Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wakey Wakey eggs and bakey
Gutenmorgen! Last night was New Year's Eve in Berlin. One word: amazing! That's the way the New Year should be rung in everywhere. It was truely an exprerience of a lifetime. People from everywhere in the world was gathered at the gate to celebrate the New Year with eachother. We met some aggies at one stand who said they were backpacking through Germany. When we first arrived in Berlin, I realized it was going to be a lot colder than Bonn. The scene was so pretty with the freshly fallen snow though. Today we are off to Prague for our first free weekend. It should be yet another exciting adventure. After that, we are back in Berlin for another couple of days. It should be freezing but really exciting.
Getting to Germany
I was very impressed on how easy it was to get to Germany, however it took me a few days to get past the jet lag. Both planes had minimal wait times while going through customs. So far everything has been really interesting and it has been pretty easy to get used to Bonn and finding your way around the town. The guided tour through the House of German History Museum was very interesting and the tour guide raised a lot of interesting questions that made you think hard about a lot of the policies in place today. I was unaware of sterilization policies, concerning mental and physical handicaps, in the U.S. and the influence that they had on Nazi policy. It was interesting to have a night out in Germany and to be able to compare it to similar situations in the US. While the cultures are different, there are more similarities than I had thought before I came.
The second day of the program was long, but was full of interesting tours and the city of Cologne was amazing. I like how convenient the public transportation system is here; the use of a car is completely eliminated. Between the subways and buses and the train system, you could travel anywhere in the city or surrounding cities quickly. The number of specimens at the anatomical collection at the Cologne Medical School was impressive and the different cuts were really cool. The Cologne cathedral was massive and ymade me feel like an ant when I was inside. I am looking forward to the next couple of days.
The second day of the program was long, but was full of interesting tours and the city of Cologne was amazing. I like how convenient the public transportation system is here; the use of a car is completely eliminated. Between the subways and buses and the train system, you could travel anywhere in the city or surrounding cities quickly. The number of specimens at the anatomical collection at the Cologne Medical School was impressive and the different cuts were really cool. The Cologne cathedral was massive and ymade me feel like an ant when I was inside. I am looking forward to the next couple of days.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
I'm Hot and You're Cold
My feelings are mixed about the weather here in Bonn. If it is not raining or windy, I have no problem with the weather and can even walk outside without a jacket. If it is only sprinkling, the weather feels way cooler.
Arriving from the airport, Dr. Wasser taught a few of us some important German vocabulary needed to survive in the country where Entschuldigung (excuse me) and können sie English (do you speak English) are the most important phrases.
The lectures from Dr. Wasser about German history are very interesting too. I really enjoy hypothesizing how my life would be different if Germany had won WWII. I know now that because my brother was born with cerebral palsy, he would have been killed at birth. The Nazi idea was that he is too much of a burden to society. I know that the Medicare and Medicade money comes from the people’s taxes, but I don’t think society is failing because of it.
Night comes at 4:30pm, which is crazy considering my usual sleep hours. In my opinion, the people of Bonn are very nice compared to the people of Texas. I just got back to the dorm from another night out in Bonn. Seeing an old friend was a real treat, and he really showed me a good time. He explained what some of the younger culture here in Germany really thinks about politics and world issues. I felt very knowledgeable when I already knew that the first time since WWII that anyone in Germany has ever flown a German flag was at last years World Cup.
Daniel Grunden
Arriving from the airport, Dr. Wasser taught a few of us some important German vocabulary needed to survive in the country where Entschuldigung (excuse me) and können sie English (do you speak English) are the most important phrases.
The lectures from Dr. Wasser about German history are very interesting too. I really enjoy hypothesizing how my life would be different if Germany had won WWII. I know now that because my brother was born with cerebral palsy, he would have been killed at birth. The Nazi idea was that he is too much of a burden to society. I know that the Medicare and Medicade money comes from the people’s taxes, but I don’t think society is failing because of it.
Night comes at 4:30pm, which is crazy considering my usual sleep hours. In my opinion, the people of Bonn are very nice compared to the people of Texas. I just got back to the dorm from another night out in Bonn. Seeing an old friend was a real treat, and he really showed me a good time. He explained what some of the younger culture here in Germany really thinks about politics and world issues. I felt very knowledgeable when I already knew that the first time since WWII that anyone in Germany has ever flown a German flag was at last years World Cup.
Daniel Grunden
Days 1 and 2
Finally after the long plane ride we landed in Frankfut. From there we took a train into Bonn. The train ride in was my first time to be on a train and it was entirely along the Rhine River. The scenery along the river was pretty amazing. Once we finally got settled in we went to a Traditional German restaurant for dinner. I was really tired when I got back to my room, I was hoping that I would be able to sleep, unfortunately that wasn't the case.
I started the next day on maybe 3 to 4 hours of sleep. I knew that the very start that it was going to be long day. The day started with a tour of the city of Bonn and then a tour of the German history museum after 1945. The tour guide we had was about the most interesting tour guide I think I have ever had for any kind of tour. After a brief lecture, we got to go Ice skating. I finally got the hang of it again and was able not to fall which is very good.
I went to bed hoping that I would sleep better, but turns out that wasn't the case again. But more on that later. I hope by the end of this trip I will be able to speak a little German.
