#moogunwusi

Hello again from Prague!

This week looked a little different than my previous weeks abroad. Prague went through a crazy heat wave, so instead of spending my free time exploring the city, I found myself escaping the heat by studying in cafés and spending more time indoors. While I didn't have many adventures to write about this week, I thought it would be a good opportunity to answer some of the questions I had before coming abroad about housing and transportation. Hopefully this gives future people a better idea of what everyday life in Prague is actually like!

Housing

One of the things I appreciated most about my program was that housing was already included. It made the transition much less stressful because I didn't have to search for an apartment or worry about signing a lease before arriving in Prague.

I'm living in an apartment with other students in my program, which has been a great way to meet people. Since we're all studying abroad together, it's easy to plan weekend trips, grab dinner after class, or simply hang out after a long day. Living with other students has definitely made adjusting to a new country easier because everyone is experiencing the same challenges and excitement at the same time.

My room

The apartment itself has everything we need, including a kitchen, which has helped me save money by cooking some meals instead of eating out every day. Grocery shopping in Prague was one of the biggest adjustments at first. The stores are generally smaller than what I'm used to in the United States, but they still have everything you need. One thing I've noticed is that it's much more common to stop by the grocery store several times a week rather than doing one huge shopping trip.

If you're studying abroad in Prague, I'd definitely recommend bringing a reusable grocery bag. Most stores charge for bags, and it's much easier to carry one with you than to buy a new one every time you shop.

Getting Around Prague

One of my favorite things about Prague is how easy it is to get around without a car.

I take the tram to class every day, and my commute is only about 15–20 minutes depending on which tram I catch. The public transportation system here is incredibly reliable, and after just a few days, I felt comfortable navigating the city.

The tram

The tram and metro systems connect almost every part of Prague, so whether I'm going to class, meeting friends, or exploring a new neighborhood, public transportation is usually the fastest option. I also end up walking quite a bit, which has been one of my favorite parts of living here because it gives me the chance to see more of the city.

One app that has been especially helpful is PID Lítačka, which makes it easy to purchase tickets and check tram and metro routes. Google Maps has also been pretty accurate for telling me exactly which tram to take and when it will arrive, so getting around has been much easier than I expected.

One thing I've really loved is how affordable public transportation is. I bought a monthly transit pass that covers the main city of Prague, and it only costs about $26 per month. Since I use the tram almost every day to get to class and move around the city, it's been well worth the price. It's nice not having to worry about parking or traffic, and with how connected Prague's public transportation system is, I've found it to be one of the easiest ways to get around.

Looking Ahead

Hopefully next week's weather cools down enough for more exploring. Until then, I'll be staying cool, and keeping up with my classes!!

Mo Ogunwusi

Industrial Operations Engineering

Hello again from Prague!

This weekend I traded some time in Prague for a weekend in London to visit some of my friends from high school. Since we've all gone our separate ways for college, it was nice to have a weekend where we could catch up. We spent our time wandering through different neighborhoods, trying new restaurants, and enjoying everything London had to offer.

Reconnecting with Friends:

The best part about my weekend was getting to spend time with people I hadn't seen in months. Between school, work, and everyone's busy schedules, it can be difficult to find time to see friends, so this trip felt really special.

We spent most of the weekend simply exploring and wandering around London. My friends and I weren't really interested in seeing the tourists attractions. We spent most of out times in restaurants and markets just catching up, laughing about our old memories, and making new ones.

My amazing friends and I.

Exploring London:

One thing I really enjoyed about London was how every neighborhood had its own personality.

We spent some time walking through Notting Hill, which was probably one of my favorite parts of the city. The colorful houses were just as pretty as they look in pictures, and the neighborhood had such a relaxed atmosphere. We also stopped by a bookstore while we were there. I wanted to buy a copy of Anna Karenina but I decided against it. The bookstore itself was so beautiful, I forgot to get a picture while I was there but trust it was gorgeous.

Another highlight was exploring the flea markets around the city. We visited the Brick Lane Vintage Market and Camden Market, where we spent hours browsing vintage clothing, accessories, and unique shops. Even though I didn't go with a long shopping list, it was fun seeing all of the different styles and hidden finds throughout the markets.

We also visited Kyoto Garden, which was a peaceful break from the busy streets, and spent time wandering through Soho and Bond Street. I loved how easy it was to spend hours just walking around because every street seemed to have something interesting to discover.

Flea market pictures

From the top left: Kyoto Garden, Bond Street. From the Bottom left: Random street (I don't remember where this was), Notting Hill houses.

My Favorite Meals:

One thing London definitely did not disappoint on was the food. Since we were constantly walking around, we ended up trying several different restaurants throughout the weekend, and each one was completely different from the last.

One of my favorite meals was at Akub, a Palestinian restaurant with beautifully presented dishes that tasted just as good as they looked. We also ate at Bulgogi Notting Hill, where I had Korean food, and BAO, a Taiwanese restaurant.

To finish off the weekend, we had dinner at an Italian restaurant that ended up being one of my favorite meals of the trip. I don't even remember the name of it, but I definitely remember how good the pizza was.

From the top left: Akub, Bulgogi Notting Hill. From Bottom Left: Italian Restaurant, Bao.

Looking Ahead:

I don't have much coming up this next week so I'll most likely just take you through a day of classes.

Mo Ogunwusi

Industrial Operations Engineering

Hello again from Prague!

My second week abroad has been full of new adventures, lots of walking, and my first trip outside of Prague Between spending a day at Prague Zoo, exploring Vienna with my group, and continuing to enjoy life in Prague, this week was definitely one to remember.

