Today was a really interesting mix of history, culture, and innovation. One of my favorite parts of the day was the scavenger hunt around Prague because it brought us to places we probably never would have found on our own, including St. Catherine’s Church. We also worked with a Czech university student, which gave me a better understanding of what college life is like for students here and how different educational experiences can still lead to similar goals.
Later, we visited the Central Bohemian Innovation Center and learned about how they support startups and regional development. What stood out to me was the difference in mindset compared to the United States. In the U.S., startups often grow quickly and take larger risks, while the Czech approach seems more focused on stability and long-term success. We also broke up into small groups and discussed the pros and cons of starting a company in Pittsburgh vs Prague, which was a very insightful debate.
Afterwards, we had a lecture at Charles University on the history of Prague and learned more about the Communist rule, which we touched on before departure.
We ended the day exploring Old Town, seeing the Franz Kafka Head, and having dinner together at a great Italian restaurant, which was super cozy and was the perfect way to end the night!
Swanson School of Engineering 