6 Days in Germany....

The process of traveling from Dallas to Germany was rocky. My flight out of DFW was delayed for 2 hours due to some hydraulic pump issues (which were never fixed!!), causing me to miss my connecting flight from London to Cologne. While we waited for the next flight, we found some fellow travelers. Well, the plane we were supposed to take in London was "unfit for flight" so we were forced to wait and take a plane to Duesseldorf, which kept being delayed due to bad weather. Finally after hours of delay we made it to Duesseldorf, Germany. This was very exciting because although it was the wrong city it was the correct country :) We took a taxi from the airport to our host families in Bonn. This was pretty fun because we were on the autobahn....NO SPEED LIMIT!

My first day in Bonn was pretty interesting. Olaf took us on a short walking tour around the main part of the city. We got German cell phones, had a 4^th of July BBQ for us and our host families, and attended a music festival called Rhine Kultur. On Sunday, I went to the Gay Pride Parade in Cologne, which was very cool.

Our first week of class and activities was very eventful. We had a tour of Bonn, 2 Germany lessons, a rooftop tour of the Cologne Cathedral, and a tour of an old Gestapo Prison. The Cologne Cathedral is beautiful. The architecture is so intricate and detailed with every statue being different. We also got to see the extensive anatomical collection at the University in Cologne.

Can't wait to see what happens this weekend in Amsterdam!! It's going to be unforgettable.

The BEE STING to the NECK

Well... blogs are supposed to be about program stuff so I will first talk about the amaying first week I've had so far before I go into the awkward and not so funny moments. And please mind my spelling...I donät know how to do the spell check on this computer because I'm just typing in the blog box rather than on Word.

Probably the most memorable moment of the week was the Cathedral in Köln. It was truly an amaying architectual achievement by man. I say this because it never really looked real to me. It looked like a picture from up close and far away. I've seen Notre Dame in Paris and even that paled in comparison to this massive cathedral which I learned (from the very exclusive tour that needs to be booked one year in advanced) has the largest free swinging bell of any cathedral in the world! The name of the bell is St. Peter and weighs 23 tons!! I couldn't believe that when I heard her say how much a single bell weighed! It only rings one day a year and that is on Easter Sunday. Steffi, my host mother has been great as a host mother. Dinner has always been very good and today we had a really German dinner with some big potatos and vegetables with some fish. I don't know if fish is really Germanesque but the potatos and other parts of the meal certainly were.

We also went on a scavenger hunt with the group which turned out to be more fun than I thought it was going to be because it required that we actually interact with the Bonn denizens. We also found out a lot about Bonn and learned how to navigate the city.

Ok now to the awkward stuff. I am known in my group as being the expert navigator because I find my way around the city so well... ;). Well, today for some reason people got the idea to follow me from the AIB to the Bonn Central Station. I was showing some people my wine cork trick and lost track of time and it seemed to me that we had been on the bus for a while so I got off on the stop I believed to be the one at the station.
It turned out to be a stop too early and everybody got on my case about it!!! During the yelling at me a bee decided to punish me too and it stabbed me in the neck with it's stinger! It really surprised me. Shyanie pulled out the stinger and we continued on with our day...good times in Germany :)

End of First Week

It has already almost been a week since I have been here in Bonn. I know this trip is going to go by fast, so I am trying to enjoy it as much as I possibly can! Tomorrow some of us are leaving for Amsterdam. After a little scare at the train station, mainly due to a language barrier, the ten of us booked a reservation on the train. Personally, I never believed that lady behind the counter who said the five or six trains from Köln to Amsterdam tomorrow were all booked.

Anyways, I met a nice old lady at the train stop today who liked to talk but once she found out I was from Texas, automatically brought up the Bush family. I thought that was a little weird, but understandable, now I guess Texas will always bring up an immediate negative image because of Bush, at least in Europe. This place is just a little too liberal for me, I don´t mind their ideas, they just really enjoy bashing anything conservative....

And.... I ate a schnitzel sandwich today! It was kind of like chicken fried steak, but pork.

Did we get off too early again?

The first week of AIB is coming to an end and I have had such a great time packed into it that I cannot even imagine what these next few weeks will have to offer as well. The rooftop tour of the cathedral was absolutely incredible and one of the best experiences of my life. I love old and grand things like that. It would be my luck though that just as we were getting ready to go to the best place my camera dies, some people said that they would send me pictures of while we were at the top so I dont feel as bad anymore.

Perhaps the one of the best parts of this trip is whenever we get lost, or when Alex gets us lost should I say, which tends to happen often. It's really funny because by now we know our way around town for the most part, yet we still manage to get off a stop early or get lost trying to find a place to eat every now and then.

I am very excited for this coming weekend in Amsterdam. There are many things I would like to see in this city, such as Anne Frank's house and the Heineken experience, because I have heard that both those things are a great experience to do. I believe the plan tomorrow is leave Köln around 3 and arrive in amsterdam around 5:30, however once we are their we will have no idea where to go to find our hostel or how to get around, but this is normal for us I believe and its nothing to worry about yet, not until we are stranded at 4 in the morning somewhere in Amsterdam, then we can start to worry. I will look at the glass half full and say that that will not happen though, but even if it does this is going to be a trip that we will not soon forget.

Tschüsse

Roger

Thou Shalt Want

Much energy is spent by a great lot of people in studying and considering the ways in which people interact with each other. Self-help books filled with the perspectives of those who claim the secret to getting along with your fellows line the shelves of Barnes-a-Million for purchase by those who wish to reap the successes that come with the understanding and practice of the principles between their covers. Careers are built often on the basis of nothing else than ones ability to communicate with others; the ability to influence others to want as you want.

It doesn't take a scholar to observe and interpret the actions of people within a group as they try to communicate their wishes and fears to each other; to see their motives and agendas and the different means by which they attempt to fulfill them. Even when people are doing different things or want different things, they are doing it for essentially the same reason: they want to.

Basically, people act out of self-interest. Why else would people spend so much to come to Germany if it was not something they genuine wanted or thought they wanted to do. There are things we want to do and see, and things we want less to do and see. Naturally, we are compelled to follow the necessary steps to get what we want.

There are fifteen of us. That means fifteen different wants and fifteen different steps to getting them.

Everyone is attempting to do the same thing. Some follow; others lead. Many suggest; several coerce. Acquiescence and subordination have the same motivations, even if they have different results. Everyone wants to be part of the group. That's the whole point of the trip as far as I'm concerned. But it could also be said that everyone just wants a group. We do what we can to stay with or around or related to the group, because we want to. At the same time, we try to fit all of those things we've seen in our favorite travel brochures, our personal priorities for what to do and where to go, into the plans of the group.

It makes for laughing and head-shaking and eye-rolling and ranting and raving and hugs and picture-taking. A constant to and fro of emotional flotsam and jetsam that, when looked at from a distance, becomes innocent and amusing, despite being wholly selfish (punctuation?). It's how we've been programmed to behave, though it's easy not to notice that it's even happening. For all I know, I only observe as I want to observe, and none of this actually means anything. But wouldn't that actually serve to prove my point?

Either way, it's four-thirty, and I have a paper to write.

Ich spreche nur ein wenig Deutsch.

My experiences here in Bonn have already amounted to much more than I expected. My flight in was successful and I was relieved that I was able to make it to Bonn safe and all on my own. I have had time to get to know my host mom, Eva, since she and I are the only two in the house. She is very sweet and has made many delicious meals for me already. I have actually been writing the ingredients and methods down because they are so good! We love to talk and tell stories and when she doesn't know the translation for a word to english, I am usually able to figure out what she is saying and give her the correct word. She has also tried teaching me some german, which I like. She treats me like her own daughter and I think everyone agrees that I have one of the best host homes ever :)

I have enjoyed the first two days at the AIB because they have been a nice introduction to both the city of Bonn and German culture in general. The lectures, tours and german language class made it easier to get around Bonn and to understand why we are here in Germany for a course in medicine. Just being in a place with so much history has been unbelievable. The lectures, like the one today with Mr. Zinnikus, have much more meaning when they are given by those that are truly passionate and knowledgeable about the topic. I am amazed at how the things we are learning about took place either here in Bonn or in Germany where we can walk the streets and see the buildings that were here years ago. I really enjoyed the Scavenger Hunt around Bonn today and was amazed at how well we were able to get around the city after only being here for a few days. We were even able to make requests in german! I felt more comfortable speaking german today than any other day.

