NC State Prague
Courses: Design for Business Context; International Studio
During the Spring semester of my junior year, I spent four months studying abroad in Prague, Czechia through NC State Prague. I had the opportunity to travel across nine different countries, participate in the #PackAbroad scholarship, and attend three design courses taught by Czech professors through the NC State European Center. This has been a truly unforgettable experience full of countless memories and new skills learned.
Adventures in the Czech Republic
While in Czechia, I not only got to know Prague but also several towns in the Czech Republic. These included Kutna Hora, home of the infamous "bone church," Cesky Krumlov, and Bohemia-Saxon Switzerland, at the border between Czechia and Germany. I was also able to attend festive local events, like Masopust (Czech Carnival), the Prague Opera, and the Spring Cherry Blossom Festival.
Kutna Hora
From the castle spire of Cesky Krumlov
Outside of the Prague Opera
Masopust!
Paper Cranes from the Prague Cherry Blossom Festival
Bohemia-Saxon Switzerland (where Narnia was filmed!)
#PackAbroad Social Media Scholarship
While studying abroad in Prague, I had the opportunity to participate in the #PackAbroad Social Media Scholarship. Through this program, I completed a weeklong takeover of the @packabroadbaton social media account to share my daily activities as an NC State student studying abroad.
Working in the European Center
National Museum Precious Stones
Out the window of NC State Prague
Cesky Krumlov
Zizkov Television Tower
Cesky Krumlov in the Snow!
Cesky Krumlov Castle Bears
National Museum Lobby
Academics
Design for Business Context
Design for Business Context is an Industrial Design Elective focused on collaboration with a real company. For the Spring of 2023, our class was challenged to create individual chair design proposals for the Czech furniture company, LD Seating. This was my first experience utilizing 3D software for design. The learning curve was steep, but I have become more confident in my design skills as a result.
Graphic Design Studio
After a fall semester focused heavily on branding and UX/UI design, this studio felt like my return to traditional arts-based creation. With mainly illustration and collage-based personal projects, this course forced me to look inward and rediscover my style as an artist.
Out-of-Country Travels
I had the opportunity to travel to nine countries outside of Czechia: 🇭🇺 Hungary (Budapest), 🇧🇪 Belgium (Brussels, Antwerp), 🇦🇹 Austria (Vienna), 🇩🇪 Germany (Saxony), 🏴 England (London), 🇨🇭 Switzerland (Geneva), 🇫🇷 France (Chamonix), 🇵🇱 Poland (Krakow), 🇮🇹 Italy (Venice, Rome). Traveling allowed me the opportunity to learn more about different European cultures and languages.
Budapest, Hungary
Brussels. Belgium
Antwerp, Belgium
Vienna, Austria
London, England
Venice, Italy
Krakow, Poland
Chamonix, France
Reflection
This is one semester I will never forget. In January, I arrived in a new country at the other end of the world, anxious to be so far from familiarity. In April, I left Prague with a newfound understanding of design, my capability for independence, and the world outside of my small bubble. Every new project and weekend adventure taught me something new about the world and the people who live in it.
