Dreaming of attending film school in New York City or Los Angeles? Studying at a prestigious school can help your career set sail — or it can sink you under the weight of student debt. The cost of a single year in the Graduate Film Program at NYU cost nearly $91,000 in 2016-17(including tuition, fees, supplies, health insurance and all living expenses).¹

Instead, consider attending film school overseas. International schools might just be the best way to realize your dreams without going broke. One great example is Prague's Film and TV School (FAMU) at the Academy of the Performing Arts, the world's fifth oldest film school and one of the most prestigious.

Why study at FAMU International?

1. English speakers are welcomed. Unlike some other international film schools — like Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica in Mexico City, where all the classes are taught in Spanish — FAMU offers English-language courses specifically for international students.²
2. Tuition is cheap. FAMU tuition for a year in the graduate program in directing is 16,970 euros – around $19,300 (in 2017).³ That’s still a big investment, but it’s less than comparable film schools in the United States.
3. You get a high-quality education. FAMU’s film and media courses use the latest facilities and techniques. FAMU graduates include many influential filmmakers and scriptwriters, such as Oscar winners like Miloš Forman and Jiří Menzel.

Courses at FAMU International

FAMU International offers three full-time courses of study in English.

The Academy Preparation Program (APP) is a one-year course of studies that introduces newcomers to a broad range of filmmaking and photography skills, including directing, documentary, cinematography, editing, creative post-production, and photography. Some of the coursework looks at theory, but the primary focus is on hands-on, practical photography and film-making.⁴

Cinema and Digital Media is a three-year master’s degree program for screenwriters or directors. Each student gets a mentor to help them as they study the art of filmmaking with guest artists and professors.

The Special Production Course is an opportunity for talented students to create a short narrative film or other video projects over the course of three months. The goal is to submit the work to European film festivals at the end of the course.⁵

Living in Prague

FAMU provides temporary student accommodations for the first two weeks, as well as help finding long-term housing in Prague. Prague has a big student population, so there are many inexpensive places to rent. According to Expatistan’s numbers, a moderately priced studio in Prague rents for around $500 per month.⁶

Prague is one of Europe's cultural hubs, with an exciting mix of Old World architecture and youthful energy. Compared to the United States, groceries and public transit are much more affordable, and students find that they're able to live relatively comfortably. A good percentage of the population speaks English, so there's no need to stress over a language barrier, and many Americans feel right at home sharing pints in a Prague pub.

Why you need travel insurance while studying abroad

Anything can happen when you’re studying overseas. Emergency medical expenses and hospitalization, for example, can be prohibitively expensive. You may need to return home in an emergency. You could miss a flight or lose your passport. Travel insurance from Allianz Global Assistance can help in situations like these, depending on the benefits and covered reasons outlined in your plan.
When you’re purchasing a travel insurance plan to cover you while studying abroad, there are certain benefits you should look for.

• Emergency medical and dental benefits can reimburse you for losses due to covered medical and dental emergencies that occur during your trip.
• Emergency medical transportation benefits can provide transportation to the nearest appropriate medical facility, if necessary, following a covered illness or injury during your trip.
• Baggage loss/damage benefits can cover the loss, damage or theft of baggage and personal effects, up to the Maximum Benefit Limit shown in your Confirmation of Coverage.
• Baggage delay benefits reimburse the reasonable additional purchase of essential items during your trip if your baggage is delayed or misdirected by a common carrier (such as an airline) for 24 hours or more.
• Travel assistance services connect you with multi-lingual specialists who can help with all kinds of problems, from tracking down lost baggage to finding local emergency medical care.

Travel insurance for study abroad must also cover you for the full time you’ll be overseas, whether that’s three months or longer. An affordable option is the OneTrip Emergency Medical Plan, low-cost and flexible insurance that’s designed for travelers with few pre-paid expenses. Whichever plan you choose, read your plan documents carefully so you understand what’s covered.

Related Articles

• 5 of the Best Places to Study Abroad
• How to Study Abroad for Cheap: Six Budgeting Tips
• Top 4 Reasons to Study Abroad

Underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Affiliated Companies, Columbus, Ohio.