This blog post is part of World Blog Surf Day - where 24 bloggers not living in their native country around the world writes about the experience of living in a different country. At the end of my post you will find a link to the next blog in the circle.
I have been living in Prague since the summer of 2007 when Femi and I decided to move here for a period while growing our company. The initial plan of staying for 6 months has so far turned out to last for 22 months.
Prague has a big (huge?) expat community of people from all over the world but Europe and US in particular. Whatever brought these people here in the first place most start out from scratch with building a social circle so it’s been easy for me to make new friends.
As a Dane I’m use to communicating in English whenever I’m not dealing with Danes because Danish is a terrible language to learn and we’re a small nation. When I came here in the first place I had little intention of learning the Czech language because of my short stay and because it sounded as complex as Danish to grasp. As I realized that my stay would last more than 6 months I started thinking and talking about taking Czech lessons – but it stayed that way. There was too little incentive, too many other interesting things to do and I was too lazy.
The Czechs are usually not that good at English unless they have a degree or have been abroad. So with almost all my friends being foreigners and no language to communicate with regular Czech’s it feels to me like I live in this parallel society of Prague. In this parallel are we that work in companies where the language is English, our friends are English and the media we follow are English.
I have realized that whenever I return to Prague from being abroad (usually from counties where I speak the language) the first think that strikes me that I am back in my parallel world of not speaking the local language.
But apart from my inability to speak the lingo I am having a very good time in Prague, there are still plenty of reasons why this is a great place to live and why we’ve stayed here for this long.
Prague has a big (huge?) expat community of people from all over the world but Europe and US in particular. Whatever brought these people here in the first place most start out from scratch with building a social circle so it’s been easy for me to make new friends.
As a Dane I’m use to communicating in English whenever I’m not dealing with Danes because Danish is a terrible language to learn and we’re a small nation. When I came here in the first place I had little intention of learning the Czech language because of my short stay and because it sounded as complex as Danish to grasp. As I realized that my stay would last more than 6 months I started thinking and talking about taking Czech lessons – but it stayed that way. There was too little incentive, too many other interesting things to do and I was too lazy.
The Czechs are usually not that good at English unless they have a degree or have been abroad. So with almost all my friends being foreigners and no language to communicate with regular Czech’s it feels to me like I live in this parallel society of Prague. In this parallel are we that work in companies where the language is English, our friends are English and the media we follow are English.
I have realized that whenever I return to Prague from being abroad (usually from counties where I speak the language) the first think that strikes me that I am back in my parallel world of not speaking the local language.
But apart from my inability to speak the lingo I am having a very good time in Prague, there are still plenty of reasons why this is a great place to live and why we’ve stayed here for this long.
The city itself has a great atmosphere, I can still spend a whole day looking up at the marvelous buildings that are everywhere in Prague. Danes sometimes ask me about how dangerous it is in Prague and I must say that it is very safe – there are not the knives/guns problems of Copenhagen or the drunken crowds of London.
The prices for food and beer are very reasonable compared to most places in Europe, it still puts a smile on my face when I can go to for a meal in a restaurant and have a beer or two and a meal for less than 6 Euros.
I’ve got lots of good friends who I have the time and opportunity to see several times a week and plenty of place to go to do stuff be it sports or other activities or clubs, pubs or concerts.
One of the topics that has come up quite often in conversations over the last couple of months is that a lot of my friends in Prague are starting to move elsewhere.
One of the topics that has come up quite often in conversations over the last couple of months is that a lot of my friends in Prague are starting to move elsewhere.
For many people like me Prague is a place of transit, a place to enjoy life and the good times before moving on.
I doubt that many of the people I hang out with today will be in Prague in a year. In a way it’s sad to think about but on the other hand it’s a nice reminder to enjoy the people and the place every day – it’s not going to last forever.
