Part 3: Oh Yeah, School

You know, America has a lot of crappy things, but a central location that carries any and all household items that you need/want in life is not one of them.

I MISS WALMART!

I don’t know how these people do it. I literally just want to buy a planner! Where do I buy a planner?! And a straightener! Can someone please explain to me how not one single store in this 4-story mall has either of those things. It’s driving me crazy.

Ok, I’m done complaining. I’m just on edge because classes started, and I forgot I actually have to study while I’m here. :,)

My classes are going really well, though. Each class is once a week for a 1.5-hour lecture followed by a 15-minute break and another 1.5-hour seminar. Yes, it’s as painful as it sounds. I’m falling asleep just writing about it. Most of my class work consists of group projects, a midterm, and the final. I can tell the people that work within my program really care about our experience here. For example, while our professors expect us to attend most lectures and seminars, they’re also very lenient and actually encourage us to travel frequently. It’s a very relaxed and positive environment.

Two weekends ago 11 of us went to Copenhagen, Denmark! I’m running out of ways to say a place is beautiful without being repetitive, so bear with me. Cope. Was. BEAUTIFUL. It’s actually so crazy that places like this exist, and here I’ve been living in small town Kansas my whole life; very eye opening. Aside from sightseeing, we all had so much fun. 12/10 going on a booze cruise with 11 people you just met a week prior and screaming ‘Sweet Caroline’ by Neil Diamond at the top of your lungs while being stared at by distant tourists. Currently number 1 memory on my highlight reel, minus the part when I almost got beheaded by a bridge. Shout out to Paul. (I’m being really safe, mom. I promise). The next night we somehow managed to find our way on a party bus for this random girl’s 21st birthday party; 12/10 also recommend. A wild weekend to say the least.

Aside from my Copenhagen adventures, last weekend I had a really casual Sunday and jumped out of an airplane. My tandem partner was a little creepy, but he didn’t kill me, so I’m not complaining. While I didn’t get as high of an adrenaline rush as I was hoping, it was still very exhilarating, and I’m so happy I did it. Stay tuned for the video which will include all the best angles of slobber coming out of my mouth!!

PSA: Do not stick your tongue out while skydiving. You think it will be funny, but you are wrong.

Later that week I competed in a pub crawl put on by Nations to Nations, N2N for short, which is an organization that works with exchange and local students and organizes many events throughout the semester. Each team was given a set of instructions and a bottle of vodka, however my group consisted of two teams put together, so we got two bottles of vodka. Super generous of them, right?? Ha. These N2N people are freaking SNAKES giving us cheap alcohol, making us think they’re being nice when they’re fully aware of the fact that we aren’t allowed to bring them into any bar or pub.

S N A K E S.

So, we had to chug them both in an alley before we could even start. Once we finished, we had to go around to different bars, complete and document different tasks, which were worth so many points, and be back by 11:30pm. Tasks included: sing happy birthday to a random stranger, get someone to buy you a drink, wrap a team member in toilet paper, switch shirts with a random stranger, do a human pyramid, dance on a pole… you get the point. We finished all but two of our tasks, and in my opinion (with a slight bias) we rightfully earned first place.

The next day, I got up at the crack of dawn and bussed to Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, which, little did my naïve self know, was about to be my most testing adventure this far.

Hahahahahaha.

From our Airbnb to transportation to weather, everything that could’ve gone wrong on this trip, DID. Long story short, we were almost homeless, it rained a lot, we missed our bus home, then we were actually homeless, and then we slept in a park for 4.5 hours. And that’s all I’m going to say because it’s still a sensitive subject.

However, the actual festival was a whole experience in itself. I have never seen so many drunk people in one setting. We were in the Schottenhamel-Festhalle tent, which is actually the oldest tent at Oktoberfest, drinking liter after liter from 9am-4pm. We rode some rides afterwards, and they weren’t little Kansas State Fair rides. They were very intense, even more so while intoxicated, and I LOVED it. Aside from all the other things that went wrong, wearing a dirndl and drinking beer all day at the original Oktoberfest was quite the adventure, and I’m happy I went.

Wow, I’m exhausted from just typing all of that. But don’t be fooled; I’m not slowing down quite just yet.

This weekend I’m off to Amsterdam; hoping to visit a few holocaust museums along with many other things, and then next weekend I’m going to Budapest!

Oh yeah, and I have school.

Are you keeping up??

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Part 2: Puke & Rally, But Mainly Just Rally

Feet: sore

Eyes: tired

Bags under my eyes: designer

Hair: nested

Liver: unwell

Heart: SO FULL

If I could give my past self any advise before coming here it would be: REST UP GIRL because sleep is for the weak in Prague!! Giving a sincere apology to my body. You’re doing amazing sweetie, hang in there. Only 119 more days.

Aside from my restlessness, I have seriously been having the BEST time. I’ve adjusted to everything so easily, and I feel very lucky because moving this far away from home can be challenging, and my transition so far has been so smooth and enjoyable.

