Fond Memories

Since we returned from our adventures in Germany, life has become almost a literal whirlwind of activity. It is only looking back now at our time in Germany from this seemingly vast time difference that I can truly appreciate what our time in Germany meant. From the whooshing of the subways and the trains to the monotonous sound of our many feet pounding the pavement, the experiences are forever etched in my memories. There were a few key impressions though that have stuck with me more than any others. The culture of Germany was a wonder to behold. On a previous study abroad, I visited a bevy of cities in Italy and experienced many different cultures there, from small towns to the big international cities, we were able to experience a different way of life. This trip was at once both the same and different. Many people likely travel across Europe expecting the cultures to all be the same because they are all, well, European. But this is simply not true. The cultures share many similarities, true, but they differ so much more in their differences. One interesting note that I had not considered before but now feel like I have a growing understanding of is the effect of WWII on the German identity. It is of interesting note that the Germans are one of the few Western European powers that have not been at the forefront of the current turmoil in Libya. I feel that this can be traced in part to WWII. The German people feel such remorse for their ancestors actions and at the same time feel such fear and worry for the international views of their current actions that it is impressive to note how powerful those few years were. As much as the Germans are affected by WWII it is also interesting to note how similar teenagers are nowadays. The Internet has produced the beginnings of a truely global culture, one were commonalities exist around the world and, if it was not for language barriers that still exist, people are able to easily and instantly communicate with anybody anywhere. The clothing that the Germans teens wear, the music that they listen to, is so similar to the culture of teenagers here and in Italy that it is more to say they are similar to a global culture rather than an American or Italian. Just to see how different German culture is and yet how similar German culture is was a wonderful experience. On the more medical side, this trip was interesting not just for the historical aspects but for the future of medicine as well. Discussing with the German medical school leaders and students about the medical system and medical education in Germany and Austria was incredible and only served to provide more food for thought as we debate on the current health care changes in the US. The way in which surgeries are performed are so much more impressive and educational when you are in an operating room watching the surgeon place a new heart valve or even a new heart than when you listen in a lecture hall to someone telling you about the surgery. For that, those trips to the hospitals were invaluable. The trips to the current medical technology were impressive as well. What I came out with most from those trips was the incredible integration that these companies must have to survive. Otto Bock not only produces medical equipment, it produces the raw materials that are necessary for its equipment, the technical training necessary to test and fit its equipment and the personnel needed to fix and maintain its equipment. It truly is a microcosm of the way in which societies run. In order to be a part of this in a leadership capacity, one must have a thourough understanding not just of the technical details or the manufacturing process but also of sociology and of anthropology because that is what these companies are; they are mini societies. The trip to Otto Bock was intrumental in showcasing this. Alas, all good things must come to an end and unfortunately our ending came to quickly. I wish all sophomores that have an opportunity to travel back to Germany as part of the semester study abroad good luck and I cannot wait until I have another chance to experience that culture again! Many thanks to all of the people involved in making this trip such a success, from Dr. Wasser and Nils all the way to the study abroad office, and especially the fifteen of us that put on such a good show.