The entirety of the Prague CAS Trip was very eye-opening for me. Throughout the one week I spent with my group mates, including strangers and classmates, I felt that I had grown more independent and more perceptive. I took part in multiple activities, differing in their contents. A main change I found in my routine was that I was taking more steps per day, my average being around 20 thousand a day for the whole week. I was extremely tired every day, yet it felt very rewarding at the same time.
I was relieved, more grown, more thoughtful; and I continued to grow each day I kept coming back to my hostel room. The homeless walking tour and urban farming were, for me, the most interesting experiences. It was a very different thing to be able to listen to the personal experience and wisdom of someone that had experienced what it felt like to be on the streets: I was amazed, even, at how human he was with his willingness to save the lives of those 6 people, and impressed by his interest in art.
The urban farming activity was a little nostalgic for me since I used to garden with my grandfather when I was really young. Rather than plucking weeds (which was not a particularly difficult challenge for me), it was the insight I gained from the lively man volunteering to help and guide us. His speech on fear and emotions, accepting them and allowing oneself to process them resonated with me. He was essentially telling us to be accepting of others’ emotions and opinions despite lacking understanding, while at the same time showing that same kindness to ourselves.
I was really happy to be in a mixed group throughout this experience as well because it allowed me to meet new people and create new friendships. After returning home, I believe I have only have gains from this trip. I have become more mature, more open-minded, more accepting, more enlightened and knowledgable on history and art; I have become more humane. I believe it is only natural I will have complaints over minor inconveniences that may have taken place, but I truly do believe that this trip was worth it.
