My STEP signature project was an education abroad trip to the Czech Republic. This program was focused on sustainability and agricultural policy in the European Union and how it compares to that in the United States. This program included classes at the Czech University of Life Sciences, field trips to different kinds of farms, and tours of the Czech countryside and how sustainability practices are implemented throughout the country.
One thing that I have learned more about since being in college that I will use for the rest of my life is how to have an open mind. Traveling to a new place with a closed mind is not going to be beneficial to you or to anyone else. I love to travel and I always have, but being open to trying new things is one factor that truly made this experience worthwhile. There were a few Americans that we ran into that did not feel comfortable trying a new food or drink, which is okay, but not every time. For me, I would’ve never experienced half of the things I did if I didn’t have an open mind. The transition that took place for me specifically was finding myself being more open to things than I normally am. I started taking chances more and not really worrying about the outcome right away and just seeing what happens. This has shaped the way I think about different cultures and people I come across in my life now because it could be the best thing that ever happens to you, but if you don’t take that chance you’ll never know.
This was a very eventful trip as we were either learning something new in the classroom, out on an excursion, or staying overnight in a new place. We did all of these things with other American students from other college programs but we also had Czech students showing us around the city and joined us for all of our excursions in the Czech Republic. It was a privilege to have the Czech students show us around the country since they are natives and know the country better than anyone. They put their heart into every history lesson they gave us and had a sense of nationalism that is different than that of Americans. Americans (sometimes) have a toxic sense of nationalism that can in some ways be harmful or offending to others. The Czechs are proud to be Czech because of how hard they fought to be independent. The nation itself is less than 30 years old and is still trying to recover its economy from the communist time. The Czech Republic has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world and continues to grow their economy effectively and sustainably.
The students honestly made the whole trip worth enjoying. They welcomed us into their country and their homes (literally) and they always made sure we were enjoying ourselves and felt comfortable. They definitely took us out of our comfort zones a few times but it was good because it was a new experience for all of us and gave us more of an idea of what its like to be a true Czech. One thing that still sticks out to me is the first night we were all together as a group in Prague, we went to this traditional Czech pub with beer taps literally at the table. You didn’t even have to wait for your server, the beer was there waiting for you. The Czech Republic has the highest beer consumption per-capita in the world (yes, even higher than Germany). Beer is a large part of their culture and continues to be the national drink of choice. After that, a server brings one of the Czech students joining us a plate of beef tartar. I was in shock. Raw ground beef sat in front of me and I watched them pick it up and eat it like it was nothing. So, naturally, they offer each of us a bite to try and almost everyone declined (completely understandable). I however told myself to try every single little thing I can while studying abroad so I accepted the offer and it was actually really tasty. I was surprised at how much I liked it even though I hadn’t eaten red meat in almost 6 months.
There were many other times on this trip where opportunities to try new things arose and I hesitated at first, but then realized I may never have the chance to do this ever again, so I did it anyway. That is what sparked this transition. The fact that I may never get to see these people, places, or things ever again, so why would I decline the chance to make a new memory? Even if it was a bad one, it was another thing that made the experience unique and unforgettable. I hope to make it back to Prague one day, solely for the culture dive and the amazing people I had the honor to meet. I’ve found a greater appreciation for not taking experiences for granted and taking every single chance I can to better myself for a changing world.
This was not my first time out of the country, but it was my first time to Central Europe. Three years ago I traveled to Western Europe but only spent 10 days there whereas this time it was a month. I went into this trip with no expectations solely because I didn’t know what to expect; it was the best decision I could’ve made. I have always loved to travel and going to new places has been exciting, but this was different since I would be gaining knowledge I may use for the rest of my career. Sustainability has three main focuses that cannot be achieved unless all three factors are in harmony; economy, environment and social. The Czech Republic has adopted many sustainable practices that the United States hasn’t (yet) and the differences in quality of life is very obvious between the two countries. The quality of life in the Czech Republic is so much better than that of the United States because there is better access to jobs, healthcare, and education. Seeing this difference has shown me how I want to improve the quality of life for people not only in the United States, but for people all over the world. I have a newfound appreciation for history and how even in the hardest times it is possible to find the positive side.
