8 reasons why you should go abroad

Deciding to do an international co-op was no easy task for me. I had mentioned previously in one of my posts how I always thought my first co-op would be in Boston working in a veterinary clinic. I mean it when I say that I never thought I would end up doing research in Germany. I remember the day as if it was yesterday. I was going into one of the buildings at Northeastern when I got an e-mail that said the following:

“Hello-

Greetings!  

Are you thinking about a co-op, in Germany?  

If “yes”, the next step is to contact, Thomas Reinard @ Leibniz University, and articulate in a cover letter, what your research interest is. 

Here’s his link:

https://www.genetik.uni-hannover.de/reinard.html?&no_cache=1&L=1."

This e-mail was sent by one of the co-op advisors at Northeastern and for some reason, right when I saw it, I said to myself: “Co-op in Germany…that sounds pretty amazing.” And so I did my research and sent the cover letter and resume. A couple weeks later I received an e-mail saying they would look for a lab for me to work in and that if I wanted to come to Germany to do my first co-op, I could. I was so excited about the fact that this was even possible. However, many “buts” came to mind when I thought of living abroad. It is normal to be scared at first, but for all of you out there who need one last push to do it, I made a list of 8 reasons why you should do an international co-op/study abroad.

Source: https://www.studentuniverse.com/travel-guides/study-abroad/10-reasons-why-you-should-study-abroad

1.   Explore the world

One of the main reasons I have always wanted to live abroad was because of the opportunity of exploring and interacting with other cultures. There is so much you can read and study in a normal classroom setting. However, the opportunity of experiencing everything firsthand is incomparable. Immersing yourself in a new culture is an experience that will teach you many things nothing else could. Getting to see other ways of life, listening to other languages and realizing there is so much more waiting to be discovered is what brings a smile to my face every day. Every time I travel to another country I get to see a new way of life and I get to meet new people every day that continue to make my experience as unique as it can be. Learning something new and traveling to new places only makes me want to know more and more.

Source:http://cf.mp-cdn.net/75/9b/47ead1636bc8c8445caf64de78e2-does-the-public-education-system-in-the-united-states-produce-better-scholars-than-other-countries.jpg

2.   Education in other parts of the world

Every education system is somewhat different, but something that I have realized from working abroad (not even studying) is how different the education system in the United States is to that of Germany for example. Another reason you might consider studying abroad is for the chance to experience another education system different from what you have always known. Although I am only doing a co-op abroad, I am taking German classes in Hanover so I have had to do some research about how the system works. You will have the chance to see another side of things you might not be exposed to otherwise.

Having the opportunity to immerse in the education system of another country is something that portrays their culture and traditions. This can certainly help you understand better the people and why they are the way they are. If you study abroad, education is clearly the main reason why you are going to live in another country so choosing the right program for you or the right school is an essential step towards your experience and a very important factor when deciding if you will do it or not.

Source: Pinterest

3.   Getting to know a new culture

This one is pretty self-explanatory. Leaving your home country will expose you to new and fascinating ways of life. You will find other types of food, traditions, customs, social atmospheres and perhaps even a different language. You will have the opportunity of being part of this way of life. Most importantly, by getting to know other cultures you even appreciate your own culture even more. I believe I have learned so much from my culture that seemed “normal” to me before leaving my home country. This is also something you get out of this exposure to a different cultural background.

Source:http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/sites/teens/files/styles/article/public/istock_000034046452small.jpg?itok=BhqhVHLn

4.   Learn a new language

This is one is very dear to me because I love the idea of learning new languages. If there is something my experiences have taught me is that the best way of doing so is by completely diving in and immersing yourself a 110% in the culture. Chances are that if you are going abroad, you are also hoping to learn a foreign language. Many study abroad programs offer formal courses besides just living in the country so you are able to incorporate everything you have learned in the classroom into the experiences of the day-by-day. 

Even when doing an international co-op like I am, I have been exposed to German since day one. In Germany everyone knows a bit of English and enough for you to get by. However, my recommendation is that if you have the opportunity of learning more than you thought you could: do it! I think you should always try to get the most out of every experience and opportunity you have. Although German is a very hard language to learn (especially in such a short amount of time), I have really made it one of my goals to know as much as I can by the end of my co-op. Taking German classes and asking people what this or that means is really my way of going beyond and making the most out of this experience. If you can (and you have the chance) try do to the same! Take advantage of the fact that you are in the actual country where the language is spoken.

Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSLMWhTs-i9v09rOHmbV_yHKDMOTAGtx2d59QMowSL6W1m3qUgp3hJWOIpzEBwx6Z3jjBdSihkjezecCD2IU8ITApTkEnw4_MJsEHRqPiBqMnYrYi4WjsdwehhufW1BYk7x9OXH-pVFs/s1600/work-abroad-see-the-world.png

5.   Career Opportunities

I truly believe an experience abroad changes your perspective in many different aspects. Getting to work in another country and being exposed to different environments and customs can be attractive to future employers. It can enhance the value of your degree and can move your future career forward and closer to where you want it to be. It also creates a willingness to learn more and it broadens the horizons because there is more to what you thought you knew. At least, this is what I have experienced from working in Germany. Many people love the host country they work in or study in so much they end up wanting to live there indefinitely.

Source: Pinterest

6.   Making lifelong friendships

One of the biggest benefits of studying abroad is the opportunity to meet new friends from different backgrounds. While studying abroad, you will attend school and live with students from your host country. However, since I am doing an international co-op the experience for me has been a bit different but equally rewarding. I am very close with the three people I live with and I can honestly say I know I will keep in touch and hopefully see them again after I leave. They are all very special and I think it's a pretty interesting dynamic how a German, a French, a Puerto Rican and an Iranian can all get along and have such a nice relationship despite we all speak different first languages. 

Also, me and the other co-op students are very close at this point as well. None of us knew each other before coming to Hanover, but the fact that we all had to go through the same process was something that brought us together. We always try to do something every week  and bond more.  I know I will also value their friendship as time goes by because the experiences and adventures we have been through are unique. Meeting them has definitely made my experience even better and the fact that I get to see them all when I return to Boston eventually makes me happy. Other people I have met include people from my travels. In one of my previous blog posts I talked about how I met John. John then introduced me to all of his friends who came to visit Hanover and I found myself hanging out with them as well. I have even traveled with them. I also stayed with a Dutch lady in the outskirts of Amsterdam when I booked an Airbnb. Her name was Delano and she was the sweetest. I have met people when I take trains, buses, airplanes or people who have helped me along the way (like Juan Perez); and in some way or another they all have contributed a small part to what my experience abroad has been so far. 

The bonds you create and the people you meet are unforgettable because, together, they all form part of this experience that you will carry with you for the rest of your life.

Source: Pinterest

7.   Personal Growth

Now, I know this sounds very cliché, but it is true. There is nothing like being on your own in a foreign country. It certainly brings out your independent nature. It helps you explore a new nation and bring out the curiosity that lies within. I believe one of the benefits of living abroad (whether it is for co-op or for studying) is the opportunity to discover yourself while gaining an understanding of a different culture. Being in a new place by yourself can be overwhelming at times (you all have seen it happen to me at first). However, it tests your ability to adapt to diverse situations while being able to problem solve. I can personally say I have learned how to deal with situations better considering everything that has happened along the way and this a very important part of what has been my experience abroad.

8.   The experience of a lifetime

For most students, this time may be the only opportunity they ever get to travel abroad for a long period of time. This is my case. Eventually we will find a job and a career, and the opportunity to study abroad may turn out to be a once in a life time opportunity. Even if we do get to travel later in life, it will never be the same than when you are this young.
I know living abroad can also turn out to be hard economically for many, but when I made the decision to go abroad there were many scholarships and financial aid available to students who really wanted to do it. If you really want to do it, it is possible. It takes organization and planning, but it is definitely worth it.

Take this opportunity to travel the world with no commitments but to work (or study) and learn about new cultures. Living abroad is an experience unlike any other. And these are 8 of so many more reasons I could come up with of why you should do it too! 

Hamburg(er)?

