After spending a maymester abroad in Central Europe, I understand now that nothing beats experiencing a culture firsthand. As this was my first time traveling outside the country, I wanted to feel as ready as possible, but nothing could have prepared me for my experience. Prior to my study abroad, I took an honors course on intercultural competence which gave me a semester to study the values, beliefs, and origins of Central European culture. With all this new knowledge and awareness, I felt as prepared as I could be. But I did not realize that this gave me limitations by formulating biases and a one-sided perspective of Central Europe. All my expectations quickly got shattered and I realized that only by creating real human connections and immersing myself amongst the culture could I even begin to grasp an understanding of these unique countries.

My biggest eye opener was that I was taught to generalize Central Europeans countries, but only by exploring Czech Republic and Poland firsthand did their stark cultural identities become apparent. I had spent time researching these countries history, but only by speaking to those that had experienced consequences of these events and by standing at the very place tragedies and triumphs took place could I begin to understand these countries’ distinct developments. One of my favorite experiences was when we were in Krakow, Poland and were taught about the Arch of the Lord Church which stood to represent resistance against religious suppression from communism. We were shown a metal cross surrounded by flowers which stood to remember a protest to allow a new Roman Catholic Church to be built where thousands of people gathered to pray around a wooden cross. We eventually took a bus to this momentous church that was paid for and built by this community, and it turned out to be the most beautiful and most symbolic church I had ever seen. The overwhelming beauty and uniqueness of the church is something you can only experience by seeing it for yourself. It highlighted the strength and unitedness of the polish people and how much they value their religious expression.

I was originally very fearful and hesitant when I thought about travelling outside the United States because it was all I’ve ever known. But my 4 weeks in central Europe have completely transformed my perspective of the international world. By facing new experiences head on I was able to begin to gain greater self-awareness, a global mentality, and has given me a new international curiosity. I finally feel comfortable to begin to seek out and embrace new opportunities and I believe my experience will serve as a catalyst to further explore internationally.

The only things I want you to take away from my blog posts is to always keep an open mind and expect the unexpected when facing new cultures and to travel as much as possible because there is so much the world has to offer.