The dust has finally settled after an exhilarating first three weeks in Prague. Following a broad range of experiences, good and bad, I now have a small collection of adventures to share. My arrival in the Czech Republic would certainly qualify as a negative one. Ungraciously, mother nature was the first to welcome me to the country with a massive snow storm to complicate the landing and luggage delivery. On top of being in an unfamiliar city with an unfamiliar language, I was additionally tasked in dealing with unfamiliar weather conditions. Learning to use the city’s public transport system was no piece of cake either at the time. Finally, I arrived at the dormitory, and was met with slight disappointment at the cramped and outdated 1970s interior.
The next morning, I awoke with a strong feeling of both jet lag and buyer’s remorse. “What had I gotten myself into?” I asked myself. The built up excitement over the last six months seemed in vain. Staring at my calendar, I feared that I had made a mistake with consequences lasting the next five months.
That morning’s feeling however, was a unique one that I have not felt since. Over the next week, my expectations quickly returned right-side up. I met new friends from every part of the world, and discussed potential trips all around Europe with them. Through others’ testimonies, I quickly realized that I was definitely not the only foreigner who had a poor initial experience. I felt quite silly for falling victim to “culture shock” after hearing how common it was. Those first twenty-four hours now seem like a lifetime ago.
Needless to say, things have changed. Although my Czech is still quite poor and the locals still seem to act somewhat cold toward me, I’ve picked up a few phrases and have a new understanding for the culture here. From my Czech friends, I’ve learned about the lasting affects of communism on the people of the former eastern bloc state. I’ve been fascinated in learning how the recent history of the country has shaped their current society.
As I’ve grown familiar with this beautiful town, things have gone much more smoothly. Each weekend I’ve had to assimilate myself into a new country’s culture. Rather than inflicting worry upon me, it’s now become more of a fun challenge. I am finally getting to enjoy doing what I came for. Eagerly, I await all the new cultures I will experience and the different kinds of people I will have the pleasure of meeting.