PRAGUE VLOG: Created by NCCU volleyball student-athletes Celene Morris and Arlanda Faulkner

The North Carolina Central volleyball team's trip to Prague, Czech Republic, this summer allowed the student-athletes to compete against local club teams, exposed them to a foreign culture and brought the teammates closer together.
 
From June 25-July 7, the team stayed at the Sportcentrum Brandys in the Czech Republic, which doubled as a training facility and hotel. They played against two local club teams (Brandys and Babofky), and in a clay court tournament versus five other teams.
 
When not playing or practicing, the members of the volleyball travel group participated in multiple educational experiences, including a Holocaust tour at the Terezin Concentration Camp, and visits to historic landmarks like the Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, celebrated concert venue Smetana Hall and the John Lennon Wall. They also traveled to Germany to watch two professional men's volleyball matches, Japan versus Germany and Portugal against Poland.
 
The international trip showed the student-athletes what life is like in a different culture.
 
"It was a huge culture shock for us to see how people in Europe lived," sophomore setter Celene Morris said. "Air conditioning was used slim to none. The first couple of days and nights were difficult because we never really had to be in the heat constantly. Also, the currency system in the Czech Republic works very different than the way American currency works, and it was hard to get used to what each coin and bill meant."
 
Some of the challenges they encountered during their travels, they confronted and overcame together, which they feel brought them closer together as a team.
 
"The team's chemistry improved a tremendous amount while being in Europe," Morris said. "While being together all day, every day in a foreign country where no one spoke the same language as us, we were put in different or uncomfortable situations. As a result, we became closer with each other by overcoming those obstacles together. This trip exemplified the true meaning of what it is like to be part of a team."
 
NCCU sophomore outside hitter Arlanda Faulkner agrees with her fellow sophomore's assessment.
 
"This trip allowed the team to grow not only as teammates, but as people," she said. "We each learned different things about each other, and ourselves. We each faced some struggles and frustrations, but we all learned at the end of the day you are never alone in the fight you must face."
 
Faulkner returned from Prague with a different perspective on life. "Appreciate the little things, enjoy the moment, embrace adversity, overcome obstacles, have an abundance of patience for the world, and love endlessly."
 
Overall, the international experience was one the NCCU women's volleyball team will never forget.
 
"The memories we shared while in Prague will become memories that we will share and remember forever," Morris said.

 
Here are more reflections from the NCCU women's volleyball student-athletes about their trip to Prague…
 
Estfania Louis (Sophomore, Immokalee, Fla.): "One thing I've learned from Prague is that we may complain about the smallest things in America, but we are blessed to have everything that we do.  Nothing comes easy and complaining isn't going to get me anywhere. So I've learned to appreciate everything that I have because at the end of the day someone else never had the stuff that we think we "Have" to have."
 
Isis Mitchell (Sophomore, Tempe, Ariz.): "What I learned in Europe is to appreciate everything that I have. I loved the fact that I had the opportunity to go further abroad, learn about different cultures and play a different type of volleyball!! I also had a chance to learn about everyone else in a deeper level. I just want to thank you guys for giving me the opportunity to get to play overseas and visit a new country."
 
McKayla Young (Junior, Charlotte, N.C.): "I learned that we should appreciate the small things. You don't realize what you have until it isn't at the ready, whether it be a person, place, or something simple like say... COOL AIR."
 
Yomaries Villegas (Junior, Ocala, Fla.): "I'm grateful for the opportunity to have experienced a once-in-a-lifetime trip with amazing people. Being able to bond and truly enjoy each other's company was one of the most satisfying moments from the trip. These are memories that are worth a lifetime."
 
Morgan Goodwin (Sophomore, Solon, Ohio): "One thing that I learned in Prague was how to work better with others and problem solve with my teammates. It brought us all closer together while building patience. Learning how to work better with people is an important skill, especially in the game of volleyball. Very grateful for the opportunity."
 
Jessica Pilivi (Senior, West Jordan, Utah): "The trip to Prague positively impacted me by providing exposure to people with a very different culture than mine, ranging from food and language to daily routines and living situations that I would've otherwise never came in contact with. I am grateful for Prague helping me to be more open-minded."
 
Alyssa Pieh (Freshman, Raleigh, N.C.): "I learned in Europe that the basic luxuries for Americans, such as air conditioning, free water and accessible bathrooms, are not as imperative over there. I'm grateful for the experience to go into Prague and to live in another culture, but also very thankful to go home to America and enjoy those luxuries. In America, we are very privileged in the quality of things we receive, but I have learned we don't need them to still live a fulfilling life."
 
Christine Alcox (Junior, Carrboro, N.C.): "Prague was an invaluable learning experience for me, as it taught me the importance of teamwork, patience and communicating effectively."
 
Kennedy White (Senior, Raleigh, N.C.): "I learned the importance of adapting and team bonding. Being able to adapt in situations that I'm not use to and handle it well helped me mature more. While over there I realized how fortunate we are and how many luxuries we get to play not only in the U.S., but in college. Building a better bond with my teammates before season will show on and off the court during the season. To be able to travel to another country to explore and train will never be taken for granted."