The commencement of Lent is marked in various ways across the globe: Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday, and more locally, the Czech festival of ‘Masopust’. Dating back to the 13th century, the celebration of Masopust, a meat feast before fasting (the name literally means giving up meat), traditionally symbolises the departure of winter and the beckons the arrival of spring.

Since its foundation in 1987, over 200,000 British students have studied or worked in Europe under the Erasmus exchange programme. The United Kingdom has also proven to be one of the most popular destinations for Erasmus students, receiving 31,727 students and trainees in 2016/17.

Charles University has staged one of its bigger Erasmus+ events this year for foreign students participating in the programme – a party held in the centre of Prague. The aim was to ease the start of studies by giving them a feeling for their new surroundings. And to mark the 20th anniversary of the program in the Czech Republic.

Foreign students who have the chance to study at Charles University under the Erasmus+ program often describe their semester or two in Prague as “unforgettable”. Not only is Erasmus+ an opportunity to advance in one’s chosen major but it’s a chance to experience something different in the heart of Europe.

This article is a submission for the "30 years of the Erasmus Programme" competition organised by the European Office of Charles University. It was written by Melis Omalar, a Political Science student from Brunel University London, currently hosted by the Faculty of Social Sciences of Charles University. The formatting of the piece is on purpose.

On what would otherwise have been a rather uninteresting Wednesday on a crisp October afternoon, I had the pleasure of attending a matriculation ceremony for incoming students to the Faculty of Arts at Charles University in Prague. Derived from the Latin word matricula, meaning “a register,” matriculation refers to the formal process of enrolling in a university and to meet the academic standards required by the institution.

In the month of September the musicians traditionally commemorate the birth of one of the leading personalities of Czech music, the composer Antonín Dvořák. In recognition of this event the Charles University Choir opened its 67th season by a concert composed of works by Antonín Dvořák.

Upon meeting Mariana that afternoon, what became immediately apparent, was her candid disposition. Indeed, it was not long before we started discussing politics, a topic scarcely discussed even between close acquaintances. Following a delightful exchange of ideas and opinions, she begun to tell me her story.

Over 150 Erasmus students heading for Prague for a term or a year of study at Charles University will find themselves living in Trója in the northern part of the city, the location of the 17th November Hall of Residence. Harry Rogers takes a look around an area that boasts not only cheap rooms in the university’s halls of accommodation but also some of the top tourist attractions with magnificent views across the city.

The Erasmus Project celebrates its 30th year in 2017, and 2018 will be the 20th year of it operating in the Czech Republic. Ollie Heppenstall explores its history, impact and what the future might hold for this incredible organisation.