As I am studying in Central Europe, I began thinking about the way cities are built and what aspects they prioritize, both economically and culturally. The main distinction that I noticed between countries, such as the Czech Republic and Poland, compared to the US, is the extent to which the public transport system is integrated into the everyday life of their major cities, Prague and Krakow. These cities have different systems of transportation, including trams, metros, and buses, which are always filled with passengers of different ages. It seems like public transport here is just a normal part of the daily routine, not something you would use only if you don’t have access to private transportation.

Unlike Pittsburgh and most other US cities, it seems that the public transport system here is much more developed. While cities in the USA have been built with cars in mind, including highways and big parking lots, many European cities have been built long before the invention of the automobile, and therefore the cities’ architecture reflects this fact. Another thing I noticed was that the tickets for using public transport seemed very reasonable and affordable. There is one main feature that allows us to consider the system more developed than the systems in American cities like Pittsburgh, and this is the regular ticket checks in order to control whether everyone is paying for their services.

Moreover, yet another thing that made an impression on me during my visit was connected with the identity of these places, particularly those such as Český Krumlov. After arriving at this town, which is situated in proximity to Prague in the Czech Republic, I discovered that there was no big chain company, such as McDonald’s or Starbucks. However, most restaurants and businesses in this particular place appeared to be quite local.

I think this reflects a broader difference in priorities between Central Europe and the United States. To give an example, while in any American city, individuals tend to focus solely on commercialization and convenience, which are considered essential in any case. Experiencing these differences firsthand has made me think about globalization and how economic decisions shape everyday life and culture.