I started the next day on maybe 3 to 4 hours of sleep. I knew that the very start that it was going to be long day. The day started with a tour of the city of Bonn and then a tour of the German history museum after 1945. The tour guide we had was about the most interesting tour guide I think I have ever had for any kind of tour. After a brief lecture, we got to go Ice skating. I finally got the hang of it again and was able not to fall which is very good.
I went to bed hoping that I would sleep better, but turns out that wasn't the case again. But more on that later. I hope by the end of this trip I will be able to speak a little German.
First Couple of Days
The last few days have been both exciting and tiring. The first day found me quite jet lagged, but fortunately the experience of the new country and beautiful city kept me awake. The entire country has been absolutely awesome so far, Bonn being no exception. After a genuine German dinner the first night, the first day started with a tour of the courtyard of Bonn. Dr. Ra's tour proved to be quite interesting, both funny and academically stimulating. The touch of humor helped in adding culture to the tour itself, especially when considering the fued between both sides of the Rhine that he continually addressed. The rivalry reminded me a lot of the relationship between tu and a&m.
After the tour, we went to a Doner and Falafel shop that was quite interesting. I realized that the water here was nearly always carbonated, something I'm not too fond of. I also realized that bring cash dollars on the trip was not the smartest decision I could have made. I wasn't aware that the exchange rate changed so much.
The tour through the history museum, however, was a really fun experience, especially considering our tour guide was exciting and quite unorthodox. The way he taught the material and got his points across really opened me up to understanding the culture of both Bonn and Germany as a whole. I especially loved how he attempted to get us outside of our comfort zones in order to make his points clear to us. He was also much more pro-America than I expected, a revelation I found quite comforting.
All in all, the first couple days were exhilarating and exhausting, but I liked every minute.
After the tour, we went to a Doner and Falafel shop that was quite interesting. I realized that the water here was nearly always carbonated, something I'm not too fond of. I also realized that bring cash dollars on the trip was not the smartest decision I could have made. I wasn't aware that the exchange rate changed so much.
The tour through the history museum, however, was a really fun experience, especially considering our tour guide was exciting and quite unorthodox. The way he taught the material and got his points across really opened me up to understanding the culture of both Bonn and Germany as a whole. I especially loved how he attempted to get us outside of our comfort zones in order to make his points clear to us. He was also much more pro-America than I expected, a revelation I found quite comforting.
All in all, the first couple days were exhilarating and exhausting, but I liked every minute.
Monday, December 28, 2009
I made it to Germany
After an entire day of traveling, I am finally settled into my dorm in Bonn. The plane ride went well, even though it was 9 hours long. We left Sunday night, and I could see pretty night scenes in the US from my window seat. When we flew over England and Germany, there was still snow covering the ground in some places. It was the first time I had ever seen snow from a plane. We arrived in Frankfurt and took the train to Bonn. Its not too cold, but there hasn't been much sunshine yet...
Tonight we are going to a traditional German restaurant in Bonn. I'm excited to experience German food and culture for the first time. Tomorrow, the real program stuff begins. I am super excited!
Tonight we are going to a traditional German restaurant in Bonn. I'm excited to experience German food and culture for the first time. Tomorrow, the real program stuff begins. I am super excited!
Whoo!
I've arrived! After 13 hours of travelling, I'm finally here in Germany. It's really pretty. On the train ride from Frankfurt to Bonn, we saw castles built into the sides of mountains. It's not exactly what I expected, but better. Getting here wasn't as stressful as I thought it was going to be, but then again it's helpful to have Dr. Wasser on the same plane. Tonight we go eat with Olaf and other AIB people. I'm excited to actually get out into the country. I can't wait until tomorrow when we officially start the program.
YIKES and YAY!!!
Wow!! Germany!! I guess that's the first thought that comes to mind. I really don't know what to expect but I know exactly how I feel...anxious. This will be my first time out of the country and I've put so much effort towards preparing for the cold weather and the adventures ahead. The thought of a nine hour flight doesn't exactly excite me and I'm freaking out about transferring from the plane to a train in Frankfurt. I packed a German-English dictionary. I plan on looking up a few common words like 'food', 'bathroom', and 'thank you' so that I don't feel like a total dummy when trying to ask questions.
As of goals...academically, I plan on broading my understanding of medicine within another country than my own. Culturally, I hope to increase my understanding of the German culture and leave with a some knowledge of the German language. As tourist, I plan on taking as many pictures as possible, buying numerous souvenirs, and visiting as many cities as possible. All-in-all, I want to take this experience and use it in my future career as a possible medical doctor, but I also just want to have fun with my fellow classmates. My greatest concern as of now is missing my family and ensuring that I stay in contact with them as much as possible. But besides that, I'm ready for the adventures this trip has to offer.
Oh yeah...and I find out which medical school I matched to on January 6th. Exciting yet scary!! Wish me luck!!
As of goals...academically, I plan on broading my understanding of medicine within another country than my own. Culturally, I hope to increase my understanding of the German culture and leave with a some knowledge of the German language. As tourist, I plan on taking as many pictures as possible, buying numerous souvenirs, and visiting as many cities as possible. All-in-all, I want to take this experience and use it in my future career as a possible medical doctor, but I also just want to have fun with my fellow classmates. My greatest concern as of now is missing my family and ensuring that I stay in contact with them as much as possible. But besides that, I'm ready for the adventures this trip has to offer.
Oh yeah...and I find out which medical school I matched to on January 6th. Exciting yet scary!! Wish me luck!!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Are We There Yet?