The other students in the program are all amazing! We get along so well and have had a great time getting to know one another. When everyone is together all we can do is laugh and tell story after story. It feels like we have been here for such a long time because of how many stories we are able to come up with. I cannot wait for what's to come.

Cheers!
Brittany

First few days in Germany

My first few days in Germany have been exciting. I am enjoying it even more than I thought I would. The trip here was much longer than I would have liked. I felt so gross when we finally arrived at the AIB in Bonn. Luckily I didn't have to wait long for my host mom and sister to pick me up. At first I was worried when the daughter refused to speak English. She soon started to speak to me and bonded some over music. My host mother, Ingrid, is one of the nicest people. She is always cheerful and eager to answer any question I may have. It is fun to compare cultures and learn more about each other. She also is a very good cook but I have yet to have German food. I don't think I could ask for a better arrangement here.
I have really enjoyed walking around the city. When it isn't raining the weather is amazing! Everything is also so beautiful. I was worried at first about taking public transportation but I now love it. I would say the one thing I don't like is that Germans don't smile or say hello when passing each other on the street. I said hallo to one person while wondering around Tannensbush and he stopped me I think to ask if he knew me. I like our tradition in Texas. Its really hard not to say hallo when walking to my tram stop!
Even though we have only completed our second day of the program I have really enjoyed it. Everyone at AIB is extremely friendly. I really enjoyed the lecture on 20 century history from the perspective of a German. The scavenger hunt today was a lot of fun. I enjoyed walking around the city talking to some of the natives and learning more about the places we pass each day. I also think it made me more comfortable going up to people and trying to communicate. Germans really do speak English really well!
I look forward to enjoying more of this wonderful country!
-Laura

Germany so far...

So, I have arrived in Germany without any problems. I didn´t get lost in the airports and I have all my luggage!
My host family, Peter and Maria, is very nice. They have been working with the AIB host program for 7 years so they are use to students and really make me feel at home. This weekend we all went for a bike ride along the Rhine (they have a double bike they like to use) and then we walked up a hill to some old castle ruins. Peter likes sweets alot and I think I have had ice cream every day...which i dont mind so much, its really good!

Today we did a savenger hunt around the city of Bonn. Our German lesson from the day before came in handy for this. Starting a conversation off with 'entschuldigung' rather than just running up to them and asking 'hey do you speak english?' tended to make the german people more willing to help. But all-in-all every one was very nice and helped when they could.

Tomorrow we will be going to Köln to have a roof-top tour of its cathedral. I´m excited!

First Bonn Post

I have been in Bonn for a total four days now and it has been amazing! I arrived by train where my host sister, Suzi, picked me up since my host mom was out of town. After I unpacked, she brought me back into town and gave me a short tour of the towncenter, university, and the biergarten!! My family lives right on the edge of the town of Bornheim, so I am surrounded by cool little farms and ranches that even have llamas and camels! The next day, I met my host mother, Dana, who is British but has lived here for over 30 years. So far, we have gotten along great!

As for the actual program, our classes started yesterday and have included German history lessons, German language class, a visit to the Museum König, and an interesting scavenger hunt today! Probably the most interesting thing I learned from the 20th century history class today was his perspective of the aftermath since WWII. He said he was proud that students like us were so interested in Germany and learning more about its culture, which proves much progress has occured here in the past 60 years.

Oh yeah, I had my first döner today. I have found my newest cheap German-Turkish fast food!!

The Week Up to Now

So I finally made it to Germany this week and I am having a blast, but I think that the travel arrangements should definitely be noted because they are a story to tell. So the day of my flight from Dallas to London, everything started like a normal plane ride would. The flight was going well until the lights went out in the cabin of the plane, and the captain came over the speaker telling us that we would need to make an emergency landing at the Chicago O' Hare airport. Then, when we were landing, there was some sort of fire the started on the tire. I know that this sounds ridiculous, but I seriously can't make this stuff up. Anyways we had to be evacuated and stuff which delayed like 4 hrs in the states before I could get to London, where I had to wait another insane amount of time. Then when I finally made it to Bonn, my luggage was missing (which I thankfully got the next day). So all in all the trip just getting here was out of control!

Now that I finally made it, in one piece and settled in to my host room, I am having a blast. My host mom, Ms. Rosa Hemmers, is really a neat lady and I am having a fun time getting to know about both her life and the German culture in general. It seems like every time that we have dinner or just talk at the house I learn something new. When I am not at the house, the other people on the trip seem to get together in the streets, and we can always find something fun to do. We always seem to be laughing about something.

Anyways, the lecture today from Mr. Zinnikus was very interesting, and he brought a whole new perspective to the German history that I know. He seemed very dedicated to the history and I think that his passion for the material made things much more interesting for me. Also the Darwin exhibit was pretty neat today, aside from all of the German texts. I liked the displays with all of the animals and such that he researched, and I think that he has published and researched many important topics that we can still learn from today. Overall, I thought that the exhibit was very interesting. Well hopefully the following days and weeks are as fun and adventuresome as these few days have been.

Matt

The Long Road Here

My first week in Germany has gone splendid so far. Getting here was a bit of an issue though. Let me explain. The plan was to fly from Houston to Washington D.C. to London to Cologne-Bonn airport. This is not how it unfolded however. Getting to London was alright, just a one hour delay on the runway in D.C. but London was a different story. Our 3:00 flight to Cologne was cancelled because the "aircraft was unfit for flight" so we got put on a plane to Duesseldorf. This plane was delayed for a total of another 5 or 6 hours. Leaving Shyanie, Sarah, Matt, and myself in the London airport for a grand total of around 10 hours. Finally arriving in the airport in Duesselforf at midnight that night, we then had to take a taxi to Bonn. My first experience on the Autobahn was intense. The taxi driver was going around 110 mph which is the fastest I have ever gone in a car before. All in all I arrived at my host house at 2:30 in the morning after the longest, yet still great, day of my life!

My host family is absolutely amazing! They are some of the nicest and most welcoming people that I have ever met in my life and I am very happy to be living there for the next few weeks. They have actually been to more states in the U.S.A. than I have (more than 20 states!) My host dad is actually in a hobby band and he likes to sit around and play the guitar and banjo. It's really cool! He actually restrung one of his old guitars so that it would be left handed so I can play it with him. 

Roger

I wish I understood more German...

Thus far in Bonn I've had a few minor adventures.

I live right in Bonn, which makes me very close to things, but I use the public transportation less than everyone else. I'm getting the hang of things pretty quickly, mainly because I have a weird knack for public transportation. On Sunday, Stephanie, Andrew, and I took the tram out into the countryside to this rock climbing place. The people there were so immensely helpful in explaining things. Although Andrew only had a little rock climbing experience and I had even less, Stephanie teaches at the A&M rock wall so they put her in charge of teaching Andrew and I what we needed to know. I had a lot of fun mainly because Stephanie and Andrew picked the easiest walls out for me. On the way back though I forgot to get my house keys out of Stephanie's backpack so I couldn't get into the house. Luckily Stephanie had only gone to the AIB, unluckily I got lost 3 times trying to find the AIB and had to call my host mother and tell her to go to dinner without me. I was worried that she was mad that she'd waited for me, she and some friends were going on a picnic, but I think she was just concerned.

Monday I made sure to be on time for dinner with my host mother, we chatted about the Museum König, a natural history museum in Bonn, and also about Konrad Lorenz a pioneering animal ethologist that Dr. Friend (my ethology prof.) is very enthusiastic about. It was fun because she told me a few interesting stories.

