By Chloe Hum
The first steps I took in Europe were the stairs leading off the plane in London. I was departing the plane when I happened to lose footing and fall down the last few steps. Evidently, the exhaustion of traveling combined with the struggle of flying alone set me up for a great start to my study abroad experience.
On my first day in Prague I decided to go to T-Mobile to buy an international SIM card. Hesitantly determining that I was more than capable of doing this alone, I left the dorm room, my only source of WiFi, and ventured into the city without data or service. I managed my way to the store and was able to communicate with the worker about what I needed. I felt my worry fade into optimism; maybe surviving the city wasn’t that hard. However, reality kicked in when the worker told me my phone was locked to other carrier networks and could not support a new SIM card. I was stuck without data or service in a foreign environment with no clue how to get back to my dorm. I was stranded, and could only get home after wandering around in search of WiFi.
On my third day in Prague I decided to get my nails done as a form of therapy to make up for a stressful first few days abroad. Halfway through, I notice other customers paying in cash. I ask the nail technician if it is cash only and she nods, pointing to a sign on the door. The sign was in Czech. Having no cash on me at all, I was forced to withdraw cash from the only ATM I was told to avoid: EuroNet. Known for high transaction fees, I was repeatedly told it was a scam, but I had no choice.
On my fourth day in Prague, my suitemate tested positive for COVID-19 and I was told I had to quarantine.
I think it is safe to say the start of my study abroad experience was not magical, or amazing, or anything like people tell you it is going to be. For a week, I didn’t eat lunch because I could not understand any menu. I was overwhelmed, frustrated and completely deflated. Europe was rejecting me.
What they don’t tell you about study abroad is that it takes time to adjust to a new environment. What they don’t tell you about study abroad is that the culture shock hits some students harder than others. I thought adjusting to Europe would be nothing after living in New York, but it’s clear that I was undeniably wrong. The language barrier, social burnout and homesickness are not things to underestimate.
It is my 15th day in Prague, and I find myself loving the city more and more. The seemingly never ending stress and difficulties of living in a foreign country has dwindled, and now I can focus on the beauty of the city. Every day without fail, I am awed by the detailed architecture and beautiful churches. I find peace sitting in cozy cafes or riding the tram to class. I love waking up to cobblestone roads and bay windows.
The more time I spend here, the more I understand why people study abroad. Prague has renewed the child-like excitement I first felt when I moved to New York. The difference here is that this thrill will never disappear. The challenges of living in an unfamiliar environment can be a disheartening source of anxiety, but it can also be a source of everlasting discovery– it just might take some time to get there.