Throughout the fall semester I’ve been counting down the days until this trip. Now here it is: it‘s Christmas day and I’m sitting on a plane headed to London to spend a couple days there before going to Germany. I’ve been pretty privileged as far as traveling within the U.S. and to Mexico, but I’ve never been overseas to Europe. It all feels so surreal and that this really isn’t happening. I cannot even explain my excitement, but I’m just as nervous. I’ve never ridden a plane longer than about 4 hours, and never over water for so long. The other main thing I’m nervous about is our free weekends- I don’t want to get lost or go to an unsafe area. I’m also hoping that the language barrier won’t be too complicated, especially when in Paris and Prague.
As far as what I expect out of the program, I’m not exactly sure. I love trying new foods, seeing important landmarks and learning about new cultures so I‘m planning on going in with an open mind.. I’m hoping that I will learn something about the German medical field in which I can use in my future career. Also, I’m hoping that this study abroad program will bring me some inspiration or direction to help me decide which career path to choose. I know for sure I want to be involved in the medical field, but I haven’t made up my mind about which way to do this. Maybe this trip will open my eyes to something I didn’t even know existed.
I can’t believe I get to spend my winter break with two of my best friends visiting hospitals, going to museums, and so much more. Not many people can say they had an opportunity like this. Though I’ve been running around getting ready for this trip during the few days I was home, and we won’t have much “down” time during the program, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’d like to get to know the other students going on the trip as well the many coordinators who have helped plan this trip. It will be weird not being to pick up the phone to call my parents, do laundry whenever I wish, and use the various amenities I use on a daily basis like my hair straightener! I really hope I didn’t overpack, because I tend to do that, but I guess it’s too late to change that!
Because I know they’re going to be reading this, I’d like to thank my parents in advance of this trip for helping me prepare for this trip and doing everything they can to get me on this plane and overseas to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity. 4 hours until we land in London! It’s probably a good idea to sleep now.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Pre-trip thoughts
Today is Christmas, two days before I leave to Germany for three weeks. I still have not packed everything, and I still have to go fight the day after Christmas shopping mob in order to buy some last minute things that I will need.
As of now I am still deciding on what I am going to read on the flight over there, it seems that I only really read these days when I am on a plane. I am very much looking forward to the trip, I feel that it will be a very significant experience in my life. Its been kind of funny because on these days leading up to the trip people keep asking me what we are learning about on the trip or what are my school work is. I honestly tell them that I don't know, other than what I have read from the itinerary. I am looking forward to being presently surprised at each museum, exhibit or medical school.
I am a little nervous about being in another culture for that long. Anytime you go somewhere and don't know the language or the customs, I think it is understandable to be a little hesitant. At the same time I am excited to to another country. I think three weeks is a good amount of time for me. I know I won't get to see everything but I do feel it will be enough to satisfy my curiosity. For once I will I get good use out of my camera, that I got as a graduation present. Overall I think this trip will exceed any expectations that I have for it.
As a side note, for some reason I am extremely excited about going to a zoo and getting to ice skate.
- Nick Bacica
As of now I am still deciding on what I am going to read on the flight over there, it seems that I only really read these days when I am on a plane. I am very much looking forward to the trip, I feel that it will be a very significant experience in my life. Its been kind of funny because on these days leading up to the trip people keep asking me what we are learning about on the trip or what are my school work is. I honestly tell them that I don't know, other than what I have read from the itinerary. I am looking forward to being presently surprised at each museum, exhibit or medical school.
I am a little nervous about being in another culture for that long. Anytime you go somewhere and don't know the language or the customs, I think it is understandable to be a little hesitant. At the same time I am excited to to another country. I think three weeks is a good amount of time for me. I know I won't get to see everything but I do feel it will be enough to satisfy my curiosity. For once I will I get good use out of my camera, that I got as a graduation present. Overall I think this trip will exceed any expectations that I have for it.
As a side note, for some reason I am extremely excited about going to a zoo and getting to ice skate.
- Nick Bacica
Merry Christmas!
Although I sit here on Christmas Day nervous and worried about traveling to Germany in the middle of an ice cold winter, I somehow wish December 27th could come more quickly. This is the first time I will ever experience temperatures this cold for such an extended period of time. Usually, in Texas, it’s below zero for two days out of the year and then winter is over, and today’s high in Germany is only 5 degrees Celsius. Saying the degrees in Celsius makes it seem that much colder, temperatures more suitable for SNOW! My excitement for snow almost parallels that of what I feel for visiting the universities, museums, and hospitals. Hopefully, I will get to see what knew breakthroughs are being developed in cardiovascular health. Open heart surgery will be awesome too, not for the patient, but awesome nevertheless.
Since I am part German, I am looking forward to learning the culture and at least a bit of the language. Plus, I just found out today that a foreign exchange student from my high school actually LIVES in Bonn. How exciting would it be if he showed us some nightlife?!? Finally, the free weekends will be an added adventure all by themselves. Visiting Prague has been a dream of my entire family. Since I am half Czechoslovakian, my grandmother wants me to look up some Jaseks or Smesnies (my relatives) in the phonebook and say “jak se mas!”
My worrisome mother hopes I don’t star in Taken 2. I hope I learn all I can and have a journey of a lifetime!
