Dr. Wes Hines, head of the Department of Nuclear Engineering, led twelve students on a tour of nuclear facilities in Prague, Czech Republic, during a mini-term program abroad in May of 2013. The students also participated in a reactor-physics training program for which they will receive upper-division laboratory credit in the nuclear engineering program.

The study-abroad class had a first-hand look at a uranium yellow cake processing facility; two Czech research reactors at the country’s national laboratory; and reactors at the Temelin Power Station.

They also received an International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) Safeguards Tutorial and a United Nations Tour in Vienna, Austria. In addition to visits heavy on technical content, the group made cultural-site visits to the historical city of Tabor, Czech Republic; Prague sites such as Prague Castle, Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, etc.; and Vienna sites such as Belvedere Palace, Stephansdom Cathedral, and others.

Hines gave a seminar during the trip at the Czech Technical University of Prague. Research Assistant Professor Dr. Ondrej Chvala also accompanied the group.