Port area, Hamburg, Germany

As mentioned before, one of my main goals when I chose to take this co-op position in Germany was to learn more about the culture and history of this country. Not only I want to travel to different countries in Europe, but I also want to travel more around Germany as well; something I am still figuring out how to do given the amount of time (it goes by way faster than I thought). This being said, I decided to go to Hamburg in mid-October with a friend because I really wanted to explore this city. Whenever I ask a German what city is a must-see they always mention Hamburg and not Berlin. The curiosity as to why this city is so dear to the Germans arose and I just had to visit. 

Old Town Square

One of my good friends is studying in London for the semester and she wanted to visit Germany. Going to Hamburg is actually free for me because I have the student ID card of Leibniz University which is extremely convenient. So in the end there was nothing to talk about: we were going to Hamburg.

We both arrived pretty late on Friday so we decided to have dinner and rest to take advantage of the next day and explore the city. We stayed at a hostel called MAC City Hostel where we had one room for the both of us and it had a very good location. The hotel had breakfast included and it was very clean. Staying here was really nice, it felt more like a hotel than a hostel to be honest so I highly recommend staying here if you ever vist. It is only one stop away from the Hauptbahnhof (this is the German word for main train station in each city), which is where I arrived. Since I have a German friend who lives in Hamburg I asked her where she suggested for us to go. She suggested a nice area full of restaurants we could choose from for dinner. The stop when taking the U Bahn (the public transportation system) was called “Sternschanze” in case you ever find yourself in Hamburg. Dinner was great and we were able to catch up and plan what we wanted to do the next day. 

We had booked a free walking tour at 11am in Spanish because, as I mentioned in the previous posts, I believe this is a good way to start exploring any city. Our tour guide’s name was Veronica and she was from Madrid, Spain. We were a very small group (only five people) so since the beginning the tour was already very personal and we got to talk to Veronica (or Vero as she preferred to be called) a lot. Veronica studied architecture in Spain and then moved to Rome. Her sister lived in Hamburg and when she went there one summer to take German courses, she met a guy who now is her boyfriend of three years. She now lives in Hamburg with him and does the tours as a part-time job. 

Chilehaus, one of the buildings showed during the tour in what is now the financial area of Hamburg. 

I was excited about the fact that she was an architect. A city like Hamburg has been through so much, especially since it was one of the main cities controlled during the Second World War. This meant that a lot of the history the city had to offer could be portrayed through the styles and details of the different buildings. Veronica gave us a quick summary about the history of Hamburg before starting the tour. She told us that since she’s an architect she tends to focus on the little details a lot; something I ended up loving. However, she mentioned it was okay to say something if she was talking too much about it. As we started the tour, we were able to see the main buildings and sites and it was amazing how much had happened in the city. The Second World War, the conquests from different kings and a big fire that destroyed many of the buildings of the city; there was so much to know. You could see how every event in history had affected the city somehow and it was interesting to see an old, classic building standing next to a really modern one. It now made a lot more sense because due to the reconstructions the city needed after the fires and explosions that came with the Second World War, many buildings standing currently are not the original ones whereas there were some that survived all these events. 

Town Hall, Hamburg

The tour ended up being amazing and it had been the smallest group I had toured with so far. I really liked this because it gave me the opportunity to talk a lot with the tour guide and she gave us personal recommendations of places to go and things to do. We even ended up exchanging e-mails for whenever I come back to Hamburg or she comes to Hanover. I love how these experiences open the door to continue meeting more people along the way; it’s what I love the most about traveling. 

Another big thing I noticed during my stay in Hamburg was the fact that I knew so much about the German culture already. My friend kept asking me questions about why they do this or that and what this means or that, and I was able to answer her and explain to her why things were the way they were. This was the moment in which I realized that I was finally adapted more or less to the German culture and, like I mentioned in my previous post, how much I respected and loved it. I even got to teach her a few words in German. 

Yep. Pretty much how I felt the first few weeks in Germany so it was safe to say I was pretty proud of myself for being able to understand most of the German words that I heard when we walked around and know all of these little things about Germany. This trip to Hamburg was what confirmed this for me. 

Essentially, we walked around a lot and really got to experience the vibe and history of Hamburg. There is no better way to describe Hamburg than as the city that has it all. Its port, its bridges and canals, the food, the history, the architecture….it truly has a bit of everything so my advice if you ever come to Germany: visiting Hamburg is a MUST. To convince you a bit more of this I compiled a list of “fun facts” I didn’t know before coming to Germany and I thought whoever reads this post should know. 

