Bohemian Trip

Our time in the Czech Republic is coming to a bittersweet end. While we are eager to go home, part of us has grown accustom to the unfamiliarity. Our time spent here has been full of ups and downs. We've learned so much about ourselves and one another. And just when it seems that we are finally adjusting to everything about being in different country, the time to start packing up.

Our last week together, we embarked on a trip through the the Bohemian Czech lands. During our journey there we stopped at the first town, or what was once a town, Lezaky. Lezaky was a town during World War II that was completely destroyed the Nazi forces. It was believed that the inhabitants of  Lezaky aided American trips with the assassination of an important Nazi leader. Though there was little truth to this belief, the Nazi forces still were furious with assassination and promised revenge. They took their revenge by killing off the entire town, they wanted to show that there would be punishment if anyone choose to help the Allied forces. The town now stands as a memorial to those who died. There is no homes, just statues. The town is surprising well maintained, beautify, and peaceful. Visiting Lezaky and hearing the stories, I realized there is still so much we do not know about World War II. This was the last stop we had that was concerning World War II.

Our next town was Kunta Horna. Our visit here took us to the Silver Mines and the Bone Church. Though I didn't take part in the Silver Mines (I'm a wee bit claustrophobic), I cannot discuses it much further. But I will say that the town of Kunta Horna, is not at all what it looked like when it was in the mining business. And for this we were thankful, because Kunta Horna was in full spring when we arrived and it was very much vibrant. The Bone Church was interesting. I didn't know whether to be amazed or disturbed. There were so many human bones decorating the church, all of the time of the plaque of course. Though it was not my favorite, I do recommend it.

Lastly, was our trip to Cesky Krumlov. This was by far one of the most beautiful cities. Ironically, it was also the shooting place for the horror movie Hostel. But putting that aside, you feel like your in a fairy tale. During our trip here we went rafting with our entire group. The trip was so much fun and very relaxing, we floated down the river for a good 3 hours. I kind of wish we would have done more activities like this one. I'm not huge of museums, I'm more of an active person so this was by far my favorite thing we've done as a group.

Palacky University – Olomouc, Czech Republic  

Packing and Traveling

-Specifically, what kind of linens did you need to bring?

The school provided the lines that we needed, so I personally did not bring any linens. I know some students did bring a pillow cover and bed sheets, but being that the school provides you with a down comforter, two sheets, and a pillow case you really don’t need to pack extra.

-What are you glad you packed from home?

I brought food from home and also the medicine I typically use in case of a cold or allergies. The medicine dosage is a lot weaker here, so I would suggest packing medicine for emergencies. The typical things you’ll need are for cold, allergies, pain, stomach flu, vitamins, etc. I brought snacks like chocolates and chips here, also salsa (it’s expensive and not spicy here), most just snacks you eat over there.

-What do you wish you had left at home?

I brought heels, and believe me. You won’t need them at all. Ever. Typically in the United States when you go out for a dinner or for a night in the town, heels are okay. But here, the streets are not very forgiving so I would take it seriously when they say bring comfortable shoes!

-Do you have any travel tips to pass on (planning advice, safety considerations, guidebooks, train vs. bus, etc.)?

There are so many tips. I love asking locals (once you meet some) when they like to go to eat or hang out. Getting out of the tourist places can be a great experience to really learn about other cultures and you’ll make new friends.

It is pretty safe here, despite what you may hear. There is no more pick pocketing here than any other places I’ve been to. Just be safe and don’t leave your stuff out anywhere.

-What places would you advise future students to see and why?

During Spring Break, we visited Croatia. It’s not as popular as some other countries but I highly recommend it. It’s has great people beaches and amazing hiking. When we went it was still a little cold, so I suggest going when it’s closer to their warm season. Another place I would suggest if Rome. It’s not the prettiest city in Europe, but it has so much history and it is simply an iconic symbol of Europe.

Social Life

-How did you meet students from your host country?

We met them through a facebook page, where they organize events and parties. We would go on volunteer experiences and day trips and there you will meet lots of students. Going out is another way, but one I would say wasn’t my ideal way of meeting people. I would advise you to take part in the day trips or volunteer events the school host.

-How did you like to spend your free time and why? Is there anything you regret not doing more of in your free time?

My free time was dedicated to relaxing, running, some shopping, and mostly eating. You should definitely go try the food wherever you go, you will never regret that. I liked how I spent my free time and I can’t say I regret anything I did during it.

-What opportunities for social, recreational, and cultural events that the host university or program offered did you like best? Why?

I like the volunteer event we did at the Olomouc Zoo and also the National Nights at Belmondo. There was also a Bank Holiday that the Erasum program did a Sports Day, and there are activities all day to participate in different events.  One thing I wish would have been available is a club or school organization that was more organized so it would optimize our interactions with the local students.

