Germany from two months later

So as I was logging in, I looked at the login page where it says "username" and I had a flashback to an Internet cafe in Munich where the blogger page came up in German and that part said "Nutzername". Besides nearly falling out of my chair from laughing at "Nutzername", I also kind of freaked out. HOW CAN I SIGN IN IF I CAN'T READ THE PAGE?! But, no biggie. It was an adventure. Just like the rest of the trip...

Running around a FOREIGN country with a bunch of AWESOME classmates, what could be better? The whole trip was jam-packed with once in a lifetime experiences, seeing the original sculpted head of Nefertiti, Monets, the square where the Nazi burning of the books took place, an OPEN HEART SURGERY, a concentration camp, castles (with the most gaudy rooms you've ever seen!), a robo-milker, and so, so much more. And then in between we managed to squeeze in riding trains and planes, trying our hand at harvesting eggs from a cow, SNOW!, and the most random and interesting conversations. I learned nearly as much from talking to my classmates, Steffie, and Dr. Wasser as I did from actual class material. I must say, I really enjoyed being around everyone, and the positive experience has encouraged me to try and get to know my classmates in current classes better. A lesson for me: be more sociable! It's fun, and makes everything else more fun too.

It was interesting to watch movies in German (even though I didn't really know what they were saying) as well as CNN in English on German TV. The news, even our own, is not quite the same as far as content and spin - it was neat to compare. I really enjoy learning about other places, cultures, and issues. So you can imagine how absolutely amazing this experience was. The first two are obvious, (in fact the differences in culture were not huge) and the differing viewpoints and ideas on how to solve issues faced by many societies were quite interesting. From learning about the government in Germany to hearing about socialized medicine to becoming aware of Germany's illegal immigration, I gained perspective on similar issues in the United States. Dr. Wasser's lectures about the Nazi T-4 program and the tour of Dachau did solidify my position on one issue that I had previously been noncommital on: absolutely no torture. Period.

I didn't find either the transition to travelling in Germany or back to life in College Station that bad, but then again we weren't over there very long. It was definitely too short!

It's funny, I met someone the other day, and they were talking about an intracity train in Dallas that goes 25 mph, and I was thinking, "What?! ONLY 25 mph? What kind of train is that? Give me speed!".

Another thing: it gets to around 45 degrees here and people start saying, "It's so cold!" and I just think puh-lease this isn't bad at all. I think my internal thermometer got broken while we were in Germany. One thing I know for sure, my sweaters are sad that I don't wear them anymore, and I have a giant jacket that was SO necessary in Germany but here is hardly worn. Not to worry, I WILL find a reason to wear it again. Skiing, anyone?

As for advice for those who may visit later...Dr. Wasser and the people at the AIB are so helpful, use them! They have great advice on a myriad of things. Don't try to rush around too much. There's so much to see, you can't see it all, so just pick a few things and enjoy them. Get as much sleep on the plane as you can - both ways - it helps with the jet lag, even if it's only a few hours.

Friends mention thinking about studying abroad, and I instantly tell them they should definitely do it, without a second thought. I feel like I'm echoing everyone else when I say this, but it's so true: I really want to visit Europe again as well as branch out to other parts of the world too! I feel like I've rambled, but it's just because, even now, I'm so excited about everything we got to experience. Thanks to Dr. Wasser and Steffie for their patience and teaching, and to everyone else, I'm glad I got to spend time with y'all, and we should definitely hang out some more!

Germany on My Mind

I carry Germany with me everyday. I've been planning on doing this post for a long time, but I have so much to say that I knew I would need to set out a time where I can get all my thoughts down. Being back in College Station has been a whirlwind adventure. But now all the souveniers are given out, the pictures have been posted, tagged, commented, and shown to anyone who will listen, and i have finally managed to stop saying enshuldegung to random people. So this is the time that I can see what Germany has really left me with. For one there is great friends. I am really glad we all manage to still get together even so far in the semester. I feel as if I share a bond that only few can understand.

