation and the opportunity to be in this place again, which echoes in my heart with very precious and warm memories. My name is Viktoria, I am a graduate of the UJOP Foundation Course of the year 2022-2023. My studies were supported by The Kellner Family Foundation. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I am very glad that it happened at this time in my life. I am now a student in the Prague University of Economics and Business (VŠE), but a year ago, if I were you, I wouldn't even know how to decipher the acronym VŠE.

Perhaps there are those among you who are not sure what faculty to choose, what university to enter. Don't worry, it's normal. If you are in this room right now and you have a whole year of coursework, a whole year of interesting lectures and even more interesting breaks ahead of you, I assure you that you are on the right track.

This journey has not only academic significance for you, but also spiritual significance. Because every time a person decides to explore a new country, learn about its culture and learn a new language, he or she broadens his or her own inner horizons, begins to better understand his or her own values and identifies even more as a person. UJOP is your best guide on this journey, your best advisor for any aspect of life in the Czech Republic.

Your teachers and coordinators will protect you every step of the way. Rely on them, open your heart to new impressions and insights, so that at the end of the year you can face your own future plans with a reliable weapon in your hands - language and information. Language is the key to your self-confidence. And he who owns information owns the world. With it in your hands, you will be able to conquer any peak. Don't be afraid of the winds you will meet on the way, be brave and determined. Because the brave are always lucky.

Here I would point out, of course, in addition to the work of teachers, the subjects themselves, because they are all very important. And I would not say that one could just not attend any of the subjects sometimes or that sort of things. Because mathematics is very important due to the various structures that we use in Russian in a slightly different way. And because of this, you can then misunderstand your teacher or speak incorrectly yourself. And English definitely needs to be maintained, because with intensive study of the Czech language, the level of English is decreasing right before your eyes. And, of course, economic subjects are also very important in order to understand some core things in Czech, because most of the students come with some knowledge, but it needs to be slightly transformed into Czech

The full interview can be found at this link

"When I moved to Europe I met a nice lady who helped foreigners find their way around and settle in. I decided that one day I would help people too.

My teacher from UJOP Charles University, Zdena Malá, told me that there is a Masters degree in Social Work at the Hussite Theological Faculty, where I enrolled with her help.

I studied at UJOP for a year and worked on my essay for two months and it paid off, I was admitted to Charles University. I am happy that my dream can come true and I will be able to help people."

“I took a programme in Poděbrady to prepare for my field which was psychology. Studying there gave me a strong foundation in Czech, thanks to which I was subsequently able to start studying psychology at university in Czech. Even though it has been a lot of years since my studies, I still try to keep my Czech language skills fresh in my mind and I can’t forget the nice times in Poděbrady. Every day there was rich and full of amazing experiences, I spend the best years of my youth there. 

From my experience, UJOP is an institution that welcomes students with open arms. When I first came to Czechia, the people at UJOP welcomed me in such a way that I felt like I was among friends. They did everything for us, they took care of everything on our behalf. We didn't have to worry about anything. The students themselves really just have to come and study. UJOP will also arrange your residence permit, university applications, dormitory applications... Even the study itself and the relationships with the teachers were great. At UJOP there are helpful and friendly people who give their 100%."

Read a big interview with Dr.Mahagna - I feel at home in Czechia more than in Israel

"I think that without studying at UJOP, I wouldn't have been able to get a good result in the AVU entrance exam. I had a B2 level which made me understand everything they asked me in the exams.

During the three semesters I learned to communicate in the Czech language. We also learnt practical skills, such as how to make phone calls or write emails in Czech. I remember how we tried to make a doctor's appointment, a hairdresser's appointment, order some goods, book a table in a restaurant... In addition, we also learned interesting things about Czech culture. I am also still in contact with several former classmates, friends from UJOP. Teachers at UJOP are very nice, kind and, in my opinion, they love their job. I could also experience different activities like concerts and exhibitions. I also remember meeting Czech students."

"The portfolio preparation courses proved to be the most useful for the entrance exam to the Faculty of Architecture at the Czech Technical University in Prague. We received a lot of practical advice and real examples of past students' work and tackled potential questions from the admissions committee. I got 4 out of 5 points in the interview and was admitted to a university I never dreamed of two years ago."