What it's like to live and work in the Czech Republic: personal experience and tips for immigrants

Olga's experience in the Czech Republic

In the first part of my story about Olga, we delved into her personal experiences and advice regarding obtaining visas, finding suitable jobs, and renting or buying housing. Now, let's take a closer look at her continued stay in the Czech Republic. One of the biggest challenges for vegetarians, in my opinion, lies in the peculiarities of Czech cuisine.

Free time in the Czech Republic

I spent my free time in the Czech Republic much like I did in Russia: attending opera performances (although, to be honest, the quality of these events is noticeably lower than in Russia), watching movies, strolling through picturesque parks, and exploring historical landmarks.

One should not forget that almost all of Europe is just a stone's throw away, and this opportunity should not be missed. For example, on my birthday, I decided to visit Austria, and we celebrated my friend's birthday inRome. It's truly an amazing opportunity to travel without the hassle of visas and complicated route planning; the infrastructure here is well-developed, and the distances are short.

Nutrition issues

However, the issue of dining in Prague turns out to be a real challenge. Finding even a decent place to enjoy good food is almost impossible, especially considering my vegetarian preferences.

Almost all Czech restaurants offer meat dishes: pork knuckle, knee, ribs – a real nightmare for a vegetarian! Meanwhile, many of my acquaintances, even those who are meat lovers, also do not express enthusiasm for Czech cuisine, and I have never heard any positive reviews.

Other cuisines

Of course, you can find restaurants offering cuisines from different countries, including Italian. However, the authentic quality of Italian food in the Czech Republic unfortunately leaves much to be desired. Nevertheless, there is one establishment about which I can only say positive things – it's "Blue Duck." Although the menu is based on Czech cuisine, the level of service provided is significantly higher.

Sports culture in Prague

Sports and physical activity in Prague play an important role in the lives of local residents. Many companies offer their employees multi-cards that are valid in all sports clubs and fitness centers in the city.

Every month, about 900 rubles are deducted from the salary, which covers a wide range of services:

• swimming pools
• group training sessions
• gyms
• archery
• tennis

All the gyms I've had the chance to visit were of a high standard, with modern equipment and comfortable saunas. The program promoting a healthy lifestyle is noticeably more effective than the billboards on the streets, which only discuss the cost of memberships. In the Czech Republic, engaging in sports is truly accessible, and I actively took advantage of this opportunity. If I'm not mistaken, a similar system also applies to students.

Integration into Czech society

As for the diaspora, integration in the Czech Republic is relatively easy, especially for us Russians. If we look at the local population, it can be divided into:

• “old Czechs”
• “new Czechs” (youth audience)
• immigrants

“The old Czechs” remember the times when tanks rolled through the streets. This part of history, still alive in the consciousness of a certain segment of society, significantly influences the perception of life in the Czech Republic. Every day here is filled with new experiences and discoveries, and I eagerly await what the next stage of my exciting life will bring.

Features of the attitude towards Russians in the Czech Republic

In the Czech Republic, there is a unique atmosphere regarding Russians, shaped by various circumstances. Personally, I haven't had any obvious conflicts with the locals. One of my most vivid memories is my interaction with a postal worker when I was sending a package to Russia. The employee tried to help me and communicated in quite complex English. It wasn't easy, as many elderly Czechs don't speak the language very well.

At some point, after a while of communicating, she surprised me with the phrase: "I understand you, I worked in Moscow for two years and I can speak Russian." There was no anger on her face; on the contrary, she was genuinely smiling. Perhaps it was some kind of established policy not to communicate in Russian, or maybe it was just her own decision.

The openness of the "new Czechs"

There is also a group among the population known as the "new Czechs," who show kindness and openness to foreigners, including Russians. Young people are actively marrying our compatriots, and from my own observations, they develop very warm relationships.

The situation with migrants

The third category includes all newcomers, among whom there are many Ukrainians, likely due to their ability to quickly adapt to the cultural and social norms of Czech society. However, for migrants from the Middle East, the Czech Republic may be perceived as a closed space. Despite the ongoing calls from the European Union for the Czech government to accept refugees from Iran, Syria, and other hotspots, local authorities remain steadfast.

This situation sharply contrasts with what I observed in other countries. For example, during my trip toRome, I encountered a large number of refugees from the Middle East, while in the Czech Republic, I did not come across people of that profile.

Adaptation in the Czech Republic

When it comes to adapting in the Czech Republic, I can confidently say that it is quite feasible. This is especially true for Russians, as many Slavic languages share common features. Even if you have no idea about Czech, you will still be able to recognize familiar words and phrases.

If you decide to learn the language, the attitude of the locals towards you will change significantly — they will see you as someone who shows respect and interest in the culture of the country that has welcomed you.

Russian community in the Czech Republic

As for the Russian community, it is hard to call it a full-fledged diaspora, like, for example, the Armenians, Georgians, or Azerbaijanis. There are small groups of Russian-speaking people who organize meetings and events. They can be found on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or VKontakte, but this should not be perceived as a full-fledged diaspora in the conventional sense of the word.