Everyday I pass Hannover street on my way to school, or anytime I travel Wellborn and I stop and think of the amazing adventures we had. My friend told me he lived on past Brandenburg street the other day and I instantly pictured New Years. I love having these memories to look back on. Germany has changed me forever.... whether its with new memories to dream about or repecting a free bathroom and some still-non mineral water.

The story I love to tell most is about the heart surgery. People look at me with a new-found awe. It is something that I was extremely lucky to be a part of. The picture of the first anatomy class came up in a movie that I watched with my friend the other day. She cringed, and I am sure the other movie-goers would have loved to popcorn me as I proceeded to tell her all about the lack of anesthesia and other details of the painting.

The question comes up also... what are you planning for your birthday, or what did you do for your birthday.... I get to smile at this as well as I imagine us eating elephant apples at the zoo and celebrating in Cologne.

I have a healthy respect for anyone who has been out of the country and now I get to have that luxury as well. I think that everyone should spend sometime exploring outside of their comfort zone, even if it is not Germany. (though its my favorite recommendation!!!) Amerjca is great, theres no doubt about that.. but it is not the only amazing country. There's a whole world out there that few get to experience.

I know this seems like jumbled thoughts, but thats how I know that it has impacted me in such a way. It only takes the smallest thing to tip me into another Germany story, memory or photo. Thats how close to my heart this trip was. I want to thank Dr. Wasser and Stefanie for everything that they did for us. It has changed my life.

Carrying Memories

It is hard to believe sometimes that I had been to Europe and Germany. The day to day routines of College Station sunk in quick as the semester was underway only a couple days of returning to the states. I found the experiences memorable and when looking back, every single Euro or dollar invested was worth it.

I miss the country sorely as it was refreshing to break free from the norm and many aspects of my life that I never thought about, I view with a fresh perspective. Perhaps my favorite time in Germany was New Years Eve and the chance to experience such a celebration. On the other hand of the spectrum, the most moving time in Germany was Dachau. Europe is old, steeped in known history and civilization. Everywhere you go there is relics and monuments, standing in silent testimony of a story. Texas, while it has history, it is short and brief, as the days before European settlement are forever lost to us. It was also an eye opener to see another cultures strengths and weaknesses. Reading a newspaper or watching the news, other countries seem to never have the problems our society does. Germany would seem to be untouched by poverty, illegal immigration, healthcare issues, etc. We found out that this is not true, in fact they face many of the same issues our country faces along with some that are unique to them.

It is hard to describe the experience of throwing yourself out into the unknown and just taking it all in. Everytime I am asked how my trip is, I am at a loss of words. Every response I have given rings a bit hallow to my ears as I feel it does not tell the whole story.

I still look at the pictures and occasionally find myself rolling a souveneir in my hands lost in thought. It is my dream and plan to one day go back to Germany and Europe. There are still many places to go and see. The brief time spent in Germany is nowhere near enough to grasp everything that they have to offer. Until then, I will carry my memories with me.

I'll attempt to sum it up

My trip to Germany was… For me to be able to complete that sentence and not have a ridiculously big run on sentence, would be impossible. When people have asked me what I thought about the trip I never give them an answer I just start describing program excursions and discussions with Dr. Wasser. This is because the study abroad program wasn’t just a class. It was a total immersion experience where we would read something in the book or see it in our lecture and the next day we were right there where history was made. In that atmosphere the learning that was going on was not the least bit bland. There was always something to do. I guess I’ll just let you know about some of my favorite program excursions and how I’ve changed my perceptions because of them.

