A tragedy prompted this American to build a new life in Prague. 25 years later, he’s still there
A Tragedy Prompted This American to Build a New Life in Prague. 25 Years Later, He’s Still There
A tragedy prompted this American to build - Ryan Goodwin, a man who now calls Prague home, once lived in Colorado. The city’s iconic Charles Bridge and the medieval castle towering over its skyline still stir a sense of wonder in him after more than two decades of residency. “It never ceases to amaze me,” he says, reflecting on the city’s enduring charm. For Goodwin, the essence of Prague’s allure is best captured by local writer Franz Kafka: “Prague never lets you go … This dear little mother has sharp claws.” He agrees, noting how the city’s culture and atmosphere have deeply rooted him. “It just grabs you,” he adds. “It’s been a really fun life. I’m glad I chose this place.”
A Tragedy Shaped His Path
Goodwin’s life took a dramatic turn in 1999 when a devastating incident at Columbine High School left him profoundly changed. At the time, he was away from Colorado, pursuing his college education elsewhere, but the tragedy at his former school—ranked among the worst mass shootings in US history—solidified his resolve to leave. “I wanted to go away, and that was sort of like the moment that did it,” he recalls. “I don’t want to be in a place where that is a possibility. I don’t want to worry about my kids going to school and not coming home.”
Meeting His Future in a New Land
Months later, at 21, Goodwin embarked on a four-month study abroad program in Prague with a friend. Though he had no intention of staying beyond that, fate intervened when he met Marketa, his future wife, at a student pub just before his planned return in December 1999. Their connection sparked a shift in his plans, and he found himself drawn to the city. “Something clicked,” he says, describing how the relationship with Marketa made him feel like he belonged. “It was like, ‘I have to find a way back to this place.’”
Adjusting to a Different Rhythm
Upon returning to the US in 2000 to complete his business administration degree, Goodwin quickly returned to Prague. He moved into the dormitory he had once inhabited and began teaching at a local university. At the time, the Czech Republic was still a place of “wild” transitions, with many international residents passing through. “It was the right amount of excitement without feeling like I was getting in over my head,” he explains. Though he initially saw himself as a “revolutionary” eager to reshape the country’s future, he soon realized Czechs valued stability. “They like the way things are,” he observes. “They don’t like to rock the boat.”
A Decade of Commitment
Years later, the 9/11 attacks in 2001 further cemented Goodwin’s decision to stay. “All these things come to your head,” he says. “And then I just thought, ‘This is safe here.’” Prague’s reputation as a secure city resonated with him, especially after witnessing the chaos of the US attacks. As his bond with Marketa deepened, the idea of a permanent life in Prague became non-negotiable. “There was never any consideration after that,” he says. “It was, ‘How do we live here now?’ instead of, ‘Do we live here now?’”
A Family Rooted in Prague
In 2005, Goodwin and Marketa married and welcomed their son and daughter, who hold dual citizenship. Raising his children in a country that embraces diversity and community has been a joy, he says. “Czechs are amazing people,” he adds. “They’re so welcoming.” Despite his roots in the US, Goodwin now sees Prague as his true home. “I remember my mother asking me for the first few years, ‘Are you done with this?’” he says. “And I was like, ‘No.’”