Week 4 was another really good week. I’m still feeling healthy, and I didn’t have any problems like I did a few weeks ago when I got food poisoning. I’m honestly so thankful for that because it meant I could enjoy everything without worrying about getting sick again.
One part of the culture in my host country that I find a little hard to get used to is how direct people can be when they talk, especially at work. In America, people often soften their words or add little phrases to sound extra polite, even if they disagree or have feedback. But here, people usually say exactly what they think without much extra explanation. At first, I thought they were upset with me or didn’t like my work because they didn’t smile or say things like “just a suggestion!” or “I hope you don’t mind.” But over time, I realized it’s just normal here to be straightforward, and it doesn’t mean anything negative.
It’s also been a little tricky to get used to how quiet some people are in social situations, especially during lunch or in the elevator. In the US, people often make small talk all the time, even if they don’t know you very well. Here, people sometimes keep to themselves, and it feels a little awkward for me because I’m used to chatting about random things.
These things have been difficult to adapt to because I naturally want to fill silence and be extra polite so no one feels uncomfortable. I’ve learned that it’s okay to have quiet moments and that direct feedback is actually helpful, but it still takes me a little effort to remind myself not to overthink it. I think with more time, I’ll get even more comfortable blending my own habits with the way people communicate here.
One night after work, I decided to try a new place for dinner called Burrito Loco. I wanted something different from the usual pasta and sandwiches. The restaurant was small but had a cool vibe—bright colors, music playing, and big menus on the wall. I ordered a chicken burrito with extra cheese and some chips on the side. It was so good. The burrito was huge, and the flavors reminded me of a chipotle back home. I left feeling stuffed but really happy. I’ll definitely be back.
The best part of the week was the weekend trip. A group of us traveled to Switzerland, which was honestly like a dream. We stayed in two towns: Interlaken and Brienz. I had seen pictures of them before, but being there in person was even better. The mountains were huge and covered in green trees and little white houses. The lakes were bright blue, almost like someone had colored them with paint. Every time I looked around, I felt like I was in a postcard.
On Saturday, we went hiking in Grindelwald. We started early in the morning because we knew it would take a few hours. The trail wasn’t too hard, but it was long, and there were some steep parts that made us stop to catch our breath. It was worth it, though, because the views were unbelievable. We could see snowy mountain tops and waterfalls in the distance. We took tons of photos and stopped for snacks along the way. Everyone was in a good mood, and we spent a lot of time just standing there looking at the scenery. It’s hard to describe how pretty it was—it almost didn’t feel real.
On Sunday, we explored Lauterbrunnen, which is another beautiful place surrounded by cliffs and waterfalls. There’s one big waterfall that pours down right into the valley, and you can hear it from far away. We did another hike there, but it was shorter than the day before. Even though my legs were tired from all the walking, I didn’t mind because there was always something amazing to look at. At one point, we sat on a bench near the edge of the trail and watched the clouds move across the sky. It was really peaceful, and I felt happy to just sit quietly with everyone.
In the evenings, we relaxed back in Interlaken and Brienz. We found a little café in Brienz that served warm drinks and pastries. It was the perfect way to end the day after being outside for so long. We talked about all the places we’ve seen so far and started making plans for other trips we want to take before everyone goes home.
Coming back to Prague on Sunday night felt a little strange after being surrounded by mountains all weekend. But it also felt nice to return to a place that’s starting to feel familiar. My apartment, my usual walk to the grocery store, and even my work desk all felt a little more like home.
This week taught me that traveling doesn’t always have to be about big cities. Some of my favorite moments were just hiking on a trail or sitting quietly by the lake. I liked how simple it felt—no big schedules or fancy plans, just being outside with friends and enjoying the view.
Now that I’ve been here for a month, I can see how much I’ve grown. I feel more comfortable living in a different country, and I’m getting better at balancing work with fun. I’m learning how to plan my time so I can do my job well but also have adventures on the weekends.