The German parliament first met in the Museum König and they hid all the taxidermied animals except the giraffe so in the pictures there are all these dignitaries and towering above them is this stuffed giraffe.

She also told me about this famous swan that imprinted on this boat (I think in Holland?) and so it would follow the tourist boat all around and got so sad when it was taken out of the water for the winter that they put it back in this special pond and tourists from all around the world would come to see the swan. It reminded me of The Trumpeter Swan this old E.B. White book my family listened to on tape when we were kids. In the story this swan cannot trumpet, but his father steals a brass trumpet for him and the swan spends some time bugeling for a summer camp and in a pond playing for a swan boat all in pursuit of this special lady swan who gets stuck in a zoo.

Today, Tuesday, we visited the Museum König to see a Darwin exhibit and we're supposed to write a couple paragraphs about one of the exhibits. The problem is that the exhibits explanations were all in German. Dr. Wasser and Stephie sorf of translated for us but it was a bit difficult and I'm one of those people who likes to read all the signs in an exhibit (this is why my mother and I were kicked out of two museums in Washington D.C. because they were closing and I was still reading the exhibit descriptions.) I can't help but feel that once again on this trip I would get more out of it if I understood more German. I think when I get home I'll endeavor to actually learn German, I've always preferred it to Spanish or French, I think German just sounds wonderful to listen to and maybe I'll have a German Expressionism movie binge while I'm at it.

Anyway This is already way too long so I'll end it here.

Tschüss!
Caitlin

Hallo from Bonn!

Guten Tag!

I have arrived in Bonn safely, and it has already been an adventure this far. There were no problems with the flight other than that Nicole and I didn't sleep at all. I was picked up from the AIB office by my host mother, Mrs. Hannelore Biermann. Mrs. Biermann is the nicest woman I've ever met. She's been a host mother with AIB for over ten years so she really knows how to make us feel comfortable in her home. The German home is not too different from my own. The only barrier is when it comes to language. Usually I just sit and listen when they have conversations...laugh when they laugh, agree when they agree...it seems to work.

I've felt very lost at times trying to make my way alone on the public transportation systems. I live farther away from Bonn than anyone, but in time, I think I'll get used to it. I love the group of people on the trip. We seem to laugh all the time and there's always someone to talk too. The program is also set up very nicely. It's structured enough to fill our day but it also gives us alot of free time.

So far, my favorite part of the program was hearing from Mr. Zannikus today about 20th century German history. I love learning about the history of WWII and he had a different perspective from anyone I've ever heard before. Probably, because he is German haha. He spoke very strong about his feelings when he has visited concentration camps. We will be doing this later in the trip and I'm really looking forward to the experience. Tomorrow, we head to Cologne to see it's famous cathedral. It should be a very fun day.

Other than that, I am very relaxed and content. We go out at night and try some German beer and have a good time. I feel very lucky and blessed that I am a part of this trip. Until next time!

Cheers!
Coral

`ich habe mich verlaufen

5-6-09
One of the hardest adjustments i've had, besides the lack of water fountains and the fact that beer is cheaper than water, is the transportation system. Figuring out where to get off the bus, which bus to ride, and everything was quite overwhelming the first couple days. But after getting on my bus heading in the wrong direction for about 20 minutes, I started to get the hang of it.

i found walking around the city to be very helpful. learning the street names or stop names has helped because learning where you are based solely on the stores around doesn't necessarily work here. there are at least two or three of every store!

All the times i just started walking and didn't really know where i was going have led me to on memorable adventures and fun times. on sunday, Caitlyn, Andrew, and I set out to find the rock climbing gym called Bronx Rocks. we knew the train number, the stop we had to get off at and the street names we needed to follow. With a hand drawn map and our packs on our back, we got off the train and found our selves in what looked like the middle of know where, but we saw the street name we needed and just started walking. After about 10-15 minutes of walking we found the place! It was so kool. They had indoor and outdoor rock climbing, bouldering, and slacklining. After lots of silly photos and climbing till we dropped, we headed back to town.

Rock on!
Stephanie

first week in germany!

so our first week in germany has been...pretty eventful to say the least. i really like everyone in the group! in the four days we've been here we already have too many inside jokes and laugh at absolutely everything. its amazing.

my host family is AWESOME!!!! My host dad's name is Ralf, host mom-Michi, host brothers- Dennis and Lucas. The house is really cute and very spacious and I really like my room. Its the perfect size for me. It also has a cool overhead window that keeps my room at the perfect temperature! I can even keep it open when it rains =)

today was our first day of the program! we had a historical tour of Bonn led by the head of the AIB. he's a funny guy and gave a good tour. the overhead view of the Rhine was pretty sweet. today we also had our first german lesson!! HAHA, it was so funny. the guttural sounds we have to make are ridiculously hard. all i can confidently say is, "sprechen sie english?" and "ish hiesse Shyanie." I need to start learning numbers..stat. i think the following german lessons will be a big help..and give me and everyone else a good laugh!!

tomorrow is our first time to visit Köln!! i'm pretty excited. we also have a scavenger hunt in Bonn in the afternoon. I hope we can do the hunt in teams...or i will end up in a different city most likely. (i have no idea where i'm going in town) TEAM RAISIN WILL PREVAIL! bahaha.

over and out,
S

Week one Blog 1

Well it is Monday of the first week of classes and so far Germany has been a blast! My host mother, Steffi, works for AIB and lives really close to the center of the city of Bonn so I feel really lucky to have been put with her. She is very nice and accomodating in everything that a foreign kid can expect in a new environment. On the weekend Steffi took me on the autobahn for the first time in my life and that was very exciting for me because of two things; the word 'autobahn' sounds really col and secondly because I've always heard about how fast and crazy it was growing up. We drove to Duesseldorf to meet up with her sister-in-law and ate a very good lunch over there. We saw the famous Gary Buildings also, designed by an American architect if I do believe.

As far as Bonn goes, the first night out in the city by myself couldn't have gone much worse. I got extremely lost all by myself after the concert and both my american phone and the cell phone AIB gave me were about to run out of battery! I finally conceded into calling a taxi, but I didn't know Steffi's adress and the taxi driver couldn't read the map because his eyesight wasn't very good! He assured me it was good for driving however! Finally, after the taxi driver pulled over and asked some Bonn denizens about the destination I needed to get to I made it safely home about two hours later. (Steffi's house is only five minutes from where I started my way home from the train station on foot).

Today was the first day of real classes and we went on a historical tour of Bonn and had a German Language class. We also had a history lesson with Dr. Wasser. All the diferent formats for the classes are engaging and fun and I like the switch-ups. So far, my favorite part of the trip has just been exploring the streets of Bonn. It doesn't get dark here until about 10 pm and walking around in the dusk the other night was really peaceful.

Long-Distance Blues

The blues I'm referring to are not at all related to my country of origin. No, I am actually talking about something more current. My host home, the only place in this entire country that I have taken a shower, is a full thirty minutes out of Bonn.

Maybe Olaf and J.Wass knew that I had experience with such mini-commutes, as I traveled similar distances throughout my primary and secondary schooling, and, thus, would be more equipped to handle the inconveniences associated with taking the early bus and while others were rolling out of bed.

Alas, the scars of such distances run deep. Many hours have been spent in transit. Many moments have I missed because I could not have arrived any sooner.

For me to enjoy this trip, however, I will have to look past the distances that have plagued my still-short life, and appreciate each moment that I am not, at the time, in transit.

Euro Trip 2009

It is crazy to think six months ago I decided to accompany Dr. Wasser to Germany this summer. Now it is only minutes before I leave for the airport. I’m either getting old fast or time has flown by. Preparing for the trip has been an experience all in its own but made comfortable by Dr. Wasser, Alisha, the Schrempp's, MY MOM and my fellow study abroaders. The facebook blog got a little out of control and it was anything but settling booking hostels on the "legit" websites provided.

