Student organisations

As part of the international student organization Erasmus Student Network, each year the ESN UP Olomouc is here for several hundred exchange students who choose to study at any of the eight faculties of Palacký University in Olomouc. They are volunteers who help you on the basis of students helping students. At the beginning of your study abroad, you will especially appreciate the buddy system and the afternoon programme of Orientation Week.

The buddy system (called Papaya) is based on communication between exchange students and Czech 'buddy' students. Buddies contact you, their foreign counterparts, via email, advise you on how to reach Olomouc, answer you questions, pick you up at the station, take you to the dormitories and help you during the whole semester with anything you need, etc. This system facilitates the foreigners' integration into the Czech environment and is beneficial for both parties. To get your buddy, register at https://papaya.iter-idea.com/auth, fill in your profile and your Czech buddy will pick you.

For further information please contact ESN UP at buddy@esn.upol.cz.

During the academic year, ESN UP Olomouc organizes trips around the Czech Republic and abroad, parties, cultural and sports events of all kinds (National Presentations, movie nights, wine tasting in wine cellars, beerpong tournaments, concerts, international dinners, paintball, as well as mushroom picking or kite-flying). UP students and international students form an international team where they practice foreign language skills, learn about different customs and cultures and make friendships that can last a lifetime.

ESN UP Olomouc is also excited to participate in charitable and socially beneficial events held usually twice a year, such as selling punch on the main square and donating the earnings to charity, helping in the ZOO, visiting high schools (Erasmus+ in Schools), organizing free hugs and flag parades, etc.

To keep yourself updated about their events and to keep in touch with other international students, join their private group called Erasmus in Olomouc year/year. For more information about the ESN mission, scheduled events, contacts, partners, and the latest activities at the ESN UP Olomouc branch, go to http://esn.upol.cz or check out the ESN UP Olomouc Facebook page. The ESN welcomes all exchange students who want to join their activities; it does not matter which programme you are enrolled in.

Orientation Week

Orientation week is organised by the International Relations Office and ESN UP Olomouc and introduces students to various services and system operation at Palacký University. It always preceeds the official beginning of classes in each semester and is highly reccommended to join. The programme includes informational meetings, a sightseeing tour of the town and the town hall, Czech culture lecture, an information session with a police officer, a course of Survival Czech for real beginners. In the evening, ESN UP Olomouc prepares get-to-know-each-other parties for you (including our famous Tram Party), a Czech dinner, a scavenger hunt, etc.

ESNcard

A special card which gives its holder the privilege to participate in all activities organized by ESN UP Olomouc such as trips, sports and cultural activities, etc. Last, but not least, it offers discounts at hostels, restaurants, shops etc. The card is valid for one year all over Europe. For more information, see http://esncard.org

PEPA is a student organisation of the exchange students studying at the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry of Palacký University. Feel free to join their Facebook group where students share useful info, educational materials and organize meetings.

International students meet together in small groups to read and study the Bible each week at venues including Faculty Hospital (Fakultní nemocnice), the dorms at Neředín and in the town centre. PUCF plans to host events during the year, including talks on medical ethics (looking at ethical debates currently in the news and the Christian perspective). Social events might include movie nights, concerts, picnics and day trips outside of Olomouc. If you would like to join the group, or are interested in meeting up to find out more about what the Bible teaches, please write an e-mail to the contacts below or 'like' the PUCF Facebook page to receive information about events that PUFC hosts.

Contacts: Ayay Akol (ayayadakol@hotmail.com) and Mun Yee Ng (munyee930608@gmail.com)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/palackyuniversitychristianfellowship

Meetings: Friday nights and other times during the semester

AIESEC Olomouc is one of the nine branches of the international student organization AIESEC in the Czech Republic. AIESEC specializes in study and work placements abroad. Students can study in over 100 countries around the world, participate in various projects, improve their foreign language skills and gain valuable, practical experience. The Olomouc branch also offers AIESEC membership, which is mainly about fun, team leadership, communication in English, improving soft skills, etc. Every year interns come to Olomouc from all over the world; AIESEC members are used to communicating in English. You can join in the daily operation of the branch or participate in multicultural events that AIESEC holds.