-What piece of advice would you give future students regarding their non-academic life while abroad?

Try to attend as many events as possible, don’t be shy! My favorite part was meeting different people, you don’t have to be with the group you came with it’s good to venture out in smaller groups because you meet people easier that way. A huge group is a bit intimating and you don’t get a chance to have personal interactions.

School Work

-How did your academic experience abroad differ from your U.S. experiences concerning?

I think it differed in that it was more hands on rather than in class or in the book material. Instead of focusing on writing papers, reading large amounts of text – we got the chance to experience it firsthand. It was, I feel, a lot easier than what my experience was in the United States. However, because it was easier does not mean you can slack off by any means. You still need to be as much effort as you would in the United States.

-Relations with professors/classroom instruction?

We had so many different professors from different educational backgrounds and differing topics. So it never got to be repetitive. They are all extremely friendly, and love when you ask questions. 

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-Grading?

Grading is straight forward. Your professor will go over on how it will be done in your class. I cannot speak for your future professor, but we were given a clean structure on how it would work out.

-Study habits?

My study habits were a lot more relaxed here. I did put in at least an hour or more to classes each day. It also depends if you are a fast learner and reader. That will depend on your readings and writing assignments and how you choose to tackle the homework.

-Library?

While I love reading, I can't say I went to it during my stay. 

-Computer access?

Bring you an Ethernet cord, but they will also provide you with one (it’s short cable, so if you want a longer one bring your own). Internet access was good (with Ethernet cable). We downloaded Connectify, it creates a wireless internet access for up to 5 devices, but it only works on Windows and not Apple. You can use the wifi on Apple products but you cannot download Connectify with an Apple product. It was a life saver so I HIGHLY, HIGHLY, recommend it.

-What enabled/hindered your successful academic experience?

Get to know your classmates well, you can help each other out. I think success in the classroom comes from interacting with your peers and keeping up with what’s going on. I can’t say nothing really hindered my success. Just keep up with everything and interact as much as possible.

Money and Communications

-How much money in U.S. currency would you recommend students have at their disposal for their whole time abroad?

It depends on how much traveling you want to do. I brought 3.500 and I was fine. In fact, I still have plenty left over, it's not expensive here. I didn't eat out to much, but I did put in money in the beginning to buy cooking supplies. The most expensive thing will eating out while traveling. But this all depends on your spending habits, if you do a lot of shopping and like to go out often I would suggest bringing more.

-How much money did you have in foreign currency when you left for your program? Was it enough?

I took out money at the ATM when I arrived, I know other students brought cash, but I personally don’t like to walk around with cash often so I found it easier and safer to wait for an ATM. I never had a problem, the ATM are mostly all in English and they are at every airport.

-How did you manage your money (credit cards, traveler’s checks, bank accounts etc.)? How and where did you access your money?

Like I mentioned before I used mostly my card with an ATM, I did have a traveler’s credit card that has the European Pin code. I used my credit card for booking flights and hostels, aside from that I might have just used it once or twice. It’s very good to have a credit card though, but make sure with your bank that it will work in Europe first.

-How much money did you spend on:

Books? 15

School supplies? 10

Food? 10-20 weekly

Entertainment? 10

Local transportation? School typically pays your transportation in Olomouc, so don’t worry about that. When you travel get the day pass for the metros in other countries. Usually around 7 USD.

Travel? $1,500 USD (lots of flights) Book early and you won’t spend much

Personal items (toiletries)? I brought most of mine so I hardly had to buy anything at all. I must have spent less than 20 on the entire trip.

Postage? 0

Airfare?  USA-Czech: 950, Spain: 220, Croatia/Italy: 350

Laundry? Laundry is 40 Cz per 3 hours. You and your roommate can both pitch in 20 each and both do your laundry.

-How did you communicate with the U.S.? What would you recommend to future students (e.g. calling card, set up e-mail account and where, etc.)?

Using Skype, Facebook messaging and calling, even snap chat video are all great ways. I wouldn’t get calling cards anymore. I got a phone here, but make sure your phone is SIM unlocked, otherwise it won’t work. It’s not cheap, but it’s nice to have in case of emergencies.

Other Comments/Tips:

·         Bring a raincoat

·         Comfortable shoes

·         Sunscreen

·         Running shoes

·         Bring Peanut Butter (it’s really good here, but tad bit expensive and you’ll run out fast)

·         The box milk is amazing, so please try it

·         There is no hot sauce here! Bring your own!

·         Ketchup is not free in most places!

·         When they bring you bread, it’s not free. So just tell them you don’t want it or you’re bill will be higher.

·         When they bring you the check, they usually don’t like to split it so they want you to pay it all at once (even if there are 15 different people who ordered, it’ll just be one big bill).

·         Make sure you know what you ordered so you don’t get cheated from your money.

