Arrival to Deutschland (12/27/12)

After the long flight to Frankfurt finally came to an end, half of the group (Ari, Monica, Leo, Austin, Connor, Cassie, and I) congregated outside where we got off the plane around 9:15am. It still did not sink in to me that I am finally in Germany! All of us then headed to baggage claim to collect our compact luggage. Afterwards, we were all figuring out how to get to the meeting point where the AIB director will collect us to head to Bonn. Finding the meeting point was not too challenging considering there was a group of us, but we arrived at the meeting point with 1.5 hours to spare so we decided to walk around the airport and “explore”. Although not much to see, the feeling of anxiousness rushed in me. I was so excited I decided to go through with this program. I do not think I would have traveled to Europe under any other circumstances. It is one of the best decisions I have made. I am so glad Ari talked me into doing this program. After walking around for a while, we decided to head back to the meeting point to see if the other group members have arrived. We met up with Samantha, Kaitlyn, and Patrick at the spot and we chilled for a little until the AIB director arrived. None of us knew who was picking us up but we were all anticipating to meet him/her. Not too long later, Suzanne arrived and introduced herself to everybody. The first impression I got from her was that she was very nice and friendly. It made me very glad to know that she was very approachable. We waited for a little more until the rest of our classmates to arrive and we met Aaron, Max, and Tyler. After all 13 of us are finally together, we got on the bus around 1:00pm and headed to Bonn. The ride was about one hour and 45 minutes, but I was very sleepy already. I suppose sleeping on the plane did not help with jetlag at all. I passed out on the bus as soon as the driver took off. Although not certain, I assume that the rest of the group also knocked out because it was super quiet on the bus. The next thing I know when I opened my eyes was that we are right in front of the AIB building in Bonn. It was an abrupt awakening and I did not even have time to collect myself. I literally felt like we got kicked off the bus and our luggage were thrown out. After all of us got our luggage, we hurried over to the Mercedes hotel because it was “raining”. Although not too far of a walk but it felt like it was so long because I was still shaken from the sudden wake. When we arrived to the hotel, it turns out that Ari and I got the top floor and we had to climb our way up with our luggage. It is not as bad as it sounds though because we got our awesome backpack luggage. Everybody only had until 4:00pm to meet back downstairs so we can head to the AIB building together. It was about 3:15pm when we got to our room but right when we settled in our room, I immediately seek for Internet. I needed wifi so bad because I needed to let the people at home know that I arrived safely. Due to that, I took a little longer to get ready and cause Ari and I to get downstairs late and got called out. It was embarrassing, but I sure learned my lesson. We all headed to AIB together and met up with Dr. Wasser. Both Suzanne and Dr Wasser gave us a brief run-through of what is going to happen for the next two days or so and handed us our folder with lots of good information. In addition, Suzanne gave each of us 17 Euros to spend for lunch for two days. Afterwards, they took us downstairs to make phone calls home. I only gave a call to Mami, but she was too busy for small talk so letting her know I arrived safely was pretty much the only thing I said. When everyone was done making calls home (which was not many of us), we headed out for dinner. As of now, I really do not remember what was the name of the restaurant and I really did not take many pictures either because I was so burned out by that time. We all pretty much order the same thing, but with different toppings. I did enjoy the food but partly because I was famished. However, I believe I would have survived with skipping dinner and just going to sleep. I really think I could have slept standing. I was really and super sleepy. Dinner could not finish any faster. When everyone was done and we were free to go back to the hotel and sleep, I could almost sing hallelujah if had the energy, but I did not. Walking back to the hotel was torture itself and I would have rolled back if I could. When Ari and I got back to the room around 9:00pm, I changed into my pajamas as fast as I could and I knocked out unconscious. If I had to use one word to describe the first day in Germany, it would be exhausting. Germany really took my breath away and I was exhausted. I really cannot find a better word to describe my day 1 – EXHAUSTING.

After the first few days I have been having a blast!! but it's also been very tiring. I got to administer some drugs to a patient with the anesthesiologist and manually breath for the person, We also go to go see a museum of anesthesiology which was very neat! What was really cool was seeing the museum about the history of Germany and then SS HQ in Cologne! It is ridiculous how humans could create such terrible living conditions and torture so many people. I have had such a great time and it's only been 4 days! I cant wait to see what other cities have to offer.Tonight we are going to check out the night life in Cologne, hopefully it is more happening than Bonn.

