In one month exactly, you will be on a plane heading across the Atlantic Ocean for Prague. I imagine that you will be nervous and that you will have butterflies in your stomach the entire ride and won’t be able to sleep. And ready or not, you will be leaving the one place you have called home these past 20 years. Know that you will be fine.
Prague will change you — just look at how much you’ve changed because of Smith. Two years ago when you drove up to your house for the first time, you had no idea who you were going to be or who your friends were or what was going to happen. But you let yourself fall for the process and have ended up a better person because of it. Just promise me you won't let the discomfort scare you too much.
That being said, I hope you explore Prague. Walk as much as possible and get to know the city the same way you know Boston. But don’t just stop at Prague — see other places. Go to Paris, Berlin, Milan, Budapest, Amsterdam. It bothers you when you hear it, but you really might never get the chance to do this ever again. See everything you want to see, and see as much as you possibly can.
On the other hand, do what you came to do. Remember that you picked Smith over Film School because you knew that this semester would be your chance to do what you missed out on. Make an amazing film. Learn as much as possible. Let the inspiration wash over you. Always take a moment to stop and realize that you are living in Europe making 35mm films at one of the most esteemed film schools in the world.
Other than that, here’s my little wish-list of things I hope you will do over the next three months:
1. Stand on the Charles Bridge at sunset.
2. Drink a cup of coffee from every city you visit.
3. Speak enough French so that the past two years of French classes feel like they were worth it.
4. Go to the Cinematheque Francais and sit in the first row. (If Truffaut did it, so will you.)
5. Forgive yourself if you have to break your vegetarianism. (Nobody even has to know.)
6. Take dozens of pictures every day and record your travels in words and movies.
7. Call home whenever you can.
8. Open yourself up to the people around you.
In the end, I hope you have an amazing time, and I hope you are open to everything that comes your way. They always say the first few weeks are the hardest, but when you find yourself homesick or lonely, just remember that you worked too hard to get to where you are to spend a single second feeling regret or sadness.
I’ll see you on the other side.
–Erin
