Saints Around the World: Prague, Czech Republic

Did somebody say na zdraví? When it comes to a language barrier, Conor Burns '25 (above, left) knows how to communicate with the help of some Czech lingo.

Exploring a different country for the first time creates an opportunity to explore different cuisine. Whether it's duck, goulash, or bread dumplings, Burns has tried nearly every traditional Czech dish.

"I've definitely stepped out of my comfort zone with the food here. It's a lot different than the US, but it's equally as delicious. I would say I was a bit of a picky eater before coming here, but now my palate has expanded."

The food is different, but the vibe is remarkably similar. At the University of New York in Prague, Burns feels a sense of the Siena, even from 4,000 miles away.

"The campus is very small. There are only about 1,000 students who are all international. It's an American-style university, so a lot of the professors speak English and have moved from the US and lived in Prague for 15 to 20 years."

Still, when you leave the familiarity of campus and don't speak the native tongue, some things are bound to get lost in translation. Nevertheless, Burns is able to get around the city more easily with the help of his Czech language course. It also helps that Prague is #1 in beer consumption in the world, automatically adding "na zdraví" to his lexicon.

"There's not much of a language barrier with the younger crowd, but older folks don't know as much English. That can sometimes be difficult when out in public settings, especially in the first couple weeks I was here. Overtime, I've been able to pick up on more phrases like 'na zdraví' which can mean cheers, bless you, or to your health."

While abroad, you want to make every second count - which means taking advantage of everything to do around you.

"Meeting Czech locals and discovering hidden gems is one of my favorite experiences. They'll give recommendations on restaurants, pubs, and hiking trails. It's really cool meeting people from the city and discovering those special spots."

With everything only a short plane ride away, Burns plans to visit Slovakia, Poland, and Copenhagen with friends. The primary language will change with every stamp in his passport, but looking up the native word for "cheers" is always a good place to start.