While Simpson College’s students navigated campus sidewalks, senior Garrett Bond was navigating Czechia’s train systems and winding streets.
Bond did not simply choose Brno, a city in the Czech Republic, because of its renowned architecture or vibrant way of life. He decided to spend a semester there because it made sense. Bond was highly enthusiastic about traveling through Eastern Europe.
“I was crazy for thinking I should go off to a country where I barely speak the language,” Bond said.
John Cardamone, the director of international education and study abroad, spent six months working with Bond to plan his semester abroad. Plans ranged from finances and academics to housing, safety and items to pack. Even with his preparation, Bond left the United States with both excitement and fear.
“It was the most affordable option in Europe,” Cardamone said. “And train-wise, he could pretty much go anywhere I wanted.”
Before reaching Czechia, Bond spent a week in Austria and could immediately feel the culture change. People were far more reserved than the Midwest’s smiles and waves. According to Bond, people do not make small talk or reach out until a relationship is officially formed.
When he finally arrived in Brno the culture shock continued. Though it’s the second-largest city in Czechia, its people primarily speak Czech, and rarely English. Czech is a Slavic language rather than a Latin-based one like English, making it difficult to grasp. Therefore, Bond had to navigate through academics and daily life with limited communication.
However, even in a different country, there was still a sense of familiarity. Bond’s rhythm of daily life and the city’s centering on the school felt much like Simpson. The International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), a study abroad network partnered with Simpson, also brought together international students and provided a community.
The most surprising factor for Bond was their shopping style. He had to adapt to daily shopping because of the limited preservatives in the food. He learned quickly to buy groceries throughout the week instead of stocking up, since items go bad quickly.
Bond’s classes were a mix of transfer-friendly courses and advanced Czech law or psychology courses. As a senior, he took master-level classes which rotated professors. This made it hard to connect and build relationships. One connection stuck, though, with an English student Daniel, whom he met in one of his classes.
“We mutually kept each other alive in the entire class,” Bond joked. “He was one of the ones I’d go out with after class was over and find a bar, find somewhere, and be like, okay, so we didn’t die yet today. We’re still kicking, we’re doing it, we’re still living.”
Bond made the most of Czechia’s train system, as he traveled to eight countries, including Poland, Turkey, Italy and Austria. Bond went to Poland right before Christmas and witnessed their markets and festive atmosphere. Turkey also stood out to him because he traveled with friends, including one from Istanbul who guided them to non-tourist-trapped places and the authentic food areas.
Though Bond occasionally traveled alone, one being a solo trip to Malta. Solo travel forced Bond to grow and build independence.
“I would be like, I don’t know what’s happening, but I’ll figure it out because it’s only me to figure it out,” he said. “You rely on yourself a lot.”
The most challenging moments occurred early in the semester while navigating life solo.
“One of my favorite things about semesters abroad is you really learn to fail,” Cardamone said. “You will absolutely fail, you will feel uncomfortable, and being able to overcome those difficulties makes you more resilient.”
Bond’s family visited him over Christmas which allowed him to have familiar company during the holiday. Bond was able to show his family the life he created and how he has grown. They visited the Spilberk Castle and later traveled together to Hungary.
When Bond came home, he realized how much he had experienced and changed; his future shifted, too. Initially, he was considering law school; now, he wants to integrate being a lawyer with roles at embassies and consulates, which allow him to engage with the world continuously.
For Bond, Czechia was more than a semester abroad. It was a turning point, starting with little confidence and ending with a new sense of self-reliance.
Cardamone recommends students visit him to discuss traveling abroad. His only requirement: “Be serious about it.”
Both Cardamone and Bond strongly recommend students consider traveling abroad, as it is an opportunity to travel and learn.