(source: Courtesy of University of New York in Prague)
The American higher education system has some characteristics that make it distinct when compared to Universities in other developed markets around the world. For example, good U.S. Institutions tend to pay a significant amount of attention to the development of the critical thinking of students, and offer interactive and generally small-sized classes (especially when compared with big European Universities). They offer strong relevance of the course content to industry and markets, which is coupled with the development of practical knowledge and skills for students. To achieve this, they develop and train faculty who have been selected based on their abilities to teach, academic skills and background, as well as practical knowledge they can offer. They generally are faculty with strong connections (and often background) to the real-world contexts where their graduates are destined to work.
The American education system is in some cases unlike many European Universities where faculty are often exclusively nurtured on academic skills, often resulting in excellent scholarship, but inappropriate for the develop of students. These differences have set apart the US educational approach to University programs offered from other educational approaches in terms of producing more employable, practical and “market-ready” graduates. With the experience of the University of New York in Prague in offering American education programs, these differences are primarily reflected in career success, as well as in the further educational success, of its graduates.
The English language education programs of UNYP, the only institution in Prague offering American Bachelor programs, have provided a good example of the results of such an educational approach. Its students, coming from 65 countries and taught by Faculty coming from over 20 countries, have proven to produce graduates with the understanding, experiences, skills and network to succeed globally and meet their professional and personal goals. With the identification of such a successful trend it seems that some other US schools are considering opening similar American education centers in other European capitals in the region, namely in Budapest and Warsaw. Vienna, similar to Prague with UNYP, has also had a presence of US educational offerings since the mid-90s (UNYP started in Prague in 1998). Even Czech State Universities have started experimenting with such an educational approach, introducing smaller English language programs in various disciplines in an effort to emulate American education styles and offer them to both international students and aspiring Czech students.
The University of New York in Prague is the largest and leading English language Higher Education Institution in the Czech Republic. Teaching takes place in English, and currently more than 800 students from more than 60 countries study at the school. Lecturers come from more than twenty countries, predominantly from the United States, the European Union, and of course locally from the Czech Republic, bringing with them both academic and professional backgrounds. This makes UNYP the most diverse and multicultural institution in Czech Republic. UNYP offers a truly international environment for every single student.
UNYP provides challenging, accredited programs offered in a beautiful city in the heart of Europe by respected institutions from the United States and the United Kingdom. Lectures are given by an internationally credentialed and experienced faculty who utilize modern, open, thought-provoking, and participatory teaching styles to a culturally and geographically diverse group of students reflecting the diversity of today and tomorrow.
UNYP students are advised and nurtured by faculty who will develop their critical thinking, analytical, problem-solving, leadership, and decision-making skills required for career success and a fulfilling life in the 21st century. Further to this the University cooperates closely with a number of multinational companies and offers to students an exclusive opportunity to apply their new knowledge in practice. As part of their studies, students can apply for study stays abroad, or get professional placements and internships which can lead to permanent employment.
