Living in such an amazingly beautiful city like Prague is a wonderful experience that I wouldn’t change for the world; however it can also be very challenging. Like most things in life, this city has both its good sides and bad. One can easily get swept away in its abundant history, fairy tale beauty, and cobbled stone streets. Reality hits, however, that first time you have to go to the doctor, the post office, or even the supermarket. As with any foreigner living abroad, it takes time to adjust to the different social habits and customs, not to mention that the Czech language is very difficult!
The Beauty of Prague
One of the best things about living in Prague is the stories that are told through the architecture. Prague’s history spans over thousands of years, growing from the Vyserad castle to the capital city of the Czech Republic. I love getting lost and walking around this city, seeing relics which were built hundreds of years ago and took many years to construct that were done with breathtaking artistry and detail. No matter how long you are here, it never seems to get old. Along with great architecture, the Czech culture is also very interesting. Experiencing a Czech wedding, going to a cottage over the summer, mushroom picking, and getting hit with a home-made whip on Easter morning are just a few of the great traditions in Czech culture. And, of course, the beer is pretty great too!
The Challenges
While living abroad is very exciting, it also can be very frustrating sometimes! I remember the first time I had to go to the post office to mail a package and was completely overwhelmed by all the different lines, everything written in Czech, and no one who spoke English. This seemingly simple task while living in America was suddenly very confusing and frustrating. Finding English speaking doctors, hair dressers, dentists, etc. is becoming a bit easier, however they often are more expensive and few and far between. The longer you are here the easier things become, however it will always be more challenging than when you are in your home country.
Overall living abroad is like everything else in life: You get out of it what you put into it. You can really learn a lot and easily fall in love with a city like Prague, but in order to do that you really have to try and become a part of it. Learn more Czech than how to just order a beer, and you will be amazed at how much people will appreciate it and open up to you. Get off the beaten path and go and get lost in the city for a day. In Prague, you never know what will be waiting for you just around the corner!