One of the most exciting days in the trip was the very first day. Just realizing and soaking in the ambience when we walked through the altstadt that night was so great. That night’s feeling was kept in tune with the rest of my experience in that the atmosphere at Germans restaurants is “stay and have some more”. I never felt rushed and could actually sit and enjoy a big meal or just drinks. Even in the United States if young adults around my age or younger go into a restaurant just for drinks they waiters always rush you your bill. Having been a waiter my self I learned that if you had the bill ready and had a high turnover rate of “clients” then you were being a good waiter. So my perceptions about Germany long before I signed up for this program were that they were very ordered, mechanical and systematic and that even a leisure activity like eating out would be streamlined into efficiency. Now it was true that I did see this idea of “ordenum muss sein” (“order must be”, I think), but not when it came to leisure. Now of course a good German still doesn’t stay at the bar all night and like a rampant drunken fool.

Some more great deal of information that I learned was into the Nazi ideology. When I studied World War 2 in grade school all we ever learned was that you better not be racist cause other people might catch on to your idea and that’s basically what the holocaust was. Well from the lectures I did see some of that evidence in that almost every Nazi in an officer position or doctor position claimed that they were just following orders from the generals and administrators. This was a valid argument but I still felt that there was more to the holocaust than this. At the Max Planck institute excursion the historian made it very clear that Germany was the beacon of science at the time, but even the beacon of science and technology was perverted. He made a point of scientist who had gathered data and been told by colleagues that this idea of “rassenhygiene” was completely false and had no empirical data. Well going along with this Darwinian idea in order to not lose any credit, these German scientists kept turning out manufactured evidence supporting ideas like “all doctors are Jewish” and “the Jewish people causing sickness to the community’s health”. Some of these German scientist, (I’m excluding the insane ones) really just wanted to be the best in their field and get ahead and this was the way to do it. This is still a quality that holds true for modern Germans.

Overall my trip really served to clear up many misconceptions I had about Germany and its past. Now with a more expanded world view I hope to take this knowledge and apply it to my future in medicine, since everyday medicine has to become more global in treating diseases and collaborating international research.

I wish I could better describe it

Originally, I intended to get to this assignment as soon as possible once I arrived back in College Station, however, when I finally found the time to collect my thoughts, I couldn’t bring myself to sit down and do it. This task, though simple, seemed too daunting, and I didn’t believe that I could effectively describe the impact of the course and how it changed my opinions and perspectives. I tried to think of specific events to refer to stimulate a decent essay, yet, as I reflected back, my mind was still too flooded with all the information from the excursions and events in the program. Even now, my thoughts remain jumbled, and I find myself unable to accurately recall a defining moment.

Nevertheless, amidst all of my jumbled thoughts and memories, I noticed a few general themes that seem to grab my attention and memories which reflect the impact that the course had on my education and development. I began the course and trip with expectations of what I was going to learn, see, and do, but the trip far exceeded my expectations providing more of a cultural context for my personal experiences and opinions.

From the start, my expectations in the course began to change with our first day of lecture as I found myself captivated by the German culture and history. I had expected that my attention and interests would be much more focused in the medicine and its history, but I found the different regions, religions, alliances, and struggles of the individual peoples that now compose Germany captivated me more. The constant conflicts between the German people over faith, land, and power seemed to flow like a well rehearsed story, and, when we arrived in Germany, I reveled in the opportunity to see the all the historical landmarks and geographical backdrops on which the story had played out. The beautiful cathedrals, architecture, and monuments stood as constant reminders of a history which influenced the opinions of the people we were meeting and their attitudes towards society, government, history, and religion.

In these historical influence and cultural environment, the history of medicine we were learning about took a side note to a much larger cultural picture which I had lost sight of in my studies at home. For some in our group, this cultural and historical perspective may have been expected, and they may notice its underlining influences every day in our culture. However, as an engineer, this excursion served as an eye opener. For the first time in a while, I had the opportunity to look around and really observe the world taking my eyes away from a disciplined, focused workload of an engineer to mark something new and different. Furthermore, I really enjoyed the opportunity to observe medicine, history, and culture without the need to memorize facts, calculate results, or define specific conclusions, and I savored the chance to deviate from the engineering course focus and mindset required by my classes at A&M.

