The day started with a scavenger hunt and puzzle activity through Prague, specifically around Charles Square. The group was split into four teams, and each team was paired with a Czech student studying at Charles University. The student in my group was wonderful and taught us a lot about the differences in education and healthcare in the Czech Republic compared to the United States. During the activity, we saw churches, beautiful scenery, and my favorite stop, the local hospital, which is still in use today despite being located in a building from the 1700s.
After the activity, we visited the Central Bohemian Innovation Center and learned about the differences between starting a business in Prague versus the United States. The center supports regional development by providing resources, research support, business connections, and guidance that help start-ups bring their ideas to market. It was interesting to compare this to what we do in Pittsburgh, where innovation centers and universities also support start-ups through funding opportunities, networking, and research partnerships. One major difference is that Prague offers a smaller market that is often easier for new businesses to enter, while Pittsburgh and the United States generally provide greater access to funding and larger-scale investment opportunities. We finished the day with a history lecture and learned that tomorrow, May 8th, marks Czech Liberation Day.
Swanson School of Engineering 