For Future Explorers

PACKING AND TRAVELING: Specifically, what kind of linens did you need to bring? What are you glad you packed from home? What do you wish you had left at home? Do you have any travel tips to pass on (planning advice, safety considerations, guidebooks, train vs bus, etc)? What places would you advise future students to see and why?

-As far as linens go, bedding is provided for you whether you’re at the dorms or the various hostels you’ll encounter, so you’re set there. You can buy a towel abroad or if you choose to bring one, make sure it’s one you don’t mind leaving behind. Honestly, “things you don’t mind leaving behind” applies to about everything you pack: t-shirts, socks, clothes in general, even shoes, pack what you are willing to let go of as you’ll be bringing home a lot of new stuff! My biggest mistake was my method of packing. I completely overlooked packing for all four seasons, so when the warm weather came around I was skimped on what I had brought with me and ended up buying a lot of new clothes. By the end of the trip I had a lot of cold-weather wear that took up a lot of room trying to pack up to return to the states. I highly suggest packing lightly; no need to shop and prepare for things you could wear overseas because you’ll have more than enough time to shop for that stuff! You’ll be exposed to so much while traveling with a group that planning your own trips will be easier than you’ve ever imagined. Take advantage of the STUDENT AGENCY; they’re pretty darn helpful.  Get out of your dorm room and see as much as you can during the long weekends you’ll be granted with! I highly suggest taking a trip to Brno, Czech Republic and Budapest, Hungary! These were two of my favorite weekends. Regarding whom you travel with, don’t be afraid to break down your “crew” into a smaller few because you’ll find it much easier to travel in small groups. However, I took various trips with there just being three total and then other times having nine, you’re bound to have a good time either way –you’re in Europe!

SOCIAL LIFE: How did you meet students from your host country? How did you like to spend your free time and why? Is there anything you regret not doing more of in your free time? What opportunities for social, recreational and cultural events that the host university or program offered did you like best and why? What piece of advice would you give to future students regarding their non-academic life while overseas?

-As sad as it sounds, I didn’t really meet too many people from my host country, they really liked to keep to themselves where I was. I also think that it was harder to meet people of the host country because the living situation was almost a barrier to doing so. The dorms we stayed in were for all of the international students, not necessarily the locals of the country. Regardless, it was an adventure enough warming up to the students from home; majority of us didn’t know any more than one another’s names prior to the trip. Some of the social opportunities we had involved going to Club Belmondo or 15 Minute; both very student oriented and usually a good time. Belmondo hosted a party for a different country every Wednesday, so we were always getting a taste of a new culture that way, haha! There were also random festivals held in the town square which involved live music, rows upon rows of souvenir shopping, and food and beer. My favorite and most memorable experiences definitely revolve around the friends I made during my time abroad. The trip wouldn’t have been near what I was able to experience if it wasn’t for the people that entered my life. Do things that you never would have dreamt of being able to do during your college years, especially because for a lot of you, you don’t know when you’ll get to come back. Don’t be afraid of feeling uncomfortable because more than likely you’re not the only one. Get to know your new surroundings, literally familiarize yourself with where you are and your route will become much easier as the time flies by.  Acquaint yourself with the strangers on your trip, and get out of your comfort zone and make the most of your time abroad!

SCHOOL WORK: How did your academic experience at Palacky differ from your US experiences concerning: relations with professors/classroom instruction, grading, study habits, and using the library. Also, what enabled/hindered your successful academic experience?

-Academically, the lectures were much more interesting in here because a lot of them contributed to the upcoming field trips. I would say that the schoolwork was a lot easier at Palacky in comparison to being home because it was all just paying attention to class lectures, and the real learning was in my own hands, and how I chose to apply it elsewhere. I definitely think that in this kind of learning environment of being abroad, a lot of learning happens outside of the classroom. The grading was fair with our university professor as she was clear in setting her standards for what she expected on our quizzes, participation, and final exam. My study habits probably weren’t the best while being over here simply because it almost didn’t seem like I was in school. It was too fun overseas to even compare to school at home. I didn’t ever use the library at Palacky; one, I didn’t know where it was located, and two, I never needed it. The field trips definitely aid to what is taught in class. Get the most out of those of what you can, and you’ll appreciate it so much more.

