By Jim Tanoos, with pictures and activities from annual study abroad visits to Munich, Prague, Hamburg, and Rotterdam by students from Purdue University in Indiana, USA
Listed in Blogs/Editorials
Version 1.0 - published on 06 Sep 2019
Licensed under CC0 - Creative Commons
The Czech Republic was the longtime industrial center of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. Some Czechs over 40 years-old many not speak English because the Russians closed off their society from the West behind the Iron Curtain. Even today, they prefer to be referred to as “Central Europeans” rather than “Eastern Europeans”. However, those under 40 generally speak English and enjoy chatting with Americans and discussing American culture. Truly, Czech culture is shaped by their turbulent political history. Since Prague was the only major Central European city to avoid being bombed in World War II, their historic architecture remains in tact, with majestic Baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance-era buildings throughout the city.