(Source://icosnap.com/10-interesting-facts-about-hamburg-germany/)

10 Facts about Hamburg, Germany

  1. Hamburg is a city-state located in the northern part of Germany. In other words: yes, it is cold. It was pretty cold when we went there. However, put on a good coat and you'll be fine. It actually made all the walking easier because it wasn't too hot to walk around for 3 hours and a half. 

2.  Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany (first is Berlin). But preferred by most of the Germans and people I have talked to that have visited both. 

3.  There are over 100 clubs and music venues in Hamburg. After a long night, people then go to the famous fish market. It’s true. Hamburg is home to many venues and it is very much alive during the night. The fish market opens at 5am and closes at 10am so it is completely normal to go eat there after a night out in the city. 

4.  Many refer to Hamburg as Germany’s ‘Gateway to the World’. The port was something that continuously made Hamburg a city everyone wanted to have access to. 

5.  There are about 1.8 Million living in the city of Hamburg.

6.  The term ‘Hamburger’ originally derived from Hamburg. This was something I had thought of before going given the fact the name of the city of Hamburg but was not sure. The Americans did not actually come up with the idea. This term was derived from one of the dishes served in Hamburg called “Frikadelle”. When the Americans saw how this was prepared (it looks like a big meatball), they added the bread and salad (or whatever they preferred) and called it Hamburger. Makes sense right? 

7.  The Miniatur Wunderland is the largest model railway in the world.

8.  Hamburg has over 2300 bridges. It is actually the city with most bridges in Europe (and more canals than Amsterdam and Venice combined). It is the second city with the most bridges in the world (after New York City). 

9.  The Planten un Blomen park has the largest Japanese landscape gardens in Europe

10.  Hamburg’s official name is ‘Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg’ meaning the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg. This name reflects its history as a member of the medieval Hanseatic League. Hamburg was actually a sovereign state before the Unification of Germany (which occurred in 1871).

(Source://icosnap.com/10-interesting-facts-about-hamburg-germany/)

 Visiting Hamburg made me realize there is so much of Germany I want to see. Now I'm reaching that point of the semester where I realize there is less than two months left of my stay here in Germany and to be completely honest, I am in love with Deutschland...I don't want to leave. Although there is little time to visit the main cities in Germany, I definitely want to come back because it is truly a beautiful country that deserves to be explored one step at a time. So now you know there is more to Germany than just going to Berlin. Research a bit before you come if you’re ever planning on visiting because you may be amazed as to how much other cities have to offer as well (and this includes Hanover)! 

Life in Hanover: living the German lifestyle

It's 8am. The alarm is going off and I already know what's coming next: my morning coffee while I look out the balcony of my apartment in Germany. It's already pretty cold every morning so as I sit and have my breakfast, I think of how lucky I am and how amazing it is this is my life right now. I get ready for work and go downstairs where I have my bike. I bike to work everyday and it takes me about 6-7 minutes to get to the building where the lab is located. I love how every morning starts and I love the fact that I can bike everywhere here. 
After talking about my travels I want to change the focus for a bit and talk about life in Hanover and in Germany. I also want to talk more about my co-op and how everything is going. We are currently five co-op students living Hanover. We all work in different labs, but we have had the opportunity of getting to know each other through the program. Four of us were the ones who went to Prague two weeks ago and I believe that each experience has been different for each one. However here is a bit of my experience in Hanover so far. 

Me and the other co-op students in Prague 

The lab

Using the microscope in the lab to take pictures

I have been living in Hanover for almost two months now and I have been working in the lab for a little over a month and a half. Every day I like Hanover (and Germany in general) even more. I work every day from 9am to 4pm and at this point I am a lot more independent in the lab than I have ever been and I really like this. I shadowed several students for the first month, but then I have been on my own. It is definitely hard at first having to think of every little detail that needs to be prepared for the experiments to take place during the week, but planning everything and taking these decisions on my own only enables me to get more out of this experience. I feel confident with what I know and I do not hesitate when it comes down to ask questions if I am not sure or do not know something. I am really happy with my co-op in Hanover so far because I have learned how to work on my own, but with the support and guidance from the other graduate students and Dr. Reinard (my supervisor) himself, who have been very helpful and have made me feel at home since the first day.

