Live. Travel. Learn.
Life is to live the way you want it. Time is to take the way you need it. Imagination is to explore the way it expands. Czech Republic is the place to be.
My summer did not go the way I expected, not even close to what I had imagined. It was just perfect! I blame it on the Czechs. You probably wonder why?! The answer could not be more obvious, they had the best Summer University (SU)! I do not over exaggerate at all. The purpose of a SU is to have a cultural exchange – a broad understanding and exploring of the country you are in.
That’s what I explored during my summer this year. I can say that I met the true AEGEEan person- motivated to the bones, cheerful like the sun and eager to show the best of the best. I wanted to go in to a different part of Europe where I haven’t been before, so I chose the Czech Republic. What I expected was not what I experienced, but mcuh better I had the best 12 days that a SU can offer!
But let the story begin! The cultural activities started before even going to the SU. The organizers had prepared every week quiz for one month before the beginning. They made my passion for Prague grow. I could not wait to answer and see what the result will be. I read, learned, answered and hoped that I might be right at the end! And then the time had passed and suddenly I ended up … in Prague. The city I read so much about… It was just the way I imagined: beautiful, old and welcoming.
My first meeting with Prague was with the eyes of the tourist, and was later completed thanks to the program our organizers had prepared.
On my first day I was tired, but really excited to meet all the skvělý (wonderful) people from Czech Republic and other European countries. And what is the best way to meet new people and to get to know them? Over a Pilsner of course! A great welcoming ceremony was held, but the beer games bonded us and made us a true group.
After trying the first thing Czech Republic is most famous for (beer), we went to see the next great thing – Skoda. We had our trip to Mladá Boleslav on the second day. I am not a car fan, but there were some great cars in the Skoda museum! After seeing some vintage and modern cars, we continued with the Skoda experience. A great workshop presented by an employee from Skoda Auto. Her story inspired me to think about what incredible opportunities one can have in life.
But that was not everything. In the afternoon we actually could see how the real Skoda cars were made on the assembly line. That was quite interesting. After that, we had get-to-know-each-other games and a Czech language cours. I am not a polyglot but I can proudly say I am a master of the Czech language – Dobrý den! Těší mě! Na zdraví!
After the great day in Mladá Boleslav, our attention was focused on a very important matter – a First aid course. For me it was so interesting because I have never been to one, so everything we learned was of a great importance. After the lecture, we had some practical exercises, which were the best part. In the afternoon we had an AEGEE workshop and a discussion about the European Parliament Elections.
Knowledge, experience, travel and no sleep. This was basically the first two days of the SU! My expectations got higher and higher and by now I had wanted to see even more of Czech Republic and traditions. Guess what? I did…
After having spent some time sight-seeing in Prague, it was time to hit the road… or rather, hit the canoe! That was an experience for a life time. We went to the beautiful country side of the Czech Republic. We camped, canoed on Sázava river, had a Western party and after that had fun during the European night.
On the last day of our stay out of Prague, we learned about the Czech traditions and had an Easter workshop.
After getting back to Prague we had even more things lined up for us. Language courses, sightseeing and city rallies were among some of the great activities we had. But I was waiting patiently for another great experience – the Pilsner Urquell brewery tour, another great day in our program.
And there it was, the end of the SU. My Czech adventure came to its end, but left so many memories of wonderful, exciting and unforgettable days, spent with a group of amazing participants and great organizers. If there was a time machine, I would go back and spend it the way it was with without changing a thing!
Na shledanou!
Written by Lena Evstatieva, AEGEE-Sofia