Today was our first day of Intensive Czech, and by the name of the class, you could guess that the class was, in fact, very intense. Although Czech follows (for the most part) and English alphabet, it doesn't adhere to English phonetics, so the language is completely non-intuitive. The alphabet is significantly longer than 26 letters due to the added letters with accents and hooks. I would've never thought that an "R" could sound so similar to a "Z." It's definitely throwing me for a loop, but I'm excited to learn some practical Czech so that I don't go into grocery stores and actually buy sour cream instead of yogurt. My Czech class will be interesting to say the least. The adjustment to this new language is a big change. A big culture adjustment is how soft-spoken everyone is in the Czech Republic. As you all know, I'm a loud person who has been told to use her inside voice since preschool. Czechs use their inside voices and even quieter voices all the time. I have been focusing on vocal volume so that I don't stick out as a touristy American. Could you imagine if I came home and you all had to ask me again and again what I was saying because I was talking too quietly? I don't think anybody would see that coming.
After my Czech class, we listened to a lecture on culture shock. The professor was incredibly engaging and the lecture was great. I never knew that the subject of culture shock could be taught in an academic environment. I didn't realize how much of a psychological thing it really is. He talked to us about how varying moods and other behaviors are very typical of culture shock. For example, the day I moved into my flat, I dumped my clothes on the floor and as I started to organize my things, my breath quickened and I slowly backed away from my clothes. I just stared at the floor and became a bit emotional. Staying at the youth hostel felt so temporary, so it hadn't sunk in that I'd be here for a while. As I stared at all of my clothes in my new bedroom in my new flat, I was overwhelmed by the permanence of the situation. This professor's lecture validated the legitimacy of that mini freak-out.
I thought I'd include some tid-bits that aren't activity specific, but are still important to my trip:
Eight of us in the program have gotten really close. We're a breakfast club of sorts, and I've been deemed Molly Ringwald's character. This worried me at first because I wouldn't want to be considered the "princess" of anything…It contains a negative connotation I think in social situations, but they all reassured me that I'm most like her because I've emerged as the "planner" of the group. Although I love a good plan, I'm actually more relaxed here than I've ever been. It feels amazing to be a bit more spontaneous and "chill."
Also, I'm usually directionally challenged, but here, I've actually learned my way around my neighborhood (and the surrounding neighborhoods) pretty well! Alexa, Mom, and Dad, you'd better believe it! I couldn't tell you what is North, South, East, or West here, nor could I name any of the streets (you try pronouncing a street-name with 12 consonants and a vowel), but I've found my way through taking notes of shops and other permanent structures. I don't know how this happened, considering I'm highly directionally challenged in LA and NOLA, but I suppose I was bitten by the good-direction bug at the right time.
I'm off to school now! Day 2 of Czech and an afternoon tour of the Prague Castle. I'll czech in again later!
Grace
No comments:
Post a Comment