A Day at Prague Zoo

One of the highlights of my week was visiting Prague Zoo. Before coming to Prague, I had heard that it was one of the best zoos in Europe, and after spending the day there, I can definitely understand why.

The zoo itself was huge, and there was so much to see. Throughout the day, I got to see penguins, polar bears, tigers, lions, elephants, and many other animals. One of my favorite parts of the zoo was taking the chair lift. Not only was it a fun experience, but it also gave us amazing views of the zoo and the surrounding area.

Some of the animals at Prague Zoo

The view from the chair lift

Between the animals, the views, and spending time with friends, Prague Zoo ended up being one of my favorite experiences so far.

A Weekend Trip to Vienna

This weekend, a group of friends and I traveled to Vienna. While the trip was amazing, it definitely got off to a stressful start.

Our train was scheduled to leave at 6:00 a.m., so we woke up around 4:00 a.m. to get ready and make our way to the station. Unfortunately, we ended up running a little behind schedule and didn't arrive at the train station until like ten minutes before departure. At that point, everyone was rushing so we wouldn't miss the train. Luckily, we made it on board just in time.

After all that stress, the train ride itself was very relaxing. The journey was smooth, comfortable, and gave us a chance to enjoy the scenery before arriving in Vienna.

Settling In

Once we arrived, we checked into our hostel. At about $15 per night, it was definitely budget-friendly. It seemed a little sketchy at first, but overall it felt safe and worked perfectly for a weekend trip.

After getting settled, we somehow ended up spending nearly five hours playing cards. We played Presidents and Euchre before heading out to grab dinner. Later that evening, we visited an 80s-themed radio bar, which was a fun way to spend the night and experience a different side of the city.

Exploring Vienna

The next morning, we grabbed breakfast and set out to explore Vienna. By the end of the day, we had walked over twelve miles trying to see as much of the city as possible.

During our sightseeing, we visited the Austrian Parliament Building, Belvedere Palace, Votive Church, St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Imperial Palace, and the Royal Gardens. Each location had its own unique architecture and history, and it was interesting to compare Vienna to Prague. While both cities are beautiful, they each have their own distinct character.

Exploring Vienna's landmarks

Prague at Night

Back in Prague, I've started taking evening walks whenever I have some free time. The city feels completely different at night. The crowds are smaller, the streets are quieter, and the warm yellow lights reflecting off the buildings create a beautiful atmosphere.

I've really enjoyed these walks because they give me a chance to slow down and appreciate the city beyond the major tourist attractions. Some of my favorite photos so far have actually been taken during these nighttime walks.

Prague at night

Looking Ahead

This week was packed with memorable experiences, from seeing animals at Prague Zoo to exploring Vienna with my group. One of the best parts of studying abroad has been how easy it is to experience new places and create memories with the people around me.

Next weekend, I'll be traveling to London to meet up with some of my friends from high school. I'm excited to reconnect with familiar faces while exploring another new city, and I'm looking forward to sharing those experiences in my next blog post!

Mo Ogunwusi

Industrial Operations Engineering

Hello from Prague!

My first week abroad has been filled with new experiences, lots of walking, and plenty of opportunities to explore one of Europe's most beautiful cities. Between getting settled into my housing, meeting new people, and adjusting to life in a different country, the week flew by. Even though I've only been here a short time, I've already had the chance to visit some of Prague's most famous landmarks and start getting a feel for the city.

Getting Settled In

One of the biggest adjustments during my first week has been learning how to navigate Prague. Thankfully, the city's public transportation system is incredibly efficient, and I've quickly become familiar with taking trams and the metro to get around. It's very different from what I'm used to but I've enjoyed being able to walk almost everywhere and easily access different parts of the city.

I haven't taken any pictures of the tram/metro yet BUT these are the views on the journey from my apartment to Prague 1.

Another thing I've enjoyed is simply exploring the streets around Prague. Everywhere you look, there is beautiful architecture, historic buildings, and small cafés tucked into side streets. Even a short walk to grab food can turn into an opportunity to discover something new.

Exploring Prague

One of the highlights of my first week was visiting Old Town Square. The square is always full of energy, with visitors, performers, and locals all gathering in the heart of the city.

While I was there, I got to see the famous Astronomical Clock. Every hour, people gather beneath it to watch the clock. It was exciting to finally see such an iconic landmark in person after hearing so much about it. Standing in the square and seeing the clock felt like experiencing a small piece of Prague's history firsthand.

Old Town Square: A bunch of people were there but it was till pretty

Prague's famous Astronomical Clock

I also visited Charles Bridge, which quickly became one of my favorite places in the city. The bridge is super long and I got to see many incredible views of Prague from it. The bridge wasn't super busy when I went so it was easy to walk around and take pictures. I really wanted to take the famous Depeche mode picture but I didn't have enough time. I plan on going again to get the picture.

Statue from Charles Bridge

Another unforgettable experience was visiting Prague Castle. The castle complex itself is impressive, but my favorite part of the visit was climbing the bell tower. I had to climb nearly 300 stairs to get to the top. It was exhausting but the views at the top were worth it.

From the top, I could see Prague stretching out in every direction. The view of the city's red rooftops, historic buildings, and winding streets was absolutely incredible. It gave me a completely different perspective on the city and was easily one of the most memorable moments of my first week.

Some of Prague Castle

The view from the top of the bell tower

Looking Ahead

My first week in Prague has already been packed with new experiences, and I feel like I have only scratched the surface of everything the city has to offer. From exploring historic landmarks to learning my way around the city, each day has brought something new.

As I head into my second week, I'm looking forward to continuing my classes, exploring more neighborhoods, and discovering even more of what makes Prague such a unique place. I can't wait to see what the next few weeks have in store!

Mo Ogunwusi

Industrial Operations Engineering