After taking me around two countries and several historic cities to see castles, cathedrals, locally-run companies, museums, and so much more, my study abroad experience came to a close. The three week-long program was physically and mentally draining, and in the first few days after I got back I felt a thick fog in my brain, but it cleared with sleep and some coddling from my family. Now, I’m back in Pittsburgh and I have had time to reflect on my trip and everything I learned about both myself and the places we visited.
This program, called Comparative Economics of Central Europe, provided me with an experience more diverse than I ever imagined. Each day was meticulously scheduled with as many cultural and academic experiences as was practical to attend. The balance of lectures, class excursions, and free time was perfect for me (though I should have allotted more time for sleep). I saw places I’ll never forget and met new friends I would have never crossed paths with at Pitt.
Both Czechia and Poland were occupied by Germany during World War II, then under Soviet control from the end of the war until 1989. These occupations made a cultural impact that are still felt in both countries today. We learned a lot about how these nations have recovered economically and politically from these hardships. Getting this education while being immersed in each country was such a unique and interesting experience. We were also fortunate to visit three different businesses as part of the program; an international software company founded in Czechia, the Czech nationally-owned Budweiser Budvar brewery, and Good Lood, a Polish ice cream chain. Ambassadors from each company shared their expertise on topics like customer service, advertising, and the importance of quality ingredients.
I learned a lot from the academic portions of the trip, but I also think I gained practical knowledge on travel and communication. I thought of a brief list based on what I learned.
My study abroad tips:
- Arrive a day or so early! I booked my flight to arrive midday Monday, and our first event of the program was Tuesday evening. With this extra time, I was able to get ahead of my jetlag and explore Prague a little bit by myself! Being alone was a little nerve-racking, but it was cool to walk around the city without the constraints that come with group travel.
- Figure out what you want to do with free time and do it! Your peers will have different interests and different plans for their free time. Research your destination and find what activities interest you, then let the group know what your plans are to see if others want to join.
- Learn about your destination’s restaurant/tipping culture. I went out to eat for almost every lunch and dinner, and learning what to expect/what was expected from me at restaurants made this a lot less stressful! Your program’s local guide is a good source for this information.
- Keep a travel journal! Taking the time to log the sights you visit, the restaurants you eat at, and how you’re feeling can be a nice way to end your day. Keeping this journal can also come in handy if you ever want to revisit that destination, or if you have friends who visit and ask for recommendations.
