Week One

First week in Germany and so far it's been amazing. Gelato is 1 euro, there are castles at every turn, and I am lucky enough to have a great group of friends to explore this country with. There have been a few bumps in the road, like forgetting when the trains stop running, getting on the wrong bus or not getting off the train at all but all in all its been an adventure.

It is different being somewhere that has so much history, it's different than being in the US which is a young country in comparison. Learning about the history and the people that lived here is one of the best things about being on this trip.

Living with a host family has also been an asset. Getting to know them means that I get a different view point to look through. It is refreshing to get to know their country through their views. Why they love it, what they wish was different, and what the US looks like to them. Germany and the United States are similar in the way that they are both Western civilizations, but the way that the people actually live has many differences. Walking everywhere, using public transportation, and being surrounded by multiple different languages is something that you don't experience in the US, especially in Texas.

Another thing that stands out as different is that in Europe you have the opportunity to hop on a train and be in a different country within hours. For the first weekend I was with a group that went to Switzerland. It was a short trip but I could not have imagined a better one. I almost regret going there first because it will be almost impossible to top. Interlaken was, without a doubt, the most beautiful, breath taking place that I have ever seen. I was in awe of where I was and the place that surrounded me.

For me, one of the most memorable moments on this trip was when we went to the lookout point on top of one of the mountains. We were there enjoying the view when a man at the table next to us asked us where we were from. His name was Michael, he was 88 years old and he was originally from Greece but moved to the United States when he was young. He talked to us about his life and his journey. He moved to the Unites States after he went there to visit when he was younger. He said that he immediately fell in love with the country and that there is no better country that one could possibly live in. Even so, he said that coming to Europe, to Switzerland was something that was important and that it was a good thing that we were here. He told us that we had a remarkable opportunity being in Europe and on this study abroad;  that he could tell every one of us was going to go on to do great and amazing things, and that he could tell because we were brave enough to step outside of our own, safe corner of the world.

"You may not know what it is yet, but when you go back there will be something from this trip that will change you. You will never be the same, and that is a good thing." - Michael