Summer Study Abroad Program

Three decades after the Fall of the Berlin Wall, students in the Economies in Transition course travel to Europe to investigate the lessons learned from humanity’s recent experience with communism and its aftermath.

One of the first stops in Prague is St. Wenceslas Square, the commercial and cultural center of New Town in Prague.
Exploring history on the iconic Charles Bridge, the group took in the stunning views of the capital city, including the Prague Castle.
Students explore the rich history of Berlin, including the Altes Museum, exploring ancient artifacts from the Greek, Roman and Etruscan periods. The building itself is one of the most important buildings of the Neoclassical era.
Standing at the historic Checkpoint Charlie, a symbol of the Cold War era and Berlin's divided past.
Students learn about banking at the Czech National Bank—gaining insights into the country's monetary policy and the financial world.
As part of exploring the diverse cultures of both Berlin and Prague, students enjoyed authentic local cuisine, immersing themselves in the flavors and traditions of each city.

This faculty-led study abroad course combines the learning objectives of an economics course on ‘Economies in Transition’ (ECON 223) with an Experiential Learning component achieved through traveling, exploring, and interacting with local individuals, communities, businesses, and organizations.

Students gain first-hand experience and insights into what it means to live and operate in a formerly centrally-planned country (FCPC) undergoing political, economic, and cultural transformations. They will ask why some FCPCs are relatively rich while others are poor. The class will travel to Berlin and Prague to spend an intensive three weeks understanding the inefficiencies of a state directed economy and the challenges and opportunities in devising new institutions and policies to foster a vibrant entrepreneurial economy.