The Student Collective Volume VII Issue I

Prague
Emily Meeuwsen
Junior Marketing Major, from Hillsboro Oregon
It was strange for me to travel from a college of smiles and hugs to a city of frowns and stares. Czechs
are very quiet, but very blunt about how they feel about you. It takes them a while to open up to others,
especially foreigners. But once they do, they’re very nice and incredibly loyal. Czechs also aren’t as
studious as George Fox students are since their education is free. They often treat it more as a way to get
a better job than a place to learn and grow. Czech Republic is also one of the most atheistic countries in
the world, so they mainly view religious practices as tradition in their culture.
Prague was an incredible city to live in. I loved the beautiful historical sites, the excellent public
transportation system, and the amazing local tastes. It’s also full of other foreigners, and I loved meeting
and learning about each individual’s homeland and culture. They have all changed my life in unfathomable
ways. Their kindness, trust, and companionship have made my abroad journey so special. I also had the
opportunity to travel to a different country or town almost every weekend. It was fantastic! My favorite
trips were to Hungary, Germany, and Italy. In each of these trips, I met and traveled with locals and that
made my experience that much more meaningful.
It’s been a strange experience for me to come back to campus after living in such a starkly different
place and lifestyle. I miss the diversity and ability to travel without getting in a car. I’ve changed and
grown in ways I didn’t expect and I’m a better, more confident person because of it. I am definitely going
to travel in the future to visit my foreign friends and explore new places. I can’t wait to get back out
there, but right now, I’m glad to be back. I just want to invest time in my close friends and family.
The Student Collective 13