Website: www.olomouc.aiesec.cz, email: olomouc@aiesec.cz

This organization aims to bring together the current and former students of the Department of History (Faculty of Arts) of the UP and other people interested in history. The Guild organizes cultural and sporting events as well as sightseeing tours. The cultural events include the annual inauguration of the freshmen of the Department of History and co-organization of parties and balls of the department. Other activities of the Guild include the revitalization and maintenance of the garden belonging to the Department of History.

Website: www.cish.bloger.cz, email: cish@centrum.cz

The European Law Students' Association brings together law students and young lawyers in 42 countries across Europe. The main idea behind the association is cooperation between Europeans working in the legal industry or studying law. ELSA organizes lectures, seminars on current and thought-provoking topics and international conferences. In October you can look forward to an exchange of textbooks, tips, and ideas or to the Antiples law party.

Website: http://www.elsa.cz/olomouc

IFMSA is represented by more than one million students from one hundred countries and six continents. The organization is affiliated with the UN and WHO (World Health Organization) as an international forum for medical students. The goal of this non-profit organization is to support specialized training, the international cooperation of students, and spread humanist ideals. If you are a medical student, you should check the IFMSA out.

Website: https://ifmsa.cz/en/english-main-menu/, email: lp.upol@ifmsa.cz (Local President)

An organization for Czech dental students that provides possibilities and support for the students who want to see dentistry in other countries. Member of IADS.

Email: leo.olomouc.ssscr@gmail.com

A student association at the Faculty of Medicine organizes events such as First Aid Training and many others, thus improving life at the faculty.

Website: spolekmediku.cz email: predsedasm@gmail.com

The Olomouc Japanese Club is a student association operating as a stand-alone civic association under the auspices of the Palacký University Faculty of Arts and the Department of Asian Studies. Its members share an interest in all that is Japanese and love to share their enthusiasm with others. The club holds regular screenings of Japanese films, lectures on interesting topics, creative workshops, food and drink tastings or demonstrations of martial arts.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/japonsky.klub/, email: jkolomouc@yahoo.co.uk

The platform Pastiche Filmz is run by students and non-students active in the field of dramatic arts. Their activities include running a film club, audiovisual projections, workshops, PAF (Festival of Film Animation Olomouc), outdoor cinema, film competitions, exhibitions, publications, etc. Pastiche showcases the diversity of global and domestic film production with the help of both the traditional film club and special projects and film festivals, in which Pastiche closely cooperates with cultural centres abroad, showcasing artists and works that are outside the scope of mainstream distribution.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/pastichefilmz, contact: Štěpánka Ištvánková, stepanka@pastichefilmz.org

This association is affiliated with the Institute of Special Education Studies of the UP FoE and its activities are designed for those interested in special education, especially its students. Members meet regularly to prepare projects, organize lectures, seminars, workshops and discussions with special educators, teachers, experts, people with disabilities, etc.

Email: asociace.ssp@seznam.cz

USCM is a Christian group of students who share the same vision: They want to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to their friends at the university. This is not a church, nor does this organization wish to replace it. Members come from all over the Czech Republic, encouraging new Christians to settle in local churches. This means they support each other in the faith. We meet every Tuesday during term time.

Website: www.ukh.cz, www.skh-olomouc.cz, email: jirkaskh@email.cz

A civic association that professes Christian values. Members include the students of UP and other Olomouc higher education institutions. Regardless of your creed or worldview, you can go to Mass together with the UCM members every Wednesday from 7pm at the Church of the Virgin Mary of the Snow or join other activities. With UCM you can spend your spare time in a meaningful way. UCM kicks off the academic year with a Solemn Mass which is celebrated by our bishop.

Website: www.vkholomouc.cz, email: predseda.vkholomouc@seznam.cz

Consisting of students of the Palacký University in Olomouc, the choir was founded in 2001 on the initiative of student music-lovers under the auspices of the Department of Music Education of the Faculty of Education. Ateneo members are not only students of musical disciplines, but the majority are a mix of people from departments and faculties across the university. The Ateneo repertoire is as varied as its composition. Styles range from classical music through choral arrangements of folk and popular songs to the songs of minor genres such as blues, spirituals and gospel. In addition to regular rehearsals, choir activities include concerts, off-site workshops, CD recording and collaboration with other choirs and artists. The choir life, however, also entails many informal activities. Come see us any time and make our choir stronger with your voice.

Website: www.ateneo.upol.cz, email: ateneo@upol.cz