When living in Czechia, a few must-haves will save you from all kinds of unexpected chaos. Trust me, you'll want these essentials on hand:
1. Umbrella: No joke, it can rain whenever. You'll leave the house with blue skies, and 10 minutes later, you're soaked. Keep a small foldable umbrella with you at all times.
2. Water Bottle: Tap water at restaurants is not usually served for free, so always bring a water bottle. And if you need a refill, there is no shame in filling it up from the bathroom tap—Czech bathroom water is cold and refreshing, and apparently, it's become my personal barista on busy days.
3. Coins (at least 20 CZK): Public bathrooms often charge a fee, so keep some coins handy. Profi tip: In the Nový Smíchov Mall (Prague 5), only one floor has paid bathrooms, while the others are free. You're welcome.
4. Tote Bag: Have you ever encountered a cute little market and realised you forgot your reusable bag? Keep a tote inside your bag for spontaneous shopping. It's convenient when you're buying apples (which, by the way, are excellent in Czechia). This is where the tote comes in to save the day—now your apples won't roll around your bag, stabbing into the edge of your notebook and leaving sticky apple juice everywhere (from a tragic real-life experience).
5. Tissues: The Czech wind may not be dangerous, but it'll get your nose running! Keep a pack of tissues with you just in case you need a quick fix.
6. Loaded ISIC Card: Whether you need lunch or print a last-minute assignment, having money on your ISIC card can save you. You can load it at any university cafeteria from 200 CZK upwards. Also, download the ALIVE app to track all your student discounts and use it as your digital ISIC card backup (but seriously, try not to forget the actual card).
7. Headphones: Depending on the season, go for on-ear headphones in the winter (which double as earmuffs) and in-ear headphones for summer (to avoid sweaty hair disasters). Neurodivergent tip: Use earplugs under on-ear headphones for double the focus power when studying in noisy places!
Do you have more survival tips? Share them in our Facebook group and help a fellow student out!