For over 20 years, we've been organising a five-day retreat in Chotěboř [pronounced as Khotyeeborzh] for students from all degree programmes. This event takes place during the second week of September at the Evangelical Church's recreational centre, which is located on the edge of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, about 100 kilometres east of Prague. There are three parallel courses held during the retreat.

Before the semester officially begins in October, first-year students in the Protestant Theology programme attend a two-week intensive course in Biblical Greek. Similarly, second-year students have a four-week intensive course in Biblical Hebrew. Both courses take place in Prague in September, with the second week of the two courses being held in Chotěboř. Attendance at these intensive courses, including the week in Chotěboř, is compulsory.

For all other students of the PTF CU, including doctoral students, the faculty offers an optional course in Chotěboř. This course is taught in Czech and is designed as a block seminar that takes place only in Chotěboř. It can usually be completed with either active on-site participation for 2 credits or active participation plus a submitted paper for 4 credits. This course is interdisciplinary and does not overlap with the usual course offerings during the semester, so students from all PTF CU study programmes can participate. It is typically announced and evaluated by the department of the instructor who leads the course that year.

The goals of the Chotěboř retreat are to:

• Allow students to focus on their studies away from their usual, often distracting, environment.

• Strengthen the student community across different years and study programs.

• Experience their studies at PTF CU as a spiritual journey.

• Enhance motivation for study through creative interdisciplinary discussion.

• Give participants a chance to stretch their bodies with hikes around the rapids of the Doubrava River.

Accommodation and instruction take place at the recreational center in Chotěboř. The faculty subsidizes part of the accommodation and meal costs, but participants contribute 3,000 CZK per person for the stay.

If you want a glimpse into the Chotěboř retreats, check out the photo gallery.

The poster for this year's Chotěboř is here.

The application form for the stay is here.

Payment details:

• Account number: 85439011/0100

• Variable symbol: 44

• Note / message for recipient: Participant's name and surname

For more information about the Chotěboř retreat, please contact student chaplain .