Thinking about stepping foot in Europe brings about anxieties similar to my first day of junior high and an excitement that is new to me. I can't wait to eat some German food, sip on some wine with my host family, and learn and learn. I have had thoughts about returning with a new fashion sense, acquiring a liking for hot tea, or obtaining a new taste in music. All may be incorrect dispositions of a eurotrip but all I know is that I am ready for whatever is thrown my way.

Tomorrow, Here I Come!

When I first got into Europe two weeks ago, I faced my first of many fears, how to get from the airport to our hotel. Somehow, we had forgotten to ask for directions, and without a phone or map, my mother and I (mainly me) had to find our way through Rome. She kind of freaked out but I kept my cool, although I was hiding the fear inside. We eventually found our way through the subway system and the streets to our hotel. Another fear I had that was calmed was the language barrier, which I found to be no problem at all. Also figuring out the train system from one city to another at first seemed incredibly confusing but turned out to be a piece of cake.

Now I sit here in Munster, Germany, waiting out my last night before I meet my host family. I can honestly say this is the last worry I have. I know that they will gladly welcome me, but I have never stayed in a stranger's house for five weeks before!

I hope and know that I will learn a lot through Dr. Wasser and Olaf's program. I am excited to visit various German cities and medical practices. Perhaps even the most exciting part is going on weekend trips to other countries, without supervision! My two weeks with my mother have been a blast, but I am ready to experience Europe with kids my own age now!

Farewell and see ya'll tomorrow....

Can Somebody Pinch Me Please?

Tonight, as I sit here on the couch in my living room with my dogs fast asleep and my sister intently reading the seventh Harry Potter book to the dull roar of the Food Network on the television, I find myself finally realizing that this is one of the last nights that I will be spending in my bed (much less the entire North American continent) this half of the summer. It seems that right about now someone should pinch my arm and remind me that I am daydreaming about this long-awaited trip to Germany, but this time the prospect is knocking on my door.

Now, aside from the packing that has yet to be fully completed, I find myself thinking about both how I got to this moment and where I am planning on going from here. For starters, looking back I think I was literally the last person to sign up for this trip, and the fact that I only was able to go to the last pre-program meeting has not helped my anxieties about the process one bit. It is funny to think that one day Dr. Wasser mentioned to our class that there was an opening in the program, and then in the next few days I was signing and initialing the paperwork on the necessary dotted lines. I think that reality began its gradual descent when I purchased my plane ticket because I remember my dad telling me that there was no turning back now, but still to this day I can find myself wrapped in a daydream of walking in the streets of Bonn or hanging out at the Eiffel Tower.

It is hard for me to think that this trip is actually about to happen.

Looking ahead to what the trip will hold gives me a whole new meaning to the word ‘uncertainty’. Immersion into a new culture in this manner is definitely out of my comfort zone, but I am anxious for what is in store. I went to Europe once for a family vacation in Spain, but solo international travel is something that I am somewhat nervous to endeavor. One element of European travel that I have most assuredly not experienced is the rail system. With my Eurail pass in hand I will attempt to master the train system, but the timetables that are provided are overwhelming to say the least. Also, aside from the fact that we have made some correspondence, I am eager/nervous to meet my host mom and her 24 year old daughter. Aside from all of the uncertainty and anxiety about what is before me, I can find relief in the fact that the sights, sounds, friends, and experiences will greatly outweigh any worries I may have about this trip.

So as I sit here, contemplating packing my bags yet again, I can’t help but flood my mind with the images of beautiful countryside, historic architecture, priceless artwork, and unforgettable memories that wait on the far side of the Atlantic. Of all the things I want to be able to take from this trip, most of all I hope that I don’t take this experience for granted. I hope that each day will bring new adventures and new surprises, and that I will be able to appreciate them for all that they are. I cannot believe this incredible adventure is about to start!

Is this all really happening?

With only two more nights left to sleep in my own bed, I cant help but question myself as to the reality of this trip. For me this trip is something that I have always wondered what it would be like, but never thought I would have the opportunity to do. I have only been out of the United States once and that was to Mexico when I was 7 years old, so I don't really like to count that and I have never crossed an ocean. This fact adds to my anticipations/nervousness. Throughout this whole month of June I have been taking summer classes and volunteering in College Station, and though I knew I would soon be going on this trip I didn't think about it too much because the belief that it was actually going to happen hadn't set in yet (and to be honest I don't think it will until I am in Bonn). Even now, as I lay in bed typing this blog I cannot even picture myself on a plane crossing the Atlantic in less than 48 hours. That thought seems crazy to me.

Having the opportunity to come out of my comfort zone and experience a different culture is what I look forward to the most. I know there are so many things that I am not ready for and not being an experienced traveller I know I will hit not one, but many bumps in the road as I make my way around Europe. One nice relaxing factor is that my host family seems very friendly and welcoming. We have emailed back and forth a few times and they even emailed me the other day on my birthday to wish me a happy birthday and I thought that was really nice of them, because I know they didn't have to do that.

Overall, I am looking forward to the wonderful experience I have before me and will not take it for granted. I cannot wait to see the beautiful and historically important places that this trip will take us to. Oh, and the weekends are going to be amazing as well. So far I have booked hostels in Amsterdam and Prague, but will also be planning on going to Northern Italy and Paris. I know that this trip will provide me with the opportunity to meet wonderful people and make great friends and an experience that I won't soon forget.

Pre-Germany Jitters!

I am expecting a lot from this trip to Europe:adventure, excitment, but mostly amazing memories! Everyone keeps telling me to be safe and watch myself while I'm over there but all I can think about are the weekend trips and sight seeing-danger never crossed my mind. However, I am getting nervous-I don't see how I'm going to be able to fit everything into ONE small bag!

My host family seems really nice. We've e-mailed back and forth several times. They have two daughters, 20 and 16, which is going to be nice; since they are so close to our age they will be able to point us in the right direction for fun! My host "dad" is a polymer chemist so we've also talked about his job and how the business world differs in Germany from the US.

I can't wait to get there and learn more about everyone going on the trip. We're all going to have so much fun on the weekend trips that we take and hopefully make some great memories. I am most excited about going to Italy, because I have always wanted to see the Vatican City. Speaking of Italy, my aunt, who used to live in Europe, warned me that we should not sit down at any sandwich shops we may visit in Italy. They charge you TWICE as much if you "take a table" to eat-so if the locals are standing then we stand!

Europe here I come!

One week!

In one week I will be on the fourteen-hour journey to Bonn, Germany.  I’m extremely excited to finally get a chance to visit some of Europe.  I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. The only time I have been out of the country is when I went to Canada and later Mexico with my grandparents.  I know this trip will be an amazing, once in a lifetime experience.

 

There are many emotions that rush into my mind whenever I think about this trip.  I am extremely excited but at the same time I am nervous.  The aspect of this trip that worries me the most is being in a foreign country where I don’t know any of the language.  I am sure everything will be fine but it is scary to think I can’t communicate with people.  Luckily my host mum seems extremely welcoming and willing to try and help me learn some of the German language. I am very eager to learn from her. Secondly, I have never gone and lived with strangers before so this is an area of concern for me.  

 

I am extremely excited for the weekend trips. I have spoken to the other students on the trip and we have created a good plan.  Knowing a rough idea of what we will be doing over the weekends definitely helped settle some of my nerves.  I can’t wait to see places like Amsterdam, Prague, Northern Italy, and France. 

 

Over all I am excited.  I have finished getting everything I need for the trip.  I am in the process of packing.  It will be interesting trying to pack lightly but I am determined to make it happen. I can’t wait to get in Germany and start making memories with some fellow Aggies!

 

With My Knapsack on My Back

This morning, I woke up to the sound of my dogs chasing cars. This is characteristic of a typical neighborhood scene in the booming metropolis of Mauriceville, Tx. Mauriceville, Tx, if its name was not indication enough, is a small town. A very small town.