Some people go to Prague for a couple of months, some for a couple of years. The next blogger in the World Blog Surf Day moved to Prague from USA to be with her Czech husband and start a new life in The Old World. I wish Sher the very best of luck in her adventure and hope you, the reader, will read Sher’s Living as an American in the Czech Republic and the others stories.
Some people go to Prague for a couple of months, some for a couple of years. The next blogger in the World Blog Surf Day moved to Prague from USA to be with her Czech husband and start a new life in The Old World. I wish Sher the very best of luck in her adventure and hope you, the reader, will read Sher’s Living as an American in the Czech Republic and the others stories.
Have a nice Saturday!
Glad that you made it back on line in time ;-) I understand what you write about the “parallel world” of expats in Prague, I have never experienced that before to such an extent. I am making efforts to learn Czech, i.e. taking language classes, to escape this rather “artificial” parallel world, or perhaps I should better say to be able to live in both world ;-)
Hi Thanks to Golden Prague I have discovered your blog for the first time.
A well written account.
I am quite surprised that Prague is a temporary stop for many expats, I assume there are still many that intend to stay for the duration I suppose. It there a reason why?
I have added you to my blogroll by the way!
Hi Michael,
This is a great post…and boy…do I relate to the parallel life you talk about! Learning Czech is not so easy, but it something I’m working on…and need to work on since I’m here long-term!
Thanks for the nice “blurb” about my blog, too…:0)
Have a great day!
Sher :0)
Great photo! It’s sooo true about the parallel world that exists here for English speakers. I’ve often wondered if Czechs resent that it’s so easy to live here without their language. It is a real commitment though to take on language lessons. I’ve purchased a Czech textbook and after sixty lessons, I will know 550 words. Not so much, is it?
Your blog is here again :)
Nice post :)
Great post and what a stunning photo.
I’m pleased to have discovered your blog through ‘World Surf Day.’ I know what you mean about the ‘parallel expat world’ – I’ve been there, done that! At least in Australia, the language is not a barrier.
Best wishes,
Roz
Prague is such a beautiful city. It sounds like you are having a nice time there. I am glad you touched on the subject of goodbyes. That is the worst part of being an expat, I think. But there are always new friends, right? And with email and blogs and social media, keeping in touch is so easy now.
Thanks for sharing your Prague with us!
I can identify with many issues such as the language and the fact that making friends is easier when the expat community is big.
Most of the friends I have made have something to do with an expat. My Peruvian friend comes to mind and although he left last year we are still in touch and thanks to him I met his partner and partner’s friends. Now a nice relationship is developing with them, who are locals.
Nice post.
Thanks for your comments guys :)
@Martin: I think there is a number of reasons why Prague is a bit of a transit city for foreigners. There is a need for English teachers so a lot of native English speakers come here to teach – some do that for a couple of years and then move elsewhere, start to study again or switch to another trade.
There are a number of multinational companies that have their European headquarters here so there is a lot of entry positions to be had for people from all over the world who want to start an international career.
I can relate to the parallel universe feeling: depending on where I’m hanging out and with whom in Malaysia, sometimes it’s hard to tell I’m not in the US, UK or any English-speaking country.
btw – that is a BEAUTIFUL photo!
(Sorry I’m a litle late doing the World Blog Surf Day rounds!)
Cheers,
*lynne*
Hi Michael,
I’m slowly catching up with Worlg Blogging Day. It seems a shame to hear that people see Prague as a transitory place, but maybe that’s because it’s a lively city, rather than a sleepy little place like where I live in Greece.
As a native English speaker I do appreciate my language being universal, but it makes it more difficult for me to learn my new language of Greek, as locals want to use their English. I am pleased to have got away from English media and read little news now!
From your most recent post: temperatures have soared in the southern Peloponnese as well this week, despite the weather forecast.
@Dayflower: I’m sure Prague is not just a place for transiting people. I know a few people here who are staying for good – usually with their Czech better half.
But I think I’m coming across people who are in the same situation as me; In town for a period, wanting to make friends and then move on.