Karlštejn was built on purpose. Every design choice traces back to a reason, like the hilltop location and the thick stone, helping prevent and protect from any possible attacks from enemies. My favorite detail was actually the bathroom positioned high at the back of the castle with a full view of the grounds, so guards could stay alert even then.
On the way there, we stopped at a bakery where nobody spoke English. What followed was a full team effort with both the bakery owners and us. Using Google Translate and hand gestures, I walked out with an amazing snack and a reminder that communication is less about language than most people think. That felt like a genuinely global moment.
This was my last day with the group, and I’m not ready to let it go. Everyone on this trip has taught me something, through conversation, how they experienced a place, and the small moments in between the big ones. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to see the world for the first time, like this. Thank you to everyone who made it what it was.
Swanson School of Engineering 