I have to design my own project with the help of Dr. Reinard and I began to do this precisely this week. I am excited to be in charge of my own experiments and most of all, to have a say in how to do things. I have to read a lot in order to prepare myself for this task and with the help of my supervisor and the other students it has been really nice to get to learn every aspect of the research being done here. I really like this liberty that not only me, but the other students in my lab as well have to perform their experiments and carry out their projects. I believe this is the best way to learn: through experience.

Apartment complex where I live in Germany

Housing

My apartment in Germany

Although housing can be difficult in Hanover, ever since I decided to accept the co-op offer, Dr. Reinard made it his task to find me and the other co-op students someplace to live. I was really lucky because I got a great apartment. I love where I live. The location is great. It is 10 minutes away from the lab, next to the “Mensa” (where we go to lunch everyday) and right by a train stop which takes you directly to the city center. It also has a beautiful park nearby where you can go run or just sit to enjoy a nice view.

Apartment complex where I live in Germany

I live with three other people: two girls and one boy. My apartment is really international. You have me (Puerto Rican), then you have Fedra who’s from Iran, Louie who’s French and Carmen who’s German. It is really an interesting dynamic to see how we all get along and they are honestly the best roommates I could ever ask for. They made me feel at home since day one (just like in the lab) and have helped me with any little thing I need. Carmen even made me tea when I got sick and Fedra and I have become really close as well (Carmen came back from South America a couple weeks ago). Where I live is where only students live which is nice because everyone here is a student and are somehow related to Leibniz University in some way. Another thing I have noticed about living in Germany is how incredibly cheap it is compared to Boston (at least) or any other place I have lived for that matter. It is affordable and made for students and young people who probably do not have a stable job yet. This is definitely an advantage for me and my experience here.

Apartment complex where I live in Germany

The supermarket

Buying food in the supermarket is incredibly cheap in Germany compared to the US. I made this column separately because going to the supermarket and having to buy food has definitely been an experience for me. First, because the first time I went to buy food I went on a bike. Wrong idea. And second, because the way it works here is different than from the United States or Puerto Rico. First of all, you have to insert 0.50 euros if you want a cart. And you get them back when you return the cart to its original place. Smart. There are no plastic bags for the stuff you buy. They sell recyclable bags in the cashier that you can buy and use again when you return.

I went to the supermarket on a bike the first time and it was not the best idea because I ended up having three bags (since it was my first trip to the supermarket) filled with stuff. I know it was not the smartest thing to do but it seemed like a good, genuine way to go to supermarket and a good idea…at first. Suffice it to say, I fell twice and people were looking at me wondering what I was doing. After this first trip to the supermarket, I didn’t use the bike the second time and by the third I was already able to manage having one bag and biking home. Another important fact from my trips to the supermarket is that I really have learned the names of different things in German because I had no other option. In the end, it has definitely been quite the experience and I like I said, I end up learning at least a new word (and a better way of carrying my things) every time I go. 

Things I have noticed since I moved to Germany

There are many cultural differences I have noticed ever since I got to Germany but here are some of the ones I have noticed the most. Not everyone may agree with me, but here they go:

• Germans do not cross the street when the light is red; even if there are no cars coming: for real people, they don’t. I was impressed.
• Recycle, recycle, recycle: they take recycling very seriously as we should probably do back home. In my apartment there are different places to separate paper from plastic and from organic waste. When taking out the trash, these are all thrown away separately as well.
• Biking is a thing here. At least in Hanover and near where I live, almost everyone owns a bike even if they don’t use it. I have my own bike right now until December and everywhere here is accessible in a bike. I go to work every morning in the bike and the lanes and signs are visible for the bikes. It is a thing and it definitely helps everyone here to stay active and healthy.
• They eat a lot and fast (for lunch). Every time we go to "Mensa" everyone eats a big meal and they eat it fast. However, for dinner they do not eat that much.
• They say “You’re welcome” before you say “Thank you.” Yep. It’s true. But they don’t do it in a bad way.So don't get offended, it's just what they do. 
•  The public transportation system in Germany is really good. I think I have seen several public transportation systems and at least from the ones I have seen the one in Germany has been the best. I also get a lot of benefits from paying the students’ tuition at Leibniz University. For example: with the student ID card all trains here in Hanover are free to get around the city and all trains (that are not fast trains) around the Lower Saxony (for example to Hamburg or Bremen) are free as well. It is a really good deal because tuition in Germany does not even compare to that of the United States; it is incredibly cheap in comparison and makes it affordable for most people to get a good education.
•  It may be harder to get to know a German, but once you do, you get to know them really well and very genuinely. There are obvious exceptions, but Germans tend to be regarded as “cold” or more distant than other cultures and at first, it might feel that way. However, once they know you and you give them time they are the type of people you know you will always keep up with because they do not open up to just anyone.
• They are very attentive to politics and what happens in the United States. I think at this point in history anyone would be, but yeah. I have noticed that a lot of the Germans I have talked to ask me about what I think of the situation back in the US. They really know their stuff and talk a lot about it while they share their opinions. They don’t only talk about US politics but they also talk about other countries as well.
• They really like Italian food. Specifically, pasta. I don’t know if this is just something I have noticed but there are a lot of Italian restaurants around here and I feel like they would always be down to have a nice Italian dinner. There is always the option of pasta in the “Mensa” for lunch and most of the time it tends to be the one everyone likes. They even have “Pasta Wednesday” at the “Mensa.” So just a fun fact I have noticed so far.
• Sports are very important. Almost every German I have talked to knew who Monica Puig was. Why? Because she won the Women’s Tennis Final in the Olympics against Angelique Kerber who was from….Germany! Monica won the first gold medal for Puerto Rico and whenever I say I’m from Puerto Rico they instantly link it to Monica. It just shows that almost everyone here knows what’s going on in the world of sports. They are obviously really into soccer as well as Germany won the past world cup against Argentina; and they’re very proud about it as well.

These are just some things I have noticed from living in Germany but there have been many more. At first, as you all know, the culture shock was a bit hard, but I really love Germany and their culture. I think it is so different from what I am used to that it is refreshing and it’s so nice to be able to experience it through the most genuine way of all: by living here and experiencing everything firsthand. I start my German classes next Monday and I can’t wait. I already know how to say a few things in German and I am getting closer and closer to understanding a lot of it every day. The classes will be a great way for me to continue learning more and more while I can and while I live here. I learn something new every day and I believe that this is what has made this experience so unique so far. I can't wait for what's to come. 

PRAGUE: A bridge, a castle and a spontaneous sunrise

Sunrise at 7:30 am in Prague 

7:30am. This was the time we were able to see the sunrise from the Charles Bridge in Prague. During the day, this bridge was chaotic and filled with tourists. It was impossible to truly stand and enjoy one of the most iconic views of the city. It was the best way to enjoy this view and even though we were all tired and cold, it was definitely worth it.

Sunrise at 7:30 am in Prague 

From October 1^st to the 3^rd, the other co-op students and I decided to plan a trip to Prague, a city in the Czech Republic. In Germany, October 3^rd was a holiday so we had a long weekend and we decided it would be well spent if we all went to this city together. It was also the first time we all traveled together and spent an entire weekend bonding. We took a 7-hour bus from Hanover to Prague in which we all slept. We decided to take a bus because the train was a lot more expensive in comparison, and even though it was faster, at the end of the day the time difference was not a lot. All the buses I have booked in Europe have been with the same company: Flixbus. They are usually a bit more expensive sometimes, but if done with time you can find really good prices for nearby cities/countries. If not, make sure you compare it with other bus lines and see which one is the best option.

Clown & Bard Hostel in Prague, Czech Republic

We arrived around 10am and here goes my first recommendation if you ever go to Prague: do not take a taxi. This was something a lot of people had told me before and even the hostel we stayed at sent a notice saying the same thing. We took the subway and it was a pretty easy system to figure out. Our hostel was incredibly cheap, and although located about 15 minutes away from the Old Town, it was very easy to get around with the subway. The hostel name was The Clown and Bard in case you want to check it out.