Eighteen years of Mauriceville can affect people in different ways. Many find comfort in the cozy familiarity that comes from knowing all of the local business owners by name. Others appreciate the absence of local taxes. Some people just can't imagine living anywhere that doesn't have a Baptist church on every street corner; a town with more than one four-way intersection.

My dad is from Long Island, New York. There has been much speculation as to how a man who was born in New England, educated in the Midwest, ended up in Southeast Texas. Although conspiracy has not been completely ruled out, coincidence is the currently accepted theory.

Whatever the case, being raised by an alien to the town in which I have spent my formative years is the only explanation I can produce as to why I do not fall into any of the categories I previously listed. My home was a shelter from Mauriceville, and in my home I grew to have a wide-eyed curiosity for the world outside that four-way intersection.

From weeks spent in Washington, D.C., roaming the halls of the Smithsonian, to hours of paddling at the Olympic white-water rafting facility in North Carolina, to thirteen dollars spent in the Philippines for six bootlegged movies that had yet to be released in the States, the world abroad has met my curiosity with some uniquely awesome experiences.

I leave for Bonn in a week and two days. The biggest difference between this trip and my previous ventures is my independence and, thus, my responsibility. I represent a country, a university, and the History of Medicine program. As I enjoy the people and the history and the culture and the food and so on, I will have remember my responsibility to be a suitable representative.

Danka schon und gute nacht,
Andrew Reimers

Does airport security confiscate knitting needles?

It's weird that as I approach this trip the above questions is one of the biggest on my mind. But I knit for a number of reasons including stress so more than anything else it indicates how nervous I am. Which I guess is probably weird, considering I've been out of the country/to Europe more than anyone except Dr. Wasser (I think) who is on this trip. The thing is though that as much as I love it, traveling outside of the U.S. scares me almost as much as librarians (who are scary as all else, seriously.)

This is all rooted in the fact that I hate being in situations where I am helpless to help myself, which pretty much sums up anytime I'm in a strange country where I don't speak the language and am doing things on my own. So my biggest goal of the whole trip is to be brave.

My original plan for weekends was to explore Germany with the friend I signed up for this trip with, but now that she's dropped the trip it looks like I'll be exploring Germany on my own. Luckily I'm starting slowly, with baby steps. The first weekend I will be traveling with a group, and the second I'll be meeting and staying with good friends. Thus in theory by the end of this trip I'll be as brave as my mother who moved to Alaska when she was 19 just for the adventure.

The second biggest concern in my mind right now is what to get my host family. I'm thinking about making a small scrapbook of A&M and Minnesota things, and perhaps also bringing a book and some wild rice with me. It's difficult thought because although I've corresponded with my host mother over email I don't know nearly enough about her to know what the perfect gift would be. I tend to put far more thought into gifts than anyone else I know.

Lastly, I'm grumpy because I cannot find my journal. Which sounds like something small but again I use my journal to de-stress and right now for a variety of reasons my stress level is sky high. I have the longest to-do list and exactly 1 week before and 4 days after Germany in which to complete it (if I delegate July 1st to packing that is.) I have exactly 13 days left with my family until my 4 months at school. Sometimes being so far out of state for school sucks.

But all of this I know will dissolve on my flight to Germany because more than anything else I'm excited, terrified and excited for this trip. I started reading through my high school European history notes again (because I think the book on German history we're supposed to have read by now is dry and boring) and I had honestly forgotten how freaking amazing Germany is, it's like almost everything important ever is tied to Germany and I'm so excited to be going somewhere with such a rich history where I can stand in Worms, Mainz, Nuremberg, Berlin, or the multitude of places I've only learned about before now.

I'm also ridiculously excited for class. I've always been a curious chld, and more than anything else my curiosity has made me pelt my mother or anyone who will listen with questions about medicine. I still have the Grey's Anatomy coloring book I learned from while homeschooled in Kindergarten because my mom said I wouldn't stop asking her weird questions like why people had noses.

Summing this up for all of you:
TL;DR: The only thing that can match my terror and worry about this trip, everything it entails and everything I still have to get done before hand, is the pure excitement I feel for all the possibility, good or bad, that this experience holds.

-Caitlin Vanasse

P.S. But seriously, I know they've never confiscated my bamboo circular needles, but they're a whole lot less threatening in appearance than my metal straight needles, so does anyone know if I need to transfer my knitting over before my flight?

I don't know if I can wait 9 more days...

9 days and counting...I can't believe it. It feels like yesterday that I was just signing up for this trip. I've been in College Station for the past month taking summer school and each day seems to drag on as I anticipate July 2nd. I haven't been out of the country in 6 years, so for one, I know I'm dreading the plane flight. All I remember from my last plane flight over seas was that I didn't sleep at all. Luckily, Mom's agreed to give me some sleep aids this time around.

I'm most excited about getting to take part in a completely different culture. I'm nervous about living with a host family, but from what I learned from them thus far, it will be amazing. However, I'm sure it will take some getting used to. My host family has a daughter my age and a male "friend" living with my host mother and their "granny." By mistake, I told my host mother that I've been working on my German (aka...audio CDs...I took three years of Spanish, so my German sounds ridiculous) and she was excited to tell me that granny didn't speak any English and she would be great practice for me. hahah I just hope I don't offend her by anything I say.

I'm also excited about seeing the different medical practices in different countries. I've always been interested in working over seas for a couple of years out of college, so I hope this gives me some clarity.

The weekend trips are also something I'm definitely looking forward too. My travel plans as of now consist of Italy, Switzerland, Prague, and more :). I know I'm going to be completely lost and helpless, but we'll all be together so it'll be okay. :) I'm looking forward to coming back with some ridiculous and hilarious stories.

Finally, I'm so excited to not have to worry about anything but the trip while I'm over there. I constantly have a to-do list of things to do right now and it's going to be so nice to completely forget about some of those things. I want to do everything I possibly can during this once in a lifetime trip!

I can't wait! See everyone in Bonn in a little over a week! :) :) :)

Europe, here I come!

After having traveled to Germany for my first time over Spring Break, I am extremely excited about visiting again. It was my first time to travel to Europe and I absolutely loved and enjoyed my week there. Because I traveled with my boyfriend to visit a friend of ours that was studying in Germany at the time, I am quite nervous about making this trip all on my own. My anxieties come from knowing how confusing and frightening airports can be, especially in other countries! I just want to get there with my luggage and without getting lost!

I imagine that I will truly enjoy being involved with the AIB program and being guided throughout this entire experience because I know that I will be provided with a schedule that will allow me to experience the most within the five weeks I am there. I am anxious to learn about Germany and its medical history while I am there surrounded by the culture. Seeing the buildings and visiting the places that are spoken about in books and during lectures makes the lessons dimensional and fun.

For our weekend travel, many of us have already planned out where we would like to go and what we could possibly do and I cannot wait because I have never visited any other country in Europe aside from Germany. At the end of each week I will be able to visit a new country and experience a different culture. It's like visiting the children's museum where they have a different country set-up in each room but the food on the tables will be real and the culture will be lively. I cannot wait to visit Italy! I have always had an interest in ancient italian art and am planning on visiting an art museum. Other travel plans include going to Switzerland, Prague, and France.

I have always been a very sheltered person; always shy, reserved, and dependent on others for the most part so I am proud of myself for taking this trip. I will get to know people that I don't, visit places that I haven't, and do things that I have never even thought of doing all without my comfort blanket. I have to say that I am having trouble fitting five weeks of my life in a small suitcase but it excites me to see just how little I can get by with when I typically take five bags just for a weekend trip home.

I have communicated with my host mother through email. She is actually retiring the day before I arrive! She told me that she has a daughter and that another student will be staying with us for half of the trip. However, her daughter will be studying in Spain the entire time we are there so, I will not be able to meet her. I guess that since neither of us will have our mother-daughter counterparts we can fill the voids and get along just great.

With just a little over a week until take-off, I am nervous, anxious, afraid, excited, and just a little overwhelmed but I know it will be amazing!