Pre-Departure Blog

As I try to fit the final bits and pieces into my confined suitcase, checking and double checking that I have everything: snow boots, plug adapter, winter hat, all the things never needed in Texas, I find myself thinking that in less than twenty four hours I will be hurtling across the Atlantic at nearly 600 mph. I just thumbed through a little German phrasebook my brother gave me for Christmas and realized again how little I know about the German language. I am very excited about the prospect of being immersed in an entirely new culture, and am slightly anxious to see how I fit in. I talked to a friend who lived abroad for many years in Indonesia and said that Western Europe is basically an extension of America culturally so I don’t think that there is that much to worry about. Most of all I am excited about all the history that I will be submerged in. Simply walking through Berlin will be fascinating and I only wish to get there sooner.

Germany Day 1

I know this is a little late but better late then never.  The realization that I was leaving for Germany did not set in until the night before we left on Christmas Day.  After traveling overseas once, I was not looking forward to the flight but I knew this trip was going to be a lot of fun.  Not actually knowing anyone going on the trip was exciting and nerve wracking. However by the few conversations on our Facebook group page, I knew this was going to be a fun group.

Pre-Departure Thoughts

Howdy! My name is Kitty and I am waiting to board on the plane to Germany now. I cannot believe I will be in another country in just a few hours. I am feeling very excited but anxious at the same time. The weather from yesterday kind of gave me a feeling of how it is going to be over there. I hope I packed warm enough clothes for the climate there. It was painful trying to fit everything in a tiny luggage, but I managed. I am boarding now. See you all in Germany! :)

Pre-Flight Thoughts

Howdy, I am Tyler Galownia, a junior Radiological Health Major. Ever since freshman year I have wanted to go on this exact study abroad program, so when I finally was able to apply and get accepted I was over the moon with excitement. This feeling has yet to leave me, I have just completed my packing, 6 hours before my plane takes off, I sure hope I didn't forget anything.
My expectations for this trip are very high, I plan on going in and trying everything that the German culture has to offer. I want to try all the food and drinks they have, and yes even buy a pair of those leather pants. I cant wait to get there! I have gotten a bit of nervous feelings from time to time, mainly because I have never been over seas before and will be without a cell phone or wifi.
Some of the things I think I will see are probably pretty skewed from media and stuff. For example When I land I half expect to see tons of beer bars. I doubt it will be like movies portray it but I don't know what else to expect. Well I'm off to go have my last american cheese burger, before leaving the country.
Thanks and Gig'em!

TLDR: I plan on eating everything in Germany. Link

Final pre-departure thoughts

Howdy, I am Kaitlyn Cortez and I am a senior animal science major. When I heard about this trip, I was beyond excited to apply and get accepted. Studying abroad has always been an interest of mine because I love to travel and try new things. I am so thankful for the opportunity to experience this adventure. The practice of medicine has always been an interest of mine, whether it's animal or human medicine. There are so many similarities between them. 

As far as feelings of nervousness or anxiety, those really haven't hit me yet.  I have been out of the country before so that is not really a fear for me, nor is becoming home sick. The only concerns I have are running into delays due to weather issues at the airport, and the language barrier. Also the only other concern I have is being able to see our bowl game, as I am a die hard fan and I love college football. 

I can't wait to get to Germany and meet up with everybody. I wish everyone safe travels! 

Thanks and Gig'em. 

Life Before Germany!

I am sitting here on Christmas day in my nice cozy bed with 17 hours until I board a plane to go to a different part of this planet. I am trying to think about how I feel without giving the typical emotions of a student who has never left the country (except for two cruises to Mexico). I have had so many contrasting feelings in this past month that I feel like it has caused a cancellation of emotions. I am anxious yet calm; excited yet scared; confused yet prepared. They tell you that you are suppose to have a roller-coaster of feelings when you study abroad...I am dreading the moment when it finally hits me that I am leaving for THREE WEEKS. Many people would say "yeah so what, three weeks is nothing compared to a semester," but three weeks can be both a very long and very short period of time. I have not flown since I was in 8th grade (7 years ago). Keeping this in mind I cannot fathom that in about 17 hours I will be on a 10-hour flight to Germany. I will have to deal with this side emotion tomorrow when I go through the loads of security and try to find my gate scrambling through the hustle and bustle that is what I can only imagine my inner mind would look like if I were to peek inside. I of course have the feeling that I have forgotten something and have lost everything that I have already packed without even rolling my suitcase out of my front door. I have been preparing for this trip for about four to five months now and cannot believe that the time has finally arrived that I have been so bravely and casually talking about to friends and family when this is anything but casual. I want to go to Europe and do all the right things, but I am starting to realize that I need to as the saying goes "go with the flow". I have been told the Germans are mean; the Germans are nice. I have been told not to do anything I would not do in the US. I have been told to keep my morals, but do not second-guess myself on new things. I have been told to be open-minded. I have been told the food is amazing. I have been told the Germans are blunt. I have been told stop worrying. I have been told to just take it all in. I have been told this is only an appetizer of Europe, and that I can always go back again. I have been told flying is not safe. I have been told Germany is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. But of all the things I have been told the one advice that keeps ringing in my ears is to let Europe engulf you and allow it to change you in the way it is suppose to. All the advice I have been given just makes me that much more grateful that I will be able to start forming my own opinions in 27 hours when I first arrive in Frankfurt, Germany!!!