View from one of the stops during the free walking tour

As I had previously recommended in one of my posts, we decided to do a free walking tour of Prague the first day at 2pm. This way we were able to know which places were the best and have tips from a local before we started exploring on our own. The day was perfect for the walking tour and surprisingly, everyone was really well rested after the bus even though we all wanted to change and freshen up a bit. When we arrived at the hostel, they could not find our booking. The hostel was completely packed and for some reason, our reservation had not gone through. Thankfully, I had taken a screenshot of the booking confirmation number because they never sent an e-mail. This occurrence goes hand in hand with my second recommendation: always take a picture or save a copy of everything before you travel. It does seem pretty straightforward, but I have forgotten to do this several times and if for some reason, your phone dies and you have a problem, it is always nice to have things printed out; old school. In this case, if I hadn’t saved a copy of this booking confirmation number, we probably would not have had a place to stay.

The manager came down and spoke with us. They genuinely seemed surprise about what had happened so this is how I knew it was not something that was common. Since I had the proof we had payed and booked a room for five people, they were able to offer us a private apartment which was not in use since every other room was already taken. In the end, the apartment ended up being even better. It was very spacious and comfortable. I guess this is why they say everything happens for a reason. They were very nice and hospitable so even though this happened I still recommend this hostel if you ever find yourself in Prague and you are on a budget.

Jewish Quarter, Prague, Czech Republic

I had heard that Prague was one of the cheapest cities in terms of food. But I never expected it to be so cheap. This was one of the first things I noticed when I went to buy a coffee and a croissant which ended up being about 1-2 euros. I was already loving it.

As I mentioned, we had booked a 3-hour walking tour of the city with a local. I was really excited to get to do this that first day because I had a lot of energy and the day was simply perfect. We took the subway from the hostel (which was pretty easy) and went to the Old Town Square, where we would meet our tour guide. I highly recommend this tour in Prague. It was really good and it gave you a little bit of everything: history, art, things to do, things to see and fun facts that not a lot of people (or other tour guides) would know. Our tour guide specifically made it fun and it was the best possible way to start our trip.

View from Letna Park 

One of the places the tour guide recommended was at the other side of the Charles Bridge and up the hill. It was a park called Letna Park.  Even though it was raining when we went, it still had a spectacular view of the city (like no other). You HAVE to go if you ever find yourself in Prague. In this same side of the city you can find the Prague Castle. It was so beautiful. Here comes my third recommendation: take at least half a day to explore the castle. The same company that does the free walking tours of the city, also has another tour (cheap for students) that is specifically for the Prague Castle. I highly recommend doing this because we did not have enough time to do a tour and just went on our own. Sadly, for most of the buildings you had to pay and we would have, but we did not really know what we were looking at. So yes, I recommend you go with someone who knows about the history of the castle that can explain everything you would like to know about it. However, we did enjoy a nice coffee in a patio that had a spectacular view of the city as well.

View from the patio where we had coffee inside the Prague Castle

Traditional food from the Czech Republic

Food. Like I said: incredibly cheap. We really wanted to eat a nice dinner by the water near one of the bridges so we found a really nice restaurant called Marina Ristorante that offered a spectacular view from inside. However, if you really want to experience fast and local cuisine from the Czech Republic go to Ceska Kuchyne. It is a good place for lunch as they serve big portions, are fast and give you many different options for a very good price. Locals love it. Even our tour guide suggested it.

Restaurant recommended by locals

View from the restaurant Marina Ristorante where we had dinner

I fell in love with Prague. The environment and vibe of the city was so relaxed and refreshing. Walking around was very easy and I felt like me and my friends truly got to enjoy the city at its finest. It was also really nice to have had the chance to go on this trip with the other co-op students. Even though we already knew each other and had shared some moments here and there, this trip really brought us together. It was nice to share this experience and my experience in Germany in general with them. I cannot wait for our next trip altogether. Around the Old Town area there are a lot of nice places to go at night as well. Once again I recommend you use the app “Like a Local” where it gives you a bunch of different options of where to eat and what to do. In Prague it worked really well as everything that it suggested ended up being great. I only hope that if you ever find yourselves in Prague you love the city as much as I did.

One of the first stops during the walking tour