With our return to campus, this wider outlook provided by our course in Germany stuck with me and forced me to at times step back and take more notice of the global and cultural influences around me. Now, I no longer feel as absorbed by the world of engineering and medicine as I once did, and I have become a more rounded person because of it. Moreover, this new found perspective provides me with a nice breathe of fresh air offering me spare moments and thoughts away from numbers and science.

That being said, I am glad that I had the opportunity to meet everyone who went on the trip. I didn’t know what to expect at the start, but I enjoyed our time together in Germany. So, thanks everyone. You all helped to make the trip memorable.

Lastly, since I know that I read some of the last blogs from the summer group before us, a few comments for anyone who makes the trip in the summer or winter: 1) Have fun. Germany is a blast, and it will be one of the coolest experiences ever. 2) If you go in the winter, listen to what Dr. Wasser says about clothes because it is COLD. And finally, 3) if you have an Aggie ring, wear it, but make sure it fits. Trust me, nearly losing a $700 investment is not fun and is really quite depressing… actually losing it though would be even worse.

This is it...

Being in Germany during winter break was, hands down, one of the most memorable experiences of my life. It was a journey, to say the least, of twelve Texas A&M students, one professor, and an AIB coordinator. I can honestly say that before this trip, I had no confidence in myself as an Aggie. I never found myself fitting into any particular group and I held on closely to those very few people I found in College Station that were somewhat like me. After this trip, I can say that I have found something in common with every person on the trip. When we first began our orientation sessions with Dr. Wasser, I felt like the group was going to be unsociable but now I realize that we were all awkward with each other because we didn't know each other. It didn't take us very long to let the guards down and be ourselves with each other. I feel so much more independent than I ever have and I feel like I have so much more to do all over the world. I want to revisit Europe and find my own way using the EuroRail, I want to ride the public transportation all over the cities just because I can, and most of all, I wish that in some way I could relive those two weeks in Germany.

Every time I am asked about Germany, I always respond with "It was the coolest experience of my life". I don't know how else to put it! I always tell people about the Heart and Diabetes Center in Bad Oeynhausen and how we got to see open heart surgeries. And we really got the SEE it, not see from an observatory above the operating room, we were IN the operating room. When I talk about it, I can always see the human heart pumping before my eyes, how could I ever forget that image. It is the most amazing thing I have ever seen in my life, so far. Another one of my favorites was TiHO in Hannover, another amazing experience. I will never be so "intimate" with a cow as I was that day and it was amazing how hospitable everyone was. Including the fraternity, who opened up their house to us at the end of the day. They probably remember us for reasons that we shall no longer mention back in the US but  we will always remember the Polish girl.  I wish we could have spent more time in Hannover in the medical and veterinary school environment, but our days were numbered towards the end of the trip. 

The visit to Dachau was breathtaking, literally. In the United States, we have Holocaust memorials and movies depicting it, but I got to walk through one in Germany. It was horrifying to think about all the abominable things that happened to the people in those camps. It was so repulsive that the front gates to the concentration camp said "work will set you free", when in reality it was just to instill false hope. When Dr. Wasser said the prayer in front of the Jewish memorial, I almost lost it.  I watched some of my peers tear up, and I'm the one that never shows emotion...but I couldn't help it here. 

I could have dealt without the snowy weather in Berlin, but it made me appreciate the weather in Munich. Also, I am definitely okay without having to pay for refills and for water...and still I only found one place that served "lye-tung-wasser" (phonetically spelled from Carrie's pocket dictionary, which really could never fit into a pocket). Surprisingly, after using public restrooms here, I wish that we did have to pay, just so it would be clean. But I do remember paying over $3 USD ( 1,40 EU) to use the bathrooms in the Hannover Hbf. Not pleasant to fork over that money, but they were the cleanest restrooms I have ever been in! Oh, and I got the chance to see the automatic toilet cleaner, which was awesome. 

