In the classroom and behind the scenes

In addition to the many cultural things we are doing and experiencing, we are also studying! As a matter of fact, all the students are taking three classes while doing ALL these many other activities!!! Here are a series of shots of classroom activities as well as those wonderful people "behind the scenes" who have made this all possible - David and Pavlina Dvorsky, Directors of the International Institute for Leadership Education, Barbora Janyova and Zuzana Zelenicka, International Program Managers.
This is our "classroom" in the British Consulate in Prague.

And our "outdoor classroom" in Kralupy.
One of the rare shots of me as I'm the one behind the camera!
Dr. Mike Harris and Barbora
Barbora getting in the action!
Zuzana, helping with the painting project at Caritas in Kralupy.
David and Pavlina Dvorsky

Kutná Hora, including St. Barbara Cathedral & Cemetery Chapel with Ossuary

Today we headed off to Kutná Hora, a town (about an hour from Prague) with its historical town center listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. After another Czech lunch feast, we stopped at the famous Cemetery Chapel with Ossuary (a place to keep the bones of the dead) which was built during the late 14th century. The unique interior of the cemetery chapel contrasts its simple exterior design. Inside the chapel, we saw bones intricately made into a massive chandelier, as wall moldings and other decorations. These bones were estimated to come from the 40,000 people who died during the epidemic in the 14th century and during the Hussite wars early in the 15th century.

I think some of us felt a wee bit of a "creepy feeling," seeing the piles of bones, though we couldn't help but admire the creativity of the artist, Czech wood carver František Rint, with the skeletal art work and arrangement, particularly the elaborate Schwarzenberg coat-of-arms.

One big happy family!

These pictures pretty much sum up the joy I think both our students and the children felt after sharing several days together. Many of the young girls expressed their adoration through art work and little gifts. And the boys just wanted to get "guy time" -- and that they did!

With Open Hearts....they shared their talents and joy!

Over the past week our students have given every ounce of who they are to reach out to the children of the Kralupy Rugby Club and to the socially excluded children of Kralupy -- who we hope will now feel more comfortable in joining in the fun provided by RC Kralupy. As you view the photos from this entry, I think you will agree that our students are mighty special. I am so proud of them and so honored to be the person behind the camera, capturing the beauty each one holds.

Blog Entry by Kyle Risser: Czech Food

Since I arrived in the Czech Republic, I have been making countless observations and comparisons as to what differs between here and America. The one difference that sticks out the most to me is the food. My classmates and I have all discussed the fact that the food here is very rich and heavy. The Czech prefer meat and beer with almost every meal, and so far there hasn’t been much for “light” choices. Before coming here I would have considered meat and beer to be a delightful combination. However, we have all experienced the toll that it can take on our bodies. Desperate for some American style cuisine, I decided to take a shot at the KFC and later, the McDonalds. For the most part it was very similar. The menus are reduced, but they have the basic cuisine that any American KFC or McDonalds would have. I thought it was slightly odd that I had to pay for ketchup packets for the first time in my life. Not only that, it was 10 crowns just to go to the bathroom (16.5 crowns = approx $1US)! Regardless of those differences, it was a nice taste of home. I am curious to try some more new Czech foods, and I am sure that I can find something that will suit my appetite.

Teacher's Note: We are putting a slight twist on the "Flat Stanley" project (for those aware of the Flat Stanley project that has been around schools for the past 40+ years). We are assuming that Flat Stanley is a business executive visiting the various countries we will visit. Stanley is writing a report to future business executives who might visit these countries, telling them what to expect and how to prepare for business travels and communication in these countries. Hence, the pictures of Flat Stanley under the McD and KFC signs!

We're on a roll, please read the next couple posts!

This blog posting is from Diego Zambrano, Sophomore Entrepreneurship major:

We had a great sunny day on Tuesday; it was jammed packed and filled with fun activities. We had class in the morning and had lunch at Ferdinand, which is a traditional Czech restaurant down the street from the British Council. Lunch, as always, with our ILLE representatives was interesting, new, and rich with flavor. After lunch we went to Radio Free Europe and had the privilege to learn and see for ourselves how information can de transmitted to 20 countries that have been deprived of informational freedom. The representative that talked to us had an interesting and diverse background that included being the head of Voice of America for more than 15 years. As part of his presentation we learned that Radio Free Europe has a different and more neutral mission than those of American based companies. Radio Free Europe has a beautiful new building in Prague that stands out as an international landmark for democracy and freedom and transmits information in 28 different languages. Once the visit to Radio Free Europe was over we had an afternoon out in the town stopping through interesting stores. Once we developed an appetite we went to a French baguette restaurant that was surprisingly authentic. Later we were treated to a musical cultural experience at the Jazz Dock, a place situated on the river with a breathtaking view of the city. The music was amazing and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. All in all it was an remarkable ending to a perfect day.

Our A-mazing students - Service in Prague

The focus of our social justice project is with the Kralupy Rugby League. Our goal is to promote organized sports (rugby!) in the hopes that it will diminish discrimination against the socially disadvantaged and will encourage and enhance physical development, psycho-social development, and community cohesion. Today we went to a "naked," concrete basketball court and set up "game stations" in hopes that the youth would come. It was kind of like the "build-and-they-will-come" concept. And indeed they did! At first there were 4 or 5 kids, then there were 10 - 12, then there were 20, then 30, then 40, then 50...It was truly an amazing success!


The Kralupy Rugby director and trainer joined us about 2 hours into the event and taught us all how to play rugby. And for those who chose to do something different, we had students helping kids with soccer, playing with play dough, playing hand games, learning new handshakes, and just connecting with each other on a level we could not have imagined. The kids were asking for our students' autograph, hanging onto their arms, necks, and legs...absolutely feeling like someone famous had come to their village. At one point the little girls asked our girls if they knew Hannah Montana and Justin Beber and had they seen them walking around America!



We all walked away with hearts wide open, so full and so joyful! We return tomorrow.