T minus 12 days...

I am both nervous and very excited to go to Germany. I have no idea what it will be like over there, and I am very unprepared! It just hit me that there is less than two weeks until we leave, and I can't beleive it's actually happening. I know that it will be an amazing experience once I'm over there, but I can't help but to get a little anxious before I get there.

I'm especially excited about touring the medical centers and seeing how healthcare works in another country. I really hope we get to see a few surgeries, but I really don't want to do anything stupid, like pass out! I also can't wait to go to the zoo! I have no idea what to expect from the city, I've seen pictures and tried to find some fun places, but I think I won't really know until we get there and get out into the city. We get there on my birthday, so I'm hoping that we can get to know some of the nightlife in Germany starting the third!

I'm really nervous about being in a completely strange city, on a different continent, without my parents. This has never happened before and it's pretty crazy! I'm really excited about meeting my host family, and I wish I could say that they've kindof helped ease some of my anxiety. But they haven't responded to my emails! I emailed them the second I got their information, but still no response. Regardless, I'm incredibly excited to go to Germany and explore the rest of Europe on the weekends!

Anticipating Germany...

So, I will be leaving for Germany in 15 days and I still can’t believe I’m actually going! This will be my first trip to Europe, and the only other times I have ever been out of the country were on family trips to Mexico when I was younger. Nothing compared to the trip I am about to take.

There are so many feelings that have been building up in the time leading to this trip: apprehension, excitement, anticipation just to name a few. Just like doing anything else for the first time, there are a lot of nervous feelings that come along. My biggest anxiety at the moment is flying by myself all the way to Europe. I have been in airports quiet a bit and even flown by myself before, but not this far! Another anxiety, but something that I am also quiet excited about, is meeting my host family. I have never stayed with a family I have never met before, and I am afraid there will be a language barrier because I do not know any German. But, from their emails, my host family seems very nice and I’m ready to learn everything about German culture I can from them. I think it will be interesting to see how much the same and also how different they are from my own family. As for weekend trips, we (the students) have come up with some what of a plan. This has relieved a little stress for me; I like having a plan.

I’m extremely excited about the trip and can’t wait to see what all Germany and Europe have to offer. This is a once in a lifetime trip and I can not wait for it to start!

Pre Germany Expectations

At first when I signed up for the Germany trip, it didn't really seem real to me that I was actually going over there for 5 weeks. Right now as I sit in Texas and think about the adventure I’ll be starting in just two weeks, the anticipation is starting to emerge again and even stronger than ever. I’ve been to Europe before, but always with family and never in Germany.

I expect to see a lot of great and priceless works of art, as well as architecture. I’m looking forward to possibly seeing some of the great cathedrals, temples and churches. As far my host family expectations go, I had no idea what to expect before I got the letter from them. The family I’m staying with is the newlywed Thye family and Stefanie seems very full of life and excited to meet me. She said that she likes to cook and that the location of their home is in the middle of the city center so I’m really excited about getting to be in the middle of the action!

I expect to be with my classmates most of the time, in the class and outside of the classroom- but I really have no idea what to expect here either! I wouldn’t mind getting a little bit lost in the town and find my way back by myself! I’m excited about the daily routine, which right now all I know for sure is what we will be doing as far as the class goes. After the class, I’m assuming it’s free time and I’ll be exploring with my peers and trying new things as far as food and beer goes!

In the evening, at the Thye’s home, the possibilities there are very exciting to me. For one, it will be fun to meet these new people and get to know them, learn first-hand about German culture, and hopefully become permanent friends with them that I’ll be able to write to for many years to come. I feel that I’m really going to become good friends with Stefanie because she’s only 7 years older than me! She said that they are into music, and hopefully they have a piano we could all play together in the evenings and listen to one another. I still don’t know if I’m by myself with them or not- on Facebook we (my peers and I) were keeping each other updated on which host family we’ve been assigned to, and nobody seems to have the same one yet!

Ultimately I’m most excited about the whole thing. The mornings, the afternoons, and the nights, and everything in between. I know the weekends will be a blast- but right now I’m thinking I’m ultimately going to be enjoying the weekly activities even more than my free weekends- we’ll see how that turns out I guess!

European Escapades

What I'm expecting from summer 2009 abroad: adventure, excitement, new knowledge, real world experience, getting out of my comfort zone, perhaps a few mischevious acts, and much more! This trip is my first time to travel internationally without my parents and I'm beyond excited to see all the places we've planned.

My host family seems very nice, we try to email atleast once a week and talk about life/speaking german/what to expect etc. They even sent me a google earth link to see what their house looks like! I'm excited to meet them and be apart of their daily life. I think our time in Bonn/time spent with the program will be very educational and also eye opening. I'm hoping that Dr. Wasser has secured the Body Worlds outing for our group! I wanted to see body worlds, but then I never got around to it and I missed my chance.

Also its going to be a lot of fun getting to know the rest of the group! The weekends that are planned out for switzerland, praha, france and etc will be lots of fun. Also Sarah, Mark and I are staying a week after the trip and we will be seeing alot of other places too (Budapest, Pompeii, Rome) There are historical places I have been reading about/learning about since I was little, and the chance to see it all now is amazing.

Basically I'm really excited and looking forward to whatever comes my way this summer! (Minus robbers, sketchy people, etc)

First Time Across the Atlantic

Nervous, excitement are just a few of the things I'm feeling in anticipation for my first trip across the Atlantic! I'm not really sure what to expect. I figure it will be (at first) like being anywhere for the first time. Confusing, lost, unfamiliar, and taken out of my element of comfort, but over time I'll get more comfortable and will have a hard time remembering how i first felt and saw Germany.

I'm hoping this trip will help me experience the culture of Germany, while getting to see the beauty of Europe. While a part of me wants to go everywhere and see everything, I know there is not enough time to fully experience every country in it's best. I figure that our weekend trips will help me get a taste of everything, so when i come back one day I'll be able to know where I want to go and spend most of my time : )

So here's a toast to new experiences, places, and friends!

No Longer the Capital, but a Global Destination

Some of you have been part of a study abroad program in Bonn with Dr. Jeremy Wasser already and have written down their experiences below. And I am excited to welcome those of you that going to visit us in Bonn this summer! I would like to share with all of you the following abstract of a great article by Nicholas Kulish for the New York Times about the city of Bonn's recent history:

Germany’s former capital, known derisively as the “Hauptdorf,” or capital village, is supposed to be a relic of the past, nine years after Parliament and the embassies picked up and moved to Berlin. But the little city on the Rhine, immortalized by John le Carré as “a small town in Germany” in his spy novel of the same title, has succeeded in the unlikely goal of remaking itself as a place of the future.

Local officials and entrepreneurs combined shrewd spending and no small amount of federal largess with the city’s prime location in the Rhine Valley to refashion it into an international campus for everything from medical research to alternative energy to the United Nations, which began opening offices here in 1996.

Since the Bundestag and the Chancellery left in 1999, Bonn, rather than watching employment plummet, has seen an increase of more than 12,000 jobs in a modest-size city of just 315,000 people.

Bonn, like Germany itself, appears to have been written off far too soon. Unemployment in Germany is at its lowest level in 15 years. And while it is expected to slow, the German economy grew at an annual rate of 6 percent in the first quarter of this year.

Though it is bound to be overtaken by the breakneck growth of China, this old standby in Old Europe — with only one-sixteenth of China’s population — is by many statistical measures still the world’s third biggest economy, behind only the United States and Japan. It is also the world’s leading exporter of goods, second to none thanks to its thriving, high-end manufacturing sector.

The country’s former Parliament building is now a convention center, with a bigger facility going up beside it amid a thicket of cranes. Bonn is also home to SolarWorld, one of the leading companies in Germany’s top-flight solar-energy industry.

Health care accounts for 1 in 10 jobs in the city and surrounding area. The central government announced in March that Bonn had been selected as the site of a new $1 billion dementia research center.

