9) Field Trip, Krakow

            We have been on several trips during this program and the trip to Poland was one of my favorites. During the course of about three days we visited the salt mines, Krakow, and we went to Auschwitz and Birkenau. All of these places were very fascinating and gave me a deeper understanding of the region.  

            The Wieliczka Salt mines were our first stop outside of Krakow. Salt was first mined here in the 13th century and almost all of the mining was done by hand. Huge Caverns were dug out by hand, salt being chipped out in huge blocks. We saw old wooden machines that lifted the heavy blocks from level to level. I was even able to collect some salt off the walls and tasted it. Of course it was just salty.... We also saw a large chapel that was carved out and filled with sculptures and reliefs. Our guide told us that they even have wedding occasionally. It was very amazing to see!

The wooden lift for mining salt. 

A beautiful chapel in the mine. I want to have a wedding there!

            After we went the historical center of Krakow that we stayed for two nights. The square of the old town is the biggest square in Europe and has a big medieval market and lots of shops and bars. It seemed like a combination of Venezia and Praha. It was more beautiful than I expected and I was dazed by the beautiful surroundings there. Having a glass wine in one of the outdoor bar completed my beautiful night of Krakow. 

One of my favorite squares, Krakow! 

            One of the memorable visits was the trip to Auschwitz. I have been studying Holocaust and visited to Terezin to learn more about it. Auschwitz is one of the most famous concentration camps; it was a horrible and cruel place. Auschwitz and its satellite camps, Birkenau was one of them, were more horrible than I could ever imagine. Seeing it first hand was moving and shocking, many of the things that I saw will stay with me forever. Over 3 million people, mostly Jews, were murdered here. I couldn’t say anything when I saw the pictures and especially woman hairs that Nazi people used for making fabrics. I am disgusted by what the Nazi did for all innocent people. As the tour guide said, it is a message to humanity to never repeat such horrors.

Piles of shoes in Auschwitz museum

Destroyed gas chambers in Birkenau.

2) Academic Life

            It has been almost two months since I came to Czech Republic and the program is entering its final days. All the memories I have gained are really precious and valuable, giving me a way to freshen my life. Olomouc, where I have mainly stayed, has been one of the best cities I have ever visited in my life. I have become one of the locals in Olomouc and a student of Palacký University. Palacký University has more than 400 year’s of history, which makes it the second oldest university in the Czech Republic. Not only have I been traveling all over Europe but I have also learned many different things from the classes such as European history and the Czech language. I would like to introduce my academic life in Olomouc!

The buildings of the Palacký University are old and beautiful.

           We go to school every weekday, class starts at 3:00 p.m. and we have 3 different classes with different professors. Generally, the first and last classes are one and half-hour lectures about different topics such as history, political systems, international relations, religion and education of European countries, especially the Czech Republic. A variety of the courses are very different from the classes I have taken at UNK, and they are interesting enough to keep me awake during the long class hours. One of the very important parts of this program is the field trips we take to many places in Europe. It has helped me gain a better understanding of what I have learned in class and has broadened my perspective. The topic that I find the most interesting is the Holocaust, a tragic period in the history of the world. From the birth of the Nazi ideology to “the final solution to Jewish question” which led to the murder of millions of innocent people, the lectures about the Holocaust were sad enough to bring tears to my eyes. The field trip to Terezín and Auschwitz showed me poignant evidences of this tragic history that I have learned.

On the way to death. This picture made me almost cry. 

           The second class is usually the Czech language class which last 45 minutes. This class is really fun class, and it is also the most challenging class to me. Since the Czech language has a very different system from Korean and English, I have had trouble in pronouncing simple words and understating the grammar. However, I feel like I am getting better to read and speak basic words thanks to Czech class, especially when I order drink or food. The professor is really passionate and active, so the class is always well-prepared and full of fun activities. Even though I am struggling with the Czech class, I am really glad that I can count numbers and introduce myself in Czech which.

           I definitely recommend this study abroad program to other UNK students. You can have fun while studying! 

10) Personal Excursion

             I thought that I need to explore Czech Republic more since I am studying abroad here.  So I went to several places near Olomouc and Brno last weekend. Because this trip was really great and impressive, I would like to introduce this amazing trip!

             I searched the official Czech Tourism website and found the places that I want to visit. Telč is one of the most beautiful towns in the Czech Republic and I found out that it is two hours away from Brno. The historical center of Telč has been a UNESCO world heritage site since 1992 mainly because of its beautiful and unique main square and the 17th century Renaissance chateau. Telč was a very small town, but as soon as I entered the historical center, I was able to recognize why this town is a world heritage site. The town square was encircled by the well-preserved Renaissance and Baroque townhouses, which gave a powerful impression. Also, the tree encircled ponds that surround the small town are very beautiful and the Telč chateau was more fascinating and unique than I expected.     

I am surrounded by beautiful townhouses!

Perfect harmony of the town and lake

Looking at Telc from the tower

           

             Next, I went to Pernštejn Castle in Nedvědice which is about 40 minutes away from Brno. I had to walk 30 minutes to the castle from the train station. But it was definitely worth it! Surprisingly, this Gothic and Renaissance castle is the one of the best-preserved castles in the Czech Republic and it was never conquered. I also heard that the Pernštejn Castle was the background for several movies.

It was really fascinating to see this well-preserved castle! Is it real?

Getting fresh air while hiking.

            

             In addition to these places, one of the best places I have visited is the Punkva Caves. They are a part of the Moravian Karst, which is the biggest and most significant karst region in the Czech Republic. I had to hike more than 50 minutes in order to get to the cave because of road construction on the path that leads directly to Punkva Caves. But it was a beautiful way so I enjoyed hiking up there!

             My favorite part of this cave was the bottom of Macocha Abyss which has a depth of nearly 140 meters and has a beautiful lake. The abyss seems too beautiful to be a real. I tried to take lots of pictures but the pictures do not do justice to its beauty. Also, the boat tour that we took underground in the Punkva caves was a very unique experience, one that I will never forget.

Macocha Abyss. Such a incredible beatuy! 

Very cold...in the cave

Boat trip in punkva cave is a excellent experience.

               I am so thankful that I have stayed and studied in such a beautiful country and visited so many places. I am looking forward to exploring more in Europe during the rest of the time.