Daniel Grunden
Since I am part German, I am looking forward to learning the culture and at least a bit of the language. Plus, I just found out today that a foreign exchange student from my high school actually LIVES in Bonn. How exciting would it be if he showed us some nightlife?!? Finally, the free weekends will be an added adventure all by themselves. Visiting Prague has been a dream of my entire family. Since I am half Czechoslovakian, my grandmother wants me to look up some Jaseks or Smesnies (my relatives) in the phonebook and say “jak se mas!”
My worrisome mother hopes I don’t star in Taken 2. I hope I learn all I can and have a journey of a lifetime!
Daniel Grunden
germany!
France is the only european country that I have visited, in fact I am there right now, so it will be a good experience to be able to see the culture of a different european country like germany. I look forward to meeting the german people and visiting all the historic sites and medical institutions that we are traveling to. There will be so much to learn and see. Not many people get to meet doctors and watch them do surgeries in another country. It will also be interesting to see how medicine grew to what it is today and how it compares to the United States.It will also be a growing experience to have so much independance in a foreign country. We will learn a lot on this trip traveling together on the weekends to Austria and Paris and im sure we will all become good friends. Looking forward to seeing the opera in Vienna. Sounds classy.
-Samy Bendjemil
-Samy Bendjemil
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Expectations
I'm so excited and nervous for this trip all at the same time. I have lived in Texas my whole life and haven't really traveled to many other places, so it is definitely going to be something new to me. One reason that I was really excited about this trip was because my Grandpa fought in World War II over in Germany, and told me countless stories growing up about his time over there. So, I was really looking forward to going over there and visiting places he went and being able to come back to the states to share it all with him. Well, sadly my grandpa passed away about three weeks ago, so now getting to visit Germany is something that is going to be very special for me. I am also looking forward to experiencing new languages, culture and the fascinating history surrounding every place we go.
Getting packed up and making sure I have everything ready is a lot harder than I expected. I am a planner and do not do well with out set tasks and plans. Therefore for every free weekend I have mapped out the top ten places to visit how to get there and the stops on the different tubes. The tubes in Europe are so different then how transportation works in America, so I am interested to see how it all works out.
I leave for London tomorrow with Joanna and Janelle. Can't wait to be over there :)
Waiting to Leave
It's Christmas Eve and my head is filled with excitement and anticipation of, not Christmas, but the 27th of December. Three days from now, I fly out of Texas and head to Germany. I'm both extremely excited and nervous at the thought of the journey ahead. I'm worried about the regular ordeals of long distance trips like getting lost, not packing enough or the right kind of clothes, or coming down with some weird disease while I'm half way across the world. The overwhelming sense of anticipation of all the new experiences I will encounter while in Germany hides any fear or lingering anxieties. I can't wait to be in a place so rich in history and culture. I know I will learn a vast amount of knowledge about the world and its medicine while on the trip, but I also hope to grasp a greater understanding of myself. I hope to meet many new people and learn from them as well. I have tried to brush up on my German in preparation for the trip, but I'm not promising anything too spectacular. I am extremely nervous, yet excited for all the new adventures and experiences that await me in Germany.
Bis Dann!
Jenn King
Bis Dann!
Jenn King
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Preparing for Germany
Looking ahead to this trip I have mixed feelings. While I am clearly really excited, I can't help but be a little nervous. I have never been out of the country and I have rarely traveled within the United States. It should be fairly interesting trying to change flights and finding my way around on my own. This trip will definitely be a learning experience for me, both academically and culturally. The only time that I have ever seen snow was last year in College Station, so I am very excited to hopefully see a lot of snow. Consequently, I have had to go out and get winter clothes specifically for this trip.
I am excited to go to a country with so much history. It will be an interesting change from a fairly young U.S. However, the opportunity to see surgeries is, by far, the thing that I am looking forward to the most. Looking ahead I have no doubt that this trip will fulfill and most likely surpass all my current expectations.
Phillip Patterson
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
What to expect?
Traveling out of the country is something new to me. While I have been to Mexico on vacation, I'm sure that the experiences I will have in Germany will be drastically different. I was born and raised in East Texas in a small rural community with conservative taste and a close minded mentality. I will admit that I feel a little ignorant when it comes to different cultures and customs and this is why I want to travel. I want to experience, first hand, different lifestyles and beliefs. I've led a fairly sheltered life the past 21 years, only traveling within the U.S and Mexico. I have a sister who is only a couple of years older than me that has traveled all over the world, from Europe to the Middle East to several countries in Africa. Hearing her stories and seeing her pictures have made me jealous, and I am anxious to experience everything that she has plus more! She has me anticipating nothing but the best from food to scenery.
I just finished reading the book Blood and Guts, and I must say it was a rather interesting read. Something I never thought about was the history of medicine and how our current health care came to be. It's funny thinking that there was a time when no 'doctors' existed and now some people consider health care an inherent right. I am very excited for this course because I want to pursue a career in medicine, and I think knowing its history will be valuable to me as a physician. Hopefully through the history of medicine, I can learn which attributes make for a great doctor and which do not.
I leave in three days for London! I'm so excited and I'm sure the rest of you are too!
Joanna
I just finished reading the book Blood and Guts, and I must say it was a rather interesting read. Something I never thought about was the history of medicine and how our current health care came to be. It's funny thinking that there was a time when no 'doctors' existed and now some people consider health care an inherent right. I am very excited for this course because I want to pursue a career in medicine, and I think knowing its history will be valuable to me as a physician. Hopefully through the history of medicine, I can learn which attributes make for a great doctor and which do not.
