It’s day 2 in Prague, and I wouldn’t say I am in a full on culture shock, but I am definitely feeling the adjustment. The language barrier is interesting because I am never sure if people speak English or not, so the beginning of every conversation with a local is a bit hesitant. That being said, it is also an exciting aspect.
One big difference I’ve noticed is how much quieter public spaces are. Whether it’s on the tram or walking through the city streets, people seem more reserved than Americans. The loudest places were definitely the ones that were just full of tourists. A group of us students were walking down the street and only noticed how quiet it was when we all stopped talking even though there were plenty of other people around. The contrast is subtle but definitely noticeable.
So far I have really enjoyed everything about Prague and all of the activities we’ve done and sights we’ve seen. Overall it seems like less of a culture shock, but more of a slow reveal of all the differences between the Czech Republic and the United States. Maybe by the end of these 2 weeks my opinion may change, we shall see!
Swanson School of Engineering 