Leaving on a jet plane

Hi all,

As many of you know, I will be spending the Fall 2008 semester studying in the Czech Republic. Not Paris or London, as many people assumed I would, but Prague.

So why Prague?

At this point, I'm not even sure I can answer that. I knew I wanted to travel with theSchool for International Training (SIT). Instead of attending a local university, I'll be taking my courses with the other 20 or so students in the program. Being a small group means that we have trips to Poland and Slovakia as a required part of the semester. In about the beginning of November, classes will end and I start my independent research project. Before I leave the CZR, I have to turn in a 30 page paper of my own research.

But so that still doesn't answer "why Prague?" I started flipping through the SIT brochure about a year ago and my list included Senegal, Cameroon, and Madagascar. After the "no Africa" talk with my parents, I looked at the other programs offered related to culture and arts.

And I found the SIT program in the Czech Republic. With the program's focus on communities in social change, I knew that was somewhere I wanted to be. I am sort of/kind of obsessed with the effects of EU on culture and traditions. Although the Czech Republic has been out from under Communist rule for 20 years, it's acceptance into the EU is much more recent.

Do I speak Czech? Nope. I don't know anyone who does either. Do I like beer? Nope, but since I'm a broke college student I'll be drinking whatever's cheapest. Do I know anything about my host family? Nope. Won't get assigned one until I get there.

I have no idea what my access to the internet will be like, but I will be checking my gmail account, facebook, and using skype to assure my parents that I'm still alive.

Na Shledanou

Caitlin