(2) THE END... sort of

Life in Olomouc, academically speaking, is very different from the United States. Although I have touched some on the academic life, I thought since I have just finished finals it would be good to give an overview of my experience.

At the beginning I was quite surprised when there were no tests in the special lecture classes. These classes included a multitude of professors talking about European history, economics, culture, development, and so on. However, there was a “test” in the Czech Language class. It was more of self-examination to see how you were doing in the class. At the end of the semester we were informed there would be two finals, one on the special lecture classes we attended, and another on the Czech language. With a whole note book of notes just for the special lecture class I thought it would be a daunting task.

After our last class of the semester there was a party for all of the students in the back of the history building, where we attended classes every day. At the party were a few of the professors from class. After consuming a few beverages and enjoying some grilled food we talked to Martin, one of our main guides and professors from the semester. He informed us to have a good time and not to worry about finals. Hold on. This was something I never would have heard from a professor back in the states. I laughed at him as if I caught his joke, but then he looked at me seriously and told me to enjoy the end of year party. Having stressed the entire day for the upcoming test, I was confused on how to act. Do I return to the dorms and study diligently, as is required for any of my test in the United States, or do I take my teachers advice and enjoy myself? Unsure of what was to come on the examination I decided to find a happy medium. I stayed at the party and socialized with some of the local students and professors, and then went home to briefly look over my notes.

The final was unlike any test I had taken. I guess I shouldn’t say “any test” because there was multiple choice and essay. The multiple choice portion was simple because there is simply four answers to choose from; however, the essay questions were difficult. In the United States, the essay questions are very specific and you must use specific information in the essay. In the essay questions assigned for the final it was open for interpretation. Of course the essays had to relate to the special lectures, but other than that it was open to what you learned from the lecture, not a specific set of notes or power points given. Although it sounds like it would be easy, it was actually very difficult to come up with my own thoughts, at least at first. Once I got an idea in my head I was able to run with it and write an essay. Another essay presented was that you had to pick a topic to write about, and then pick a point of view to write from. For instance, I chose to write about propaganda during World War 2, and I chose to write it from a social perspective, in other words, how society viewed and was influenced by propaganda. I thought this was extremely fun! I got my mind to think in new ways that other tests never had. I not only recalled information I learned from the year, but I was also able to present my own ideas on the test.

Overall, I was impressed with the way European classes were run. It is an environment that is not high pressure. Yes there was pressure to learn, but it was fun. I didn’t feel like the information was forced down my throat. Rather, I could consume the knowledge at my own rate, and I felt motivated to do so. 

(8) Poland

A perspective change is always good. It can keep a person in check, and it can help to create a more open mindset. Sometimes these changes are small, but many times they can be life changing. Visiting Krakow this weekend was one of those experiences. I was able to view a city that was not destroyed during World War 2, and that is absolutely beautiful in its architecture and culture. 

Our first moments in Krakow were filled with eye appeal. The architecture was similar to Olomouc, but had more clean feeling. The street layouts actually made sense compared to many other European cities. This is because other European cities did not have an organized street plan; instead they were designed around a city square. Other than that, there was no rhyme or reason for the cities' design. Fortunately Krakow seemed organized. 

Our first day in Krakow was partially filled with the history of the nearby castle and the Schindler’s museum. However, the second day, Auschwitz, was the most intense experience of the Poland trip, if not the entire study abroad trip. Throughout high school I had been educated on some of the events during the World War 2 and the Holocaust. This included reading “Night” by Ellie Wiesel, a survivor of the Holocaust and a Nobel Peace Prize winner for his efforts post World War 2. 

