Every abroad student eventually has to face the question—should I stay or should I go? Should I stick around this weekend and enjoy time at my home base, or should I meet my friends in another country and travel? 

Inevitably, travel can be more enticing. After spending my first few weekends in Prague, I was definitely ready to make use of the Schengen Area. With a schedule of classes just Monday through Wednesday, it was easy to plan weekend trips longer than my time back in Czechia. I booked my weekends full of travel all over Europe.

I started staying in Prague for just three- or four-day increments. Instead of settling into my new home and getting to know my city, I was bouncing around the continent. And maybe it’s that I want what I can’t have, but the travel lifestyle quickly caught up with me. 

I am an ambitious traveler. Wherever I go, I push myself to make the absolute most of it. Who knows when, or if, I’ll be back. 

But my time in Prague has mostly been defined by exhaustion from late-night weekends and the stress of squeezing in assignments and readings before I leave again on Thursday. Instead of exploring the city like I did my first few weeks, I’ve been planning and preparing to leave it.

It’s important to remember how unnatural this nomadic schedule is. No student is meant to spend every weekend in a different zip code, never mind a different country. Constant movement was taking a toll on my health and mindset. 

Once I realized how much my travel was actually affecting my time in Prague, I took to problem-solving. I don’t want to look back at my time here and remember browsing flights, buying tickets, and packing suitcases. Instead of asking how I should go, I got to thinking: How should I stay?

As simple (and dumb) as it sounds, I fashioned a “vacation” from traveling. Two consecutive weeks in Prague smack in the middle of my time here. This is when I can host friends and family, or simply take time to enjoy my home city.

There is an enormous amount of pressure to cross as many borders as possible. I myself have fallen into this trap of motion, looking to keep building on my traveling momentum with as many new places as possible. 

But now that I’m in the midst of it, I can see why so many people gave me the advice to cherish my home base. Don’t miss out on what’s in front of you, just because you’re keeping up with (probably unreasonable) travel goals. 

Be where your feet are, for sure. But also, try being where your city is, at least for a few weekends.