First impressions of Berlin

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I’ve been here now for a few weeks and am definitely getting settled in. Berlin is a very multi cultural city and just walking around I hear many other languages than German. Not all of Germany is like this though. On a short weekend trip to Leipzig and Chemnitz I very much felt more surrounded by ethnically German people. Everywhere in Germany I have been so far has been nice and welcoming which is nice because my street feels familiar and a little bit like home.

My host family has been very influential in my acclamation to Berlin. They are very welcoming and make me breakfast and dinner (They even baked me a Birthday cake!). They are also super helpful in telling me where to go to find things whether it be necessities like soap or activities and sight seeing.

In Berlin there is so much to see. The zoo is very old in a good way and quite unique with location in the city. Classic monuments are fun to see like the Brandenburg gate, Berliner Dome and also the Tv Tower. Plus there is tons of history to dig in especially pertaining to WWII and the ensuing division of the country and the Cold War. I am excited to go see some more Berlin throughout the semester, and the school will take me on excursions as well to see and learn more.

Another thing to get used to is the food. In Berlin two types of food are very popular and easy to find: Curry and Döner. Curry is a sausage with fries ketchup mayo and curry powder. Döner is meat carved from a vertical rotisserie put with salad and sauces on a flatbread. For me these are both tasty lunch options. Although in Berlin the typical German heavy food is not as prolific like it is in other areas, but I’m still excited to try those too.

Another thing I noticed right away that I like is the train system in Berlin. It is super easy for me to travel and get to places usually whenever I want. But sometimes the train is a super far walk or a long wait so at these moments I miss my car. However being able to not have to focus on driving but still getting places is quite nice. My school here in Berlin has equipped me with public transportation passes and later in the semester it will cover all of Germany. I am really looking forward to that so I can get around even more.

Over all I think Berlin is a very nice city and I am glad I chose to study here. I have already experienced so much but still have a lot of things to see and to do. I’m glad that the program I am in nurtures adventure and exploration through host families and excursion, so that I can grow and learn from the new place I am living in. All in all the first impressions have been great!

I’ve arrived – Paul Wagner

Impressive Impressions

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To everybody who is scared to study abroad, whether that’s because it’s too far, or you’ve never left America, or you don’t know the language, DO IT! As someone who had never left America before three weeks ago, I did not know how much this opportunity would affect me.

My flight here was beautiful. I had a layover in Iceland and got to see part of that beautiful country. It was the last time I’ll be driving a car for the next three months.

Arriving in Germany was a bit tough on the first day. I was very tired and had about five hours of sleep after being up for 48 hours. However, I don’t think I’ll forget walking into my Host Family‘s house for the first time and thinking; okay, so this is home now.

Host families are awesome because they make delicious dinners for you and talk to you about so many world experiences you didn’t even know existed in America. I have yet to share much about myself, but it’s funny to hear some of their opinions because, of course, they’re different than mine.

Different doesn’t mean wrong. One big difference I have learned is that Germany is very green. And that has taken some getting used to. My house doesn’t have a dryer because the air can dry my clothes without using energy. Plastic is a no-go in my Family‘s house. Natural light is always best, and it’s great when you remember to unplug things from the wall.

By no means or any of these things bad. In fact, their focus is to make the world better! It just takes some getting used to!

One of the biggest differences in my day-to-day life is public transport. It takes me roughly 50 minutes to get to school from my house. I first hop on the S1 Train before changing to a bus to get to school. That’s much different than my 4 minute walk to class from Augustana.

When this public transport works, I love it! All the architecture out the window is breathtaking. AND, the train is quickly becoming my decompression time from my German classes I take. It’s especially good for people watching, which is great when you’re trying to learn more about people.

When the public transportation system does not work, it is terrible. Twice so far I missed a bus or train that has added a good hour to my journeys. And I’m sure that these mess ups will continue to happen, but to anyone considering going, the trains and buses run exactly as they should 99% of the time.

One of the things that I absolutely love is that most days I get out of school around noon. Berlin has lots to do. I’ve gone down to the Brandenburg Tor, eaten my share of curry wurst and döner kebab, met friends for beers, which I don’t usually do, and, most importantly, talked to native German speakers.

The first week I arrived, my host family’s apartment building had a backyard grill out. I got to sit and have a picnic with eight people I would have never had the opportunity to meet. They were so kind to let me try speaking German, and, in return they got to practice some English too.

Before I left for study abroad, I was so nervous. But now that I’ve been here, Berlin is quickly becoming a second home. I went away for the weekend to see a new town and when Sunday night came rolling around I just wanted to see Berlin.

I’m sure there are many more things for me to explore and many more people for me to meet before this adventure is done.

Till next time,
Reba