I leave in three days for London! I'm so excited and I'm sure the rest of you are too!
Joanna
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Germany in one week...
I have high expectations for this trip. I expect it to be a new experience unlike anything I have ever done. Academically, it will be the first time I will learn outside of a typical classroom setting. I am excited to learn about the Berlin Heart and other Biomedical Engineering stuff outside of the American scope. Before this trip, I have only been outside of the United States this past summer to go to Ireland and London. Ireland and London were both great, but there were not too many drastic culture differences. I am prepared for a lot of cultural differences when I travel to Germany. It will be cool to visit some of the places in Germany that I have heard about or learned about in history classes.
Whenever I tell people about this trip, everyone tells me about something to get excited about: the history, the scenery, the culture, the beer, the cities, the train system, etc. There is so much to look forward to that I don’t think I can even comprehend what I am about to do. I am bringing 8 GB of photo storage, and I intend to take pictures of every single thing. Even though I can return to Europe again, this will still be a once in a lifetime experience. I really wanted to do a study abroad program in college, but with engineering class requirements and my summer job, I didn’t think it would work out. But this program is pretty much perfect. I am glad to have my first journey to Europe be a structured, educational experience. Because it is planned by people who know and understand Germany and Austria, it will be much more successful than if I planned a trip for myself through Germany. As I’ve been planning my free weekends, I realize how hard it is to plan when I don’t have a good understanding of how anything works in Europe.
To prepare for the trip, I pretty much paid the payments and tried to get through finals. However, now that school is done, I am actually getting ready. I spent most of the day today shopping for winter clothes, because I have none. I have a good winter coat, gloves, socks, boots, a hat, long underwear, and a backpacking backpack. I was planning on using my dad’s backpack, but it has an external frame, so it was too big to check with Continental Airlines and British Airways. So, I got to buy my own. I also organized everything I got from Alisha at the last meeting and compiled a packet to give to my parents with all of the necessary information. They are both engineers, so I am hoping if I give them all of the information in a logical way, then they will not find anything to worry about.
I am excited, but also a tad nervous. I acknowledge that I don’t actually know what I am doing, but all I have to do is get to the train station in Bonn, and then there will be people to help me. And, I am very confident about getting there. I’ve booked good plane tickets and I am not traveling alone. I don’t know how getting through customs will work. Or how I am going to find the correct train to get to Bonn, but if I miss my first train, I can get one two hours later. The free weekends are going to be adventures, but they should be great. I am really excited to visit Paris and Prague. I hope I meet a lot of cool people when I stay in hostels. I hope it’s not too expensive and that I get to see a good mix of touristy stuff along with actual French culture in Paris. The same with Prague.
Well, it’s less than a week now! It’ll be an adventure…
Saturday, December 12, 2009
What I'm Expecting...
I haven't been outside of the United States in a few years, and I am really excited about this trip. It will be my first time to visit any European country, and hopefully the experience will be everything I expect and more. Living in Texas my whole life, Germany is going to be a huge change of scenery, especially temperaturewise considering it's snowed like four times in Houston...ever. I signed up for this program expecting to come back with a much better understanding of the field of medicine and not only the thrills that come with the profession but also the responsibilities that go hand and hand with it. Getting to watch an open-heart surgery will truly get to be the ultimate medical experience, especially considering I hope to become an emergency room physician/surgeon in the future. It will really put things into perspective for me, and though it may sound a little callous, I'm sure the trip won't hurt my resume.
Concerning the cultural aspect of the trip, the experience won't be anything I'm not used to. I've been to several countries outside of the United States, and I'm accustomed to the change in culture, but I have never been to a country like Germany and hopefully the trip will dispell any negative stereotypes that have accompanied it since World War II.
I am very excited about the whole thing and can't wait till December 27th!
Ryan Rihani
Concerning the cultural aspect of the trip, the experience won't be anything I'm not used to. I've been to several countries outside of the United States, and I'm accustomed to the change in culture, but I have never been to a country like Germany and hopefully the trip will dispell any negative stereotypes that have accompanied it since World War II.
I am very excited about the whole thing and can't wait till December 27th!
Ryan Rihani
Friday, October 09, 2009
Missing Germany....
I have been back in Texas for a while now. I miss Germany and Europe in General. I am so thankful for having the chance to experience what we did. I still can't beleive some of the experiences! I learned so much about the world and myself from this trip.
I was so sad leaving Germany and heading back home our last day. Once off the plane I was overwhelemed by the heat. I did not miss that at all. My first few weeks back home were difficult. I really missed walking everywhere. I kept trying to take my dog on long walks but she didn't seem to like that idea very much. She really objected to the heat and would just sit down. I also found myself trying to ride my bike places. Unfortunatly, Texas isn't set up for people not wanting to drive a car. Plus, I was always soaked in sweat afterwards. For weeks I would wake up early and find myself board. There aren't any cool places just a train ride away here!! I think that is what I miss the most. I also really miss all the wonderful fruit I used to eat in Germany. I do find myself eating nutella and bread for breakfast sometimes. I am happy to be back to eating a diet with little meat though.