I feel so lucky to have met everyone on this trip. Thanks to all of you who made my experience in Germany unforgettable. And thanks to Dr. Wasser and Steffi, because without them, I would not be avoiding physiology reading to type up my final blog...but really, without them, none of this would have been possible. I hope that everyone gets the chance to study abroad, and I know that I want to go again!

Today, Tomorrow, Yesterday...Hmmm...

Ok, so it's 2:35 in the morning, I worked really long today, went on a date/not really a date afterall, and folded clothes...Now I am suffering from trying to do it all....and then homework. Right, so in other words, I am up way too late, reminiscing about Germany! Haha! I wish I were still there. I wish I were still exploring the Berlin and Hannover streets as I jogged with Jessica and Andy, I wish I was BSing with Chyng right now-a good reason for some insomnia, I wish that Nancy, Courtney and I were still looking at all the graffiti on the Wall, I wish that Yao was still detailing my camera with me, I wish Julie and I were still talking about how in love she is with Rowdy, I wish that Dr. Wasser and I were exchanging commentary about singing and how amazing it is, I wish I were still talking with Michael about his plans in Med. school, I wish Pablo was here to give me his political opinion (because I'm seeming to fall behind with the media). I wish I was still explaining the constellations to Lacie (sober for a change maybe. Ha!). I wish there were a castle as beautiful as Prague's so that Brandon and Chyng and I could go explore it! And I really REALLY wish that I had a little Pocket Steffi to carry around with me! Ha!!! ENTEN MUTTER Por VIDA YO!!!
I wish I was in Germany. That's the only thing that I can think to write right now. I still need to write my HUGE blog, where I talk about the Pre's and the Post's of the trip. Dont worry...it is coming...I just need the right mind set to be able to let it out in font, described just as it deserves to be described...and not a detail less. I hope that all of my new friends are doing amazing! I'm keeping all of you in my thoughts! XOXO!

Maybe My Final Post

It’s been about 4 weeks now since I left from Germany and returned to classes at A and M. I miss the abundant museums. I miss the beautiful parks in the city. I can’t forget the palaces that I visited particularly those in Potsdam. I miss the freedom to walk and use the transportation system to anywhere I want. If there was only one city I could revisit in Germany, it would be most definitely be Berlin. The history there may not be as old as that in Cologne, but it certainly presents many more opportunities to explore German and European culture. I am glad that we spent a large proportion of our time in Berlin. I also learned a lot about socialized medicine when I was there and how our system compares. There are a few things that we have back home that Europe didn’t afford like free refills and water at restaurants. Also, we also have free public restrooms. However, those are the only things I found unpleasant in Germany. Even though I came back sick and my luggage got lost at the airport, I would gladly go through it again to visit Germany. Hopefully, next time I can visit in either spring or fall when the weather is not so cold. Oh and Germany was definitely more fun visiting in a group than alone. It would be nice to visit again with everyone!

Reflections

Geez, it feels like forever since I last touched this place. I has not even been a month since I last left Europe and things have already returned to the status quo at home. It's pretty relaxing at home, if not a little boring. I don't have to do too much save for the occasional request from family. I definitely don't have to deal with the school stuff the rest of my classmates are stressing over (:P).

Still, to be honest I kinda miss school. At least in school, I always had something to do. Also, now that I'm living at home again, I remembered why I wanted to go to A&M instead of UTD (for those of you who don't know, UTD stands for University of Texas at DALLAS). I WANTED FREEDOM!!! Yes, it's stifling in the Ma household.

I've been down lately as I finally stopped having dreams where I'm in Germany. The past two weeks I would have them once in a while but now they've completely stopped. I also miss everyone. Poo.

I know I've said this before, but going abroad was one of the best things that ever happened to me. It makes me glad I'm going to China in a month. I feel that these experiences will serve to make me a better person as well as stir up some excitement over my normal routine. It's going to be glorious.

