Survey: What did your university studies give you?

What remains when the textbooks are closed and the diploma is handed in?

A survey by the weekly magazine Respekt shows that the greatest value of university education lies not only in knowledge itself, but in the ability to think in context, work with uncertainty, and meet people who fundamentally shape one’s professional and personal direction. Their perspectives are shared by graduates of Czech and international universities, including a student of NEWTON University.

Every year, more than 60,000 graduates leave universities in the Czech Republic. But what does studying actually give them? Critical and systemic thinking, the courage to step out of their comfort zone, international experience, language confidence, and above all people. It is the community of fellow students, teachers, and inspiring professionals from practice that repeatedly emerges as a core value—one that no online course can replace.

The survey features powerful stories from world-renowned universities and Czech faculties alike, from Cambridge and Stockholm to Brno and Prague. Graduates describe university as a space where they learned to argue, think in broader contexts, take responsibility, and seek meaning in their work in the real world.

The survey also includes Sára Bráchová, a student of NEWTON University, who shares her experience of studying abroad in Lyon. She highlights the strong emphasis on practice, working on real assignments, teamwork, and the development of presentation skills. Her experience confirms that modern university education is not about passive absorption of information, but about active engagement, personal growth, and preparation for professional reality.