Final Countdown

Howdy! My name is Cassie Stump (Cassandra has always seemed too formal in my opinion) and I am a Junior BIMS major at A&M (A-A-A-WHOOP!) with a double Psychology and Neuroscience minor. I have lived in Bryan, Texas almost all of my life and I can not wait for the change in scenery.

Christmas has been over for only a few hours and I still cannot believe that in less than a day from now I will be on the long flight to Germany. Ever since signing up for this trip back in the spring semester of 2012 I have felt that the date of December 26th has been one big countdown: 8 more months, 4 more months, 2 more weeks, 3 more days... It almost seemed this day would never come!

Throughout this time I've had a mix of feelings and expectations, alternating between those of excitement and others of anxiety. It has been a couple of years since I have taken a trip out of the country. In fact, I realize that the last trip I took over seas was to both Germany and Austria! I remember when I was there thinking how the city of Berlin looked so new and vibrant compared to the Berlin we were always taught about in school. I remember it being exciting to walk around the city and take in the many sights, such as the Jewish Museum, Unter den Linden, and the Holocaust Memorial. I recall the people as rather friendly and helpful, though one memory I hope to improve on this trip is that of their food (I have never been a big fan of sausage and pan-fried meat).

All of this, though, was during the summer months where temperatures were high enough to not consider a jacket. Having lived in south Texas all of my life, the idea of cold weather both intrigues me and worries me. The silly little questions keep popping up in my mind: How cold is it really going to be? What if I didn't pack right for the weather? I don't even know how many times I have repacked my bag to add or subtract articles of clothing that I have thought I may or may not need. Luckily I remember Germany (especially Berlin) having quite a few nice clothing stores!

These worries are all but forgotten when I think about New Years Eve. Just to see how German's celebrate the New Year is a reason to battle the temperature! And to be experiencing it along with our still unplanned weekend with my fellow Aggies makes it all the more exciting.

All this having been said, I should probably get some sleep for all the excitement to come. T-12 hours...

Howdy!

My name is Patrick McGrade I am a junior Biology major.  I have been looking forward to this trip for some time now and it is hard to believe it is finally here.  December 26th has felt like a day that would never get here.

I have always wanted to travel to Europe so I hope this trip will be the first of many for me.  I have been fortunate enough to travel abroad to central american on several medical mission trips but I have never been as far away as Germany.  I have to admit that I am dreading the flight there, I have a feeling I will be cramped in between two very large individuals that will not share the arm rests, but I am sure I will find a way to manage. I have done my best to avoid watching taken over the break to avoid freaking myself out about the trip as well. The only other issue I have run into is packing and how to fit everything in such a small space (something I am sure everyone else has experienced as well).

I think overal this will be a life changing experience and something that will stick with me and help with my global perspective on many issues. I cannot wait to check out all of the sites that we have planned to see and I hope to squeeze in some historical spots as often as possible as I am a bit of a history nerd.  I am also looking forward to enjoying many of the local customs and foods, I think everyone I have told about this trip as told me to be careful with the Germany beer.  I cannot wait to see everyone over in Germany and hope we all have a great time!

Auf wiedersehen, goodbye to the US of A!

 

To start off, I'd like to introduce myself. Howdy, I'm Austin Wang, a sophomore Biomedical Sciences and Psychology double major from Houston, Texas, but most importantly, I'm the loudest, proudest member of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of 2015! A-A-A-A-A! Just to clarify, I'm usually not that outgoing when I make introductions but that's not the point of this post.

