Swanson School of Engineering

After attending lectures on history and engineering at the prestigious Charles University, I came away with an appreciation for the Czech Republic’s complex past. Hearing history from the Czech perspective was eye-opening. I learned that the country, despite its small size, supplied weapons to both sides during wartime, which highlighted its strong industrial capabilities. The engineering lecture traced the nation’s roots to silver mining, which drew in multinational engineers. That influx of knowledge and expertise laid the groundwork for a series of transformations—from mining to weaponry, then to railroads, automobiles, and now a growing aviation sector. During our visit to the Podolí Waterworks, we learned how water is sourced from the river and purified through a multi-step process: first iron sulfate treatment, followed by sand filtration, and finally activated carbon filtration. The result is clean, drinkable water—10% of Prague’s supply, with a capacity of up to 1600 liters per second. Seeing this, underscored how seriously the Czechs value public health and environmental responsibility. What struck me about the Czech industrial and educational system is how diverse and deeply integrated it is within the broader European landscape. From mining to automotive and aerospace engineering, the system embraces a wide array of disciplines. There’s a strong emphasis on both historical legacy and future innovation. Czech people have a refreshing honesty, which helped me feel grounded and more connected to the local experience. So far, this journey has been not only educational but deeply inspiring.