RIT launches new international exchange program with Prague film school to expand global learning opportunities for students

Rochester, New York – As the film, animation, and game industries continue to stretch across borders and time zones, Rochester Institute of Technology is taking a clear step to prepare students for that reality. RIT has officially launched a new exchange program with Prague’s Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts, widely known as FAMU, creating a two-way bridge for creative collaboration, cultural learning, and hands-on production experience.

For students hoping to build careers in visual storytelling, international exposure is no longer a bonus—it is becoming essential. Productions today often involve teams spread across continents, blending different creative traditions, workflows, and perspectives. The new RIT–FAMU exchange program was designed with that global structure in mind, giving students a chance to work directly with peers abroad before they ever enter the professional world.

The partnership was made possible through Erasmus contract funding secured by FAMU and is structured as a reciprocal exchange. Students from RIT and FAMU each spend time studying at the partner institution while contributing to real creative projects. RIT students support video game projects developed by FAMU game design students, while FAMU students travel to Rochester to study film production, enroll in SOFA courses, and assist with senior capstone films.

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The initiative is led by Shanti Thakur, professor and director of the College of Art and Design’s Digital Summer Institute and International Initiatives, working closely with David Cenek, dean of FAMU, along with faculty members from both schools. The shared goal is to move beyond traditional classroom learning and place students in environments where collaboration across cultures is unavoidable and deeply instructive.

“This program gives our students incredible insight into understanding not just how to collaborate with new people, but also how to understand different cultural values and approaches,” Thakur said. “Being exposed to new histories and experiences builds empathy, which is at the core of what we need for storytelling.”

The first group of RIT students traveled to Prague in October, marking the inaugural exchange under the new agreement. Four animation students were selected to participate and enrolled in a specialized course titled SOFA and FAMU game arts study abroad in Prague. The course was taught by Assistant Professor Jesse O’Brien, who guided students through both in-person collaboration overseas and continued remote teamwork throughout the fall semester.

While in Prague, RIT students worked directly with FAMU game design teams, contributing animation and visual storytelling skills to student-developed games. The experience introduced them to new creative pipelines and highlighted career paths that extend beyond traditional film studios.

“Many students chose this major because they want to work for companies like Pixar, but I always tell them that there are so many other opportunities in game development, advertising, and even simulation where they can use the skills they’re developing as a film and animation student,” said O’Brien.

For Riley Zusi ’22, a film and animation graduate and current MFA student from The Woodlands, Texas, the exchange offered far more than technical experience. Zusi said the program challenged her to grow creatively while also pushing her to rethink her professional goals.

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“Now that I’m an MFA student, I’m trying to make as many connections as I can and pursue new experiences that get me out of my comfort zone,” she said. “The Czech Republic has a deep history in animation, and being there and collaborating with FAMU students made that history feel alive and within reach.”

Zusi worked on two video games created by FAMU students, focusing primarily on character design and early concept development. Over the course of the semester, she collaborated with her international teammates both face-to-face and through Zoom, gaining insight into how creative decisions are shaped by different cultural influences and educational backgrounds.

“Talking with students from another country and hearing what their goals are and what they aspire to do helped me think more deeply about what I enjoy doing and what life after graduation looks like,” she said.

At the same time RIT students were studying in Prague, FAMU students were experiencing life and learning in Rochester. Kateřina Špálová, a third-year film production student at FAMU, joined the exchange alongside fellow student David Horak. For Špálová, studying in the United States had been a long-held dream.

During the fall semester, Špálová enrolled in four courses at RIT, including a production capstone taught by Assistant Professor Vashti Anderson. She worked closely with fourth-year RIT students as they completed their senior films, contributing to productions while observing differences in teaching styles, workflows, and creative expectations.

“Everyone we met in SOFA was really welcoming and excited to meet us,” said Špálová. “The creative discussions and feedback in class was very inspiring. I learned a lot about the differences between the film industries in Europe and the U.S. by working with American students.”

Life outside the classroom proved just as meaningful. Špálová explored the Rochester area and visited major New York destinations, including Niagara Falls and New York City. Living independently in a new country gave her a stronger sense of confidence and perspective.

“Living alone in a new country made me more independent. As an artist, my mind is more open now,” she said. “There are so many cultures and people from all around the world at RIT, and it’s been beautiful to get to know more cultures.”

Faculty leaders say these personal transformations are a critical part of the program’s success. While students gain technical and professional skills, they also develop adaptability, empathy, and communication abilities that are increasingly valued in creative industries.

For now, the exchange program is offered exclusively to students enrolled in SOFA’s animation and film production programs. Organizers hope to expand opportunities in the future as the partnership grows and more students express interest in international collaboration.

Students who want to learn more about participating in the RIT–FAMU exchange program can contact Shanti Thakur by email at [email protected]. As global storytelling continues to evolve, the program stands as a clear example of how education can keep pace—by crossing borders and bringing creative voices together.