The last weeks

Ten months came and went. Only 3 weeks until my commitment is over :(

I suppose it’s time to tell the world my plans? Originally, I intended on starting my PhD in Nuclear Chemistry and eventually become a university professor. However, I have decided to move to Chicago and pursue a career there.

My advice for future accepted Czech ETA’s.

(1) Not everyone’s experience will be the same.

(2) Brace yourself for an unpredictable year.

(3) Take advantage of the situation and learn Czech.

“He who would travel happily must travel light.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Pack only the essentials. Bring a camera and basic supplies. Everything you need is here and what is not can fit comfortably in one suitcase. Remember: you carry memories in your mind, not your bag.

            The hardest parts of being an ETA: Never seeing your old friends again.

My 10 seconds of FAME!

So, let's face it. When you live in a different country, you will most certainly do things you wouldn't normally do in your homeland. For example, going to a recording of a reality show.... then ending up on Czech National Television.

I have to say, that this experience was pretty cool. I wasn't really expecting the guy I was rooting for to win (Jiri), but he did! Well, I have to admit that I don't really know Jiri, he's a friend of a friend ... and well... I kinda went because at the time it seemed like a fun idea.... and now I know the cleverest of Czechs! 

If you are curious about the show, you can look at the website... it's pretty legitimate!

http://www.ceskatelevize.cz/porady/10654598060-nejchytrejsi-cech/

Fulbright facts. *Due to the questions*

How many hours do you work a week?

14 or 16 (on average 15) plus my extra English club.

How many students do you teach?

Per class, no more than 12, no less than 4. Usually, 6-10 students.

Do you need to speak Czech?

In school, no. In the capital, no. In my town, yes, but I manage with ease.

Did you learn Czech?

Yes and no. Some background: I did have a Czech tutor for a year in the USA before I applied for a Fulbright. When I came here, I did not take lessons for 6 months, then I started taking lessons at a language school. So, yes, I speak enough Czech to talk to people, make some friends, make arrangements… but honestly, I usually speak English…. I do not think I would have made friends in this country, if I didn’t at least attempt to speak the language.

What are some shocking things you’ve experienced?

There are good shocks and bad shocks.

Bad shock:

Knowing German and French is as good as knowing English in this country.

Living alone gets pretty lonely.

Good shock:

How easy it is to make close friends. When you move to a new country, people understand that you’re alone and they want to help!

How great this country is!

 What are you recommendations for applying?

Make sure you don't apply to a random country... Apply to a country that you (1) been to, (2) learned about and (3) genuinely want to live in. It will be obvious in your application, if you are not very interested in the country that you are applying. Also, if you do not want to genuinely live in this country, you will not be very happy in the coming year.

20 Reasons why I love Czech Republic. 

What do you know about Czech culture and life? Is Prague really the only thing you think of when you hear Czech Republic? There are so many things this place has to offer and I must admit that Prague is a bad example of Czech day-to-day life. Prague is a city that is flooded with foreigners and isn't a great reflection of the country as a whole. 

Over the past 8 months, I have developed a love for this country.  So, this blog post is dedicated to things that I absolutely love about this country. 

1.   Saying "Ahoj" to my inner circle of friends and consequently unleashing my inner pirate. 

2.   Walking into a classroom full of students, only to have them stand in my honor.

3.   The ever so addicting Pribinacek.

4.  The ever so addicting knedliky.
5.  The ever so alcoholic beer that goes from 11% to 14% without a 13%, because it is an unlucky number.
6.  Svejk.

7. Pan Ucitel

8. Tmavomodry svet 

9.  Balada pro Banditu

10. Czech Humor....

11. Milos Zeman... how there is is picture of this president in every classroom despite his antics.

12. The landscape.

13. The traditions.

14. The National Symbol

15. The history.

16. The location.... its the heart of Europe :)

17. Ceske Televize and how they always talk about the USA (and makes me feel like my country is important).

18. How the word "na" is used for almost everything.

19. How it's totally ok to have a double negative in a sentence.

20. Prague (when its not flooded by tourists)

month number 7... well kinda

Today, I have been living in the Czech Republic for 7 months. I have certainly learned a lot about everything. From time to time though, I think to myself, "Why must I live here for another 3 months?!" or "Why can't I live here forever?"

