Palm Beach Atlantic University Inc.
07/15/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/15/2025 13:01
PBA Students Reflect on Time as Student Teachers in Prague
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PBA Students Reflect on Time as Student Teachers in Prague
Every semester, Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) students have the opportunity to broaden their horizons through various study abroad programs. The Rinker Center for Experiential Learning at PBA plays a crucial role in helping students navigate the logistics, encouraging each person to fully immerse themselves in a new culture. The Rinker Center's goal is to empower students to be "more than a tourist" in their new locations and instead be more like pilgrims. This means the Center's leaders encourage students not to treat the experience as just a fun opportunity for sightseeing, but as a chance to integrate into a community and learn more about others and themselves in the process. PBA students Maddie Hines and Sarah Olson adopted this mindset as they chose to complete their final semester over 5,000 miles away from West Palm Beach-in Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic.
Maddie Hines: Taking Your Passion Around the Globe
Originally from Chesapeake, Virginia, Maddie graduated in May 2025 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education, K-6. She chose to do her student teaching semester at the Christian International School of Prague. One of the things that attracted her to the school was how closely it aligned with PBA's foundational values: Seek Unity, Reflect Love, Pursue Excellence, Demonstrate Integrity, Show Respect, and Be Accountable. These values are what Maddie said best prepared her for time abroad and helped her navigate a new schedule, missing loved ones, and culture shock. Upon Maddie's arrival, the school instantly made her feel like family, excited to welcome another teacher who was passionate about God and early education.
"I highly recommend going abroad to anyone and especially to education majors, because you get to grow your appreciation for students from different cultures and your worldview is widened," she says.
Maddie's advice for those studying or traveling abroad is to show the proper amount of respect for the culture, keeping in mind that they are visitors in someone else's homeland. An example of this is how it is very normal for people to be extremely quiet when riding on public transportation in the Czech Republic. At first, the extreme silence was unnerving; however, once Maddie became used to it, the tram quickly became her favorite way to get around the city.
Sarah Olson: Following God's Path Wherever it Leads
Sarah moved around a lot growing up due to her father's career in the Air Force, but her family now resides in Las Vegas, and she graduated in May 2025 with a degree in elementary education and a minor in French. Initially, she wanted to study abroad in a French-speaking country; however, when those options did not work out, her advisor suggested she look into the Christian International School of Prague, where her friend Maddie was planning to attend. Sarah believes that even though it wasn't her original choice, Prague is truly where God wanted her to be, and she couldn't have imagined studying anywhere else.
"I honestly never left the honeymoon stage of culture shock because I just fell in love with the city," she shares.
One of Sarah's favorite things to do in Prague was to visit a nearby park and watch the sunset. She described how during the spring, once the weather had taken a turn for the better, people from all over the city would come to the park just for the sunset. Another favorite activity was visiting international churches. Seeing how believers around the world view God in slightly varying ways helped Sarah reflect more deeply on her own faith. She encourages other students to explore the possibility of studying abroad, adding it's a chance to make lifelong friends and create many memories.
"Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way, whether that's going to a concert, trying new foods, or watching a sunrise," she says. "Each moment will be worth it!"
The PBA Experience Abroad
To learn more about the Rinker Center for Experiential Learning and all study abroad opportunities, click here.
Another way to travel internationally through PBA is to sign up for a mission trip through Campus Ministries Global. CM Global organizes various trips during the spring and summer breaks. This summer, they sent approximately 80 students to over eight different countries, including Tasmania, Japan, Thailand, and Peru. Learn more here.
Palm Beach Atlantic University Inc. published this content on July 15, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 15, 2025 at 19:01 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at support@pubt.io