I am reaching the end of my time at Texas A&M as an undergrad. Unfortunatly the economy here isn't looking to great. I have been looking into moving abroad for either a job or graduate school. That is something I would have never considered before! We are raised to think the United States is the best country in the world. Germany opened my eyes and showed me this isn't the case. I think studying another culture really made the faults in our own extremly apparant. I really like Germany's social medicine, their recyling program, and the public transportation system. I really enjoyed Europe and I could be extremly happy living in a country other than the one I grew up in.
I was so sad leaving Germany and heading back home our last day. Once off the plane I was overwhelemed by the heat. I did not miss that at all. My first few weeks back home were difficult. I really missed walking everywhere. I kept trying to take my dog on long walks but she didn't seem to like that idea very much. She really objected to the heat and would just sit down. I also found myself trying to ride my bike places. Unfortunatly, Texas isn't set up for people not wanting to drive a car. Plus, I was always soaked in sweat afterwards. For weeks I would wake up early and find myself board. There aren't any cool places just a train ride away here!! I think that is what I miss the most. I also really miss all the wonderful fruit I used to eat in Germany. I do find myself eating nutella and bread for breakfast sometimes. I am happy to be back to eating a diet with little meat though.
I am reaching the end of my time at Texas A&M as an undergrad. Unfortunatly the economy here isn't looking to great. I have been looking into moving abroad for either a job or graduate school. That is something I would have never considered before! We are raised to think the United States is the best country in the world. Germany opened my eyes and showed me this isn't the case. I think studying another culture really made the faults in our own extremly apparant. I really like Germany's social medicine, their recyling program, and the public transportation system. I really enjoyed Europe and I could be extremly happy living in a country other than the one I grew up in.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Back in Texas
I've been back in Texas for quite sometime now and I miss Germany! When I first stepped off the plane I was so excited to be home and see my family and friends. I couldn't wait to sleep with a blanket and not be hot! Air conditioning was something I really missed (until I had to pay the bill!) The car ride home from the airport was probably the third time in about two months for me to be in a car. It's so weird not walking or taking the U-bahn everywhere! I DO NOT miss carrying my luggage on the U-bahn. I do like that when I put it in the car it doesn't have to be moved every couple of hours.
It wasn't very hard for me to readjust to the time change, which was odd. The night I got home I stayed up until 10 pm which is 5 am in Germany! I did leave my watch in military time because I got used to it and it makes me feel European! I also find myself saying "Entschuldigung" under my breath before I say "Excuse me!" I've taught all my friends to say "Prost!" when ever they toast, and I make them do it around me.
I realized that ice cream is not the same as gelato, Doner is not on every corner, people aren't as friendly, and the scenery is not as pretty in Texas.
I still find myself remembering something that happened and telling everyone around. I seem to recall things every once in awhile and it makes me happy. I realized that I learned so much about medicine on this trip and didn't even know. This was a wonderful experience and I would do it again in a heart beat. I would tell anyone who wants to do to forget about money and just do it. It is worth it!
It wasn't very hard for me to readjust to the time change, which was odd. The night I got home I stayed up until 10 pm which is 5 am in Germany! I did leave my watch in military time because I got used to it and it makes me feel European! I also find myself saying "Entschuldigung" under my breath before I say "Excuse me!" I've taught all my friends to say "Prost!" when ever they toast, and I make them do it around me.
I realized that ice cream is not the same as gelato, Doner is not on every corner, people aren't as friendly, and the scenery is not as pretty in Texas.
I still find myself remembering something that happened and telling everyone around. I seem to recall things every once in awhile and it makes me happy. I realized that I learned so much about medicine on this trip and didn't even know. This was a wonderful experience and I would do it again in a heart beat. I would tell anyone who wants to do to forget about money and just do it. It is worth it!
Monday, September 28, 2009
same old story
It has been exactly one month and eleven days since i've been back from europe. when i first came back i was so happy to have air conditioning, text on my regular phone and drive my car. but after a while..it lost its glamour. haha, i found it difficult to say "excuse me" and "thank you" in english rather than german...and to this day my phone is still in military time. i refuse to change it back...its my last link to germany.
i feel like our time in germany was a different life! does anyone else feel that way?
i realized i missed walking everywhere, feeling the cool breeze in my hair. i missed the U-bahn and bus system. i missed having cold cuts for breakfast and being able to buy the most legit bread on every street corner. i missed being out in the world experiencing, seeing, feeling, hearing new things. i miss being able to hop on a train and arrive in a completely different culture. i miss that way of life.....the simplicity and complexity oddly meshed together...
before the trip i thought germany was going to be my least favorite country. i thought i was going to like italy the best! haha, funny how that turned out. out of all the countries we visited germany was my favorite. of course i loved visiting switzerland and prague and the other places..but i could honestly see myself living in germany. maybe not for my whole life..but definitely for an extended period of time.
germany 2009 seriously changed everything. it changed my perspective on what i want out of my life. before i went on the trip i was set on applying to medical school, following the game plan i had set years before. during the trip i realized that there was so much more to the world that school, than texas, than everything i have been immersed in for 21 years of my life. i realized i wanted to do more with myself than just settle for my "plan". so now i'm taking a year off! i will be travelling back to germany next summer! i hope to work with the AIB as a student worker and really just barrel head first in the german culture.
from a medical perspective, learning some things about european health care opened my eyes to bigger pictures, bigger problems. i am enrolling in the BIMS 4+1 MPH program so that i can learn more about the global/population perspective of health care.
