I have decided not to be jetlagged on this trip and am full of energy and ready to explore this beautiful city! I wish it was just as easy to decide that I fit into this foreign culture, but there have definitely been some embarrassing tourist experiences so far. Despite the obvious issue of barely even being able to read Czech, let alone speak it, I haven’t felt too much culture shock. Every mental adjustment I have had to make has been how friendly everyone is. As an American, it’s hard to believe that they use an honors system for public transportation, let people tour the same building the President works in, and have incredible outdoor spaces free of charge.

Today we started our lectures and we got the unique opportunity to learn about Czech history from a local professor. She is very passionate about her country and even lived through some of the things we learned about. I can’t wait for our basic Czech language lecture to help with the feeling of being a fish out of water here. We also went on a competitive scavenger hunt around the city that ended with a group lunch in the cutest little restaurant.