It's official, I've been here for three weeks; it's to surreal and crazy to even think about. This experience has definitely been quite the adjustment, but I feel safe to say I'm doing much better than I was the first two weeks. I decided to travel alone and at first it was very difficult finding my place.
 |
| Delicious Trdelník at Old Town Square. |
My only class on the first day got canceled. Still, it was hard to be alone for so long while everyone else was at class, meeting their classmates. That day, I decided to explore Prague with the ultimate companion: my camera.
 |
| View from pattle boating on the Vltava River. |
At Anglo-American University, I am enrolled in five courses:
- Media and Democracy
- Video Storytelling
- Jewish Prague
- Digital Tools for New Media
- Arts and Cultural Management
All five of these classes fulfill University of Arizona's general education, major and minor requirements.
My next-first day of class was the following Monday, where I only have Media and Democracy in the evening; quite late for a three-hour class. The only difference between a class like this being in Prague rather than at the University of Arizona is that there is a wide variety of students. It's interesting to hear students from other countries input on democracy, especially if their country's government isn't a democracy. Coincidentally, there is this one man in my class who is from Russia and certainly has a lot to say. For example, this past Monday we were talking about how Hillary Clinton left the 9/11 ceremony early due to pneumonia and he felt the need to insert his opinions about the firefighters of 9/11. Clearly we come from different backgrounds, but hey, everyone's thoughts are valid in a democracy, right?
 |
| Outside view of Anglo-American University. |
Tuesdays, I am lucky enough to have three three hour classes throughout the day! I begin the day just before noon with Video Storytelling, which I absolutely love. I've taken many courses similar to this in the past, so it's safe to conclude that I have this class in the bag. I am one out of three Americans in the class, something I've really learned to appreciate. Coming from a journalistic background, I feel that I'll be able to help the students that aren't so familiar, especially coming from another country. Jewish Prague is right after. Since I'm Jewish, I felt that this course would be suitable; so far, I believe I was right. It's interesting to learn about how the Jews lived in Prague, starting from the beginning. We also take three field trips - score! To end my day, I start Digital Tools for New Media in the evening. Let me tell you, the professor is awesome but I did not expect to be taught how to code. This might be a challenge, but I'm sure I'll get through it.
 |
| Students eating outside at the cafe. |
Wednesdays are the best; only one class and I end school at 2:15 in the afternoon, leaving the rest of the day for exploring and finishing up some homework. The class is Arts and Cultural Management, which I know absolutely nothing about. When I first got to class, I was shocked to see that on the syllabus it was classified as an "advanced" class. My teacher is also Czech, but speaks English pretty well; I'll be able to follow along.
 |
| Students learning during my Arts and Cultural Management class. |
All in all, my classes are very interesting, and I've been blessed with the privilege of experienced and intellectual professors. I can't wait to see what the rest of the semester has in store.
Betsy K. is the Fall 2016 CEA MOJO in Prague, Czech Republic. She is currently a junior studying Journalism at University of Arizona.
