Alum Kara Grossman Studying
in Prague
Kara Grossman has an adventurous spirit and she's not afraid to change her mind either. The Huntington High School Class of 2009 member is a junior at Tulane University. She's currently spending the fall semester in Prague at Charles University in the Czech Republic.
Since beginning her college studies, Ms. Grossman has changed her academic major and decided to take on two minors. "I'm now majoring in art history with minors in English and business," she said. "I never got the chance to take an art history course in high school and I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered that I loved it during my first semester of sophomore year."
Ms. Grossman is participating in Tulane's undergraduate program in central European studies while in Prague. She's enrolled in five classes, including Elementary Czech Language (mandatory for all UPCES students); Gothic, Baroque, Modern: The Arts in Bohemia; Romanticism and National Identity; Prague as a Living History (complete with walking tours of the city); and Comprehending the Holocaust.
"I knew that I always wanted to study abroad, but I had no idea where I wanted to go," Ms. Grossman said. "Tulane's liberal arts study abroad program is very strict about their language requirements for studying abroad and I spontaneously decided to begin taking French classes during my sophomore year, but I wasn't able to reach a high enough level in French to study abroad in France."
Since Tulane doesn't have any Czech language courses, Prague became one of the Huntington alum's options, along with Amsterdam, Copenhagen, London, Australia, South Africa and a few other cities.
Wanted to be in Europe
"I was positive that I wanted to be in Europe, so that eliminated South Africa and Australia," Ms. Grossman said. "I knew a lot of older Tulane students that had studied abroad at this time last year who raved about it being the best, must-see place in Europe, so I decided to look into it and here I am! Studying abroad in Prague is very popular at Tulane so my program consists of about 20 other Tulane students, as well as many University of Pennsylvania and Middlebury students."
At Huntington High School, Ms. Grossman played on the varsity tennis team and was a member of the Natural Helpers, which consists of students who have been picked by their classmates and given specialized training to help their peers solve all types of personal problems. Teachers and classmates adored her, admiring her commitment to all-around excellence, her sweet nature and the kindness she extended to everyone that crossed her path.
While she's in Prague for the fall semester, Ms. Grossman is also traveling to Munich, Paris, Barcelona, Krakow, Copenhagen, Amsterdam and possibly Vienna and Budapest.
The well-spoken young woman has been thoroughly enjoying her time in Europe. "The program has been absolutely wonderful so far," Ms. Grossman said. A week and a half long orientation preceded the start of classes on September 27. The orientation included intensive daily two-hour Czech language classes as well as tours of Prague Castle and the Old Jewish Quarter. Program directors walked students around the city and pointed out where to shop for essentials.
Looked for Apartment in Prague
"UPCES does not have dorms or offer homestays, so as soon as I arrived in Prague I had to start looking for apartments on my own," Ms. Grossman said. "It was so stressful to be searching for an apartment in a city that I had not the slightest idea of the layout, but the program directors provided us with landlords they work with that give students good deals on short term leases so my roommates and I got to move in pretty quickly. I live very close to Old Town Square, one of Prague's most famous and beautiful areas, home of the clock tower, gorgeous churches and amazing food."
During one overnight trip, Ms. Grossman and her UPCES classmates traveled to Český Krumlov, a town in southern Bohemia and "one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen," the Huntington grad said. "It looked like a fairytale. We toured the small town and absorbed the culture and were very fortunate to have beautiful weather and happen to be there for the St. Wenceslas' celebration for the patron saint of Bohemia."
Ms. Grossman said she is "absolutely in love with Prague." She hopes the semester doesn't pass by too quickly. "The city is beautifully preserved," she said. "It wasn't touched during World War II. It also looks like a fairytale town and has so much character and so much to do."
Interned at Fashion Company
Last summer Ms. Grossman interned in the press department of AEFFE SpA, the fashion company that houses Moschino, Alberta Ferretti, Pollini, Cacharel and Jean Paul Gaultier. "I have always been interested in the fashion world and I loved the experience of working in the industry," she said. "My bosses were so inspirational. They were in their 20s and so successful already. It definitely made me want to work harder. I'm not sure if I want to try something else next summer. I'm thinking about applying for internships with magazines, art museums, art galleries or other fashion companies. It's all still in the works. I'm not sure what my ultimate goal is."
Back at Tulane University in New Orleans, Ms. Grossman has been integrally involved with the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. "I am the public relations chair for FACE AIDS," she said. The group spreads awareness about HIV/AIDS on college campuses and worldwide, donates to Rwanda, educates the Tulane community with speakers and engages in fundraising. She is also a volunteer swim instructor with Swim 4 Success, a volunteer program that teaches underprivileged New Orleans children how to swim.
With several more weeks to go in the semester abroad, Ms. Grossman continues to cram as much as she can into every day she spends in Prague. "I love it so much," she said.