Even Thousands of Miles Away, Prague Will Always Be Our Home

When I first arrived in Prague, the thought that I would be leaving in a short three and a half months never really crossed my mind. It seemed too far from then, the same way finals feel ages away your first week of school or how long your two and half month summer vacation looks on the calendar.

"We have all made amazing friends here in Prague, we can't believe how quickly it all went, I feel so fortunate to have experienced this semester with everyone here." - Madeline Barth, CEA student

But in just a blink of an eye, we are here, in our final two weeks.

I’d like to think we have all changed from those young and naïve students that arrived at the airport with our belongings, passport, and little to no knowledge on the country we were entering to live for a little over three months. We’ve traveled, missed trains, ended up in the wrong neighborhoods, found “our city,” watched the sunrise countless times, packed completely wrong, studied hard, made far too many friends, spent our life savings, and made memories that will never be replaced and will forever hold a very special place in our hearts.

The view from the top of the Dancing House, it is the best place in Prague to watch the sunset.

While everyone views their experiences different, I am certain we have all grown up the same. For some of us, it was our first time in Europe or the longest they have ever been away from home. Others had spent time in other countries, but not a culture much different than our own American ways. Some of us became homesick while others seemed to prosper, but I am certain that we all are leaving here with a different view on the world.

When my mom came to visit a few weeks ago, she kept saying, “you are living in a postcard town, it is just so perfect.”

In the end, I think we all have come to these terms. That Prague is simply perfect, in every way. We have come to know Prague as our home. When we return each weekend from another part of Europe we can’t help but have a big sigh of relief that we live in such a special place.

So as the final days come closer and closer, we all are beginning to realize just how lucky we are to call Prague a home away from home. It has taught us to accept and adapt to a culture different than our own, given us superb public transportation skills, and now we all have a jump start on cooking 101 in the simplest (or lack thereof) kitchen known to man.

So come Dec. 16, when we all become scattered about the U.S., our hearts will forever remember our special home in Prague.

I don't think I will ever be able to walk into Old Town Square and not have a smile ear to ear on my face with how beautiful it is.

Brittan Bates is the Fall 2015 CEA MOJO Blogger in Prague, Czech Republic. She is currently a junior at the University of Arizona.