Writing about my experience in Prague as an exchange student is probably the most difficult thing I could be asked for. Too many things to say. No words to explain what I’m living. And too many beers yesterday night, as well! Being here is a dream, for me. I’ve been here for three months, now, and still I feel like on holiday, in a world apart from my “previous life”.
Writing about my experience in Prague as an exchange student is probably the most difficult thing I could be asked for. Too many things to say. No words to explain what I’m living. And too many beers yesterday night, as well! Being here is a dream, for me. I’ve been here for three months, now, and still I feel like on holiday, in a world apart from my “previous life”. It will be hard to come back home. I’ll try to tell you something about my staying here considering things in order of appearance.
My Buddy
When I arrived at the airport I was completely lost: what should I do, where should I go? Then I saw him, my older brother in Prague, who took me to my room, helped me with the documents and showed me around and took me to a pizzeria the first night I was here (because I’m Italian, I guess!!) and to McDonald’s the second day, when I asked him to make me try some typical Czech food. I’m joking, I couldn’t have found a better one, thank you for everything, Milan!
Dorm & Friends
What an amazing experience!! As I’m used to living with my parents, in my house somewehere north of Milan, my first impression of the room wasn’t that good: “Am I supposed to live here?!!” But I had to change my mind. Apart from the problems with the kitchen and the laundry (Mummy, I miss you!), living in the dorm is the most wonderful thing I’ve experienced in my life. I have a great roommate, fortunately she doesn’t care about the mess which reigns in my half of the room! I’m never alone, we almost live all together. I only have to open the door to find someone to have a chat with and in every moment I face internationality, people coming from all over the world. I love it!! And what about parties? There’s no need to have a reason for partying, we just get together, drink and have fun all night, and all you have to do after that is to find the way to your bed, no trams and no cabs. So easy! People in the dorm are great, they make every moment a special one. I’m sure I will miss you all.
Praha
I guess everything has already been said, there are no words left to say how magic this place is. I fell in love with Praha when I first walked on Charles Bridge: it was a sunny day, the glaring river moving slowly below me, the castle in front of me and these men playing jazz a few meters far away. I thought I would cry, everything was so perfect and I feel so lighthearted. Was I dreaming? Then I discovered how much I like walking around, getting lost and then trying to find the way back home and finding undiscovered squares and streets, music and art are everywhere, and the past is somehow still present in the buildings, the statues, the bridges, even in people’s faces, sometimes. Líbí se mi Praha!!
University
I don’t know whether international students have a special treatment, but (fortunately) everything is much easier than in my home university. The point is that I’m not accustomed to studying any more, and writing a five-page paper takes me hours. It’s incredible how my mind can work and find a hundred things to do, rather than studying. At university I always see people reading and studying and reviewing. But it’s not enough to make me feel guilty! When I talk to my mother on the phone, she’s so worried about the courses and the exams. If she knew! The canteen is a weird place. If you don’t want to eat chicken everyday you have to take a big dose of courage and try to order something knowing that you’ll probably get something.
Ode to Pivo (and Knedliki)
I’ve never drunk so much beer as here in my life. Everyone is drinking beer at any time of the day and the night, and it took me some time to figure out that beer is cheaper than water. I have to admit that beer is much better than water, considering that most Czech people drink this strange flavoured water. Water is water, why should I buy water with grapefuit flavour?! Anyway, let me say something about knedliki: I adore them!! Houský, bramborový – give me more! The only thing I don’t understand is how you can eat the ducks. First you let them swim in the river, and then here they are, roasted in your plate, with a nice garnishment of cabbage. Well, when in Rome, do as Romans do.