When we entered Auschwitz and saw the original sign saying “work will make you free”, which was still standing at the entrance. I can only imagine what the Jews and other minorities thought. It is a menacing sign that offers the hope of freedom, but only through suffering. Obviously now I know that this was one of the many mind games Nazi Germany used to control their victims. One of the first items we were shown on our guided tour was of an urn, which is the last of the victims. It was a shame to see that such a small urn was meant to represent so many of the lives lost. It was another reminder of the efforts the Nazis used to hide their concentration camps, disposing of all possible human remains, so all that was found when Auschwitz was liberated was a small amount of human ashes.

The next pictures shown are recreations of what the prisoners had to go through when entering the gas chambers. On the left the prisoners would enter the undressing room and were told to take off their clothes. The Nazi’s would tell the prisoners to remember where their clothes were so as to convince them that nothing was going to happen to them, except for a shower. In the next room, fake shower fixtures were hung to make it seem like a real shower room. Finally, the room holding with over 2,000 people, would be filled with Zyklon B gas. This type of mass killing was used at Auschwitz-one until 1943.

The map next to our tour guide depicts how Auschwitz-two (Birkenau) was built for faster extermination of the Jewish population. Birkenau, housed approximately four times as many prisoners, and was used in 1944. The rest of the tour was a description of the deplorable living conditions the prisoners were exposed to as well as the violent treatment outside of the gas chambers. Some of the most unimaginable treatment was used. Never had I felt so fortunate in my life, and wanted to take back every complaint I had ever had. 

Our last bit of the tour was at Auschwitz-two, Birkenau. This tour showed us the living conditions at the larger camp, and how mass executions were carried out on a larger scale. The picture below is one of the gas chambers the Nazis used, but was destroyed a week before the liberation of the camp. In the picture shown, you can see the hall, which the prisoners had to walk down before entering the gas chamber. An eerie feeling of past victims was still present.

Although this blog was graphic, I believe it is necessary to be aware of the past. These events could have been hidden from history had it not been for the liberation efforts of multiple military groups. Thankfully, historical sights such as this can educate society, and create a global effort for a better future. the picture below shows the memorial at Birkenau.

(10) POPRAD, SLOVAKIA

My experience so far with any journey has been not to expect anything, because if you do it will only lead to disappointment for two reasons. 1) You will not find what you expected or 2) your expectations were too high. On this trip I tried to do the usual and not expect anything. I wanted the trip to be exciting, but knew things might not turn out for the best because I did not know the area. Fortunately for Marissa, Siming, and I this trip turned out to be one of the best weekend trips so far!

Day 1: when we first arrived in Poprad, after a 5 hour train ride, it appeared very dull. There was carnival, which looked deserted, and the streets were empty. Our group was a little worried, but having experienced this before, I told them only the best of things come from the most unusual beginnings. When we walked in our hostel we were immediately greeted by the owner. She checked us in, and we headed downstairs with our maps to figure out how to get to the hiking trails. Soon we realized that getting anywhere in Poprad requires a lot of prior planning, which we had not done. Fortunately there was a local who began to talk with us, asking the usual questions about our origins and what we were doing in Poprad? It turns out she was a foreign exchange student 8 years ago, and loves to meet people from new cultures. Before we knew it she offered to drive us to the mountains to go hiking! Unfortunately, it was too cloudy to see anything. With our spirits down, we went to supper with our newly found friend, Ivana. After a lot of questions comparing cultures and backgrounds, she offered to provide transport for our second day!

Day 2: Out of the kindness of her heart, Ivana drove us to Spis Castel, one of the largest castles in Europe. It was a beautiful sight with a lot of history! After touring the castle we headed for the High Tatras, where we hiked 3 hours to the nearest waterfall! It was a long day of walking, and our last stop at the hot springs, in poprad, provided us with the relaxation we needed. Although this blog is shorter and the story doesn’t explain every detail, it should be an example of how optimism can completely change an experience. Also, being open to the locals can lead to the most unexpected journey! Without meeting Ivana, we would have only been able to do the castle, but instead we had the trip of a lifetime. I got to see and do things that I only thought I would see in flyers. I also got to meet a life time friend from another country.