Where The East Meets The West: Joy Lin in Prague
/東西交界：林玠妤Joy Lin在布拉格
一向嚴謹行事的Joy在選擇交換目的地的時候，最先的考量就是低廉的開銷與便利的交通，因此，位處中歐並且受東歐文化影響的捷克便是最佳選擇。「捷克到其他西歐國家都算方便，尤其我首在首都布拉格的捷克科技大學交換，不管使用什麼交通工具都不會太花時間。」
在課業的學習上，Joy選修公司財務管理與專案管理兩門課。對她來說，最大的難處除了一開始要非常專注辨認口音濃厚的老師在說什麼，便是全神貫注地吸收專業知識與跟當地學生合作。「當地學生由於多數半工半讀，花在課程上的時間相對少。」她笑著表示那是很大的挑戰。
與其他交換的同學不同，Joy花在出國旅遊的時間不多，除了偶而跟台灣GHRM MBA的同學在異地踫踫面、一起旅遊之外，她比較常在捷克內享受當地氛圍或者在捷克有名的景點走走。隨著天氣漸漸變冷，Joy就選擇專注在論文上，「這麼冷當然是宅在室內做研究生該做的事情啦！」
在如歐洲這樣陌生的地方，文化衝擊是難免的，在布拉格，準時的交通讓Joy大開眼界，比水便宜的酒也隨處可見，甚至連麥當勞都有賣酒。另外，在餐廳內可以接受室內吸煙也是令她驚訝的地方。最溫暖的則是可以認識在當地的台灣人，大家一起分享旅行的經驗、一起煮飯。「在異鄉說著自己熟悉的語言，真的會有莫名的安全感。」
Our ever prudent GHRM student, Joy, decided to spend her study abroad semester in the Czech Republic considering the low living cost and the convenience traveling around. Located in central Europe, Czech Republic has a root of eastern European culture, thus, made the country diverse and worth exploring. “The transportation in the Czech Republic is relatively convenient, especially in Prague, where I stay.” She said.
Joy took two courses in Czech Technical University. Her financial management and account management courses challenged her knowledge in English with accents and her ability to concentrate in class. Also, working with local students was quite an experience to her. “Most local students work, so they spend less time on academic studies and it was challenging.”
Spending less time traveling around, aside from meeting her GHRM MBA friends in Europe, Joy preferred to enjoy the vibe in Prague. “After the weather got cold, I was just being dorky and do what a master student should do!” She decided to concentrate on her thesis and research.
In a foreign place like Europe, culture shocks are inevitable. In Prague, the punctuality of transportation was an eye-opening experience to Joy, also the dirt-cheap alcoholic beverages, people can even find beer in McDonald’s. “Speaking one’s native language in a foreign country makes one feel safe.” Joy enjoyed meeting the Taiwanese people in Prague, sharing their traveling experiences and cook themselves some comforting Taiwanese cuisine.
