We know quarantine can be rough, but we have good news: you are not alone! Just like you thousands of other international students, interns and professionals are having a hard time getting busy during these days at home. We want to share with you the stories of our tenants and team members to hopefully inspire you to look to the bright side even when it seems difficult. This week we suggest you meet our tenant Ane Garcia and get to know how she keeps a positive attitude!
Hi Ane! Let us know a bit more about you!
Hey, I am Ane Garcia a Spanish exchange student doing International Relations here in Prague, in the Metropolitan University of Prague. As far as I am concerned, this city has been one of the best discoveries of all time. When I was first asked to choose my Erasmus destination Prague was not at the top of my options, but finally had to choose this city as the other chosen destinations had already been taken. Still, this is the best thing that could have ever happened. Before coming here to do my studies, I came 5 years ago with my aunt on a holiday and was able to enjoy this city from the view of a tourist. Yet, this journey has been eye-opening; I have been able to really see the city, to see it through the eyes of a local. Which has made me fall even more for this beautiful city. I have been given the opportunity to see the changing colors of the city with the shifting of seasons, discover hidden places unseen for the naked-eye of a tourist, discover inspiring people that have made this experience much more special than I could have ever imagined; and I could not be more grateful for that. Because even if the place is important, as it is always said, it is the people with who you are that make the difference.
What are your personal tricks to keep yourself busy at your flat during this quarantine?
At these weird times, where we have to go through a pandemic and live in quarantine I think it is essential to keep both your mind and body busy. I am that kind of person that cannot be still for a long time, to which the quarantine is not helping really. That is why I usually try to work out and keep my body moving. Whereas, to keep exercising my mind, apart from keeping up with all my school assignments, I like to distract myself through drawing, watching tv shows, and reading. When I draw I get that focused on every little trace that I evade myself from reality and forget about what surrounds me. The same could be said about reading. For instance, I just read the book “The Alchemist”, a book that talks about following one’s dream and destiny. Stories that can the same way make you evade from this crazy situation we are living in and inspire you at the same time. And the last but not least, music. For me music is essential and a constant in my daily life. It can change your mood completely, whether it is for better or worse; but it is definitely a game-changer. For example, I set myself the challenge of discovering at least one new song every day.
Books can indeed be a woman’s best friend! You must be missing your international friends so much, how do you stay in touch with them?
Books can indeed be a woman’s best friend! You must be missing your international friends so much, how do you stay in touch with them?When it comes to my friends that are not in Prague, for instance, the Spanish Erasmus students that I have met here in Prague but have come back to our home country due to the virus; I try to keep in touch with them as much as I can through video calls. Sometimes it can get a bit hard having to communicate this way, but it is better than nothing. Yet, concerning my international friends that have stayed here just like me, I try to chat with them every day and catch up.
What would you like to say to the other international tenants, who, like you, stayed in Prague for its safety and that are also respecting this quarantine?
I would like to sympathize with them for going through this quarantine far from their homes, as it can get a bit hard to deal with this kind of situation away from your loved ones. But I believe that staying in Prague is the best decision to make, as in my case it is safer both for me and the ones surrounding me to stay here and not go back to Spain, considering that the situation in my home-county is way worse than it is here. Still, in my case dealing with this situation here away from my family and friends is not being that hard, as these last seven months here have made me feel like at home and have let me build a new family in which I can support myself.
It was a pleasure to get to know your experience, Ane! Let’s finish with the 1 million dollars’ question: What will be the first thing you’ll do as soon as all this situation is nothing more than a bad memory?
I believe the first thing I am going to do when all this is over, is having some beers with my friends in a park and enjoy the sun on my face. I am a person that enjoys so much been outside; that is why when this becomes just a story to be told I will go back to do all those simple but filling plans, as it is taking a beer with your friends or wandering through the streets of Prague.
If like Ane you wish to assure your privacy and comfort during these tricky times and join our activate international community of tenants, simply book a room here. Without needing to visit the apartment, your booking is done entirely online for your safety. All you’ll need to do is pick your favourite room – now with special rents as low as 5495 CZK– and move into your fully furnished, equipped and safe home! Stay safe, stay home!