In 2 days, we will be soaring over the Atlantic Ocean towards Germany. I'm extremely excited and nervous right now because I will finally get to meet everyone and experience German culture for myself. What makes me apprehensive of the coming days are the simple truths that I can't speak German and I have no idea if I'll be prepared for the frigid weather seeing that I grew up in Texas my whole life. Considering we are living and traveling from hotel to hotel and city to city, this will be a new and unique adventure for me (and for all of us, I think!). So just a bit about me. I have an identical twin brother, Aaron, who is also going on this trip. I'm an avid musician and I play principal oboe in the Texas A&M Wind Symphony; that's why I'm pumped about going to see the opera (I think it's L'Italiana in Algeri). 

I've been to Italy once right before my freshman year at A&M, so it's not my first time to Europe, but it'll be my first time officially studying abroad, so to speak. I guess that's why I'm not too worried about culture shock. I'm really looking forward to learning not just about how medicine developed in Europe, but how our world is now a highly integrated and dependent system. As technology improves, the world becomes a smaller place and as educated citizens, we have to acknowledge and respect differences in customs and cultures. I want this trip to be a way for me to look at the world from another perspective. As long as I can get over the weather and my inability to communicate, I think this will be an unforgettable study abroad trip. I know that we'll have a great time learning about Germany and how the field of medicine flourished in Europe; I'm also really excited about visiting the various destinations and all the famous landmarks that I've only read about in books. Alongside the excursions and tours, partying on New Year's Eve in Berlin will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience! 

Aside from all of that, I'm thrilled that we are about to depart and I look forward to meeting and getting to know each of you. Gig 'Em!

3 days to go

 
   It's December 23rd 2012 and for the first time in my life, I will read and contribute to a blog. A few weeks ago, I bought my first set of winter clothes ever. And in three days, I will leave the United States for the first time. I am surprised with all the new experiences I have already had because of this trip to Germany, and I cannot imagine how many more I will gain when I actually get off the plane in Frankfurt. Although I am anxious about all the travel, I am much more excited to be doing something different this winter.

   Currently I am in Tucson, Arizona visiting my family. Although its been fun, and I will miss spending new years with my parents, I am looking forward to having a new experience. I think my biggest concern about the trip is the weather. I was raised in the dessert, and as I write this, it's still 63 degrees outside. I have never been up north, and having to rely completely on other people's advice is difficult. It's not that I don't trust others, it's just that this is a new experience, and I have no idea on what to expect once I get there. My only other concern is in dealing with German people. This is mainly because I don't speak any German, and I am worried about running into some kind of emergency. Everyone who has gone tells me that it is not a problem because so many Germans speak English, but I won't be able to believe that until I experience it myself. Still though these concerns are definitely secondary to the excitement I feel.

   Maybe it's because I don't travel often, but I view this trip as an adventure and am really excited to get going. Even when I get to thinking about all that can go wrong I don't worry to much because, I feel like its going to be a good time. Anyway I look forward to meeting everyone in the next couple of days, and I hope everyone has safe travels.

The Waiting is Over!

It's hard to believe that in a few days I will be in Germany! As the departure date nears I am starting to feel a lot of mixed emotions. I am very excited to go on this new adventure. I am anxious to experience a different culture, see new things, and have what I hope will be the time of my life. However, I am also very scared for many reasons. I am afraid of being so far from home, missing my loved ones, and being out of my comfort zone. I'm scared of the drastic change in climate compared to what I've been used to my whole life, and I'm scared of feeling "lost in translation." Most of all I think I'm scared of being unprepared, especially not packing the right things! I hope that when I get to Germany all of my worries will go away and I will find myself having an amazing time.

I never imagined I would participate in a study abroad program but now I can't imagine a better way to experience Europe, and overseas in general, for the first time. Everything is planned out for us, all the excursions, hotels, and cultural experiences. All I have to do is show up! This seems a lot easier than having to plan a family vacation. I am looking forward to the course History of Medicine. My interest in the medical field made it that much easier to make the decision to take this course over all the other study abroad opportunities I saw in the past.

I'm excited to visit and learn about all of the historical places in Germany, to try a lot of new food (I love new food!), and to party all night on New Year's Eve!

Let the adventure begin. See you all in Germany! 

a little somethin' somethin' about me

 

HOWDY from Austin, Texas!

