Already I want to go back. Even though I have physically settled in for the rest of the summer, my thoughts have not as I keep thinking and remembering the time I spent earlier this month in the Czech Republic and Poland.

I specifically chose this trip to Central Europe to learn about how the economies of two different countries, countries on the other side of the world, recovered from World War II and the communist occupation they were under for the next 50 years. I was not expecting so many similarities between the people and cultures, now was I expecting to be able to so seamlessly transition into and between them, and home again.

Although the Czech Republic and Poland have vastly different histories from one another and themselves, the places we visited as we learned about their economies were surprisingly similar while still maintain their individuality. After communism fell, Prague, Czech Republic and Krakow, Poland began to emphasize and strengthen their tourism industry, showcasing their long histories, impressive architecture, and packed museums.

While we learned about each during lectures, I was able to explore the politics, the art, and feel like I was in a museum simply by visiting castles. In both countries these served as time capsules, teaching me of the insights and thoughts people had hundreds of years ago during the Baroque, Renaissance, or even medieval times. Because I am the nerd that I am, I was most excited to see Wawel Castle (pictured) because the interior served as the prototype for the Polish Nationality Room in the Cathedral, giving me a taste of home. Seeing these connections reminds me of how truly globally minded Pitt is, and I am thankful to be able to go to a school that encourages intercultural connections.

Although I enjoyed seeing and learning about the old history of these two countries, I think I am a better person today because I studied and confronted their more recent history. I have grown up learning about the Holocaust, but it had always seemed so distant and long ago. Seeing castles, churches, and towns that were centuries old, I realized how only a few short generations ago we allowed these horrors to take place. Taking a day trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau, I was able to see the place where nearly one million people died. It no longer feels distant, taking on a new intensity as I stepped foot inside and walked by an overwhelming number of faces staring back.

I expected this trip to Central Europe to be completely different than anything I knew, but instead I was met with friendliness, pride, and enthusiasm as I asked questions and explored the areas around me. I felt honored to be able to learn about the most difficult parts of this region’s history from experts who were receptive to questions. I am most excited to take back much of the knowledge and context I learned and be able to incorporate it at my time at Pitt. Whether it is as direct as taking the knowledge I learned about the Czech Republic and Poland and connecting it the artifacts within the Nationality Rooms or simply having a deeper understanding of these countries as they will inevitably reappear throughout my studies, I will continue to use these experiences as a student at Pitt and as a human hoping to connect with others. People are just people, and it is our responsibilities to keep alive the stories of the past, so I am excited to continue to explain what I learned about on this study abroad.