Mark Twain spoke for all aspirant world travelers when he said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.”

If there is one question that I have heard countless times from both American friends and Czech people since last October when I was initially accepted into the Nebraska Semester Abroad program, it is: “Why Czech Republic?” It all started perhaps in the latter half of high school when at some point I made the executive decision that I was going to study abroad. I adore all kinds of traveling, but I also knew that I wanted a lengthier, more wholesome experience in another country. As fate would have it I am native to a country as culturally diverse as she is geographically wide, and thus it seemed logical that I would study abroad in a country that was decidedly different from that of my own. The Czech Republic satisfied this desire quite nicely. It is a largely homogeneous culture with a nationalism that is displayed only when rooting for their football and hockey teams.

The Czech Republic, known colloquially by most American citizens as the former Czechoslovakia, is home to ornate castles, delicious beers and a rich and seemingly volatile history. My first week has been a smooth and seamless transition. One of the aspects related to their culture that intrigued me most was how prolific the consumption of pivo (beer) was among their citizenry. Unbeknownst to me, the Czech Republic is the beer capital of the world and they consume their beverages proudly and cheerfully. It is an integral part of the culture and virtually every person I have met appreciates and champions their beer. The city of Olomouc, my home for the next three months, has numerous eateries and pubs—each with a distinct cultural component unique to them. Olomouc is a lovely Moravian city that booms with college students. Palacký University, where I am studying, is the second oldest university in the Czech Republic, established in 1573, some two-hundred years after Charles University, located in the capital city of Prague.

I consider myself a wanderer—the tug at my heart towards something new invariably overshadows the inherent nostalgia of the old. There is great pleasure in anticipation, the allure of the exotic and unknown, and the value of noticing everything from a new and fresh perspective. That’s precisely what travel is for me: the first step toward greater self-exploration, where adventure ennobles and elevates the soul. I am most definitely looking forward to the weeks ahead, and am immeasurably blessed to call this quaint and quiet city home. I conclude this blog with a heart full of gratitude.

To every one here in the Czech Republic and, particularly Olomouc, who has been a part of my wonderful experience thus far: Děkuji.

To my family and friends back in the states: Chybíš mi! (I miss you)