going to europe made me OPEN MY EYES. my stupid little bubble was broken and i was able to experience a culture vastly different from my own... and apart from these experiences i made some of the greatest friends. although we are back in CS and very busy...we still talk and hang out! we will forever share these memories and look back at how each other made this experience the greatest of all time. guys, yall made this trip amazing and i couldn't have asked for a better group of people!
thank you germany 2009. although this trip cost an exorbitant amount of money...it was worth every single euro cent. every single one.
this trip will forever be one of the greatest experiences of my life. i hope that my children will have an opportunity to have a professor like dr. wasser, share in his passion and love for different cultures/countries, go on a trip like this and have this immense experience.
over and out duesseldorf digest,
shyanie
i feel like our time in germany was a different life! does anyone else feel that way?
i realized i missed walking everywhere, feeling the cool breeze in my hair. i missed the U-bahn and bus system. i missed having cold cuts for breakfast and being able to buy the most legit bread on every street corner. i missed being out in the world experiencing, seeing, feeling, hearing new things. i miss being able to hop on a train and arrive in a completely different culture. i miss that way of life.....the simplicity and complexity oddly meshed together...
before the trip i thought germany was going to be my least favorite country. i thought i was going to like italy the best! haha, funny how that turned out. out of all the countries we visited germany was my favorite. of course i loved visiting switzerland and prague and the other places..but i could honestly see myself living in germany. maybe not for my whole life..but definitely for an extended period of time.
germany 2009 seriously changed everything. it changed my perspective on what i want out of my life. before i went on the trip i was set on applying to medical school, following the game plan i had set years before. during the trip i realized that there was so much more to the world that school, than texas, than everything i have been immersed in for 21 years of my life. i realized i wanted to do more with myself than just settle for my "plan". so now i'm taking a year off! i will be travelling back to germany next summer! i hope to work with the AIB as a student worker and really just barrel head first in the german culture.
from a medical perspective, learning some things about european health care opened my eyes to bigger pictures, bigger problems. i am enrolling in the BIMS 4+1 MPH program so that i can learn more about the global/population perspective of health care.
going to europe made me OPEN MY EYES. my stupid little bubble was broken and i was able to experience a culture vastly different from my own... and apart from these experiences i made some of the greatest friends. although we are back in CS and very busy...we still talk and hang out! we will forever share these memories and look back at how each other made this experience the greatest of all time. guys, yall made this trip amazing and i couldn't have asked for a better group of people!
thank you germany 2009. although this trip cost an exorbitant amount of money...it was worth every single euro cent. every single one.
this trip will forever be one of the greatest experiences of my life. i hope that my children will have an opportunity to have a professor like dr. wasser, share in his passion and love for different cultures/countries, go on a trip like this and have this immense experience.
over and out duesseldorf digest,
shyanie
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Auf Wiedersehen
So I’ve been back in Texas for about a month and a half now. My first thought when I got off the plane was, “It’s so hot!”…then, “I’m so glad we have air conditioning!” I then got in my parents’ car and drove 3 hours back home. (This was probably only my second car ride in about a month.) When I got home, I took a shower and went straight to bed. I slept for the whole next day, only waking for delicious Mexican food. Oh, how I missed it! It was really hard for me to get over the time difference. For the next 2 or 3 weeks after I arrived back, it was hard for me to stay awake past 8.
Looking back, its so hard for me to believe that this all actually happened. I lived in Germany for a whole month of my life! One of the hardest things for me to overcome since I have come back has been switching back to saying things like ‘excuse me’ instead of ‘entschuldigung’ or ‘thanks’ instead of ‘danke’. We said these words countless times per day, and they became a part of our vocabulary. Now I have to stop myself from saying them…I’ve even said them a few times on accident.
Since I have been back, I have become more aware of our lack of energy efficient-ness. Driving everywhere, having the lights on all the time, having my computer running all day. All this now makes me feel so wasteful. Another thing I miss about Europe is just how simple everything was. I miss how easy it was to just get on a train and end up in another country. Even going through customs was so much simpler than here in the US. Alex, Stephanie, and I happened to be on the same flight on the way back. It took us longer to walk through the Frankfurt Airport than it did for us to go through customs. The line for customs in the US, on the other hand, took us a day to get through (it felt like a day anyway). Since I have been home, I feel like I haven’t had a moment to breath… school has started, work has started, tests, vet school application. Everything all happening at once. I miss the simplicity.
One thing I do not miss about Europe, though, is having to pay for water! I rather enjoy getting free water. Also, I do not miss accidently buying bubble water when you are really thirsty, but still having to drink it anyway.
Auf Wiedersehen,
Jena Webb
Looking back, its so hard for me to believe that this all actually happened. I lived in Germany for a whole month of my life! One of the hardest things for me to overcome since I have come back has been switching back to saying things like ‘excuse me’ instead of ‘entschuldigung’ or ‘thanks’ instead of ‘danke’. We said these words countless times per day, and they became a part of our vocabulary. Now I have to stop myself from saying them…I’ve even said them a few times on accident.
