Swanson School of Engineering

Our day began with a visit to the Central Bohemian Innovation Center, where we learned about their pivotal role in supporting regional development and nurturing startups. The center fosters a collaborative ecosystem by connecting scientists and entrepreneurs, helping validate innovative ideas, building founding teams, and offering mentorship and consulting services. They also facilitate access to investors, provide fellowships for postdoctoral researchers, and support prototype testing. It reminded me of similar initiatives at Pitt, such as the Big Idea Center, the Innovation Institute, the Office of Industry & Economic Partnerships, and the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence. Later, we participated in a Czech language course at Charles University, where we explored the language’s structure, formal vocabulary, grammatical gender, and varying levels of formality. This experience made me realized that effective communication requires sensitivity to cultural norms and linguistic nuances. Throughout the day, I saw how interdisciplinary knowledge—linking language, engineering, and cultural history—enhances our ability to engage in global environments. Understanding the historical and cultural background of the Czech Republic provided insight into the development of its engineering sectors. One of the biggest misconceptions I had about the Czech Republic was underestimating its global influence. I had perceived it as a smaller nation with limited impact, but I was surprised to learn about its significant contributions to automotive and aviation engineering, as well as its growing role in Europe’s nuclear energy landscape. This experience reshaped my view of the Czech Republic as a dynamic and innovative leader.