Downtown, the dominant feature of the city’s skyline has appeared since the central government left. The 40-story steel and glass Post Tower of Deutsche Post, the postal service that employs 7,000 people in and around Bonn, towers over the city. It opened in December 2002, two years after Deutsche Post went public. Deutsche Telekom is the region’s largest employer, with some 12,000 employees.

“It’s really a city that I feel growing in importance and not the other way around,” said Torbjörn Possne, an executive at the wireless equipment maker Ericsson, which has offices here.

Both Germany and its former capital, which former Chancellor Helmut Kohl referred to as a “symbol of conspicuous modesty,” have reasons to be understated about their strengths. Germany’s tendency to bury its power and influence in international institutions, chiefly the European Union but also the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, allows it to exert its influence without tempting accusations of revanchist ambitions after the two world wars.

( ... )

The city still benefits from its time as the cold war capital. The federal government spent half a century trying to give Bonn the trappings of a historic capital. As a result, Bonn sometimes feels like a small city on steroids, with all the perks and benefits normally associated with big-city living, like a subway system and top-notch museums and concert halls, not to mention international schools.

Its time as the capital also gave the city name recognition few smaller cities could hope for, which helped it gain a reputation for medical tourism among civil servants from less developed countries.

Jürgen Reul, a specialist in neuroradiology, just opened a private clinic specializing in minimally invasive surgery for neurovascular and spine problems. Operations started on the first of the month and foreign patients from everywhere from Persian Gulf states to Russia have helped the clinic fully book its first month of appointments, leaving it with a waiting list.

“Bonn was pronounced dead, and then everybody went ahead and proved the opposite,” Dr. Reul said. “Now there’s a gold rush mood.” Dr. Reul has a unique perspective. Before starting his medical studies, he worked as a police officer on diplomatic security details in the mid-1970s. “We used to say that it was a sleepy nest of bureaucrats,” he said. “It’s a living city now.”

Back to the Norm

I was fortunate enough on my flights back to have Francisco and Brian with me. While we were seated about as far apart as you can get in coach, it was still nice to have someone to talk to during layovers and to keep the feeling that I wasn’t back home just yet. Unfortunately all good things must come to an end, I arrived in Houston late on the 17^th and in a matter of days I had to adjust myself back to “normal” and get ready for another semester. I’ve been back for 3 months now and I still think it’s rude when the waiter brings me my check without me asking for it. This is one of the many little things I noticed right away when I returned. One thing I realized immediately is that I love Berlin but I don’t like Houston. There is traffic in Houston and road rage, and the downside is you can’t ever escape it. The first couple of weeks back I felt tired because of the lack of exercise I was now getting. After walking almost everywhere in Germany, I now drove instead to the places I needed to be. I enjoyed my trip to Germany and Austria, but when it was time to leave I was ready to get back home. The irony is now that I am back; I spend most of the time thinking about when I can return. At the time, our pace in Europe seemed rather hectic, but now that I am back I can barely keep my head on straight with everything I have to get done. Everything moves quicker here and it has taken me some time to get back into my routines.

As for the program itself, I could not have asked for more. I know that sounds very fairy tale-ish, but it is true. I enjoyed every minute of our trip and now that I am back, I wish it could have been longer. I learned a great deal before and during our time in Germany; the excursions where well thought out and had a great deal to do with the main topics of the program. Even in my free time I had many chances to learn as much as I could about the country and its people. In all my trips abroad I have never been as satisfied with my time spent as with this one. I don’t feel that, as far as the program goes, we missed out on anything. For my own personal interests, I would have liked to see and learn more but that will have to be done at a later time. I really enjoyed the time spent in Austria, as it is one of the many countries I know nothing about. I also liked visiting the hospitals and getting a chance to see the patients and procedures.

My time spent in Germany and Vienna has not greatly changed my outlook on the world, but I do take advantage of opportunities I would normally pass up. It has helped me to be accepting of other people, cultures and events in my life. Before we left for the trip I did not know how I would interact with the others. I have a quick temper and I was afraid that I would be alienated from the group for something I might say. Fortunately everyone in the group was easy to get along with and accepted me for who I am. Since I have been back I have worked very hard to keep my temper under control and to accept things that are out of my reach to change. So far I have made a little progress but I still have a long way to go. I am grateful that being around the group opened my eyes to the things about me that needed to change to make me a better person. My ambitions toward medicine have also changed with my return to the state. I have recently begun to look into the research side of medicine instead of limiting myself to just being a doctor. Although I really enjoy interacting with patients and solving health problems, I also think that research focused of bettering the procedures/methods used in health care would be an interesting path to take. Only time will be able to tell what I will do, but for now I am keeping my options, and eyes, wide open for any new opportunities that may come along.

My old, yet new, life...

Its been almost two months now since I've been back in the states, and I can honestly say that I still think about my experiences in Europe every day. I think of how different my life and culture is from Germany's, or Holland's, Austria's, Czech's, and France's. I appreciate the things I have in my life, and I am grateful that I got to experience so many different things in such a short time. I think it is so cool to see different parts of the world, and it makes you realize that there is so much more to life than just yourself; you are just one small part of the big picture. I wonder what my life would be like if I lived in Germany, and ate Doners, ride public transportation, owned a tiny car (if any car at all), and drank nothing but beer and coffee... I want to go back so bad.

But this trip changed more than just the way I thought about the world. I have no problem walking long distances now. I actually prefer it. My confidence with navigation and not freaking out when getting lost has increased dramatically. I have a better understanding of human physiology and anatomy, especially about the cardiovascular system since the doctors at Bad Oyenhausen gave me a whole tutorial about how the heart works while I was watching them do heart surgery.

As for professional plans, I still would like to go into health physics and/or in the field of nuclear medicine. I feel like its my passion in life and its just one of those things I feel a calling for. However, one thing this trip has convinced me to do is to become bilingual. I would like to pick up my old knowledge from German high school class and become fluent in the language that I love so much (besides English). I don't care if I won't be using it much here in the states, but I still think it would be cool to learn and it makes a great impression on non-Americans if you are able to speak another language besides English.

Overall, this experience is something I will treaure forever. This definitely isn't the last time I will see Europe. Maybe London is next, or perhaps Rome, but until I have saved up enough money to go on another trip, who knows where I'll go... ;-)

Before I end this post, I want to thank Dr. Wasser and AIB for making all of this possible for me. I know how many countless hours of hard work you guys put into this program, and might I say you guys did an absolutely amazing job. You guys have taught me so much about the world and have inspired me to not stop here, but to keep on going and have my own international adventures... Once again, thank you. You have made such a timeless, extraordinary experience for me.

Auf Wiedersehen! :-)

More Europe, Bitta?

After my plane landed and I walked sans luggage (my duffel back apparently still wanted another couple of days of vacay) out of the DFW airport, I was blown away not only by the heat when the sliding glass doors opened but by how unattractive the metroplex really is. Don’t get me wrong, I love Arlington, but compared to the Germany and Austrian countryside, I needed a box of Kleenex to help me face the harsh reality of the polluted air that I was back to inhaling. Besides the enchanting scenery, I miss the convenience of hoping on the subway and lack of standstill rush hour traffic. I almost miss the Olympic speed walking pace of our fellow Germans, but it is nice to get back into the casual shuffle of the feet to and from class.
Visiting all of the awe-inspiring facilities in Germany and Austria really cemented my desires to pursue a career in research. For the longest time, I only saw myself as a veterinarian but now thanks to all of the lectures we had by the different doctors, pursuing a career in medicine isn’t so out of the question. Also, I never understood how global research has become, as a researcher you’re never limited to one continent, which is really appealing. There are so many contributions to studies made from scientists around the globe. From this trip, I took away that I shouldn’t lock myself down into one set profession; I really need to keep exploring out there to make sure that I find the one I truly belong to.
This opportunity to study abroad allowed me to make some new life-long friends and learn so much about veterinary medicine and human medicine. Being able to visit hospitals and the cattle clinic at the vet school is something I would have never been able to do if I had taken this class here on campus. One of the best parts of this trip for me was being able to see pieces of history that I had learned about for years and years in the classroom and witness it in real life. I can’t tell you in how many history text books I’ve seen pictures of concentration camps, but when I walked around the grounds of Sachsenahusen on a cold, solitary winter day, I really felt like my understanding of what happened there deepened and became more real. My connection to this part of history strengthened and I felt emotions that I hadn’t experienced before.
I just wanted to say thanks to Dr. Wasser and Steffi and anyone else who made this trip so influential because it really did change my perspective, thoughts, and ideas on some many things. My eyes were opened to many new topics and historical information. The program was so efficiently run and I think that’s why we all enjoyed it so much, not to mention that’s how we packed in all of our awesome activities. Even with all of the long nights :) and early mornings :( , I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I will be forever grateful!!

