Ahoj! I’ve been in Prague for two weeks already and it has been absolutely amazing. Every time I leave my room I find new streets and different buildings each unique and beautiful. The first few days we had orientation where we were shown the city and given some useful tips for the semester and then it was up to us to start exploring. In the past two weeks I’ve been to numerous Czech restaurants and pubs, museums, parks, Cathedrals, and the Strahov Monastery. We have Czech language class every day for about 5 hours which is very fast paced and difficult but definitely useful. The Czech people know that they are a small country and the only country in the world that speaks the language so they appreciate it when we at least try to speak to them in Czech. Most people do speak at least a little English but not enough to rely on to get around.

This past Friday we took a day trip to Kutna Hora which is a small town about an hour and a half outside of Prague. While there we visited the Bone Church, which is decorated with the bones of 40,000 people who died in the Black Plague. We also visited a monastery and Saint Barbora’s Cathedral, both of which were beautiful. It was nice to get out of the city and see the country side for a few hours. Our weekends have been filled with some sight seeing, farmers markets, and other fun but laid back activities. I’ve found that it’s a little e

asier to do touristy things on week days because weekends are definitely busier.

I’ll end with a short list of what random things I’ve noticed since my arrival:

1. The peanut butter tastes really good here. Actually, all the food does which is a relief. They love to put garlic in things & that happens to be one of my favorite foods

2. The dogs are extremely well behaved. Most walk around without leashes, ride the trams and metros, don’t bark and are all really cute

3. Beer averages between 20 and 35 czk (about $1-1.50 for a .5L). Water is about 20 to 50 czk ($1-$2.50)

4. Smažený sýr is a mozzarella stick the size of a brick and it’s delicious.

5. Smiling at someone is basically saying you’re interested in them/trying to flirt (which no one told me until I was 4 days into my trip, whoops)

6. Plan trips early, it will take a load of stress of your back. It’s hard on your wallet, but easier on your blood pressure. Plus, it gives you something to look forward to. But don’t plan on going away every weekend. There’s a lot to explore in Prague and around the Czech Republic too!

View of Prague from the plane

My room in Kolej Komenskeho

Outside of Charles University

The view from my Czech Language classroom