A Beginner’s Guide to Cumorah Academy

July 16, 2024 • Author: marketing

Today we are going to talk about the ins and outs of Cumorah Academy.

Maybe you already know a little bit about Cumorah – maybe a friend told you you should come, or you saw a reel on social media or a YouTube video about us and are curious to learn more and see if we’re a good fit.

You may have read some blog articles or glanced at our Instagram and know a little about what we do and who we are. On the other hand, maybe all you know is our name. That’s okay! However you found us, and however much you know about us- this blog article is for you.

We will go over what Cumorah Academy is, what classes we teach, what you should pack, what you should expect when you get here, and so much more. Grab your popcorn and let’s get started.

What is Cumorah Academy?

Cumorah Academy is a school located in the Czech Republic. Cumorah Academy offers a transformative one-semester program where students develop essential Leadership and Personal Development skills.

Our program fosters lifelong learning and empowers students to become skilled and successful in all aspects of life. Through close interaction with experienced mentors, students gain valuable guidance and support.

What classes does Cumorah offer?

Cumorah’s main course that every student takes is “Leadership & Personal Development.” In addition to Leadership & Personal Development, there are other + courses we offer. Let’s break it down.

Leadership & Personal Development

In this class, you’ll develop the skills and confidence to excel in all areas of life. Our curriculum equips you to become a powerful communicator, express yourself with clarity and impact, and master the art of public speaking. You’ll delve into the key tools for effective leadership, allowing you to guide and inspire others.

Throughout the course, you’ll learn how to apply leadership and soft skills principles to real-world challenges, empowering you to overcome obstacles and thrive. You’ll cultivate hope, faith, and a belief in yourself, building unshakeable confidence to face challenges with optimism.

Time Commitment: Approximately 18 hours per week.

Plus (+) Course Options:

Cumorah Academy offers the core Leadership & Personal Development course that everyone takes. In addition to this main course, you can also choose to add one optional “+” course to further develop your skillset in a specific area.

Here are the “+” course options available:

English Certification: (B1, B2, or C1) Master English skills and gain the knowledge to excel on the English Cambridge Exam. Click here to learn more about the English course.
Business & Entrepreneurship: Learn the fundamentals of business and develop your entrepreneurial mindset. Click here to learn more about the business course.
Coding Bootcamp: Gain the skills to code and launch your career in tech. Click here to learn more about coding boot camp.
Sales Bootcamp: Develop your sales skills and learn how to close deals. Click here to learn more about the sales course.
Online Studies or BYU Pathway: Pursue further education online through BYU Pathway or another online program. Click here to learn more about studying online while you attend Cumorah.
Work Focus: This course is specifically designed for students who are working remotely. It provides a structured environment where you can work (in addition to attending the Leadership course.) Click here to learn more about working remotely while you attend Cumorah.

Campus Life

Now let’s move on to campus life. What does Cumorah Academy have to offer in terms of activities and fun?

Activities

We have a range of activities you can do. These include:

Archery
Air-rifle shooting
Clay-pigeon shooting
Quad biking
Board games
Volleyball
Basketball
Fields, walking trails, and hills to explore outside
Pool (Billiards)
Swimming Pool
Sauna and Hot Tub
Trampoline
Library
T.V.
Gym
Dances and parties happening all the time

Cumorah has a sauna, hot tub, gym, volleyball, basketball, and more. We know that learning and improving isn’t just about hitting the books (although that’s important too!). There’s a whole world of fun and exploration waiting for you outside the classroom.

Campus Groups:

When you arrive on campus you will be sorted into house groups.

The groups are Ruth, Moroni, Esther, Isaiah, and Nephi. Throughout the semester each group competes to win the House Cup at the end. (Similar to Harry Potter.)

Points are awarded based on coming to class on time, doing your homework, and academic merit. Come join your group and help them to victory.

Not only will you be competing for the house cup, but your house will serve as your family on campus. You’ll do weekly activities and team building with the people in your house, you’ll come up with a service project for the students at Cumorah to do, and you’ll create devotionals and lessons as a group.

The houses serve as a close-knit support system throughout your semester. Your housemates will become your family away from home, a group of friends you can rely on for fun, support, and shared experiences.

Every house is led by a Student Leadership Intern, or SLI for short. SLI’s have already been to Cumorah for a semester in the past, so they know what is going on and how to help. We will get to more about them in a moment, but if you need anything your SLI is a great person to ask.

Laundry and bedding

You do not need to bring bedding to Cumorah.

Towels and bedding are provided to you.

You will switch out your towel every week and your bedding every other week. It is taken to an off-campus site to be washed, so make sure you don’t accidentally throw any personal items in the towel or bedding laundry bins.

