Featured Person: Stuart Olsen
Stuart, who wears prosthetic legs, traveled abroad on short-term exchange programs while in college to Japan and Czech Republic.
Name: Stuart Olsen
- Stuart Olsen stands on the cobblestone streets of Prague with buildings and people in the background
Assertive Devices: Prosthetic legs
Exchange Organizations: Mobility International USA
Program countries: Japan (2004), Prague (Summer 2006), Japan (2007)
Stuart Olsen traveled with MIUSA in 2004 to Japan. He also spent his summer in Prague two years later, which he recounted in an article for NCDE.
“Using the public transportation in Prague is not an easy task. In my first day alone, I had to use all the transportation systems. You are not asked to pay as you enter a public transportation vehicle, but if an inspector asks for a ticket and you can’t show it, then you are fined a large fine. I made sure that I had my ticket and waited for the bus!”
To learn more about possible exchanges click here to Search Exchange Programs.
“Personally, Prague was a challenge at the beginning of my studies, but then it became like a game. I took on the challenges that it threw at me and I am happy to say I’m better off because of it. Every person works around a problem in his/her own way, but if I could give any advice is take one day at a time. That’s what I did every day and I had a great experience.”
Stuart attended the University of Washington and when to Japan through a program called Do-it Scholars.
- Stuart Olsen (with two prostheses) sits near statues with garden in background
