Well, the end is in sight here in Prague. With only five weeks left of the semester things are about to get even more intense than they have been. So, what's life been like here?

To start with Prague is absolutely stunning - even three months on we all wake up and can't believe we are here. The weather is getting a little colder now but the atmosphere is still amazing. The dorms make for a huge social scene with the resident DJs mixing for us at our weekly dorm parties and get togethers. We have been to the opera and ballet more times than I can count - and at $3 who wouldn't - Swan Lake, Don Giovanni, Carmen and Cinderella - they are available every night of the week.

Everything here is cheap compared to home and with our accommodation at AUD 62 per month, no one is complaining. The tram and metro system is so convenient - running all night and dropping us right outside our dorm.

Living expenses - well the basics are very cheap and everything you need is a walk or short tram ride from the dorms. Eating out is so cheap that we rarely eat at the dorms. Most big meals are $5 or under.

As for Uni - it is very different here - very laid back. You don't have a lot of coursework to do and a lot of your marks are based on attendance and written papers/presentations. This has given us a lot of opportunity to travel around the country and Europe in general.

Each Wednesday the Uni has been organizing trips that we can go on. They hire buses and take you to see the castles and little towns in the Czech Republic. Apart from these trips we have done a lot of independent travel because public transport here is so cheap. So apart from Prague (which is jam packed full of things to see) we have seen places like
Kutna Hora (with a famous bone church), Karlovy Vary (the Mafia run spa town), Cesky Krumlov (UNESCO world heritage listed) and Moravia (the wine growing district).

Speaking internationally, there have been a lot of trips planned by people in the dorms. Skiing in the Austrian Alps, Italy, Turkey and Croatia - we are at the gateway to everywhere and the student deals are amazing. Last week we headed to Dresden in Germany for the day and this week I head to Egypt for 12 days which should be great.

Everything is being set up for Christmas at the moment with an open air ice rink starting next week and Christmas trees and markets in every square. There is so much to see and do in this city.

So some quick advice - firstly, definitely come for the second half of the year, but bring a warm jacket, scarf, gloves and a beanie!!

Your ISIC card will go a long way here with student discounts available on nearly everything. Also, most importantly, get an "OVER 90 DAY VISA" from the Consulate in Australia - no matter what other advice you age given. It seems that Aussies that didn't obtain "Over 90 day" visas has encountered difficulties in an effort to extend their time here.

Well that's about it for now.

As always - having a ball,

Kendall