Week 1= Success

Walking on the Charles Bridge with my lovely friend, Aubrey.

            It feels like just yesterday I was on the emotional plane ride to the Czech Republic. As I landed in Prague and avenged into a new city with a new group of friends all sorts of emotions were running through my mind. Within minutes of stepping foot onto the city of Prague I instantly fell in love. The architecture of the city is beautiful. I’m so use to my small town barns, fields of corn and cows that Prague was jaw dropping. The weather was a little bit too chilly for my likings especially since I left Nebraska when it was 70-degree weather.  The first few days in Prague, we toured New Town, Old town, the Charles Bridge, John Lennon’s wall, and the Jewish Quarter. Everything in Prague has a story. We could stand in New Town for 2 hours and still not know all the facts behind the square. I was fascinated by all the history behind this beautiful city. 

Clark, Aubrey, and I enjoying our first days in Prague. It took us 2 hours to find the John Lennon Wall but it was so worth it.

The only reason I survived first day of orientation. Free food. This sandwich had potato salad, which I love.

As 2:30p Sunday slowly approached, I had mixed emotions about leaving the city of Prague and moving to Olomouc. We arrived late Sunday night so I didn’t get to see much of the town. At first I was super upset about how different everything seemed from what past peers have told me. The dorms were nothing what I expected, the weather was colder than before, the dorms were nowhere near anything, etc. However, as we began orientation and got to experience Olomouc in daylight it soon grew on me. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming made me miss home a little less. We sat through power points of the rest of the semester and I had goose bumps. This trip was going to fly by since we had something planned every weekend. We met our professors Jan, Martin, and Katka, which have so far proven to be very helpful. Even the small town of Olomouc had so much history. Even our university proved to be pretty historical. The first few days of class were a little stressful for me. I never expected my Czech language class to be so difficult. I’m a fast learner but I am struggling learning this new language. The language barrier is more than I anticipated. The people of Olomouc speak little to no English, which is stressful when trying to communicate with them. When it comes to ordering out I almost play a guessing game and if something sounds familiar I order it. Sometimes we get lucky and our menus are in English too or we have a translator with us. So far, I’ve fallen in love with the potato salad here like ask anyone in my group I ask for it everywhere! I’m a picky eater so trying new meals scare me a little. I have tried a few good Czech meals but nothing beats the fried cheese here. However, I have fallen in love with every dessert I’ve had here. I don’t understand how everyone here is so thin! All I’ve done here is try new treats and drink beer. I’m still trying to find out the European secret.

Aubrey and I eating a Trdelnik with Nutella. One of the most delicious treats I’ve ever had.

Olomouc, my home away from home.

As I wrap up my first week in Olomouc, this town will become my home I can already feel it. The people in my group will become my family since they’ve already seen me at my worst. My roommate Hannah is such an amazing person that I know I will leave Europe with a best friend. I know my friendships here will soon become life long friendships. I miss home a little everyday and try to connect to Wi-Fi as much as I can. The hardest thing for me is not being able to share this experience with my family or my best friends back home. I want everyone to know that I am having the time of my life here. 

Brzy se uvidíme!