·         Like the rest of the world, most bathrooms are not free.

·         Please also list the “Top 10 Must-Do Activities” to experience during your time abroad.  Please give as much detail as possible (i.e.- Be sure to go to XXXXXX and ask for Mr. XXXXX as he loves to chat with students from the U.S., or Take bus #XX to the final stop where you can see a view of the city.) 

• 1.        Try The Crack Restaurant, it’s really good and you get a lot of food for under $6. It’s right next to Club Belmondo.
• 2.        Eat as much Ice Cream/Gelato everyday! It’s amazing and cheap, you’ll find it all over the center.
• 3.        You must try Kabos, but there is a particular place you have to eat them at. The place is near Verna Club and they cost 55 in Czech, so around $2-3.
• 4.        There are so many Vietnamese stores that sell very affordable things, basically all you can imagine they sell. They are also around the town center. You should go here before you go to Globus (It’s like a Walmart).
• 5.         Try Café 87
• 6.         Go hiking or maybe visit the wood nears the Olomouc Zoo.
• 7.         I personally think the bread from Billa (Next to H&M, downstairs) is the best.

Auschwitz-Birkenou and Terezin Visits

Among all the trips we have done so far, the visit to the concentration camp is understandably not high on my list. I don’t say this in anyway to be disrespectful, I do not intend to offend anyone. Before coming on this trip, I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to go at all on these visits. It’s difficult to explain but maybe it just felt wrong being there. It felt wrong that it was a museum at all, and I didn't know whether me even being there was disrespectful. How can I possibly understand what the conditions were like for these people? Sure, I have read and studied extensively about the Holocaust since 6^th grade in middle school. I've heard all the horrible stories, read the most notable Holocaust books, and watched dozens of movies and documentaries on the subject. I understand why it is a museum, I understand that it needs to be preserved as a momentum of remembrance.

The first thing I must say, is that whatever emotions and feeling you have about your visit prior to and after the trips here – I assure you they are completely normal. Everyone reacted differently in our group, and I felt relieved when we finally discussed our feelings, because I realized I wasn't the only one who was hesitant about going.

I’ll start first with the visit to Terezin. My first impression of the camp was not what I expected. Years had passed since the awful events had taken place, but it simply didn't look like a place of torture and genocide. The camp itself was relatively small. Terezin wasn't known to be a death camp. It was mostly used for prisoners of wars. We were, however, shown the barracks where the prisoners were kept and I think that was the part of the camp that was most touching. The room we saw was small, and for the most part clean. But I couldn’t imagine over 100 people living there. In our group, there was about 30 people and we could barely move. The Jews were kept in another room, a completely dark and even smaller room with one tiny window. It was impossible for them to lay down with so many people

After we visited Auschwitz-Birkenou I realized what a difference there existed between the two camps. Auschwitz -Birkenou was a death camp and Terezin was a used at times for propaganda. Auschwitz-Birkenou was a camp where the final solution was in full swing. The camp we visited was massive. Some of the building had been destroyed, such as living quarters and also all of the gas chambers. After the war, the Nazi did what they could to hide the evidence. Even without the gas chambers and chimneys, what they did to these innocent people is forever engraved in history.

Auschwitz -Birkenou as it stands today, is a quiet almost peaceful place. It’s surrounded today by homes and business, which to me seems a little odd. Terezin was also surrounded by homes and businesses. I wouldn't want to live close to a place that was the scene of a mass genocide.

It’s astonishing to see the difference in size of Terezin and Auschwitz-Birkenou. Many of those in Terezin were transported later on to Auschwitz. Among other differences in the camps I noticed the exhibits were completely different. In Terezin we saw art work of prisoners and in Auschwitz-Birkenou we saw about 2 tons of human hair, thousands of shoes and glasses. What differences in lives these two camps had. Regardless of the different lives styles prisoners in both camps were treated worse than animals. . I cannot understand how people can turn a shoulder to such injustice. It makes sense to me that one person could hate someone so much as to want to harm them, but what I don’t understand is how one person can transcend their hatred to others. It will be something I might never understand.

Lastly, the discussion came up during our classroom talk whether it was appreciate to take pictures at these sites or not. That is entirely up to the visitor’s discretion. I see no harm in taking a pictures of the entrance of the camps for some reason. But once we go in the camp, I feel it is disrespectful. When you take a picture, it’s supposed to be something happy that you never want to forget. It seems a little eerie to me that one would take pictures of where innocent people died. Where they suffered. But alas, I understand everyone has a different view and I respect that.

Overall, the two camp visits were harder to prepare for mentally than the actual visit itself. I wouldn't want to revisit the camps at any point, but I am, however glad that I did go. Experiencing first hand what they might have seen, even if  only a brief piece, during their time there hit home for me.