Prague life moves a little faster than Manhattan, KS, though. (Emphasis on the “little”). I’ve met the absolute BEST people, all of which are so incredibly loving, and welcoming, and so much FUN. Everyone just clicks with everyone, and it’s such a positive environment. Example A: I just met my neighbors two days ago, most of which are from the states, and ten of us just booked a trip to Copenhagen this weekend! It’s been 8 days, and I feel like I’ve known some of these people for ever. My heart is overflowing with happiness, I cannot even express.

We had orientation this week and classes start Monday. My schedule is amazing; I have class 3 days a week and Fridays off, so I plan to do a lot of weekend trips throughout the semester.

I have so many things to cross off my bucket list, however, I’ve already czeched a few things off. I went to Letna Park the other day, and it was absolutely beautiful. The grass was green, flowers blooming, with a slight breeze; really a picture-perfect afternoon. Topped it off with some ciders/beers and called it a day. Speaking of, the beer here is actually SO good. I’m usually not a big beer drinker, but I really like everything I’ve tried so far. Plus, you can get a good beer for $2-$5, which is amazing and also incredibly dangerous for my bank account and liver.

While a few of my inner organs are not loving me at the moment, my stomach has been the happiest of all. I have yet to have a bad meal here. I tried a trdlo, which is a rolled dough that’s grilled, covered with sugar, and filled with your choice of ice cream, chocolate, strawberries, and much more. As you can imagine, it was absolutely disgusting. Don’t get it.

That was sarcasm. Order 12. Thank me later.

Now that I’ve been here for a while (or what feels like a while), I’ve noticed a few things that are a little different than what I’m used to. For example, while public transportation is how a big part of the population commutes, there are also many drivers, but almost all cars that I’ve been in are standard, which I found kind of interesting. People also hardly ever smile or have small talk here. It’s often seen as really strange if you smile at strangers, whereas in KS it’s quite the opposite. So, the locals probably think I’m a freak because it’s just a natural instinct for me to smile at anyone I make eye contact with.

Also, I figured out how to work the tram! It’s actually so easy, I just can’t read anything, and that’s what made it so intimidating. But

don’t be fooled, I still get lost quite frequently.

I’m exploring this city one day at a time and loving every minute of it. I wish I could take everything and everyone I’ve encountered this far, put them in my pocket, and take it home with me.

Side note :

I’m mainly doing this blog for my own pleasure and memorabilia, but if there is anyone reading this that is on the edge about studying abroad, or nervous, or maybe hasn’t even considered it, I hope the advise I’m about to give you is helpful: DO IT!! You will NOT regret it. I’m not saying it’s a walk in the park by any means, I mean, unless you’re actually in a park, but I cannot emphasize this enough, it is well worth it. I probably haven’t even been here long enough to be giving advise like that, but as most of you know, I’m hardly ever wrong. 😉

Bye for now!

<3

Part 1: Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

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Remember when you were little and couldn’t do anything by yourself because you simply couldn’t comprehend basic concepts? That’s kind of what living in a different country feels like, except it doesn’t come with a mom. Kind of rude, right? However, my besties, google maps and google translate, have been by my side every step of the way, and I now have a greater appreciation for the internet and my phone. (Shout out to the older generation. I literally don’t know how you made it.)

I can’t read any street signs, or understand background conversations in public settings, or go into McDonalds and get a free water cup, or read certain menus at restaurants. I have no idea how to use the tram, or how to buy a ticket for it, or even how to use the ticket. I get anxiety at the grocery store when my total comes out to “235,00”, when I’m actually only spending $9.79. The culture shock is real, people!! I am UNCOMFORTABLE.

And I’m loving it.

Today was my first free day to go explore Prague, and I am in absolute awe of this city. Grace (who I traveled here with), her two roommates, Mary (from Italy) and Sarah (from France), and I found our way to Old Town Square and the Charles Bridge, both of which are nothing short of breathtaking. The architecture in this place is INCREDIBLE. There are honestly no words. We also ran into some giant, fluffy dancing animals. Why do I live in Kansas when there are dancing PANDAS in Prague, you ask? I don’t know. We walked by countless shops and food stops. There was one restaurant called “Meet Hamburger”. We didn’t go in, but I imagine he was very nice. It was a cloudless, high 70’s kind of day, and I cannot believe this is my home for the next four months.

This whole process is a rollercoaster of emotions, and I’m so freaking grateful and humbled by every obstacle I’ve faced so far. Learning how to navigate in a sea of the unknown might not sound appealing to some, but I find it to be a breath of fresh air. A scary breath of fresh air, but nonetheless, a much needed one. To think this is only my second day, and I’m about to make some of my favorite or least favorite memories of my life!! I’m feeling all the feelings and doing my best to take it ALL in.

First adventure [Czech] 😉

Stay tuned 😊