Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Barbora Navrátilová, Radio Prague International

I first moved to Prague in the summer of 2023 when I was conducting primary source research for my dissertation thesis at the National Library of the Czech Republic in the Clementinum building right at the centre of Prague. Anyone who has been to the library knows its notorious reading room, subtle halls, lusciously adorned green courtyard, and vibrant history. The time I spent there and by exploring the unique history of the city cemented my affection for it. I knew I wanted to move back to the region after my graduate studies were over and I was lucky enough to land a position at Radio Prague International (RPI) making that dream a possibility.

Originally, I completed my undergraduate studies in political science and philosophy at the University of British Columbia, at the scenic Okanagan Campus. Afterward I went to McGill University for my graduate degree to study post-communist societies, the political history of eastern and central Europe and, in particular, Czechoslovakia in the interwar years (1918-38) and after the fall of socialism (1990-93). I hope that my avid fandom of politics, history, and everything in between is reflected in the work I do at RPI.