Trajectory-Altering Trip
Ohio Wesleyan Students Explore First-Generation Experiences in the U.S. and Czech Republic
Name: Anaya Belle '28
Hometown: St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda
High school: Island Academy International
Majors: International Studies, Politics & Government, and Sociology & Anthropology
OWU Connection Experience: Participating in a university grant-supported trip to the Czech Republic to study "First-Gen Students and Socioeconomic Transitions: Comparing Countries"
Belle and students MiKayla Boyd '28 of Chicago, Illinois; Olivia Green '27 of Mansfield, Ohio; and Kiki Russell '28 of Newark, Ohio, traveled to Prague and Ostrava for 10 days in May with first-generation faculty and staff members Paul Dean, Ph.D., professor of Sociology and Anthropology, and Brad Pulcini, Ph.D., assistant vice president for Student Engagement and Success.
Professor Dean said the trip was planned and conducted in collaboration with two faculty members and six students from the University of Ostrava. Everyone met online before the trip, traveled together in the Czech Republic, and then met online again afterward. "It was a unique way to structure a program," he said, "and was quite successful."
Our Trip
"We explored the cities of Prague and Ostrava while learning about social class, industrial history, and first-generation student experiences," Belle said. "This included visiting historical sites and monuments, attending conferences, and having meaningful discussions about each activity."
Why This Opportunity?
"This opportunity was genuinely one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I fell in love with the mere prospect of this (OWU Connection experience) the moment Dr. Dean proposed it to us.
"The thought of traveling to a different continent to learn and be immersed in the ideas we covered in class excited me. I pursued this opportunity with the hopes of getting to see a new part of the world, creating lasting bonds, and becoming exposed to a culture different from what I grew up with.
"As a young Black Antiguan woman raised by a single mother, this experience was incredibly meaningful for me. I had the chance to do something that I never thought I would be able to do in college."
My Favorite Moment
"My favorite moment of the experience was our visit to the Charles Bridge. It was breathtaking to witness, and it was one of the first places we visited with the Czech students. We all connected and related to each other's experiences so strongly, despite being from such different social backgrounds." (Opened in 1402, the Charles Bridge is a medieval stone arch bridge in Prague that took more than 40 years to build.)
Lessons Learned
"This experience reinforced the idea that we can build bridges through class solidarity. Throughout our trip, I found myself being able to understand the struggles and sentiments of my peers who identify as working-class. I never imagined being able to relate so much to people who I thought were worlds apart from me.
"The concept of build-bridging in Sociology was definitely no stranger to me. However, this experience gave me the chance to put those theories into practice. Additionally, I learned a lot about the cultural differences, practices, and expectations in Czechia."
Experiences like this matter because they give students a firsthand, real-world glimpse into the things we dedicate semesters to learn. These experiences stay with us forever.
'Real-World Glimpse'
"Experiences like this matter because they give students a firsthand, real-world glimpse into the things we dedicate semesters to learn. These experiences stay with us forever. For many, including myself, these experiences alter the trajectory of our lives. They inspire us to consider digging further. They show us things we would have never dreamed of seeing. They create connections that will persist beyond college."
My Campus Involvements
"I currently serve as the vice president of communications for the Campus Programming Board, and I will be a member of the Politics & Government Student Board for the academic year 2026-2027. I also am a member of the Model United Nations club, Rafiki wa Afrika, and the Black Student Union."
Why Ohio Wesleyan?
"I've always felt as though OWU chose me as much as I chose OWU. I had my mind set on going to college in the Northeast to stay close to the few relatives I have in the U.S. ... After being accepted, I immediately felt welcomed into the community, despite being thousands of miles away.
"I thought that the campus was gorgeous, and the small class sizes made me feel more at ease. Their choices of majors and minors also aligned with my interests. Reading about the experiences of alumni helped me understand the value of a liberal arts education.
"OWU was extremely generous and offered scholarships, as well as need-based grants, which make it possible for working-class students to access higher education."
My Plans After Graduation
"I am still figuring things out, but I hope to take a gap year and then pursue a master's program.
"OWU provides so many resources – such as the Career Connection office, UC classes (for first-year students), workshops, and Bishop Elevate – that are dedicated to helping students make sense of their future and take steps to accomplish their goals." (With origins dating back to 2023, Bishop Elevate is now a program within the new Palmer Center for First-Generation Student Success.)