Tess Joss: PhD student from India

A short description: (Who are you? Where are you from? How long have you been in the Czech Republic and at the University of Pardubice...)

I am Tess from Mumbai, India. This is my fifth year in the Czech Republic.

1/ Tell me a bit more about your studies?

My field is Comparative Science of Cultures and I am enrolled in the Department of Religious Studies. My field is all about understanding cultural differences and understanding how people from different cultures interact. I’m in a good place to be studying this, won’t you say? J

2/ How is the communication at the University of Pardubice, with your colleagues, are they supportive?

My colleagues have been very supportive since the time I moved to the country in 2013. They have helped me with every aspect of living here.

3/ Is it your first study experience abroad? Why did you decide to study in the Czech Republic, in Pardubice?

Yes, it is. I met my PhD supervisor in India a few years ago and I was interested in studying under his tutelage. So, when the opportunity presented itself I came to Pardubice where he heads the department that I am enrolled in.

4/ Do you remember what your first thoughts were when you discovered that you were going to the Czech Republic?

I realised that I barely knew anything about the country except seeing Prague in a Bollywood movie which I would say brought Prague to the attention of India. I spent quite some time reading up about it and the more I read, the happier I got about the decision of applying here.

5/ Was it complicated to move to Pardubice? Did you get any assistance?

It was not an easy process but it was not that complicated either. Besides, having people from the International affairs office in the University help me at every step made it smooth.

6/ At what point did you find out about the EURAXESS contact point at the University of Pardubice? Did you already know it before you came?

I was not aware that Pardubice had a EURAXESS contact point until last year.

7/ Could you tell us how the EURAXESS contact point at the University assisted you? How often do you use their services?

I need help from them every year when it is time for me to renew my visa. Jolly Caroline, the EURAXESS representative helps me out with the process. Besides that, they also inform us of events they organise which I find very useful for meeting other foreign nationals in the country.

8/ Besides your studies, what do you do in the Czech Republic ( hobbies, job, projects…)?

I teach English to children in schools here. I find that to be a good break from academics. I recently also started doing a part time job where I am a consultant for EURAXESS. I like to do a bit of traveling within the country whenever I can. Oh, and I love going to the theatre for films and plays!

9/ Have you been able to make some friends and contacts here?

Yes! To be honest, the transition from a big city like Mumbai to a small town like Pardubice was difficult. I am very much a city person and I like crowds and noise. After five years of living in Pardubice I can safely say that this has begun to feel like home and it has only been made possible because of the friends I made here who have become family to me now.

10/ How do you find the Czech culture? The food, the way the people are, their sense of humour?

What is the main difference between Czech culture and Indian one.

A few lines would not be enough to describe the difference in the cultures between both countries. I keep thinking that there is so much to say on the matter that one day I want to write a book on it! J Because of my specialisation in the study of culture, I have tried to keenly observe the people here, their mannerisms and nature. While like any country, Czech has its own set of people who have strange ideas about the world, overall my experience here has been nothing short of wonderful and life-changing. I have only one word to describe most of the Czech people I have interacted with- “warm”. While Czech people are very shy, once they come out of their shells, they are very sweet. Their kindness, warmth and easy companionship sometimes even reminds me of people back in India. Their sense of humour is dark and mostly self-deprecating. I think I might learn to appreciate it in a few years. As of now I am still trying to figure it out. Czech food is amazing though! It is not bland like many other European foods I have had. My favourite dishes would be biftek tatarsky and guláš. I also like their homemade cakes.

11/ Do you know any words in czech language? If so, how did you learn them? which one is the most complicated or funniest to pronounce?

I know plenty of words in Czech. I generally find saying the number 4 in Czech difficult and all numbers that have multiple 4s in them (like 444- čtyři sta čtyřicet čtyři). I also find saying Thursday in Czech difficult too (Čtvrtek). I guess I find it difficult when “č” “t” and “ř” decide to make an appearance together.

12/ Do you go back to India much?

Yes, I go once a year.

13/ Do you have a favourite place in Pardubice, or a place where you go to get away?

I like cafés a lot and my favourite cafes here would be Chillis, Pierre and Čoko Bajer. I believe Čoko Bajer has the best hot chocolate in the world. You should try it if you don’t believe me. For walks I prefer the woods near the castle or the river sides. These places are beautiful during all times of the year.

14/ If someone was coming from India to the Czech Republic, to Pardubice, what advice would you give them?

I would tell them to get mentally prepared for 4 distinctly different seasons. I would insist that they not buy any warm clothes from India. It is better to buy them from Czech after you have consulted  local friends on what is good enough to keep you warm. I would tell them that they would experience the best summers in Czech because summers here are an equivalent to winters in most parts of India. Additionally, I would like to make them aware that Czech is a meat loving country so they should not have high expectations for vegetarian foods available here in restaurants and other places if they are strictly vegetarians. But if they are not, they are going to like Czech food very much.

Caroline Novak-Jolly

Department of International Affairs and Developement