“It just felt right.” When Itai first visited Olomouc, he instantly knew this was where he wanted to pursue his PhD. In this interview, he shares his experiences adapting to life in the Czech Republic, balancing family and research, and navigating the ups and downs of his first year as an international PhD student at the Faculty of Physical Culture.
The Faculty of Physical Culture first welcomed Itai during the International Teaching Week in 2023, and again in 2024. It has been almost a year now since he started his PhD. studies at our faculty. With nearly 20 years of experience in fitness and physical education, Itai brings a rich combination of practical expertise and academic depth. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Sport Science at the Levinsky-Wingate Academic College in Israel, later completing a second master’s in physiotherapy with a focus on research. For many years, he has worked as a personal trainer and has also been actively involved in teaching and physical training. His work as a research lab manager at the Halperin Lab of Sport Science sparked his passion for scientific research, particularly in resistance training. Since 2020, he has also coordinated and instructed programs for training physical activity and gym instructors for the elderly within the B.Ed. program.
Now, as a Ph.D. student at the Faculty of Physical Culture in Olomouc, he is focusing his research on individualized power training for adults aged 60 and over. Proud recipient of an IGA grant, Itai continues to pursue his academic goals while living in Olomouc with his wife, son, and their dog.
Why did you choose to study at the Faculty of Physical Culture (FTK), and what drew you to this specific doctoral programme?
When I visited FTK in 2023 for the International Teaching Week, I had a great experience—both personally and academically. At the time, I was already in the process of applying for a Ph.D. at another university in Israel. But while sitting in the ITW meeting room, I looked around and realized how much I liked it here—the atmosphere, the people, the academic environment. It just felt right. That moment planted the idea that I wanted to do my Ph.D. at the faculty.
Later, Jana Pelclová and a few other faculty members from the Faculty of Physical Culture visited Israel, which helped me build stronger connections with the academic staff. About a year ago, Markéta Kudláčková from the International Relations Office reached out to me and asked, “Why don’t you come here for your Ph.D.?” I contacted Jana, who is now my supervisor. We had already developed a strong professional relationship, and that meant everything to me. She’s doing research on older adults, which aligns perfectly with my interests, so it felt like a win-win situation. I applied—and now I’m here.
What was your first impression of Olomouc when you arrived?
Olomouc felt like the perfect blend of city and village life. It’s a university town with a very young and vibrant atmosphere. I love how it combines the urban and the rural—you have parks, nature, and everything you need for a pleasant, balanced lifestyle.
I was also offered the chance to do my Ph.D. at Charles University in Prague, and I seriously considered it. But when comparing the pace of life in Prague to Olomouc, the decision became clear. Life in Olomouc is more relaxed and less hectic, which suits me and my family much better.
Were there any unexpected challenges or pleasant surprises during your first year here?
The winter was actually better than I expected—it wasn’t too bad. But the summer was a surprise in the other direction. It was much hotter and more humid than I anticipated!
There were also a few funny challenges, like figuring out how to use the self-checkout machines in supermarkets. If anything goes wrong, you have to speak to someone—and I don’t speak Czech. At first, even simple grocery shopping was tricky. I’d walk through the aisles with my phone in hand, constantly Googling products. I was that guy standing in every row, staring at his phone and the display, trying to make sense of it all.
On the positive side, one really pleasant surprise was how much Olomouc offers culturally and socially. There’s always something happening—concerts, events, festivals—it really adds to the experience of living here.
How did you and your family adjust to life in the Czech Republic?
Overall, we adjusted quite well, although there were naturally some challenges—especially when it comes to social life as a family. People here are very kind and helpful, but they tend to keep a respectful distance, which I think is a cultural difference. In Israel, it’s normal to approach complete strangers and start a lively conversation. Sometimes I miss that kind of spontaneous contact—here, it feels a bit more reserved.
My wife has a volunteer job online, assisting with a social project for our home municipality, and plays a huge role in supporting our son and maintaining our family life. For her, I think the adjustment was probably the most difficult, but she’s handled it amazingly. We also brought our dog with us from Israel—she was just a puppy at the time. Raising and caring for a dog in a new country has been a challenge of its own, but we’ve managed well.
I’m especially happy with how well our son is doing at school. He really makes an effort—especially in PE, where he wants to do his best for me. That makes me proud. I can honestly say that all of us, including the dog, have adapted nicely.
Have you found any favourite places or activities you enjoy doing here?
I really enjoy the parks in Olomouc—I live quite close to one, and it's become part of my daily routine. The city centre is beautiful as well, and I love spending time there. One of my favourite spots is Poděbrady Lake, which is a great place to relax.
I find myself walking a lot—whether it’s to the faculty, through the city, or with our dog. One of the things I appreciate most about Olomouc is that you can walk almost anywhere, and those walks have given me a lot of peaceful, enjoyable moments.
Can you compare your study experience in Olomouc with the experience from your university in Israel?
The pace of study here feels slower and more relaxed. When I arrived in August, I was eager to jump right in, asking, “Let’s start, what do we do?” But people immediately told me to slow down and relax.
Here, I feel much more independent. Compared to Israel, I receive full support but also the freedom to manage my own work and research. They trust my knowledge and experience and encourage me to take charge of my path. There’s less direct involvement, which means fewer instructions on what to do and more responsibility on me to decide the best approach.
This has helped me grow in independence and confidence in my work—something I really value about my study experience in Olomouc.
What does your typical day as a PhD student and researcher look like?
I usually start my day by going to the gym in the morning. Then I head to my office, where I spend most of my time reading, revising, and writing. After work, I walk back home, which gives me a chance to clear my head. Sometimes I have meetings, which are usually in Czech, they can be a bit challenging for me.
Most of my day is dedicated to research, and I also spend time reading at home. About twice a year, I attend conferences where I present my research. When we host visiting academics or university guests, I get the opportunity to learn about many different projects, which is really inspiring.
What advice would you give to someone who’s considering doing a PhD at the Faculty of Physical Culture?
Make sure you come well prepared with a clear research idea and a defined path for your work. Finding a good supervisor is essential, as PhD studies here are very independent—no one will hold your hand or lead you step by step.
I also recommend staying connected with the faculty’s international relations office—they do an amazing job and are always willing to help with anything you need.
And lastly, learn some Czech! It will make your life much easier.
Do you have any plans for what you’d like to do after completing your doctoral studies?
I’m considering pursuing a postdoctoral position, but I also plan to take some time off for about six months in between. Meanwhile, I’ll continue running my training business, which is always ongoing.
The opportunities for researchers today are very promising, and I definitely want to continue doing research. I enjoy teaching as well, but if I look for a new position, I would like to have more independence and focus on my own projects. I’m also interested in getting involved in international collaborations and exploring possibilities for the faculty.
Currently, I’m conducting research with colleagues from Germany, New York (USA), and Israel. I have supervisors both here in Olomouc and at Wingate. I’ve also started exploring collaboration with Janita Frantsi from Canada, who came for the International Dancing Week in April.
How has this experience changed you, either personally or professionally?
I feel that I have become much more independent. Everyone at the faculty supports me—when I say I want to do something, they trust me and give me the freedom to initiate and lead my own research projects. In this regard I cannot thank enough Jana Pelclová, my supervisor, and František Chmelík, the head of the Institute of Active Lifestyle.
Personally and professionally, the biggest change has come from the international collaborations I’ve been able to build. These connections have truly enriched my life and work.