You will have a chance to do laundry one day every week. Each house takes a day so you will be sharing your day with the rest of the people in your house.
You do not need to bring any laundry detergent. Cumorah will provide that. However, you should bring a laundry bag so you can take your clothes from the laundry room to your room easily.

Food and Drink

Cumorah Academy provides delicious and nutritious meals to keep you fueled throughout your semester.

Mornings: Start your day with a hearty breakfast spread, similar to what you might find at a top hotel.

Lunch & Dinner: Choose from three main dishes, soup, salads, and sides at our lunch and dinner buffets. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free options are always available.

Snacks: Stay energized with two daily snack services, one in the morning and another in the afternoon.Global Flavors: Our chefs prepare a variety of traditional Czech and international dishes, offering something for everyone.

Don’t worry, you won’t go hungry here.

Drinks?

Cold Drinks: Help yourself to free, cold beverages on tap in the common room’s drinks dispenser. You’re welcome to grab as much as you like!
Hot Drinks: Warm up with a variety of free hot drinks available anytime. Choose from fruit and herbal teas, along with other options (details in our Standards of Living document).

Please Note: For health and safety reasons, alcohol, black tea, green tea, and all forms of coffee are not allowed on campus.

Campus trips

Over the semester, you will have an opportunity to go on some trips. Cumorah will do a day trip to Prague and another trip to Freiburg Germany to visit the temple and the city.

You are allowed to visit places on the weekend when you are not in class, although the cost of these will need to be covered by you. You will also need to figure out your own travel arrangements for these trips.

In the middle of the semester, there will be a mid-semester break. You are welcome to stay at Cumorah for these days, or you can travel.

Travel off campus

We understand that you might want to explore beyond the beautiful campus grounds during your free time. Students are welcome to travel off-campus whenever they are not in class and have fulfilled any scholarship commitments.

The nearest large town is a comfortable 20-minute car ride away, while the vibrant city of Prague is just an hour by car.

Since the nearest major destinations are a bit of a distance, weekend trips are ideal for maximizing your exploration time. The good news is that the nearby village of Naceradec and the town of Vlasim have regular public transportation services running in the mornings towards Prague, making day trips to the city a convenient option.

Public Transportation Tip:

Familiarize yourself with the public transportation schedules in advance, especially for weekend trips. This will allow you to plan your travel efficiently and ensure you catch the morning departures to Prague or other destinations.

If you use the metro in Prague, make sure you stamp your tickets after you buy them to validate them. It’s a CZK 1000, or EUR 42 fine if you don’t.

Church on campus

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds services on campus every Sunday at 10 am (Sacrament meeting) and 11:15 am (Sunday School / Priesthood / Relief Society).

Members of other faiths are welcome to attend or to arrange travel for other local congregations.

Who should I talk to if I’m struggling

Don’t Hesitate to Ask for Help:

At Cumorah Academy, we understand that adapting to a new environment and challenging yourself academically can be stressful at times. We have a dedicated support system in place to ensure your well-being throughout your semester.

Here are some resources available to you:

Student Leadership Interns (SLIs): Your first point of contact should be your SLI. As former Cumorah students themselves, they have a wealth of experience and knowledge to answer your questions and guide you through any challenges.
Campus Life President and Wife: This dedicated couple resides on campus for a full year, making them seasoned veterans of Cumorah life. They are always available to offer advice, support, and assistance with student welfare concerns.
Advisory Couple: Cumorah also has an advisory couple on campus. This couple serves as a confidential resource for students seeking guidance, support, and a listening ear on various matters.
Emotional Wellness Intern: A new addition to the Cumorah team is the Emotional Wellness Intern. This dedicated individual focuses on student well-being and mental health, providing support and resources to help you feel happy and thrive throughout your semester.

Remember, you’re not alone! The Cumorah staff is there to support you and help you succeed. Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for help whenever you need it.

What if I can’t afford Cumorah?

Scholarships Available!

We understand studying abroad can be an investment. Cumorah Academy offers scholarships to help make the program more accessible.

Scholarship work is work that you do to give back to the scholarship and Cumorah Academy donors. It is important to work for something you receive and scholarship work hours allow you to do that.

There are specific Scholarship work jobs on campus. You will be able to apply for them a few weeks before the semester starts. They include work in marketing, administration, tutoring, cleaning, farm work, online and social media, campus maintenance, and so on.

To get a scholarship you’ll need to:

Be already accepted to the school after the personal interview with a senior staff member.
Fill in an application form for the scholarship (you will receive the link for this after you are accepted)
Have a scholarship interview

Click this link to see if you qualify and learn more about the application process.

What should I pack for Cumorah?

