Posted: March 4th 2026

If you haven't seen it yet, Anne Frey sent out an email to all of us with an invitation to an in person mandatory cohort meeting.  I've resent the invitation and it's also on our Photo in Prague 2026 Google Calendar. Please RSVP to this event and let us know if you can't make it in person.

Prague Cohort Meeting - Friday, March 13th, 1:00-2:30pm at Cascade Campus - room TBD

IF there is a strike, it is set to being on Weds, March 10th 2026 - if that happens, Anne will be leading the meeting and I will not be there. However, you will be receiving the same support, information and Q&A opportunities from Anne as you would anyway.  She will work with you to make sure that once the strike is over, I'll have information that can help me continue to support you and answer questions once we're back from a strike.

It would be helpful, I think, if you all took a look at the Prague Photo / Summer 2026 Website and peruse some of the cohort's work and information from 2022 and 2024.  You can access that Google site I created by going here Photography in Prague 2026.  

A few things to think about in the meantime

Equipment

If you have not taken a digital photography class before, you will need to review this video that talks about equipment for the Prague Photography Program. I will most likely record a new one - but this one will give you a good idea of what to expect, early on, as I know not knowing can be stressful.

You will most likely have questions that pertain to the class you're taking this Summer. The Portfolio folks will have lots of questions about bringing film and or digital cameras, etc. and the Intro to Digital Photo folks will most likely be trying to figure out if the camera they have works.  This video will help get you started. Prague Photo Equipment

Cameras

We do have a limited number of digital cameras for students to check out - they are Canon Rebels and we can make arrangements to check these out for the duration of the class. The library also has a limited supply, however, I am not sure how long you can check out those cameras. Please let me know if you have questions about your camera after watching the Prague Photo Equipment video.

Computers

As for your personal devices to create, edit, organize and compile your work - tablets, computers and such - you can get away with bringing any tablet that can run Adobe Photoshop and can be connected to the internet for your coursework.  Chromebooks do not accomplish this, FYI.

Wifi

We have dependable wi-fi but you will do best if you can bring your own laptop or tablet as we do have access to a computer in the 'classroom' spaces but there is not a computer lab.

Your apartments will have wifi and most cafés in the city will also have wifi that you can use

Software

Each student will have a subscription to Adobe CC that you can log into and that will last for the duration of the Summer term. You do not have to pay for that, it's included in the class.

Packing

I also made a video in 2022 for students about packing - and it still stands up pretty well.  Go ahead and view this too.  Prague Packing - For a short bit - here is my suggestion for your Ten Essentials

Funding

If you are interested in joining some group efforts to raise more funds for your trip there are a few things that we've been brainstorming and with a little planning, would be a great opportunity for y'all to raise some more money for your ed abroad experience.

​Asking compassionate strangers - Students have put out 'tip jars' at work asking folks to donate to their study abroad opportunity

A Go Fund me Page - can have 'levels' of donations that will be rewarded with some goods that you can provide after your trip. Example: "Support of $25 or more will receive a 'shout out' on Social media in front of the Astronomical Tower" - or - "Support of $100 or more will receive an extra copy of our published photo book" - whatever you like - but it's nice to promise some token of appreciation in return for the support that only you can give!

Fundraiser - I'm planning to hold (in coordination with our schedules and availability) a fundraising sale where each student who chooses to sell - whether it's their Artwork, clothing, shoes, crafts, books, etc. (anything except food items) - can choose to participate and will need to have their own QR for payment. Payment goes straight to you. You must be present to participate / sell.  We will need to plan ahead of time enough to tell everyone district wide and we reserve a space for us to have a sale that is open to PCC and the public.  We also could ask other cohorts to join in to make this a district-wide event!

If you are interested in helping to organize this - please let me know. We can keep talking about this and plan for the Spring.

Some ideas include:

• Sell your photographs, artwork, poetry, zines, etc. - any original art would be fantastic!

• Sell the items you would have likely donated or consigned - clothing, shoes, etc. in clean, good condition can be sold

• Books - fiction, non fiction, etc.

• Zines - make a zine! sell it to raise funds!

• Services - Tarot readings, doing someone's star chart, advice (non professional, of course), etc.

• Get creative!

Resource documents

• PCC Foundation scholarship presentation [pdf]

• Financial worksheet for international students [pdf]

• PCC Foundation scholarship handout [pdf]

• Scholarship resources handout [pdf]

• Scholarship self-evaluation

• PCC Reading and Writing Center

• PCC tutoring

• Letter of recommendation request [pdf] (if required for apply-to/recommended scholarships or OSAC)

• Reference password help [pdf] (as required for specific apply-to opportunities)

To everyone who has submitted an application to Ed Abroad - Congrats and keep it moving forward!! Those of you who have yet to submit your application, what do you need to get you over that first hurdle?

So - it's not a secret, but it feels like it is - the application process is an open one. There's less of a competitive edge and it's more about the questions that the office asks you are there to ask you to consider some of the more difficult challenges of studying abroad and to also remind you that each of you come to this adventure prepared  with the tools you've developed from your previous experiences in life.  For myself, I never had travelled for study abroad nor had I travelled much abroad, period before my first round of teaching abroad in 2022.  The tools, strategies and experiences I brought from backpacking, through hiking and growing up as a camp counselor in the Sierras of California, all of this was what I had and honestly, it was enough.  

So when they ask you to talk about a time when you leaned into situations that were uncomfortable or new - you got this. It by no means has to be abroad, or even outside of your neighborhood.... we do hard things all the time - and find ways to navigate successfully through hard or awkward and/or new situations and what you have and use when you step forward to apply and to successfully  register and go to Prague is already there. You're just going to make new memories, develop and learn new strategies that will help make this experience the most positive, impactful and transformational.

If you still have questions or just want a kick in the pants to get going (I know that always helps me!) - you can start by making an appointment with the Ed Abroad folks - 

Visit in person at Cascade Campus Terrell Hall 116;

Email: studyabroad@pcc.edu

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Office Phone: 971-722-7117

Book a virtual or phone appointment with staff via Calendly.

I look forward to making contact with each of you individually and will keep you posted on the Ed Abroad Fair that is coming up soon!

• Kim