I am very excited to be posting my first blog...ever. I want to begin by telling everyone a little about myself. I am originally from Venezuela in south America and my family and I moved to the United States around ten years ago. I have lived in south Texas and College Station. I am a second year in Texas A&M pre-med Psychology major with a Business minor.

I have two brothers and two sisters and I am the fourth. I love all kinds of food, like to think I can easily adapt to changes (we'll see if that is true soon), love to play sports, love the outdoors, and like warm weather much more than cold.

I am very excited to get to know everyone of you personally and have a blast in Germany!

I have never been to Europe so I am feeling somewhat anxious but I think Dr. Wasser has advised us very well prior to take off. My dad studied in Germany when he was around my same age in Stuttgart for around three years and my ancestors from his side are from Germany too. Zingg is German as well. I wish it would be longer than three weeks already even though we are not even there yet! I hope to learn a lot, gain great friendships, and do something else abroad before I graduate.

THANKS & GIG' EM!

 

Pre-Deutschland Thoughts: Pre-Departure

 

Probably how I will be dressing for the most part. With a few more layers of course.

Howdy! My name is Aaron Wang, a sophomore Biomedical Sciences major pursuing a double minor in English and Genetics. I am from Clear Lake City in Houston, Texas and have lived there since birth. I am currently on a pre-med track and plan to attend medical school after I graduate in 2015. I have an identical twin going on this trip as well but since he got a hair cut, I hope we are not going to be too hard to tell apart. I am pretty excited about this trip and am looking forward to meeting all of you guys!

So unlike my typical procrastination habits, where I often end up blitzkrieg-ing myself pretty badly, I decided to write my pre-departure thoughts not the moment before the flight took off but rather few days before so I hope I am not being a prick by getting this done this early. So anyway, I was first interested in this study abroad opportunity a little over a year ago and has the time flown right by. In a few days, granted the global apocalypse does not occur on tomorrow on December 21^st 2012, I should be boarding a plane for Germany with a connecting flight in Amsterdam and it is definitely something I am looking forward too since this is also my first time traveling to Europe. So I am pretty excited about this whole thing and I know this is said quite often for something like this but it seems kind of unreal.

As part of something I am looking forward to, several questions regarding this experience-to-be come to mind. Is Germany going to be like what I picture in my mind? Is it going to be as cold, dreary, and snowy as it was made out to be? Will there be wiener dogs everywhere? Will chocolate and beer be in as much abundance as water? Regardless, like every stereotype in existence, there is a degree of truth to them but the truth is usually at least slightly tamer than what the stereotype suggests. I can look at pictures or videos on the web but that only show part of the story about what something really is.

In terms of the German language, I will be honest. There have been moments during the trip orientations where I have had to stifle a small laugh or giggle when I heard Dr. Wasser say some incredibly sounding German word or phrase. German is a complex Indo-European language ranging from its seemingly arbitrary gender assignments to its overwhelming conjugations and sounds. Though I will not have the time during or before this trip to learn German to a highly usable level, I hope it will be something that I will have an increasing level of appreciation and understanding for. I expect this trip to be a fun, albeit educational in terms of German medical history and culture, which is a good thing. 

Another thing to note is that I do expect to see how German or European medical practices differ from those in America. I understand that with socialized healthcare, taxpayers receive close to free medical coverage due to high taxes, but overall, healthcare is more accessible to those who need to it most. In America, we have a system of healthcare that is non-government run and as a result, far more expensive than the system that exists in countries with socialized healthcare. I wonder if there will be any discernible difference in level of care or even how they train their physicians and veterinarians and they are things I am looking forward to seeing for myself as much as I can. 
 
As for the excursions, museums, and such, those should probably be interesting but I will wait and see till I get to those places to experience the history, culture, knowledge that awaits at those places. 

Regardless of my expectations of this trip, I am looking forward to spending an amazing time in Germany where I will be exposed to not only the bitter cold but also the history and culture that made Germany the place it is today. I am trying to dump any stereotypes I may have of Germany that I have acquired by simply being an American. As soon as I land, I should forget about the ten-gallon pitcher of beer, the crazy-looking pants, the fat-lady with the Viking helmet at the opera, and the number of other German things that come to mind. I hope to redefine my image of Germany on this trip and experience a culture and society that will expand my cultural horizons in addition to increasing my knowledge about the history of medicine in Europe. It is easy and done far too often to have judgments about things looking from the outside in but I have heard things appear differently looking from the inside out so I am waiting for that opportunity on December 26^th 2012 to climb onto the other side of that window and see the view from the inside myself.