Looking back on these past two weeks, I cannot be any more grateful than I am for the incredible experience that I had in Prague. I set out looking to advance my academic and professional careers and not only achieved these goals, but also made an incredible group of friends along the way. Like I said before leaving, I firmly believe that the true effect of a study abroad experience is felt during the reflection in the weeks after. Since leaving the country I have found myself second guessing our customs, legislation, and engineering practices in America, looking for ways that we as a society could advance and improve upon what we are comfortable with.
The United States as a country is not even three centuries old, and yet it is undeniably one of the most powerful in the world today. With its great power comes an even greater responsibility to its citizens and to the billions of other lives that it has influence over across Europe and the rest of the world. I truly hope that everyone in this country, especially those in positions of political power, have the chance to visit Prague. In the Czech Republic, they will witness everything that I saw and understand how the powers of history are influenced by movements that create some of humanities most beautiful wonders, and its most tragic horrors. The people of Prague and the Czech Republic have this appreciation for their history and culture that only a country with an eight century history could. I am truly grateful to Pitt and Prague for opening my horizons on my first trip to Europe, one that I will cherish and reflect on for the rest of my life.
Swanson School of Engineering 