Social support programs

The country also has a special social program aimed at supporting new migrants in their efforts to adapt to the local community. This initiative is very important for those who have come to the Czech Republic, as it helps them feel confident and safe.

It’s also worth reading about other stories related to migration and starting a new life, for example, how people don’t regret moving from Ukraine to New Zealand, or how residents of St. Petersburg find their happiness in new places.

Buying a country house on the Costa Blanca

Purchasing a home away from the hustle and bustle of the city on the Costa Blanca can be an excellent option for those considering a permanent move and wanting to get to know life in this region better. Speaking of Cyprus, particularly Paphos, it is worth noting that useful information about housing, immigration, and investment opportunities is available in specialized Telegram channels, where fresh news and recommendations are published.

Healthcare and my personal observations

As for the healthcare sector, my story began with a trip to Prague, where I suddenly started experiencing unpleasant symptoms. I developed a fever, and I decided to seek help using the health insurance I had obtained from the same company where I was employed. First of all, I needed to find a clinic with English-speaking doctors so that I could explain my condition to them.

When I finally got to see the doctor, they didn't prescribe me any medication after the examination.

Meeting with the inspectors

In life, anyone can encounter a situation where inspectors appear unexpectedly. One time, my acquaintance and I bought tickets and decided to take the tram. However, when I approached the ticket validation machine, I ran into difficulties — for some reason, the mechanism just wouldn't work. I tried to activate it several times, but it was all in vain.

Having decided that I could eventually explain to the inspectors that I had tickets, I calmed myself down. But, unfortunately, it was at that moment that the inspectors approached me. I showed them my tickets and explained that I had tried to do everything correctly, but the machine turned out to be out of order.

And as it usually happens in such cases — when they checked their tickets, everything worked fine for them. A conflict started, and suddenly some Czech woman stood up to defend me, pointing out that the machines weren't working, while they were approaching people with complaints.

Unfortunately, even this intervention did not have any effect, and we were issued fines — each of us received a fine of 800 crowns, which is about 2400 rubles. I could have complained about the situation, but that day I didn't want to get into such disputes.

Czech Republic through the eyes of a migrant

Czechia, from a migrant's perspective, represents a completely different space. Here, you feel a sense of calm and stability that fills everyday life. It is an amazing country where order and tranquility prevail.

A sense of inner securityThere is a constant feeling of harmony. Honest people, both in the professional environment and in everyday life, create a positive atmosphere. The night streets remain quiet, protests take place in a peaceful setting, and spending time in the Czech Republic has become synonymous with tranquility and a subscription to harmony for me.

In public places, I have encountered people, just like my fellow countrymen and migrants, who spoke Russian from countries such as Kyrgyzstan or Azerbaijan. They are all united by their friendliness and desire to communicate.

Qualities of migrants

People who decide to migrate have an undeniable quality—they are open and responsive. At work, I've noticed that there is a lack of envy and gossip about others' failures. On the contrary, everyone tries to support those around them and celebrate their successes.

• “You can do it!”
• “You can do it!”

The atmosphere at the workplace is drastically different from what I'm used to in Russia.

Comparison of life

If you start comparing life in Prague with life in most Russian cities, especially in small towns, the difference is simply enormous. I've noticed that about 90% of the population living in remote regions of Russia, far from European territory, remain unnoticed by the government. They need attention from the authorities, the creation of new jobs, and social guarantees.

In the Czech Republic, I feel a friendly environment where everyone tries to support their neighbors and create a comfortable, productive space for living and working.People here really do good deeds.and they take care of it, which makes the country wonderful to live in.

Introduction

In conclusion of my story about my experience living in the Czech Republic, I would like to say that despite all the challenges I faced, this period became a true lesson in adaptation and self-respect for me. Life in Prague opened up many opportunities for self-expression, exploration, and personal growth.

Difficulties and joys

I realized that every difficulty—whether it's challenges in finding food suitable for vegetarians or interacting with the local population—strengthens the spirit and develops character.

Czechia, with its rich history and beautiful landscapes, truly has a lot to offer. I have found many places for relaxation and leisure here, which has allowed me not only to explore the local culture but also to learn to appreciate the simple joys. The ability to travel across Europe without the need to apply for numerous visas has been a great advantage for me, and the variety of sports infrastructure has given me the opportunity to stay active and in good physical shape.

Social adaptation

Speaking about social adaptation, I realized that openness and a willingness to learn are key factors that help integrate into a new society. Despite some biases I heard from others, I was able to make many new acquaintances and even friendships with locals, which turned out to be an unexpected and pleasant experience for me.

I feel that a Russian person can easily find common ground with Czechs, and this gives confidence in communication.

Emigration as a life school

In conclusionI want to emphasize:

• Emigration is not just a change of residence;
• It's a whole life school where each day brings new knowledge and skills.
• Life in the Czech Republic continues to amaze me with its opportunities.
• Experience has become an important part of my inner transformation.

This experience has opened up horizons I never even dreamed of. Every new day in this country is another opportunity to create my unique story.