In the end, I wish to thank everyone on the trip for making it as awesome as it was. Special props to Dr. Wasser and Stephie. Without the two of you we could never have done this. Also, I plan on making a web site devoted to the trip. It'll be like a photo diary for myself, but I think I'll be able to let other people add their pictures on the site as well. Wait for it!

A Quickie

This is not my final blog, but I have some stress that I need to relieve! First of all, the first physiology test is on Wednesday, and I have test anxiety. Which is not that unusual, but I have it BAD this time. Another thing is, I'm lacking motivation. I'm graduating in May...that could be why.

I have to say, it was great to see everyone at the barbeque...except for Pablo and Brandon, who better have really good reasons for missing it. I'm still a tad behind on getting those DVD-Rs to someone to burn those pictures but I'll do it someday.

I MISS ALL OF YOU!!!!

I'm hoping to see EVERYONE at Fitzwilly's this Friday for the Johnny Cash Cover Band Show!!!

Das (Last Post)

I've been running around the past week trying to get about a million little things done that are stuck in my head. It seems the more efficient I become, the more things I find to do. I remember last Easter, I believe, me and my room-mate were aghast that Wal-Mart was CLOSED at 2AM. How DARE Wal Mart EVER close? We were dying for some peeps, and were disgusted that the massive consumerism in our culture had failed us. Now, I realize, how very lucky we are to have so many commodities available to us ALL the time. Now that I'm back in my high-waste lifestyle, I realize how much healthier Internet Cafe's and fresh air were for me. One of the major reasons I went to Germany is because I get so sick of the sameness all around me. I needed something different, something to give me motivation later in life. I realize that I have found that in Europe. Their culture is so real and accessible by musesums and galleries galore. Now I am so excited to one day return to Europe to catch all the things I missed. It's so amazing to go to my Art History class and actually recognize monuments or statues-because I saw them with my own two eyes. I was also, strangely, craving some mineralwasser with a hint of lime-something that I think I could find only in Germany! I have also become quite an expert on identifying German names. My Psych prof finds it amusing that I always ask if a psychologist was German, because I find something familiar in the name. In all, I have learned to become a more reserved person and say only things that I mean. If I am NOT glad to see somebody, then I keep my mouth shut! And most of all, I would like some gelato for a euro eighty from one of those markets in the baunhof!

One Final Post

Hello everyone!

I hope that ya'lls first few weeks of school have been going well... I've been so stressed out since returning to the US (I took the MCAT a little over a week ago)- it made me grateful for the almost completely carefree time we had in Germany. I would love to go on another trip like the one we had- I like to think of our time as an "intellectual vacation." We learned many things, saw many places, got to know one another in the setting of another culture... who could ask for anything more in a trip?

My favorite experience of the trip had to be the surgeries we had the opportunity to watch. Wow! It was so amazing to see, and an invaluable experience. Also, learning about the socialized medicine in Germany was quite eye-opening.

My least favorite experience of the trip would have to be the cold in general. I have decided that I absolutely loathe being cold and I pray that I never have to be that cold again. I missed being barefoot after a shower and when I was sleeping.

I would love to say that the German culture was so much different than ours, but it really wasn't. They listen to much of the same music, watch the same t.v. shows, and care about the same issues we do. However, they have a much more complex history than we do, and a sad history at that. We noticed while we were there that the German people as a whole are a little more abrasive and not quite as "cheery" as we are. I'm not sure that those two things are related, but they could be.

To sum it up, this trip has helped me develop culturally and spiritually. I met all of you amazing people. And I was able to see some of the most beautiful sights of my life. And all at the same time, it helped me realized that being a doctor is the profession that calls me.

Thanks to you all for an amazing trip. Thanks to Steffi for being awesome. And thank you Dr. Wasser for being a man of great intellect who care for your students- this trip would have been just a vacation without you.