by Kevin Kau I step forward to the metro kiosk. A clerk sits listlessly behind the glass. How do I say that I want a ticket that will get me into the center of Prague? First I try speaking English. “1 ticket please.” A stare. I ask again, this time …
by Jay Rowley Nature of Awakening One afternoon, I was walking alongside the Otava River in Sušice, Czech Republic. There were groves of trees on my right side, and to my left, the meandering river. I had been stressed about something, but suddenly I felt an amazing feeling of rejuvenation; …
by Emily Primrose “Why on earth would you want to go to the Czech Republic?” “Wouldn’t you rather go somewhere cool like London or Japan?” “What is there in the Czech Republic?” “It’s a former communist country right? Is it safe?” “Are you really sure about doing this?” These were …
by Cindy Stearman When I first arrived in Prague, it was late and I was worried about reaching my hostel before dark. I was dragging three quite heavy pieces of luggage. (Believe it or not, I thought I was packing light.) I knew I was only three blocks from my …
by Amanda Crittenden It’s 10:00 pm and I’m sitting at the kitchen table trying to finish tomorrow’s lesson plan for my 4th graders. I tap my pencil on the Czech-English dictionary, which for the past three weeks has become part of the table centerpiece at my new home here in …
by Klinton Smith The last day in Prague, before Project “New Eyes” ® began, I had the opportunity to tour the concentration camp at Terezín with fellow participants Cindy, Kevin, Emily, Amanda, and Sarah. It was a sad, though worthwhile experience. As we arrived, countless rows of headstones of the …
by Michael Kaley Relocated I’m letting baby Adela cry herself to sleep tonight. I sit outside our room on a wooden bench that is strategically placed in the anteroom of this orphanage. I sit among the shoes and slippers that are swapped off and on depending if one is entering …
by Todd McKay Joe Stalin once said ‘The death of one man is a tragedy. The death of millions is a statistic.’ To me, the story of a person is much more powerful than the history carried on the shoulders of a people. Take, for example, a small but notorious …
“There are four stages of homesickness. First the honeymoon, then the hostility, followed by a feeling of home, eventually with a bit of humor.” – Gabriella by Maya Souiedi The Engagement I found out about Project “New Eyes” ® from Heather Hirschi, my writing professor. She showed us a …
by D. Sam Matyjasik Hansel and Gretel I worked at Lercova, the “Blue School”, with Mirka. Lercova is a primary school, equivalent to our elementary school. Mirka is a very fun teacher who uses music to help teach a second language. She is quite a delight to be around. I …