The NYU Prague staff includes 11 Resident Assistants who are Czech university students. Our faculty usually encounters them at the reception desks on campus, but they are also on the front line of our student life department- they live with the students, help them adjust to Prague, take them to the hospitals, and organize trips and events. We have interviewed Patricie Pastorová who was an RA for four semesters and recently left to become a study abroad student herself.
Where are you studying now, and what classes are you taking?
I am studying in Kyoto, Japan. Kyoto was a capital city for more than a thousand years and that is one the reason why I chose it. I’m studying at 立命館大学 (Ritsumeikan University) for two semesters. The programme I’m taking part in is called Intensive Japanese Language Programme so I am focusing on mastering my language skills. I have school every day – comprehensive Japanese, writing, speaking and listening. I’m also taking a Japanese politics class in English and a seminar called Globalisation and Human Resources in Japanese.
What are your first impressions?
This country is very beautiful. It is so much different from Czech Republic (which I love!). People are also different, so far they seem more kind and welcoming. But on the other hand it’s hard to approach them. School hasn’t started yet since the school year here starts in April so for now I have orientation and lots of administration paperwork (which the Japanese seem to love).
What is it like to be a study abroad student after taking care of NYU Prague students for so many semesters?
It is a little bit weird. There are no RAs here to help you with everything, and the International Center is always packed with people (which made me really proud of the NYU Prague Staff). I met RMs (resident mates) the other day who live at the dorm with the students (I don’t live there), and it is really different from what I’m used to. I don’t know how is it at other NYU sites but I miss the team of people who are doing their best to make studying abroad easy and fun. But I finally have come to understand some of the things our students need to go through at the beginning of their stay at NYU Prague, and it I think it gives me some new perspectives.
Why did you decide to study Japanese?
Since I was a kid I have liked anime, and I grew up with Pokemon and Miyazaki’s Spirited Away. During high school I really wanted to learn the language. And when I was deciding where to go for university I went to the Peace Boat for YMCA leadership training. Peace Boat is a Japanese NGO cruise which goes around the world and there are plenty of Japanese. This was the first time I got in touch with the culture and people, and that confirmed my decision to study Japanese Studies because I think you can’t get to know and understand the culture without knowing the language.