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Czech exchange students visit the Ursuline Sisters

Three Brescia University students from the Czech Republic visited the Ursuline Sisters on Nov. 5, 2026, in the Rainbow Room in Saint Joseph Villa. The three social work students were accompanied by Dr. Elaine Wright, a professor of social work at Brescia. Wright said this was the 30th anniversary of the CARITAS College of Social Work Olomouc program in the Czech Republic, which connects with the Brescia Caritas Center.

The students talked about their studies and internships, and they answered several questions posed by the Sisters.

Marie Schejbalová said, “It has been an enriching experience here,” and she “feels like we’re in good hands” at Brescia University. “I want to bring back what I learn,” she said. She also noted that there are more Christian churches here, and people talk more about faith. She sees Bible verses in shops, which is “not possible at home. This environment is very different.”

Marie said in her country, they can walk to more places and don’t need cars the way Americans do. She thinks Americans are more “open” and quicker to greet others.

Veronika Luběnková agreed that there is more small talk here. She said if she goes for water, she might “talk to five people.” She also said there is a food culture in the U.S., with people recommending various places for her to eat. She said they don’t eat out as much in the Czech Republic. Veronika is interning at Audubon Area Community Services with a focus on homelessness.

Sister Grace Simpson commended the young ladies on their English-speaking skills. Klára Dorazilová said that they learn English in school and have exams. On the flip side, Klára thought it would be more difficult for American students to study in the Czech Republic if they don’t know the Czech language.

Klára said that when she was asked to go to the U.S., she thought, “I’m Catholic. Let’s go! I’m so grateful. I love it.”

Sister Grace suggested that the students try to see Mammoth Cave while they are in Kentucky, which they hope to do before they leave in mid-November. They will be spending a week in Washington D.C. after they leave Owensboro.

Brescia has had an exchange relationship with the CARITAS College of Social Work at Palacký University in Olomouc, Czech Republic, since 2012. This grew out of the Owensboro Sister Cities and Regions initiative with Olomouc that began in the 1990s. Wright said that their staff had not visited the exchange college since the pandemic started in 2020.

Here are some photos from the visit:

The three Czech Republic students greet Sister Catherine Marie Lauterwasser, center, and Sister Ann Patrice Cecil, right, before they begin their talks.
Sister Mary Gerald Payne looks at a handout explaining the exchange program.
Dr. Elaine Wright, a professor of social work at Brescia, right, introduces the three students who will be graduating in June.
Dr. Elaine Wright, a professor of social work at Brescia, gave recognition to Sister Ruth Gehres who was seated nearby. Sister Ruth went on the first visit to the Czech Republic in 1993 while serving as Brescia’s president.
Dr. Elaine Wright, a professor of social work at Brescia, said that the students had been able to visit New York City during their time in America.
Marie Schejbalová tells the Sisters that she is doing an internship with Hospice of Western Kentucky, and she can see herself pursuing work in that area, which is “very meaningful.”
Klára Dorazilová said she enjoys the lectures at Brescia. She also said that social services in the U.S. help connect people with other organizations more than her country does.
The room was full of Ursuline Sisters listening to the Czech Republic students.
Sister Michele Morek asks if anything funny has happened to the students in the U.S., since she has had funny experiences in other countries. One student said that when they stayed in New York City in the simple living quarters of the Missionaries of Charity, they weren’t sure they would have hot water, but they found out they did. They said their lodgings were quite a contrast from the busy pace of the big city.
The students finish their talk with the Sisters, who asked several questions. This may have been the first time Czech exchange students visited the Villa. Czech student choirs have performed in the Motherhouse Chapel in prior years.
The Czech exchange students from Brescia gathered for a photo with a few of the Ursuline Sisters in Saint Joseph Villa. Pictured, left to right, Marie Schejbalová, Sister Grace Simpson, Sister Michele Morek, Veronika Luběnková, Sister Susan Mary Mudd, Klára Dorazilová, Sister Ruth Gehres, and Sister Catherine Marie Lauterwasser. Photo by Dr. Elaine Wright.
Two of the Czech Republic exchange students visited the Mount Saint Joseph cemetery. Photo by Dr. Elaine Wright.

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