Studying.

Studying.

Currently, I am sitting in a local café near my dorm, drinking an ice cappuccino and smoking a cigarette. 

Yes.  Smoking inside the café.

 In most European cities (well the few that I’ve been to so far – I.e.: all over Germany and all over the Czech Republic) it is completely normal to smoke indoors – especially at restaurants, pubs and cafés.  Smoking inside is part of the culture here as most people are smokers.  It’s completely unlike anything these days in the U.S. In fact, even at my dorm building, there is a designated smoking area on the first floor, and there is always somebody there.  I don’t normally enjoy the smell of smoke indoors, but I must admit that it’s an added convenience, and something I will miss dearly when I return to the U.S. 

For the record – I thought I was well on my way to quitting this awful habit.  When I got so sick, I absolutely did not want to smoke.  I lasted for about 9 days without a cig.  But now that I’m feeling superb, I notice all the other Czech people smoking constantly, and it’s impossible to stay away from it!  It really is tough to quit while in Europe.  Better luck next month in the U.S. maybe. 

My study station at a local cafe.  Note the ash tray.
Smoking indoors is the norm.  

I was hoping to be able to use some of the Czech I’ve learned in my studies, but the menus are all in English translations, and the waitresses all speak wonderful English.  It’s just too easy to slip back into the English language.

Random note- since I’ve been in this café writing this blog post, here are the songs I’ve heard:

Mackelmore – Ceiling can’t hold us.
Sean Kingston – Beautiful girl
One European song I didn’t know.

Rihanna – Stay

 Flo Rida -Whistle

American culture has absolutely taken over. 

My classes are all so wonderful – there’s not a chance I will ever skip.  I genuinely enjoy my studies here.  Plus skipping one class would put me so far behind; it would be tough to catch back up.  I’m taking 9 credits, and they are all jammed into 4 weeks.  Here’s my schedule:

Mondays: 9:00-11:45 – Czech Language
                  12:00-14:45 – Reading Prague (Czech literature and history mixed)
Tuesdays: 9:00-11:45 – Modern Czech Politics across various Political Regimes

                  12:00-14:45 – Reading Prague
                  15:00-17:45 – Czech Language
Wednesdays: 9:00-11:45 – Modern Czech Politics
                     12:00-14:45 – Czech Language
Thursdays: 12:00-14:45 - Reading Prague
                    15:00-17:45 – Modern Czech Politics.

Fridays:  NO CLASSES! 

The homework load for one day is equivalent to what I accomplish in one week in the U.S.  I’m not knocking Doane College at all, because I love my college and feel that the education I’m receiving is incredible.  However, in Europe, the schooling is much more intensive, and studying is necessary to pass.  There have been classes at Doane where I’ve hardly cracked a book all semester and passed with an A or B.  I hope my good study habits here in the Czech Republic carry back over to Doane!

But just to put things in perspective: I pay about $35,000/year for 30(ish) credits.  Here college education is so much cheaper and in some cases free (as the government subsidizes), and for the rest, it is the parent’s responsibility to pay out of pocket for tuition.  In the U.S., it is normal for the students to take out thousands of dollars worth of loans, and to graduate up to their ears in debt.  If I were born in Europe, I would start in the workforce completely debt free.

I know in Germany, the paying is opposite.  Parents pay for primary schooling while the children are young, and then college (clear up through masters and graduate programs) is completely free.  All you have to do is pass the tests, and you are placed in types of colleges according to how your grades and scores are.  (My friend Jana is in the highest level of beginning college, as she has scored very high on all the necessary tests). 

Regardless, my studying has increased 10 times what I normally do since I’ve been here, and I’m determined to ace my classes and learn this terribly hard Slovak language!

Best,

Cass