Czech Republic: Emma Donohue (A home away from home in Prague)

Program: CIEE Central European Studies in Prague, Fall

Prague is an amazing city in Central Europe, with plenty to explore. This can feel overwhelming at first because you feel like you need to see the whole city at once. However, exploring can be exhausting. So, while I’m here meeting new people and having new experiences, I have tried to balance exploration with routine.

One of my new favorite routines has been Sunday dinner debriefs with my friends. We all return home from traveling on Sunday night, famished and full of stories to share. Too tired to make food, we went out for dinner that first Sunday. Prague is filled with amazing food, but it also has a strong Vietnamese community with lots of options. We found a delicious place near our apartment called Pho U tří soudků. The owner is very kind, and the menu has pages and pages of food. We all try something new every week, but we usually return to a classic, warm, comfy Pho. It is also fun to try a spot that mostly locals go to, instead of just the popular tourist spots, because you really feel like you are immersing yourself in the community. This is a great routine we have created to feel comfortable returning to Prague, and it is always something we look forward to every week.

To explore the city, I have been trying different cafes each week, especially different matchas. There are so many cozy cafes near the CIEE building and all across Prague, so it is super fun to find new spots to get lunch, study, or get a quick drink to go. It is also fun because I really enjoy matcha, so it is like a little adventure to find spots I like. It is also great because I usually try to walk there, or at least part of the way, so that I can see more of the city and different areas. It is a great routine that also allows for exploration. A lot of the more popular ones are in more central parts of Prague, so you can see big landmarks as you make your way there. So far, my favorite matchas have been a Sea Salt matcha from Jun Matcha Bar, a Pistachio Cream matcha from Atomic Matcha, and just a regular matcha from Matcha Crew. Exploring new cafes can be great for independent studying or a group excursion. My friends and I love walking down the hill between classes at CIEE and grabbing a quick lunch at Vratislavka. The food is delicious, and the owner brings a cute little dog to work every day, which always makes me feel more at home because I’m missing my dog too.

The latest experience that has become part of my everyday life, or at least every other day, is trying the new mini markets near me. Near my apartment, there are more small, local markets with great snacks that are fun to explore. A cute one around the corner has snacks from around the world, great desserts, and even some fun drink options. My friends and I like to try different snacks each week. The first time I tried pizza chips, they were delicious, but right now, for lunch, I am eating some prosciutto chips. I also had a delicious peach white tea, while my friend tried a cantaloupe coconut milk drink the other day. The group favorite is the Bohemian cheese pretzel bites. They are delicious and a great snack to bring on weekend travels. Having a place that you can go to around the corner for snacks really makes me feel more at home and helps to replicate my life at Wisconsin, going to Taggs with my friends.