Tech, Community, and Networking in Prague: The Unexpected Career Boost of Study Abroad
Before I came to Prague, I worried that study abroad might put any advancement toward a career on pause. While my peers in the U.S. were networking, interning, and preparing for the next steps, I imagined myself travelling—at the cost of disconnecting from anything professionally meaningful.
I could not have been more wrong. Study abroad has accelerated my growth in ways I never expected.
Gaining experience at a tech startup
One of the biggest surprises was how hands-on and real the academic experience was through the IFSA Tech Career Accelerator. This wasn’t a regular class where you sit, listen, and take notes. IFSA’s company partnership projects mean that I worked directly with a real tech startup, had weekly meetings, and contributed to a project that mattered to a company outside of school.
In just one semester, I did market research, validated a business idea, built out a demo prototype video, and wrote a business proposal. All of this happened in collaboration with employees at a real company, with feedback along the way. It felt like I was in a mini startup environment, learning how ideas go from rough concepts to something with potential for impact.
It felt like I was in a mini startup environment, learning how ideas go from rough concepts to something with potential for impact.
This kind of experience would have been hard to fit into my normal schedule. Between heavy course loads, club responsibilities, and busy the pace of life, it’s rare to get that practical, semester-long exposure to a single project. But with IFSA abroad, it was built into the program. My class became my work experience—and that changed my perspective on how learning can look.
Professional networking and the global advantage
On top of that, I stepped into Prague’s tech and startup scene in a way I never expected. I attended more than six career or networking events around the city, all found and organized by IFSA. Recurring events like Truesdays brought together founders, students, engineers, and venture capitalists from all over. Everyone speaks English perfectly, so there was no language barrier.
Later, I had the opportunity to speak on a panel with reputable professionals who are shaping the future of AI and education. Just a few weeks earlier, I was a student in a lecture hall. Suddenly, I was representing U.S. students and sharing my perspective on global tech education. That moment alone made me realize how far I had stepped outside my comfort zone—and how much I had grown because of it.
I connected with people building new startups from the ground up, as well as professionals from big companies like Amazon and eBay. One conversation even led to an interview opportunity with a local startup. Somehow, without planning it, I was more immersed in the professional world than I had been back home.
Growth beyond professional identity
Beyond enhancing my résumé, I grew as a person in ways that are harder to measure. I became more comfortable walking into rooms where I didn’t know anyone, and more confident initiating conversations. I started asking better questions, not just about jobs and roles, but about people’s journeys, their setbacks, and the risks they took. My understanding of career paths widened, learning about roles and industries I had never even considered before.
Advice for career-focused students
Pursuit of your career does not have to pause just because your location changes. Study abroad gives you access to experiences, people, and perspectives that you wouldn’t find by staying in one place.
While you’re in this brand-new environment, say yes to events, even if you feel nervous going alone. Talk to strangers, because they might become your future collaborators. Ask people about their journeys, because they are likely completely different from what you know. The world is so much bigger than one campus, one company, or one country.
My understanding of career paths widened, learning about roles and industries I had never even considered before.
As I return to University of Michigan, I have more than great memories. I have tangible career experience. An international project on my résumé. A portfolio. And authentic startup collaboration experience to discuss in interviews. By understanding how startups and tech systems operate in different parts of the world, I gained a global edge and a new level of confidence in professional spaces. If anything, I feel ahead, not behind.
Brian H. | University of Michigan | IFSA Tech Career Accelerator, Prague | Fall 2025