By Hannah Gordon
Czech correspondent
I never thought I’d be homesick. I was always the kid who wanted to go away. I would rather be outside exploring or sleeping at a friend’s house than in my own home. I was adventurous, and still am, so I thought I was immune to missing people. I was wrong.
I’ve spent the past three weeks living in Prague, Czech Republic, with fellow Bonnie, Rebecca Rehac, a junior international studies and sociology double major, as my roommate. Together we’ve explored the streets of Praha and taken trips to Terezín, a former Jewish ghetto, and Kutná Hora, a small village with breathtaking churches and cathedrals.
Despite living here nearly a month, I still don’t feel like I’m really here. This feels more like Girl Scout camp where you stay up all night with new friends. You get a little homesick, but everyone assures you you’ll have the time of your life.
It’s safe to say that I won’t stop missing my family, friends or dogs anytime soon, but I’ve discovered you can find a little bit of Bona’s anywhere if you look hard enough. I had been very sick in the past few weeks— fever, cough, laryngitis, the whole nine yards. During this time, I had to take a two-week intensive Czech language course. (Yes, it was as terrible as it sounds.)
My Czech language professor, Zuzana Lejcarova, noticed I was extremely sick. One day before class she stopped me and said “follow me.” I followed the woman, who only stood about 5’2″ and sported bright-red, pixie-cut hair. She called herself “Granny,” and I thought her to be in her 60s.
We arrived at a pharmacy, which I could have never found on my own. Lejcarova translated what I needed, even though she had a hard time understanding me because her English wasn’t perfect. She offered to pay for my medicine. I instantly thought of the late Dr. Hughes, former associate professor of philosophy. During my first semester at Bonaventure, I missed nearly a week and a half of his class due to illness. I was catching up on work in his office when he offered me a ride to the doctor and money to pay for the visit and medicine.
When I started at Bonaventure, I was in a new place, away from everything and everyone that I knew and struggling in Dr. Hughes’ class. Under the exact same conditions, but this time 4,500 miles away from home, Lejcarova brought Dr. Hughes’ kindness to life for me.
I’m sure my adventurous soul will explore the alleys of Prague and visit all the neighboring countries, and I’m certain I will see my Bona family in every kind gesture, even if I can’t understand the language.
If you want daily updates on my and Becca’s adventures, you can visit nomadheartsongs.wordpress.com.
gordonhr13@bonaventure.edu
