Ten years ago, few students looked at Prague as the ideal European destination. Today, it is one of the most popular choices for American students everywhere. One of its biggest selling points: everything is legal. Seriously. When they kicked the communists out, they kind of just forgot to add rules. We are not telling you to go out and try to get arrested, but if you do, you’re an idiot. So enjoy the freedom, you’ll never have it again. Another huge advantage of Prague is its central location directly in the middle of Europe, making it the perfect jumping-off point to travel anywhere. From Hlavní Nádraž, the main train station in Prague, you can go anywhere from Amsterdam to Krakow to Istanbul to Rome. But Prague is not just good for trips around Europe. Don’t underestimate the power of a day trip.  While there are many cities out of the country that are easily seen in a weekend trip from Prague, most of the countryside can be done entire by daytrips.  You can see the Ossuary in Kutná Hora, spend an afternoon gazing at the stars in Brno, drink an evening away at the Pilsner Urquell brewery in Plzeň, drink from the internationally-renowned healing waters in Karlovy Vary, or visit the famed bear-guarded castle in Český Krumlov -- and then return to Prague the same night. And when you return home, you don’t have to deal with the expensive Euro, making Prague the most affordable study abroad destination in Europe. Because Prague is not part of the European Union, it’s possible, probable, and common to get beer for $1 and a great meal for $5 ($1 = roughly 20 Czech Crowns).  Beer is actually cheaper than water. If you are a student on a budget but don’t want to compromise your time abroad, Prague is your affordable solution. However, remember that few places in Prague accept credit cards, so always have cash on you.

                 The major downside to Prague is its weather. A typical day in the Czech Republic might not be full of sun and beaches, but that should not deter you from taking advantage of all the amazing perks that Prague has to offer.