Honors Students Study Abroad in Czech Republic for 2nd Year

     For the second year in a row, students from the Tennessee Wesleyan Honors Program traveled across the world to spend one week exploring the Czech Republic. Four students – Calli Dussia, Major Frerichs, Lindsey Roberson, and Keljan Thomas – joined honors faculty members Jack Seitz and Ana Barrios in the city of Olomouc to participate in a study abroad internship at Palacký University. 

  During this cross-world excursion, the group immersed themselves in Czech culture, engaging in academic and cultural experiences. Their journey began with a warm welcome at the Olomouc train station, where they were greeted by local Palacký University students – nick-named “buddies” – who would guide the students throughout their stay. Once settled into their dorms, the group began a full, exciting itinerary designed to introduce the students to the historical and cultural richness of the region.

     While enjoying food from local bakeries and restaurants, the students were given an official welcome from Palacký University that included an overview of the week-long program and a brief overview of the school’s history. The group was then taken on a guided tour of Olomouc’s historical city center, exploring its ancient architecture and bustling public squares. During their free time, students enjoyed the opportunity to dine at local cafes and browse the city’s stores.

               The week continued with a series of educational trips that offered the group a glimpse into the region’s culture and history. The group traveled to locations such as Lednice Castle, a World Heritage Site located in southern Moravia. At Lednice Castle, students participated in a guided tour of the 19th-century Neo-Gothic structure, walked through the elaborate castle park, and even visited a tropical butterfly house. The students also toured the Archbishop’s Palace, where they explored its gardens and descended into the palace’s historic wine cellars.

   One of the most visually striking outings took place when the group visited Bouzov Castle, a remnant of the medieval period. A visit to the Basilica of the Visitation to the Mother Mary offered a glimpse into a major pilgrimage site overlooking Olomouc. These visits offered not only insight into Czech history and architecture but also into the religious culture and traditions of the region.

      After their time in Olomouc, the group traveled to Prague, where they spent a few days exploring the neighborhoods surrounding Prague Castle, as well as the Jewish Quarter and its synagogues. One of these synagogues, the “Old New Synagogue,” is the oldest extant synagogue in Europe. What was perhaps one of the most powerful, sobering locations visited was the Pinkas Synagogue, in which the students witnessed the memorial to all 77,297 Jews from Bohemia and Moravia who were victims of the Holocaust. The group also saw an exhibit filled with artwork made by children at the Terezin concentration camp which was located near Prague. Despite the gravity of their time in Prague, the students departed on their journey back to America with a deeper understanding of the Czech’s complex history and a profound sense of reflection, having stood in the very locations that once only existed in their textbooks.

      “This was my first time in Europe, which was a nice culture shock,” Lindsey Roberson, a sophomore member of the honors program explained. “This trip was a reminder that other people do not live according to ‘American standards’ and are thriving in their own way. It was also a way to experience the topics taught in my classes firsthand. These stories of union, tragedy, and political disarray are much more exciting when you see it firsthand.”

      Lindsey also explained that it was the funding offered by Tennessee Wesleyan that made her trip to Europe possible, stating, “To be completely honest, this was a random spur-of-the-moment trip. But everyone I encountered through the school was very helpful and informative throughout this process. TWU also provided a large part of the funding which ultimately made my final decision to go to Europe possible.”

               Experiences like the 2025 trip to the Czech Republic highlight the true value of Tennessee Wesleyan University’s Honors Program and its commitment to providing students with immersive, global learning opportunities. Through its continued partnership with Palacký University, the TWU Honors Program offers its students the opportunity to step outside of the classroom and genuinely engage with the world’s history, culture, and people. Opportunities like this study abroad trip exemplify how the TWU Honors Program fosters academic curiosity and cultural awareness that prepares students to be leaders in an interconnected world.