In the heart of Europe

Brief history of our countries 800/900 – Great Moravia 828 – Christianity introduced on our lands 863 – written language introduced Slovaks 1000 – Hungarian Empire 1500s – Turkish invasion, Slovakia became the center of Empire Czechs Czech kingdom Austrian Empire Austrian-Hungarian Empire 1918 Czechoslovakia

Czechoslovakia??? 1918 division of Austrian-Hungarian Empire 1918 – 1939, democratic country WW2 -> Czechs occupied by Germany, Slovak state 1948 – 1989 communist rule 1989 – Velvet Revolution, return to democracy 1 Jan 1993 – Velvet divorce Czech republic Slovakia

Czech republic Population: 10.4 million Capital: Praha (Prague, Prag, Praga) #5 most visited European city 4 million tourists last year Religion: Roman Catholic 39.2%, Protestant 4.6%, Orthodox 3.0%, other 13.4%, atheist 39.8% Border: Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovakia

Slovakia Population: 5.4 million Capital: Bratislava By certain geographers considered to be the exact center of European continent Religion: Roman Catholic 68.9%, Protestant 10.8%, Greek Catholic 4.1%, other or unspecified 3.2%, none 13% (2001 census) Borders: Czech rep, Austria, Hungary, Poland, Ukraine

History today Old city centers Castles, chateaus, fortresses Churches, cathedrals Memorials

Slovakia Type of government: parliamentary democracy President (elected every 5 years): Ivan Gašparovič Parliament (elected every 4 years) prime minister: Robert Fico + cabinet European Union: European Comission: 1 from each country European Parliament: 14 out of 785 members

Czech Republic PresidentVáclav Klaus Prime MinisterMirek Topolánek Parliament – 2 chambers Senate – 81 seats (for 6 years, one third every 2 years) Chamber of Deputies (200 seats for four years) European Union

Agriculture & Industry Agriculture: different plants grown in different regions Cereals, corn, potatoes, sugar beets, also vineyards Industry: Fast growing industrial production automobile industry (CZ: Škoda, Hyundai, TCPA, SK: Volkswagen, Peugeot, Kia), steel and aluminum processing, electronics (Sony, Samsung), chemical industry, machinery, textiles

Sport Football – most popular sport (2415 registered football clubs in SK) Successful sports teams: Ice hockey – World Championships Tennis Swimming Canoeing – canoe slalom, wild water slalom Javelin throwing Winter sports are very common skiing, snowboarding

EVERYDAY LIFE

Family Close family life, families in Slovakia have close connections to their grandparents and visit them quite often Parents often give advice to their children Slovaks (especially Slovak mums) like everything tidy and in its place Dont forget to take off your shoes when you enter a house or an apartment (wear slippers) Children help with the housework (vacuuming, washing dishes etc.) Family trips

Housing Many families live in blocks of apartments, most of them were built in , these apartments are often small in size Siblings usually share room Bathroom – usually only a bathtub (not a separate shower) Toilet – flush the toilet paper (not like in hot countries) Slovaks dont like to waste water (shower) and electricity (lights off)

Foods & Drinks Foods: Lunch is the main meal of a day usually includes soup and main meal during school days offered in the school cafeteria use knife and fork at the same time to eat your meal Less fast food, many families cook at home, especially at the weekends Drinks: Alcohol is very popular, legal age to drink is 18, the law is not always strictly followed, but the situation is changing nowadays and it is more enforced Beer – very popular drink, many beer brands are produced in Slovakia We use ice in smaller quantities, ice machines are rare

Transport Respect the Rotary rules for travelling People often walk (its safe) and ride bikes Many people travel by public transport: Between cities: trains, buses City transport: trams, buses, cabs Reduced prices for students Driving From the age of 18 – students in high schools dont usually drive cars

School School system: Elementary education: 9 years High school: 4 years, several types of schools gymnázium, obchodná akadémia, odborná škola Mostly fixed schedule Teachers are rather reserved with students, students are more respectful and dont talk back in a discussion accept the fact that the teacher is always right Students often cheat in exams Sports teams, art and music education are not organized by school

Free time High school students do not usually work during school year (only in the summer) Sports organized by different sport clubs in towns Hanging out with friends (it is essential to have a cell phone to communicate with friends) Hiking in the mountains Skiing/snowboarding in winter

People Not open to strangers, but once you get to know them, you will find them friendly Friendships are more profound Caring and hospitable (especially mothers and grandmothers) Multiple offering (meal, drink) Different attitude to nudity

Being an exchange student Learning the language Living in the host family Making new friends Culture shock Inbound syndrome