Studying in Prague was nothing I expected but everything I needed. I know it’s a corny thing to
say, but for once in my life, I mean it. This program will hold a special place in my heart. I am not going
to lie I think I’ve rewritten this post three times at this point, which probably sounds a little odd. This
isn’t something to overthink, right? Wrong. If this program has taught me anything it has been to
unlearn things to learn things. You see I already had previous knowledge about central and eastern
Europe before coming into this program, which absolutely helped me, however, it also made me realize I
needed to be more open to hear more. If you want a program that’s going to be a breeze and where you
don’t have to think about things, this is not the program for you. If you want a program to challenge
your beliefs about the world, then you should give it a shot.
The reason why I have rewritten this three times is because the topic I was most interested in
writing about tends to get shot down or I am told “it isn’t an American probelm.” I was fortunate
enough for one of my professors to have let me do a presentation on it and to talk about it. I won’t talk
about it here other than to say ZHYVE BELARUS. If you don’t know about the movement, google is right
at your fingertips. I mention it because I am a Belarusian-American and one of my goals was to connect
with my culture and with others who had no choice but to leave after the protests in 2020. I mention
this because my professors taught me to believe in what I believe wholeheartedly and to not let anyone
tell me otherwise. I thought I knew the path I would be taking once I finished my university degree but
after being able to combine both my passions and my networking skills, I realized I can do so much
more. Being able to talk to people living their life as dissidents made me realize that the work, they do is
incredibly important. The risks they take matter. This study abroad provided me the space to be able to
think critically while also considering what was happening in specific places the “West,” so harshly
criticizes. For me this was incredibly important because it helped validate my thoughts on how I do not
believe things can be black or white. Everything is murky. My point is that I want to work in a free and
independent Belarus (once it is free), through the United States (or some kind of Organization to help
with democratic futures). As of today, nothing has mattered more for me.
Academics aside, I learned more about myself than I ever thought I could. I thought I knew what
I would be doing after college, but this program taught me to think bigger. My professors taught me to
believe in myself as a human being. I have never admired people more in my life. I genuinely felt like I
was able to build connections with them along with my classmates. Who were FREAKS, which to us, is
not an insult, but rather a compliment of the highest standards. Even when things looked bleak, while
missing trains, doing readings at midnight, it was a blast because we were together. I don’t think I could
say that about another group of people. I learned how to trust what I want. I learned to listen to myself.
I was able to venture out and do things on my own that I never thought I would do like going to a
country for a week by myself. It was one of the best choices I have ever made. No matter how
uncomfortable I would be at times, going made me realize I can do anything I put my mind to. There will
always be something in the way, whether you think it is finances, personal problems, or just having the
fear of being alone. This is the kind of opportunity that isn’t worth missing, it’s worth doing everything
you can to go. You need to take the opportunity while you can. I didn’t think I could any of the things I
did, but I DID. The amount of joy studying in the Czech Republic gave me is unsurmountable. I also have
quite the list of café recommendations for any future students wanting to go! (The Czech Republic café
scene is quite unmatched).
Traveling to other countries also feels like a fever dream, I still think about how it was real and
not fake. From the bike rides around Berlin, Krakow, and Austria, to wandering around Budapest. I am still in awe I was able to see such spectacular places in my lifetime. I gained a whole new appreciation
for life. I have never been more thankful. I decided to give out recommendations to my favorite spots to
eat and get coffee in Prague, but that is because I wish I had someone help give me more
recommendations before I went. Parks are easy to find but figuring out food and Coffee could get
confusing.
FAVORITE FOOD/CAFES IN PRAGUE:
-Creperie “U Slepe Kocicky”
-CafeDu (seriously my favorite in the world, both service and coffee. If you want to sit, reserve a table
unless you go early!)
-Acid Coffee (neat little hidden study spot, they don’t really have food here though)
-VNITROBLOCK (such a neat area, good coffee, great place to study/ or do readings for a while)
-The Globe Bookstore and Café (English speaking place café and the baristas are very sweet!)
-PAPRIKA- Mediterranean kitchen and bar (I loved this place for quick and healthy-ish food)
-Hoxton Burgers (best burgers I had in Prague)
-Spoko (one of my favorite restaurants ever, they change their menu all the time, food is DELICIOUS)
-Piroharna (Such a good price for the pirohy, plus you don’t have to pay extra for the sour cream here.
The servings are extremely filling)
-A Maze in Tchaiovna (neat tea place with secret doors, this was probably my number one study spot)
-Manifesto Market Andel (Many food places inside, highly recommend the Mexican food place)
-Barry Higgel’s Coffeehouse (not the best customer service the first time I went, but the coffee is
amazing, so I went back again, and again)
-Juice me baby (one more time)
-I am not allowed to give my favorite recommendation ever because the owner would never forgive me
☹
-Botanica Coffee Truck (YOU NEED TO GO HERE, truly a magical experience. Amazing coffee, amazing
outdoor atmosphere, I would have studied here but it is an outdoor coffee place)
-Atrium na Zizkove (hidden spot, you gotta go once and explore that general area while you’re at it, it’s
nice)
-Hvezdy ve slovanskem dome (ok I didn’t eat here but I did sit in a bubble thing for a while and it was
nice, they also have an assortment of funny chairs, some of which have the outline of a butt. It’s a fun
place to be)