Lauren L.

Life Since Returning to the States

Talk about the trip of a lifetime. It's hard to decide how to even begin this final blog, but here goes nothing...

First things first-- I absolutely COULD NOT have asked for a better group of people to spend my Christmas break with. This includes all of the students, Dr. Wasser, Steffi, Olaf, Dr. Zack, and all of the tour guides, professors, doctors, surgons, and various others we can in contact with over the course of the trip. From day one in Germany, I felt at home with everyone, and there really was never a moment that I felt lonely or without a friend. I had such a great time getting to know everyone, and keeping in touch with people once we got back to the states. I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying this semester.

Before the trip started, I really didnt know what to expect, and had no idea what I would gain from the experience, though I knew it would have a profound effect on me without a doubt. I remember being surprisingly calm about going on a trip to another country with 14 other college kids that I barely knew. Although I also remember being being nervous about actually making it across the Atlantic and to where I was supposed to be, by myself. Traveling successfully on my own was what I was the most proud of myself for, and was a big confidence builder-- I feel like I can go anywhere and do anything on my own now!

I cant say that I really experienced any reverse-culture shock since returning to the states, besides the fact that my life in Texas seems very boring compared to my 3-week life in Germany. Although its nice to be back on my normal routine of classes, tests, and trying to have a little fun inbetween, the first few weeks back I felt a little empty inside. Making my scrapbook of pictures and old tickets stubs helped ease a little bit of the pain though.. ;)

It still seems surreal to me all the amazing places that I was able to see, and for that, I am so blessed. Seeing the Anne Frank House and the Sachsenhausen concentration camp are two of the first things that come to mind when people ask me about the trip, and are experiences that I will cherish forever. It is places like these that can change the way you look at the world and and the way you look at life. Seeing the open-heart surgery in Bad Oeynhausen and the cow surgery at the vet school in Hannover are experiences that I will NEVER forget, and that I will being telling people about for years to come.

I can definitely say that I have a new-found passion for German history, and I have Dr. Wasser to thank for that. One of the first things I did when I got back home to College Station was rent the movie Downfall, and buy a book about the euthanasia and Nazi Doctors. Learning about history in a classroom in College Station, Texas can hardly compare to learning about the history of a place while you a there to actually experience it. Having a lecture about Sigmund Freud IN Sigmund Freud's old house is something that not many people have been able to do.

I remember mentioning not knowing what I wanted to do with my life career-wise in my first blog, and saying something along the lines of hopefully gaining some perspective in this area while in Germany. The experience undoubtedly gave me a growing passion for a career in the medical field-- whether that be medical school, PA school, working with medical devices, etc. Medicine is something that is studied and practiced in cultures all around the world, and there is so much to be learned and experienced. I aspire to work abroad sometime in my life, and studying in Germany has only made me more inclined to do so.

My overall experience during the trip exceeded my expectations far more than I could ever express. I cannot thank Dr. Wasser enough for all that he did, and it was so great getting to know him as a proffessor and as a friend. I also cannot go without thanking Steffi, Olaf, and Dr. Zack again for all the hard work they did for all us. I hope to one day see all of them again. I would recommend this trip to ANYONE and would do it all over again in a heartbeat. This trip is something that I will remember forever, and will hopefully be telling my grandkids about someday.

Danke and Auf wiedersehen!!

Prost!

I will attempt to put my European trip of a lifetime into one final blog, but I'm afraid I will do it no justice. This trip exceeded my expectations a million times over and I would do it again in a heartbeat. In fact, I really was in no rush to return to the United States. I was secretly hoping there would be something wrong with my ticket so I wouldn’t have to go home, but then I felt bad because it actually happened to Jon (sorry about that!).

My trek back included Wall-E (yes!), a little Freud, and some vino (for this 20-year old, over international waters of course). My plan was to act as European as possible until the plane touched down in Houston, but even after 3 weeks of attempting to achieve that European chic air, I still couldn’t do it. Despite my failure of looking like a European and return back to the states, I had my reunion with my mom to look forward to which helped with my Germany withdrawals.

Once I was back I was able to distribute my souvenirs to my friends and family, and included was a copy of The Diary of Ann Frank for my 9-year-old twin cousins. I want to share with you a part the thank you note I received from my aunt because I think she sums up part of the reason we traveled to Germany along with all of its amazing medical history.

“Your cousins want to know why would Sarah want to go where the Nazis are? This has opened up a series of questions about WWII. I can’t think of a better way to explain it than with your gift.”

It’s important for us to remember our past but at the same time not let the past characterize who we are as an individual or a nation, like Germany is doing today. If my trip has allowed for my cousins to learn at a young age that a nation like Germany has more than just the memory of Hitler to offer, then I have gained so much more from this trip than I could have ever imagined.

Between all of the schools, hospitals, and museums we visited while in Germany I was able to do a lot of thinking and question what I thought was most important in my life and future. At times this pondering led to minor anxiety attacks as I began to question my future in veterinary medicine, something I’ve aspired to do since I was in 4th grade. For the first time I was able to see myself as something other than a DVM, but never straying too far from the medical field. That was very scary for me, but at the same time liberating. Even now as a junior in college, I still have options, but alas the trip to the Spanish Riding School in Vienna confirmed my passion for horses and equine sports medicine. The world makes sense once again! Along with confirming my career path (as of right now) I am also considering taking a semester off to study in Argentina and work on polo horses and from the looks of the other blogs I have read, I am not the only one suffering from the travel itch.

I want to thank each and every one of you for making this trip very special; it wouldn’t have been the same without you. We have experienced a lot in a short time, some more pleasant than others, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way! Dr. Wasser, thank you from the bottom of my heart, I know that the highlights and elite access of this trip would not have been possible without you, with Stefi’s help of course! I will recommend this trip to everyone I’ve had the pleasure of sharing my German adventures with, and to be honest I already have! Danke und auf wiedersehen.

I Ain't No Fortunate Son

That's a lie. It's true that I've been blessed with a lot in my life. This trip has made me appreciate that since I've been back. I've had this desire to want to be on my own for the last month, just to get away from everything. Maybe you could call it a travel addiction, but it seems that I just like being on my own. It was high time for something like this to happen in my life, with me going off to medical school and all. It's with this new experience that I hope to start anew with hope and ambition in my heart. I guess I've just learned that I can make it on my own, and have found such a self-satisfaction in that.

I've also been much more laid back since returning. I may have had more culture shock returning than on my arrival. Even in Atlanta, when I had to change flights, I was unsually perturbed by the uptight nature of airport security at what I thought were the most trivial things. The pace at which everyone walked and conversed was much quicker than in Europe, and made me long for the slower, easy going lifestyle abroad. So pretty much, I learned a lot about life while I was away, and have tried my best to remember and maintain those lessons since I've been back. I'm eternally grateful to everyone who made this trip what it was: Dr. Wasser, Steffi, Dr. Zack, AIB, and the other students. I haven't been keeping up with anyone, my life is crazy at the moment, but I need to make a few calls because I realllllly need to find out who makes the best pasta between Brian and La-Lew.

PEACE

Asher