Experiential Blog Post 9

The information most meaningful to me was about myself. I always felt like I didn't fit in; I felt like I was some sort of lone ranger. Yet, after going on this study abroad, I've realized; I do belong to a culture. I fit in somewhere, and I have a home. It's an odd feeling admitting that because I've always considered myself above that, but I appreciate such smaller things now. The food I eat, the way I speak and the things I do are all related to my culture, how I was raised and where I live. From today and on, I am going to look at things in my culture and be able to say, "Yeah, that's part of U.S. behavior". This could have changed quite a bit in my past. Things I looked at negatively or disliked I would have appreciated more. Things I took advantage of, like refills, free water, low taxes and free bathroom use are all things I never thought about being a privilege. We have a lot going for us in the states, and it's our duty to make sure everybody has an opportunity to live such a good life.

Experiential Blog Post 8

I've learned an abundance of knowledge through my gothic literature course. Learning about the gothic ideals and the ways they affect all of our lives has changed me; I view things in a different light, and make comparisons I never would've thought I'd make. I look deeper at human emotions and the grip of the ruling structures and I see the ties between the way we live our daily lives and the effect that has on the way things are run on a national level. Learning here has been easier than at home I'd say. Instead of being stuck in a classroom, we've had first-hand experience with the subjects of interest and seen how they affect everyone differently. All cultures are different, but there is one thing that ties us all together; human emotion.

Experiential Blog 7

7/ Notice people’s attitudes such as how people think about time, personal space, how to treat foreigners, or just general notions of what is right and what is wrong. Pay attention to how people respond to inappropriate behavior. Note what clues you use to figure out the attitudes of the people in the new place.  • Describe the attitudes you have noticed. • Compare what you have learned with your assumptions before you came.  • Explain what insights this critique has given you about the new culture or how you need to behave.   

The attitudes I've seen vary per country, but they all have their similarities. In The U.K. and Vienna, the people tend to be much quieter and more reserved. They go about their daily commuting, shopping and general activities in a way that makes everything seem almost rehearsed; they know exactly what they're doing, what they want and where they're going. In Prague and Ireland, though, this was quite a bit different. They were more open, louder, and seemingly laid back about their daily to-dos. In all four countries, though, they had a much more relaxed idea of personal space. They would get much closer than we do in the U.S., and would touch often as a sign of friendliness.

When it came to the treatment of foreigners, it depended on the city. In Prague, when they spotted a foreigner it meant business; they'd immediately attempt to sell you something or convince you to buy into a tour. In Vienna, they were friendly in their ways but tended to go about their business rather quickly. In the U.K., they were very friendly and willing to talk. They would often sit down and ask about the states, introduce you to the area and tell you where to go. The friendliest by far were the Irish natives though. They would walk out of there way to talk to you if you looked unfamiliar to the area, buy you a drink to have a sit down chat about Ireland and how you're enjoying it, and give you way too much information on the best things to do in Ireland-- I loved it.


Before I came, I had no clue that I would be greeted so warmly by the European cultures. For the most part, the natives were all willing to talk and very friendly about it. They loved telling me about their native lands, and asking about my own. It's really taught me a lot about foreign culture as a whole. Never make any negative assumptions and go into a country with an open mind. You never know what you'll learn, and you may just pick up some of their cultural traits for yourself.

Content Blog: Explain how Kafka contributes to your understanding of Gothic

When thinking of Gothicism, one thinks of Kafka. In his writings, Kafka would turn the emotional and sublime gothic ideals into more personal, modern interpretations. Look at, for example, "The Castle". A story which is, on the surface, a repetitive tale of a man who can't find his way. Yet, when you dig deeper, it's full of gothic ideologies. A story about a man being questioned by the empire and forced into subservience, unable to find his way or his purpose regardless of how he tries, eventually dying as a representation of how useless his efforts had been and that one can never reach their desired destination in life. Kafka bridged the gap between modern novels and gothic writings, and authors follow his example to this day.

Content Blog- Describe the Ossuary of

We all heard of the bone church before we went to Prague, but it was nothing that could be described with words. One can't even fathom the thought of 40,000 bones, and when seeing a cathedral made of them, you can't help but being in an emotional disbelief. Being surrounded by the remains of so many deceased and inside a place of religion creates a powerful contrasts; religion and death are both powerful parts of life which are seemingly necessary. The fact that someone was able to pull 40,000 unclaimed bones from a mass grave and attribute it to a holy building of worship seems unreal.

Content Blog: Describe Konopiste as a classic Gothic location.

Konopiste was one of my personal favourites out of the locations we visited. It was the home of Archduke Ferdinand, who was largely influential. He was eventually assassinated, largely becoming the cause of WWI. When looking at his hunting habits, we see typical Gothicism. Men weren't allowed emotions aside from lust and anger. With the archduke, he clearly enjoyed hunting. To the opinion of most, he enjoyed it a little too much. This is how he spent his time and it's what he enjoyed doing-- killing. All of the dead animals represent an eerie Gothicism in the death and sublime. Seeing so many animals mounted on the wall was an unreal experience; some classmates cried, others stared in awe. The man had some pent up frustrations, and may have lived a happier life in today's society.

Content Blog: Describe Sissi

How is Sissi a gothic heroine? A better question to ask would involve how she ISN'T a heroine. Everything about Sissi screams gothic heroine. She was forced into a marriage she didn't ask for, stressed over her sister whose marriage she felt she ruined, lived a life of confinement and empirical oppression, had various mental diseases due to her unhappiness and became a depressed recluse during the end of her life due to her son's suicide. When looking at your typical Gothic heroine, we find an oppressed women who is shamed for her feelings, miserable and often ends up dead. As we see with Sissi, she ends up being assassinated in a chance meeting with a rebel. A "fitting" end to the very definition of a gothic heroine.