Final Days In Germany

The wunderbar semester has been finished and I have returned home. Dirk, the head of the FUBEST program told us that the true effects of our experiences and hard work abroad will reveal itself in time. It is good to be home, though much of the culture and opportunities Germany offered will be missed.

After mid-semester break I went to southern Germany and stayed in a town called Garmisch Partenkirche. Sitting in the midst of the Alps, it is breathtaking whether it is bright and sunny or snowing. There is plenty of mountain climbing adventures and skiing for those interested, as well as great cafés and Bavarian dining in town.

Afterwards I toured the towns around Berlin, which are a great, quiet retreat from the everyday hustle and bustle. Germany certainly gets excited for Christmas, with many huge Christmas markets taking up the open areas and whole city blocks. Tons of candy, cookies, and delicious glühwein (wine with Christmas spices, served hot) are sold alongside Christmas decorations and gifts. My first taste of glühwein was when someone brought it to class and the teacher excitedly urged them to share it, and I was eager to make some myself for my family.

Demands were high during finals week, requiring ten page papers for each class and several essays for the exams, but I reviewed everything taught in class and did fine. The FUBEST program does a great job inside and outside the classroom and everyone involved really cares. There was even a farewell dinner with the faculty attending.

I’m grateful everyday that this experience evolved from a poster on campus catching my eye a year ago to the Berlin semester which I was able to complete. The huge boost to my German language skills alone made the time abroad worthwhile. I hope to see a few MLC students taking this opportunity each semester and receiving its exciting benefits.