Clothes*
Swimsuit
Shoes
Laptop and charger (Depending on the country you are from you may need to buy a travel adapter for your computer and phone. There are different outlets in Europe.)
Journal
Notebook, pen, (and any other studying supplies you like)
Scriptures
Temple Recommend (No need to bring temple clothes)
Phone (Ideally with an international plan so you can call and use data.)
Passport and wallet
Toiletries
Travel and health insurance if applicable
Any medication and vitamins you need**
Laundry Bag***

There are some candy, chips, ice cream, as well as other snacks that you can buy at Cumorah. Cumorah also has a small amount of toiletries like shampoo, toothbrushes, and feminine products. These also will cost money but will be there if you need them. (Pay either in euros, korunas or by card.)

* For clothes, you will need to bring enough to last you through the week as you get one laundry day per week. You will need to bring clothes for service that you are okay getting dirty, church clothes, and clothes that will work for the weather. It rains a lot.

** Cumorah does have some medication just in case you need anything and we have some you can buy also. But, for daily vitamins and medications you take often you need to bring them.

***You do not need to bring any laundry detergent. Cumorah will provide that. However, you should bring a laundry bag so you can transport your clothes from the laundry room to your room easily.

Public Transportation Tip:

Most of the buses only have a tap feature, not an insert or swipe feature. Get a credit card that can tap, or bring cash for every bus ride.

If you use the metro in Prague, make sure you stamp your tickets after you buy them to validate them. It’s a CZK 1000, or EUR 42 fine if you don’t.

Phone:

International Plan

PROS	CONS
Works with your existing carrierYou would have access to data and the ability to text and call	Typically more expensiveDepends on what carrier you have with what they offer

2. Buying a Czech SIM Card:

This is a popular and cost-effective option.
Major carriers in the Czech Republic include T-Mobile, O2, and Vodafone.
Vodafone offers a “Data SIM for Visitors” specifically designed for tourists, providing data for 30 days.
Prices start at 200 CZK (around $10.00) for basic plans.
You can find them at airports, phone stores, and convenience stores.

PROS	CONS
Access to data for 30 daysEasy to buy and use (Buy one at the Prague airport, or in shops in nearby towns, Načeradec and VlašimCost effective	ONLY works in the Czech Republic. Any trips outside of the Czech Republic, for weekend trips, mid-semester break, etc, it will not work and you won’t have data.You could buy another SIM card in the place you are visiting, but that may not be cost effective) Instructions are in CzechGives you ONLY data, not ability to call

3. eSIM:

This could be an option if your phone supports eSIMs. Providers like Airalo and Holafly offer eSIMs specifically for the Czech Republic.
No physical SIM card to buy or install. You can activate a eSIM plan online before your trip.
Research availability and data plans beforehand. eSIM apps on the Apple Store or Play Store.
Check to make sure your phone supports an eSIM before buying one!

PROS	CONS
Cost effectiveSimpleRenew your data online	Not compatible with all phonesGives you only data, not ability to call

How do I know if I am a good fit at Cumorah?

To study with us you need:

To be aged between 18 and 33 years old, single, or married with no children or dependants
To be ready to work hard to improve your physical and spiritual life
Be able to stay for 3 months (12 and a half weeks) to complete the semester
Speak English on a level that is at least B1 (Pre-Intermediate) level, though B1+Intermediate and above is preferred (some courses need a higher level of English, check the course information first)
Physically and mentally healthy enough to travel, live in shared accommodation and study
Willing to apply for a scholarship that will pay for your living and studies, or to pay the full cost

Do you fit all those categories? We’d love to have you come to Cumorah!

How do I apply?

Cumorah Academy outlines a ten-step application process on our website:

Check Qualifications: Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria (commitment to studies, faith, and self-improvement, ability to work with others, etc.).
Choose Semester: Select the semester you wish to attend.
Application Form: Fill out the online application form.
Communication: An enrollment advisor will contact you within two business days to discuss the application further.
Interview: Two personal interviews with senior staff members are required.
Scholarship Application: Apply for scholarships (optional – more on this below).
Scholarship Interview: If applying for a scholarship, participate in a separate interview with a scholarship supervisor.
Student Information: Complete all requested student information forms.
Travel & Insurance: Book your travel and arrange for insurance.
Arrival: Get ready to embark on your Cumorah Academy experience!

Click here to see the application form and learn more about the application process.

Conclusion

Cumorah Academy offers a unique opportunity for personal and academic growth in a supportive and international environment. If you’re looking for a transformative semester filled with new experiences, friendships, and skill development, Cumorah Academy might be the perfect fit for you.

Ready to take the next step? Head over to our website using the link below to learn more about the application process and see if you qualify. We look forward to hearing from you!For the website, click here.

Written by Mack Fontano

Hi! I’m Mack, the content creator intern at Cumorah Academy for the Spring 2024 semester! I am from Utah in the United States and recently graduated from college in Communications and Digital Marketing. I love reading, writing – especially poetry, and drawing and I collect stickers!

Photos by Camila Caraveo

Supervision by Kamila Uberto Fullmer