ADA, Okla. – Over the summer, 12 students and alumni from East Central University’s Russian Club, along with Director of Global Education, Dr. Mara Sukholutskaya, traveled to Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, and Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia.

“Prague and Bratislava were unique places full of a mesh of many cultures. They welcomed tourists openly, and the people seemed genuinely interested in educating foreigners about the rich architecture, history, language and cuisine of the respective areas,” one student said.

After nearly 24 hours of travel, the group arrived at Charles University in Prague, one of the oldest universities in Europe, where they stayed at ECU’s partner institution for the duration of their time in the city.

Over the next several days, students explored many of Prague’s historic landmarks, including Charles Bridge, a medieval stone bridge connecting the Old Town to Lesser Town across the Vltava River. They also toured Old Town, a district that dates back to the 10^th century.

In addition to sightseeing, student also participated in Russian language courses alongside Charles University Russian language students.

After two full days in Prague, the group traveled by train to Bratislava, where they spent the next three days immersed in the city’s history and culture. Highlights included visits to Michael’s Tower, Primacial Palace, the Bratislava City Museum, Slavin; a World War II memorial, Devin Castle, a memorial dedicated to the women who were unjustly killed during the medieval witch trials, the local opera house and a tour of the city center.

Their time in Bratislava concluded with a visit to the “Maria Antoinette: From Vienna to Versailles and to the Guillotine” exhibit in the Knight’s Hall at Bratislava Castle.

The students then returned to Prague, where they continued sightseeing, cultural activities and Russian language coursework.

The final six days of the trip included a river cruise and visits to the Prague National Gallery, Prague Zoo, a classical music concert at St. Michaels Church, St. Vitas Cathedral, the Frantz Kafka monument, the Jewish Quarters and cemetery, Obecní dům (Municipal House), the Mucha Museum, the Frantz Kafka Museum and the Palladium shopping center for souvenirs.

The group returned home the following day, concluding two weeks of immersive cultural experiences that included visits to historic sites, opportunities to sample local cuisine like the popular trdelnik pastry, Russian language study abroad and firsthand exposure to Central European history and culture.

Another student reflected on their experience:

 “One of the most important things I learned is how much of the world exists beyond what I have personally experienced. Seeing historic cities, landmarks, and cultures firsthand made the world feel both much bigger and much more connected than I had imagined. I also learned that while cultures, languages and customs may be different, there is still a great deal we can learn from one another. The experience gave me a deeper appreciation for travel, history and cultural exchange, and it inspired me to continue exploring the world. Most importantly, it provided a broader understanding of the world that simply cannot be gained from a classroom alone.”

The trip was funded by the Ralph and Carla Weber Fund, the ECU Russian Club and contributions from the students themselves.

-ECU-