Today started off with an eye-opening visit to the Central Bohemian Innovation Center (SIC), a unique consulting hub that supports startups, student innovators, and researchers. What made this visit particularly impactful was learning how SIC helps individuals protect their intellectual property, connect with investors, and understand how to market their ideas effectively. As engineering students, this experience pushed us to think beyond the traditional path of applying to large companies, it showed us the value of creating something of our own, from research to prototype, and knowing exactly where to go for support. It was empowering to realize that innovation doesn’t have to be limited to established labs or corporations; we, too, have the potential to build and protect our own ideas.
Afterward, we dove into a Czech language crash course that was both fun and surprisingly helpful. It gave me a chance to test my Duolingo skills and finally put them to use! We learned simple but essential words and phrases that can make a big difference when navigating daily life here—things like how to say” thank you”, ” please ” and the different food and drink names. What made it engaging was not just the vocabulary, but the cultural context behind the phrases, and the encouragement to try using them out loud even if imperfectly.
To end the day, we took part in a scavenger hunt around the city. It was a challenging but exciting activity that required us to identify four important buildings and write their names in Czech. What made it special was that it encouraged us to see the city differently slowing down to notice architectural details, symbols, and clues we might have otherwise walked past. It added a playful, adventurous layer to our understanding of Prague and gave me a greater appreciation for how much history and meaning is tucked into everyday places.
Swanson School of Engineering 