MAR-GOES

Sorry for the late start on my promised blog about my experience studying abroad. I am finally settled in here in the beautiful city of Prague. I have to admit that this whole live in a foreign country thing is not the easiest task, but I am already starting to see how worth it this step out of my comfort zone will be. I arrived here just short of a week ago, and these days have been filled with orientation, meeting new people, getting adjusted to the culture here, exploring, and trying new foods. I’ve barely had time to sleep!

It’s very interesting here. (In a good way). There are many moments throughout my days where I feel as though I am just in New York City with the public transportation, the shopping, the random horrible smells, and the bustling of people going about their days. I am suddenly smacked into reality when I hear Czech all around me, realize I can’t read any of the signs or advertisements, and get denied asking for a McGriddle and hash brown at 1 pm at the near by McDonalds.. sigh. However, I am blessed to be surrounded by such beautiful architecture, rich history, interesting people, and cheap food. I am still trying to figure out the people here. They seem standoffish and annoyed all the time but I have a hard time believing that’s how they truly are. I have met some wonderfully friendly Czech people who work through my program, but you do not want to get in anyone’s way on the streets, talk too loud on public transportation, or ask an Uber if they are there for you if they aren’t. (If they aren’t your Uber, they will curse you out and speed away with a face of disgust). One of the most amazing things to me though, is that these people have been through so much. I knew coming into this country that it has been through a lot of rough spots and under some terrible control. It didn’t truly hit me how relevant this was to the people here until my walking tour guide, in her early 40’s I’d say, was reminiscing on her life when this country was under Communist rule. After that, I decided to give the seemingly angry, miserable, and annoyed Czech people a chance. I will let you know how my thoughts on the citizens here change. I guess this is all just a sense of culture shock for me.

Speaking of culture shock.. the Czech language is challenging. Grocery shopping has by far been the most stressful thing I’ve done so far in regards to dealing with the language barrier here. There is a huge grocery store here called Tesco, I’m sure it has anything anyone could want, however, literally everything in there is written in Czech. I don’t know why I expected everything to be in English here. I’m realizing how privileged, we, English speakers are. How is it fair of me to go to a foreign country and expect people to just communicate with me in my language while in their country? Oh well, I guess that’s why I’m enrolled in Beginning Czech Language class.On a brighter note, I did find Marks & Spencer, a British department store that happens to have a food section that happens to all be in English AND happens to be all healthy food. I know, I know, healthy food and me haven’t always mixed in the past but man I crave it more than anything here. Czech food is so heavy and unhealthy. It’s safe to say I found my little heaven in my English speaking, “Trader Joes like”, grocery store.

The study center for my classes is 2 tram stops away, which is awesome. But once we get off the tram, we literally have to hike about 10 flights of stairs outside to get to the center. I dread it everyday and I consider it the worst part of every day. It’s going to be a long semester with those stairs. At least I’m getting a good exercise. I wish I could say I’m exaggerating, but I’m not. Classes begin in a little less than 2 weeks, I keep forgetting I’m here for class… oops.

I know I had a decent amount to say. I am just getting used to many of the interesting differences I am experiencing here. If you’ve read this far, I hope you got a little glimpse into my life here in Prague so far. I miss everyone at home terribly, but have a feeling this semester is going to fly by.

xx