MONEY & COMMUNICATIONS: How much money in US currency would you recommend students have at their disposal for their whole time overseas? How much money did you have in foreign currency when you left for the program and was it enough? How did you manage your money (credit cards, traveler's checks, bank accounts, etc.)? How and where did you access your money? How much money did you spend on books, school supplies, food, entertainment, local transportation, travel, toiletries, airfare, and laundry? How did you communicate with the US? What would you recommend to future students (e.g.: calling card, Skype, set up email account, etc.).

-Money, money, money...the worst part of traveling. I think I set aside about $5,000 for this trip. I brought over $1,000 in cash to exchange into Czech korun, which lasted me the first month, and then I used my debit card to withdraw at ATM’s the rest of the trip. I also had a credit card just in case, but I never had to use it. As far as taking out money, you’ll want to take out larger than smaller amounts because of any international and foreign ATM charges. Spending money varies from person to person and where you choose to go, what you choose to buy and eat, etc. Overall additional travel and airfare in Europe probably cost me around $1,200, more or less; this included hostels, too. In Olomouc though, you’re provided with a transportation pass for the buses and trams. You are also given a laundry card that allows you to use the dorms laundry units at a small charge, but the machines are worthless. They are tiny washers, and unless you combine loads with a friend you only have one of the tiny washers, and one load takes about two and a half hours to complete, not including drying. Use the laundry mat by the tram stop, and meet George –laundry is done quickly there, a little pricier but no regrets there. Also, bring a line of some sort, for hanging clothes to finish their drying. Globus is their version of Wal-Mart, and it has just about whatever you’ll need grocery wise, buying a straightener/blow-dryer, slippers, toiletries, etc. and it’s just a fifteen minute walk away from the dorms. All in all, spending money is your own call; I highly recommend making a budget for yourself, it’ll help in the long run. Communication is pretty simple, turn your data plan off and use Wi-Fi; Skype home, use messaging apps, etc.

OTHER COMMENTS/TIPS:

-Take your own bags to the grocery stores because they’re not provided.  

-Pack wisely, pack lightly, PACK WISELY. Pack for all four seasons.

-Bring a water resistant coat, preferably one that has an inner layer, so it can also be used during chilly days.

-Plan for America Night at Belmondo ahead of time! Bring some red, white, and blue wear overseas! If you’re thinking Jell-O shots, bring the packets from home; there’s no Jell-O in Olomouc!

-If you’re planning on being anti-social, don’t come. Harsh, but why take the spot of an applicant if you don’t intend on branching out of your comfort zone and making any friends or memories on an adventure like this.

"TOP MUST-DO-ACTIVITIES" TO EXPERIENCE DURING YOUR TIME IN EUROPE:

1. Climb to the top of the tower on Petrin Hill to get a beautiful view of Prague, Czech Republic.

2. Spend time outside while you’re in Olomouc! There’s a park nearby always swarming with people, and it has a little beer bar. There are also some really pretty paths you end up finding on your own if you’re a runner/walker.

3. Go to Budapest, Hungary! Stay at the party hostel called, Carpe Noctem Vitae, and you’ll be in for a treat. They always have something planned to do to keep their guests busy; Budapest in general keeps their guests busy and entertained. Go on a free walking tour to get a taste of both sides Budapest. Go to the baths and relax!

4. When you’re in Venice, Italy be sure to eat at Alfredo’s Pasta to-go, you won’t regret it! Also, grab some friends, a bottle of wine, and go on a gondola ride.

5. If you go to Rome, Italy go to Frigidarium for gelato that will be beyond compare to anywhere else’s! Visit Vatican City and be sure to see the Sistine Chapel! See the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain, too! Rome is all about their tourist attractions and that’s about it.

6. Go to Brno, Czech Republic, it’s the second largest city in the Czech Republic. It’s only about an hour away and makes for a fun weekend. Hang around the big black thing in the center, you won’t miss it! See Spilberk Castle and the Capuchin Crypt.

7. Take a train to a small town for Easter Monday to see Czech festivities and get a whole other taste of their culture.

8. Eat at Café Opera at least once, and get their gelato, a lot.

9. Try Daybreak juice at Daybreak, right by the dorms. The owners are so sweet, but you’ll find cheaper prices when you get into town. Remember to hit up Café 87 and St. Angelo’s for cappuccinos and warm breakfasts.