Students from the University of Colorado Denver’s School of Public Affairs (SPA) and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) Department of Political Science are participating in an immersive international study program in partnership with the Department of Public and Social Policy at the Institute of Sociological Studies, at Charles University in Prague. The initiative brings together 16 students from the United States and Czechia for an intensive academic and experiential exploration of “Just Energy Transitions” across Europe and the U.S.

The program, led by SPA professor Christoph Stefes, builds on more than a decade of study trips to Berlin. Since 2014, CU Denver students have traveled with Stefes to Germany for hands‑on learning about governance, politics, and social change.

Once a divided city at the center of Cold War conflict, Berlin now serves as a living classroom for understanding democratic resilience, climate policy innovation, and the social transformations shaping Europe today.

A Transatlantic Classroom Focused on Energy, Democracy, and Policy

This year's cohort includes eight CU Denver students, with an even split between graduate and undergraduate participants and equal representation from SPA and Political Science. They join eight students from Charles University, led by Assistant Professor Mirna Jusić, as part of a longstanding partnership between SPA and the Czech institution.

The program begins with a two-week intensive seminar in Berlin and Prague focused on the policy, politics, and social impacts of energy transitions in Germany, Czechia, and the United States. Students meet directly with policymakers, NGO leaders, researchers, and citizen initiatives working on energy justice, environmental advocacy, and democratic governance.

Expanding Global Learning Opportunities

Following the group's return from Prague at the end of March, students will remain in Berlin for six additional weeks of coursework, site visits, and independent study.

During this time, Steffes will teach a course on dictatorships. The Ecologic Institute, an internationally recognized environmental think tank, serves as the program's host institution and offers students a complementary course on managing environmental organizations.

The combined experience aims to strengthen comparative policy skills, deepen global awareness, and prepare students for careers in public service, environmental advocacy, and international affairs.

The program embodies CU Denver's commitment to global engagement and experiential learning, offering students a rare opportunity to immerse themselves in two European capitals at a pivotal moment for climate and democratic governance worldwide.

Learn more about CU Denver in Germany & Czechia: Bridging Global Divides program. 

Study Abroad with CU! Take a sneak peek at our Berlin: Bridging Global Divides program, a semester-long, internship-centered study abroad program in Germany's capital, Berlin.