After being offline for almost a whole year (forgive me), so much has happened, that my heart is at the urge of exploding out of excitement. I had to discover where I am taking this blog and I have almost figured things out. But all in time, first things first, I am currently finding myself in a new stage of life and God’s ways still amazes me sometimes. For those of you who did not know yet, momentarily this short black girl is on a 5-monthly journey in Prague, Czech Republic all by herself.
Wait, whuuuut? All right, all right, let me break it down for you. As European Studies students, yes exactly I am one of them, we are required to study a semester abroad in our third year. I have known about this since 2013 and have been working hard to make it possible ever since.
Why Prague you might ask? Well, believe it or not this city definitely was not my prior choice. I firstly wanted to go to South Africa, but sadly the due to differing exchange semesters, that ship had sailed. To cut things short, this city carrying ancient European history has found me. I am officially a student at the Metropolitan University of Prague and actually follow classes varying from UN peacekeeping, to French to, colonial & post-colonial Africa.. and I absolutely love it here!
Of course, this trip has demanded much of my emotional state of mind. That is why I went from dreadfully anxious, to overly excited, to plain nervousness, to feeling absolutely lonely. Wow, the mix of emotions I have endured in the last month were a serious roller coaster and I am not even exaggerating.
It might not be well known, but I haven’t travelled much in my days. So now, being away from my friends, family and bluntly everything I am familiar with for ”so long” for the first time, was such a huge deal for me. I was afraid of the unknown I guess. It is in these times that I know I need Jesus more than ever. ”Fear not, for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties” Isiah 41:10a. This Scripture has been carved in my heart and never left my side ever since the bus drove me away from my loved ones. Jesus’ promises have proven me that love is actually greater than all my anxieties and fears and God keeps on amazing me every time.
This trip has already changed my perspective on everything. It has opened up my eyes for the many charming things this city has to offer. It has given me the opportunity to meet so many phenomenal and inspiring people, it has taken me out of my comfort zone and it is great! For me, the little gems were found in the little walks at the parks and witnessing the love of an elderly couple still being in love after 50 years of marriage, the 3 hour hike I made and witnessing God’s creation at first hand, the new faces and personalities I met who have taught me new cultures and habits, told me new stories and introduced me to the taste of new cuisines.. But also seeing the poverty and sadness people are experiencing here and be grateful for all I am privileged to have. The destructive impact previous wars and hate have had, still echoes in many families here today.
Travelling has stretched my mind in so many different ways already, that it is impossible to sum them all up. But I am going to try to involve you in my journey by posting bits of my time here! Hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing about it! Also, I hope you, whoever you are, are inspired to break out of your comfort zone and go explore the world. It’s okay to be afraid sometimes, but let the fear of something new fuel you to do discover new dimensions of beauty. Because through all its chaos, the globe and its populations, in their fragility, need more courageous pioneers and kind-hearted people to overwhelm them. ❤
mellifluousmusing 