2. flat / chata:

in the Czech Republic it is very normal that in the winter and summer seasons, generally, friends or family decide to propose the idea of ​​renting a cabin to spend a different and fun weekend. Where they do outdoor walks and at night, a good bonfire with a barbecue are carried out. 

3. Czech lifestyle:

it seemed that there routine here is very organized and structured, plus many people speak more than one language and they are always curious about your language and they will ask you everything about your culture. Plus they always know a lot about politics and economics of other countries, they are very curious people. 

4. Ice hockey:

Czechs are very fans of ice hockey, in fact they have a ritual before entering the stadium which is to talk about how the game will go while having a beer in a bar near the stadium. I'm not a big hockey fan, but I definitely started to love hockey here. I became a fan of my city's team which is Dynamo; And together with my family and friends we went to many games, Dynamo reached the final, I took many souvenirs to remember them. If you come to the Czech Republic you have to watch at least one game and then tell me what you think.

5. Many activities are provided:

from free festivals to outdoor activities, such as kayaking or boating on the Moldava River in summer and winter, activities such as skating or skiing, giving a selection of more than 300 winter centers . If you are not into outdoor activities, and you have already visited the tourist areas of the city, you can visit the almost 3,000 castles and palaces that the Czech Republic presents or the almost 90 museums, of which the national museum and the Franz Kafka museum stand out, Kafka is a Czech writer known internationally thanks to his most famous book “The Metamorphosis”. I had the opportunity to see a large part of the country, which highlighted the majesty of the castles, the great conservation of many historical monuments and the large number of tourists everywhere. 

6. Food:

I had many doubts about the food in the Czech Republic, since when I searched online I was not very interested, but when I came here and tried it for the first time I loved it, I love that in the supermarkets you have many options for bread and cold cuts, In addition, it is important to know the history of why it is typical food and to try everything. I recommend trying at least once on your exchange here svíčková and bramborový knedliky, this are my favorites. 

7. School:

the first impression I get is the structure and operation of the school since upon entering the school I find two Ping Pong tables and a rest room in which they get together to study in groups or play games. In addition, there are many billboards throughout the school that show national and international university or job offers to show the different options available to students today. Another characteristic of the school is that it has lockers for each student, which makes day-to-day life more comfortable, as well to the fact that there we keep the shoes with which we enter the institution and we put on comfortable shoes to move around inside. As an exchange student, I was given many tools for my adaptation, such as, for example, I was given personalized Czech language classes, they adapted the exams to my level and they continuously consulted me how I fell with the school and the way I have my classes. My relationship with the teachers was very good since they tried to include me in the classes, trying to speak English and ask about my culture, they always tried to make me feel comfortable. My relationship with my classmates was excellent, I participated in different events, of which the highlight was having been part of the school basketball team and being able to travel thanks to that. On my first day, many classmates approached me, which made me feel instantly integrated and today I fondly remember great friendships. I must highlight the kindness and understanding of the institution's directors. 

8. Family:

i consider that I had one of the best families, I lived with my mother and my grandparents. My relationship with my mother was excellent from the beginning as if we had known each other before, we achieved a balance in the daily routine in which she took me to school and I prepared her breakfast for her work. I always felt accompanied by my family and although with some members the language was a barrier but in the end we managed to create our own language. My nieces visited me weekly to play and share some nice afternoons together, thanks to them I learned Czech faster since she was also learning it. I participated in many family celebrations as well as trips that I will always remember. Whenever I could I thank for everything they do for my by cooking, which made them become fans of my recipes. My grandfather loved my caramel coated almonds and because of that before I returned I had to leave him a stock for my absence beside  to the modesty so that he can continue making them when I’m not there. Additionally, my grandfather approached me almost every day to talk to me and ask me about my day which made the relationship stronger, and he ended up naming me his little daughter. As well as I am grateful that my brothers and my aunt spoke English, which facilitated the relationship and helped me to be able to communicate with my family at first.

9. What I took with me:

a new language that, despite how difficult it was, I was able to learn thanks to the tools that were given to me. Nowadays I can have a fluent conversation. I am taking a family in another country who will always be invited to visit me and I know that if I return to the Czech Republic I have someone waiting for me. Friendships all over the world, which was a fundamental accompaniment in my exchange, since we were all going through almost the same situation and I know that I will keep these contacts for life. By enrolling in a ceramics course on my exchange I was able to leave gifts I made to my friends and family in addition to leaving them recipes and lots of food. I get many, many gifts from my family, friends and friends of my family too.

I fully appreciate my biological family for giving me this great opportunity in my life which I will never forget, in addition to my family in the Czech Republic who always made me feel welcome and at home, always trying to make me feel comfortable. To YFU, who gave me tools to make my adaptation easier and more fun, and to my new friends around the world for teaching me that even though we don't come from the same place, everyone laughs in the same language. Cata (Inbound student 2023/2024)