#nyuprague

[thisisnyu]

“This experience has been amazing for me so far because I’m not one-hundred percent sure what exactly I want to do with my life. Interning at an NGO has allowed me to explore one of several career options. “

pbnatnyu:

Building your career at NYU Prague

I came to Prague knowing absolutely nothing about the Czech Republic, short of what I was taught during the study abroad orientation held in November in Kimmel. It was the best decision I could’ve made for my sophomore spring. Not only did I meet new people and make new friends, but I also rekindled old friendships and became immersed in a culture I would otherwise not have experienced. I learned some Czech and sampled other parts of Europe. I also started to build my career and explore different career paths through an internship.

I’m currently an intern at CEE Bankwatch Network, an NGO that operates in Central Eastern Europe, monitoring energy projects in the area, their financiers, and their ecological impacts. Working at CEE Bankwatch as a Research and Campaigns Intern broadened my horizons. I’ve worked in government before– in fact, I spent my sophomore fall interning at the New York City Department of Buildings. I’ve interned at my father’s startup. I’ve worked as a researcher for an website. I even have a summer job as a lifeguard. But never have I experienced working for an NGO. I’m glad CEE Bankwatch opened up this pathway.

I found out about CEE Bankwatch through NYU, as it was listed as a non-credit internship. A week later, I found myself interviewing for the position. In February, I heard back and was asked when I could start. It’s a great environment to work in. The office is unassuming, on the third floor of a building in Prague 9, a 30 minute tram ride from where I live in Prague 2. It’s filled with plants and quite cozy. The furniture is all wooden, and there are about 15 employees sitting at their desks. It’s quite casual, people are super friendly, it’s international, and everyone wears jeans. I love it.

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[thisisnyu]

“I’ve stopped listening to music, which in return has forced me to listen.“

constantlyrose:

Sound

Americans are obsessed with music. When I travel on the tram, it is clear that only Americans are listening to music. They are the ones with Apple earbuds draped across themselves. Unlike New York, no one walks down the street with earbuds.

I now listen to sounds such as birds singing or church bells chiming. This is very different from the constant drone of sound that usually resides in my ears.

I’ve stopped listening to music, which in return has forced me to listen.

[thisisnyu]

“I can’t help but think how easy life would be with a universal language. However, now I’m forced to consider what would be lost of the culture if this were the case.”

constantlyrose:

Diversity

I expect you to know my language. I walk into a shop, say dobrý den, and ask for what I want in English without any consideration as to whether you speak this language. I can’t help but think how easy life would be with a universal language. However, now I’m forced to consider what would be lost of the culture if this were the case.

With new technology, faster airplanes, and online shopping, it seems as though the American culture is spreading. I’ve eaten Subway in Russia. I’ve danced to Ariana Grande in a Czech club. And I’ve shopped in Abercrombie and Fitch in Rome. It is possible that our recent innovations have drastically changed these country’s cultures.

But, does it mean that we are all becoming more diverse? Or, perhaps, it means that we are all becoming the same.

[thisisnyu]

dbangabroad:

Amsterdam(n)

[thisisnyu]

“Here is a list of places/things to Czech out in Prague if you are planning on studying abroad!”

r00t-less:

things to do in prague

as requested by my friend Ellen, here is a list of places/things to czech out in prague if you are planning on studying abroad! (if I refer to ‘campus,’ I’m talking about NYU)

-the strudel man, for europe’s best strudel! near vitkov park -of course charles bridge and the castle -the national art galerie -kozluvna (traditional czech food)

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[thisisnyu]

“At this point, I was convinced that Madrid might be the most beautiful, and definitely the most romantic city that I’ve ever been to.”

r00t-less:

madrid, spain

This weekend, Heather and I went to Madrid, Spain. It wasn’t a destination I planned on going to initially since I already have a plane ticket to Barcelona for Spring Break, but after digging up some old memories from my 3 years of Spanish classes and getting an extremely helpful e-mail from Sr. Campbell, my high school Spanish teacher, I was stoked about going. Having taken about a 2 year break from Spanish classes since starting college, I felt kind of guilty that I couldn’t remember some phrases at first, but once I got there I felt like I could navigate and order food fine, and even had a few (albeit short) conversations with people in Spanish.

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[thisisnyu]

“Well, I have come to embrace the sense of confusion. It’s actually made the process of adapting to the culture here even faster.”

shelbyinprague:

One Month

Sorry for the lack of posts! There’s no excuse.

It’s really only been a month since I’ve been in Prague, but I already feel this sense of familiarity with the city and its people.

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[thisisnyu]

“I wake up every day ready for something new.”

womanchildofnewyork:

February 29, 2016

We all have good days and bad days but its a while since I’ve had a bad day. Since Ive been here (a month and a half now), I wake up every day ready for something new. The Czech Republic never ceases to pleasantly surprise me. The energy of the people around me is calm, and its kind, and the places around me are so beautiful and accessible. Theres so much opportunity for sensory overload. I can’t wait every morning to open myself up to curiosity and learn, because ive only experienced positivity from it thus far(and so many stories!!)

I feel more confident and thoroughly enriched by my study abroad experience thus far and its revealed itself in my performance in class through discussion and the wealth in my writing assignments. Im engaging ideas and challenging principles that were the norm back home, from simply stepping back from it. Im listening in my smaller classes and I’m being surprised by ideas in lecture. My perspective is literally broadening. Theres so much learning in just picking up and living on your own even if lots of the time it can seem like a vacation– lots and lots of travel!! Theres learning in survival and adapting to a new way of life.

Ive figured out the metro and the tram. Ive learned to look at street signs, to ask for directions, to figure out how to help myself when im lost, data less, and without wifi. I feel like I can survive anywhere and im becoming so much bigger, i feel it.