Timothy Smetana ’11 and his wife, Jennifer,
at Boston’s Logan Airport headed for Prague.

Timothy Smetana '11

Prague, Czech Republic

Timothy Smetana returns to a city he fell in love with as an undergraduate at Moravian.

Timothy Smetana ’11 spent his spring 2010 semester studying in Prague, and he simply fell for the city—hard. That experience turned his career path away from business administration, his major, toward international education. After graduating from Moravian, he went to work for Suffolk University in Boston, where he also earned a master’s in education. “As my roles and responsibilities expanded in my job at the university, I started working with partner universities,” Smetana shares. “One of them was the University of New York in Prague (UNYP). When I heard they were expanding their international initiatives, I jumped at the opportunity.”

Today, Smetana manages the UNYP Center for Global Engagement. His responsibilities include developing and managing partnerships, facilitating inbound and outbound study-abroad programs, and growing the institution’s global footprint. “My experience during the semester I spent abroad really changed how I look at the world and myself,” says Smetana. “Through my work in international education, I am able to provide students with the opportunity to experience this for themselves.”

And Smetana is still in love with Prague, citing that it is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and very livable. “Once you get out of the touristy areas of Old Town and the Castle District, you find countless parks, cafés, museums, galleries, pubs, and restaurants of all kinds,” he says. “In many ways, though, the Prague of today is very different from the Prague I knew in 2010. The city is very international—filled with people and cultures from all over the world who all have their different ways of engaging with the world. Being aware of these differences is crucial; this is one of the biggest lessons I’m learning.”

Smetana and his wife, Jennifer, enjoy a Pilsner Urquell at the brewery in Plzen where pilsner originated.

Český Krumlov, a town in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic and a World Heritage site

Smetana’s Prague neighborhood

Insider Tips: Timothy Smetana’s Prague

FAVORITE BREAKFAST SPOT: The farmers’ market in my neighborhood, located in Jirˇího z Podeˇbrad Square. You’ll find some of the best pastries, breads, fruits, and cheeses in Prague at this market. On a Saturday morning, it bustles and buzzes with activity. Plus, you can have a crisp pilsner with your breakfast sandwich at 8 in the morning.

BEST PLACE TO EAT ON A BUDGET: If you are visiting from the United States, no matter where you dine, you’ll feel like you are eating on a budget. But when I am looking for an inexpensive meal, I like the Vietnamese restaurants. There is a large Vietnamese population in Prague, and you can get a nice authentic banh mi sandwich for $5, or pho for less.

MUST-TRY LOCAL FOOD OR  BEVERAGE: In colder weather, I recommend smažený sýr (sma'-zhen-ee sear)—a block of fried, breaded cheese served usually with potatoes or French fries. It goes well with a Czech pilsner. In the summer, everyone enjoys trdelník (tre-del-neek). It’s like a hollowed-out churro. It’s popular with tourists, but  I must admit it’s delicious, especially when filled with ice cream.

FAVORITE LOCAL MUSIC OR MUSICIAN: I think I would get in trouble if I didn’t say Bedrˇich Smetana. He is a famous Czech composer and sort of a national hero. My family likes to think there is a chance we are related. To hear Bedrˇich Smetana’s work, listen to this recording of The Best of Smetana: mrvn.co/smetana.

YOU SHOULDN’T LEAVE PRAGUE WITHOUT watching the sun set over the city from Riegrovy Sady, a park in the residential neighborhood of Vinohrady. Each evening, a crowd gathers there  to watch the sunset. If you get thirsty from climbing the hill, you’ll find a beer garden in the park.

MOST FUN THING TO DO OFF THE BEATEN PATH: The Czechs love their festivals, so they celebrate as often as possible. In September, the city hosts the burcˇák (young, unfermented wine) festivals to mark the end of summer and start of fall; in October, there are light festivals; and in November, the Christmas markets open. Each festival is celebrated with food, drink, and music, and all are well attended. The events are held at sites citywide, with the best located in neighborhoods outside the tourist areas.

FAVORITE PLACE TO SIMPLY TAKE IN THE SCENERY: Vítkov Park sits on top of a steep hill right in the middle of Prague. It provides incredible views of the city from an angle that you do not typically see in photos of Prague. Beyond the city, the Czech countryside is beautiful. You’ll find castles and castle ruins from the last several hundred years scattered all throughout the Czech Republic; it’s popular to go castle hunting.

SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT PRAGUE THAT WILL SURPRISE MOST PEOPLE: The spotlights that illuminate Prague Castle and Cathedral were financed by the Rolling Stones after performing in Prague in 1995. Václav Havel, who was president of the Czech Republic at the time, had become friends with the band shortly after the Velvet Revolution in 1989. This friendship lives on in the lighting of the castle each night for all to see.