One of my biggest concerns as I headed into my semester abroad in January was that I would not be able to continue my passions while in the Czech Republic. Some of these included my hobbies, but others included my academic and social interests. Throughout my time at GW, I have been able to volunteer with educational institutions and nonprofits in the local DC community through the Human Services and Social Justice program. It has definitely been the most rewarding and important experience of my first three years of college, so I was disappointed at the possibility of not being able to continue that while abroad. However, when a volunteer position arose in Prague to tutor Czech students in English at a local high school, I jumped at the opportunity; it has been the most impactful experience of my semester abroad.
My program, Eastern and Central European Studies at Charles University, presented the chance for me to volunteer at the high school at the beginning of my semester in January. My classmate and I go weekly for one English lesson during the school day with their English teacher and 20 students. Most lessons consist of cultural discussions, in which Czech students exchange societal norms that they have experienced, while we share our American lives. Additionally, we challenge myths and stereotypes that television, social media, or movies portray about both American and Czech society. Our weekly meetings quickly became the highlight of my time in Prague.
When people from home ask me about lessons that I have learned while abroad, I always tell them the importance of cultural immersion within the culture in which you live. Although I learn about Czech culture, language, and customs through my courses and personal observations, nothing can compare to actual conversations with Czech people. The honesty and openness of the Czech high schoolers caused me to deeply reflect on what I value in my everyday life back in the United States. Their views on family, friends, possessions, and education are vastly different from what I noticed about American values. I don’t think I could have learned such significant lessons if I had not immersed myself in the local culture. At first meeting new people, especially younger people whose native language is not English, was scary to me. Nonetheless, my biggest piece of advice to anyone hoping to make the most out of their semester abroad is to invest and immerse yourself in your host country. Prague has given me so much, and I only hope my time volunteering has similarly impacted the local community.
Colleen Harless
GW Exchange - Charles University (East & Central European Studies)
Spring 2023
Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
Political Science Major