There are definitely days, when I just want to cry. However, I tell myself everything will be ok!

Now, I go to Prague every Monday and Wednesday for my Czech Lessons. This is difficult, because there are days, when I think, "I don't want to learn today. I'm feeling really bad. Why do I need to take that bus for an hour? Then learn only for 90 minutes? On the other hand, I want to sleep and then go up the mountain to look at my town."

 Also, today I told my Spanish Teacher, "Why is Spanish easier than Czech? In Spanish, there are words that I know, but never learned."


She said back to me, "Why are you learning Czech? You're young! You have such a long time. You will not know what it is to live, unless if you have a good time!"

So, over the weekend, I'm going to Nacho, because I want to be with some new friends. Why not?! I'm young! I want to be happy, when I can.

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BTW: I didn't go to Nachod, I did something much better. In a few months, I will write about it, but for now, I want to keep you guessing... but it does involve Ceske Televise....

month number 7... well kinda

Dneska, bydlim v Ceske Republice 7 mesicu. Naucila jsem se moc hodne. Cas od casu, myslim se ze, "Proc musim bydlet tady dalsi 3 mesice?!"nebo "Proc nemusim bydlet tady navzdy?"

Mam mnoho dny, kdyz chces plakat. Ale, rikam si ze vsechno bude dobre.

Ted', kazdy pondeli a streda pojdu do Prahi na moje cestina lekce. To je obtizne, protoze jsou dny, kdyz myslim ze, "Ne, nechci ucit dneska. Mam se moc spatne. Proc musim pojedu autobusem za jednou hodin? Potom naucim pouze 90 minuty? Na druha, muze spat ted' a potom jit na horou a se videt muj mesto."

Taky, dneska rikala jsem na moje spanelsky ucitelka, "Proc spanelstina je snadny nez cestina? V spanelstina tam jsou slovy ze ja vim, kdyz nenaucim to."

Ona je rikala me, "Proc chces naucit cesky? Jsi mlady. Mas dlouhy cas. Nebudes vedet jak je zivot, kdyz nebudes mit vyborne."

Tak, o vikendu, pojedu do nachod protoze chci byt s novy komarady. Proc nic? Jsem mlada a chci mit se dobre, kdyz muze.

Na dole je fotka za minuly vikendu. Tam bylo dobre cas v Rychnovi nad Kneznou.

Myslela jsem, ze dnes o zivot.

Co budu delat pristi rok? Neziji bez Tvaroh. To je nemozne!!!

I just bought 5 products with Tvaroh. I love it. It is my favorite treat, my favorite breakfast meal, my favorite snack, my favorite etc!

Muzete mit otazku.... Co to je Tvaroh?  
You might have a question.... What is Tvaroh?

Mame odpoved! Tvaroh je nejlepsi syr, ale neni to "cream cheese" nebo "cottage cheese. To je lepsi nez "Philadelphia Cream Cheese."Jist na chleba, s ovoce, s zelenina nebo sam. To je dobre vzdy.

I have the answer! Tvaroh is the best cheese around (really!), but it's not cream cheese or cottage cheese, like some translators will tell you. It's completely differen and absolutely the best cheese product I have ever had! Eat it on bread, with fruits, with vegetables or alone. It doesn't matter, it's always good.

If you ever have the opportunity to try Tvaroh (or in German, Quark)... then DO IT! At first, it will taste weird, you probably won't like it, but it's like kettle corn... the more you eat it, the more addicted you become. 

I will definitely miss Tvaroh, when I leave this country :'(