Author: Ava Pettit | Major: Anthropology | Semester: Summer 2025
I was able to visit the Punkva Caves located north of the second largest city in Czech Republic, Brno. The photo does not do this view justice!
At thirteen years old I decided that I was going to be goth. I started painting my face white, listening to Depeche mode, and reading books by Franz Kafka. While I cringe at myself constantly for that, I would be lying if I said that I do not want to go back. My gothic days surprisingly has inspired a great deal of my academic career, thanks to its relationship with depressing fiction. Flash forward to college, my love for history and cultural studies runs deep, and I knew that if I wanted to truly immerse myself in my studies, I would need to take a leap out of quaint little Arkansas and into the lion’s den that is studying abroad. I had my sights set high and began to look at different countries and programs that would suit my academic goals. Thirteen-year-old Ava’s eyes would light up when she saw an opportunity to study at Charles University in Czech Republic, also known as Franz Kafka’s alma mater. I had basically already made my decision, but the nail in the coffin was the courses offered through the Central Europeans Studies department, where the classes offered had the opportunity to dive into the sociology and history of the country and city of Prague where it was located. My mother was shocked when I had really picked Czech Republic, even asking “Where even is that?” I knew then it was right for me.
Knowing that this trip would be my first time abroad, I wanted to make sure to not overwhelm myself. This is what led me to pick the summer term for the month of June, guaranteeing nice weather and plenty of tourists. Stepping into Prague, the country’s capital, felt like entering a living museum. The Gothic spires, baroque churches, and colorful buildings along the Vltava River made every walk to class feel like a journey through time. But beyond the postcard beauty, what really stood out was the strong academic tradition. Charles University, founded in 1348, one of the oldest universities in Europe, and it carries a deep sense of history. Sitting in a lecture hall where generations of scholars once studied felt both humbling and inspiring. I took two classes: European Fairytales, and Urban Perspectives. While my fairytales class was fun and not too heavy on coursework, my urban perspectives class was life changing. In just two weeks, my professor had showed us around the whole city and explained the political and social networks that made the city what it is today. At the end of the class I practically felt like a local, knowing all the non-tourist trap spots and engaging in the city’s political debates.
Outside the classroom, my days were filled with exploration. I lived in a student dorm with both Czech and other international students, where I got to meet people from not only all over the United States, but from across the globe. My weekends were spent wandering through the narrow streets of Prague’s Old Town, relaxing at cafés, and meeting people from all over the world. One particular moment that stands out was the first week upon my arrival before our classes started, AIFS took us on excursions to explore other parts of Czech Republic. While Prague is in the Bohemia region of the country, we also got to visit another region in the East known as Moravia. The largest city in the region is Brno, and it is there where I got to be the biggest fan girl ever at Brno’s Capuchin Church. This old monastery is home to a remarkable number of mummified monks from the 18th century which are now displayed for research purposes. While most of the group were mortified of the prospect, I could not have been more excited. There was an extensive written history over each monk, and the facility was upkept tremendously by its own legacy of monks belonging to the monastery. It was the coolest thing I have ever seen. I got to see another old monastery in Prague called Strahov Monastery, where one of the oldest preserved libraries in Europe is located. The library itself was stunning, and I also got to read up even more about monks in central Europe.
I was not just restricted to Czech Republic, and I had plenty of opportunities to explore neighboring countries on the weekends when I was not in classes. I and a few others from my group had decided to travel to Vienna, Austria and Budapest, Hungary for a quick weekend vacation. We stayed in cheap hostels and spent most of the time eating delicious food and looking at musuems. Traveling to a different country proved to be extremely easy thanks to accessible public transportation and cheap travel costs. I got to see “The Kiss” by Gustav Klimt, which was my absolute highlight while visiting Vienna! Overall, I probably spent way more time in museums than anywhere else, and it was absolutely worth it.
One of the most valuable things I learned while studying abroad was to not hesitate to experience things, even if you’re by yourself! Exploring the many museums and monasteries in Prague became my fondest memories, and most of the time I was by myself. While I still loved doing activities with my friends, doing things for myself was a perfect way to relax after a busy day. I found that just grabbing a coffee or going to a bookstore was the perfect way to unwind while still exploring what the city has to offer. Thanks to this experience, I have become more comfortable with the uncomfortable and have learned to embrace the awkwardness. Do not be afraid to put yourself out there to try new things, because most of the time, except for my gothic alter-ego, it is pretty amazing.
From me to Czech Republic, Na shledanou!