Since I have been back, I have become more aware of our lack of energy efficient-ness. Driving everywhere, having the lights on all the time, having my computer running all day. All this now makes me feel so wasteful. Another thing I miss about Europe is just how simple everything was. I miss how easy it was to just get on a train and end up in another country. Even going through customs was so much simpler than here in the US. Alex, Stephanie, and I happened to be on the same flight on the way back. It took us longer to walk through the Frankfurt Airport than it did for us to go through customs. The line for customs in the US, on the other hand, took us a day to get through (it felt like a day anyway). Since I have been home, I feel like I haven’t had a moment to breath… school has started, work has started, tests, vet school application. Everything all happening at once. I miss the simplicity.
One thing I do not miss about Europe, though, is having to pay for water! I rather enjoy getting free water. Also, I do not miss accidently buying bubble water when you are really thirsty, but still having to drink it anyway.
Auf Wiedersehen,
Jena Webb
So, when are we going back?
The feelings I had on the way to Germany about adjustment-to-culture issues existed, oddly enough, also on my way back to the states. I thought to myself, "how am I going to eat breakfast without fruit picked from a garden in the backyard?", "what about drinking wine at almost every meal? I'm not 21.", "there aren't little bakeries at every corner in Texas!", "actually, there is no such thing as a 'corner' in Texas, everything is so spread out and far away.", "will I remember how to drive?", "how will I ever go without trains, subways, and trams?" The list of concerns went on and on. I now eat fruit and bread from the grocery store and drive everywhere I need to go but I have definitely adjusted to life just like I had to do when arriving in Europe.
For weeks, I found myself cooking renditions of the meals my host mom made me for dinner and eating Nutella for every snack. My umbrella took a break from its long and laborious summer vacation. I was waking up early every morning and going to sleep at a reasonable time, if not earlier than reasonable, which is the exact opposite of my normal sleep schedule. I replaced my jackets with shorts and came to terms with driving everywhere instead of walking.
It felt as if the instant I landed back in Texas, responsibities of all different sorts were waiting at the airport with a sign that read my name. I had to start working and going to school for 30 plus hours a week. There were no more mornings where I could wake up and think "what country am I going to today?" It was as if being in Europe was like a life away from life.
Everyday was so relaxing, pleasant, and care-free. I think having five solid weeks in such an atmosphere made me realize that I have my whole life ahead of me; there is no need to rush it. I have now set numerous goals for myself because I have assured myself that I have the time to achieve them.
I want to travel every chance that I get. I want to become fluent in a foreign language. I want to learn how to play the piano as brilliantly as Alex. I want to work in another country. I want to find a way to make recycling more prominent in the states. I want to spend countless numbers of hours at The Louvre. I want to visit my host mom again. I want to visit the AIB again. I want Cosmo and my dog, Farrah to meet. I want to volunteer abroad. I want to, one day, have a garden. I want to always remember Germany 2009 and keep it in my heart forever.
I was so afraid of traveling abroad without someone I knew but I came back with like 18 new friends, stories that still make me laugh hysterically, professional and academic experiences that I would never find elsewhere, and an attitude that says, if you want it to anything can happen, anywhere, at anytime.
It was the best trip anyone could have asked for and I am so appreciative that I got to experience it all.
I love Germany 2009!
Brittany
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Life Changing?
I despise when people say something was "a life changing experience" because I think that frankly it's used too often. When I hear "life changing" I think of a someone's life being completely changed around, they were an addict and now they've quit, they wanted to be an astronaut but now they want to be an oncologist, they lost or gained faith in humanity. So when I heard from people that study abroad was a "life changing experience" I kind of rolled my eyes, after all I'd been to foreign countries before, I'd even been to Europe.
Did the Summer 2009 Germany History of Medicine trip change the basic core of who I am as a person? No, but did the trip change me? Yes, it most certainly did. I'd like to think that the person I am now is the person I would have been at one point in my life, study abroad or no study abroad, but the things I did and experienced were like a catalyst, accelerating that process. If you had told me before the trip that I would come to love Germany so much I'd be plotting ways to go back or that my older brother would look to me for guidance in planning our activities in London and Ireland I would pat you on the head and dismiss you as slightly odd.
Despite loving traveling, before this trip I was terrified of it, I couldn't fathom traveling alone or without a concrete plan, but now I'm much more willing to go with the flow a little. Even more than that, the devil's in the details. Not a day goes by that I don't think to myself that whatever it was I did that day I learned the courage, tenacity, "go-get'em" attitude or knowledge (because I did gain real, concrete, can-be-put-in-a-book knowledge) to do so from my trip this summer.
I'm loathe to call this trip "life changing" and yet I would be lying if I said that this summer in Germany (and Austria, Switzerland, England, and Ireland) didn't change my life. Each and every thing I go through changes a piece of who I am as a person, this trip changed a whole lot of pieces in an immensely positive way.
Sincerely yours,
Caitlin Vanasse
Did the Summer 2009 Germany History of Medicine trip change the basic core of who I am as a person? No, but did the trip change me? Yes, it most certainly did. I'd like to think that the person I am now is the person I would have been at one point in my life, study abroad or no study abroad, but the things I did and experienced were like a catalyst, accelerating that process. If you had told me before the trip that I would come to love Germany so much I'd be plotting ways to go back or that my older brother would look to me for guidance in planning our activities in London and Ireland I would pat you on the head and dismiss you as slightly odd.
Despite loving traveling, before this trip I was terrified of it, I couldn't fathom traveling alone or without a concrete plan, but now I'm much more willing to go with the flow a little. Even more than that, the devil's in the details. Not a day goes by that I don't think to myself that whatever it was I did that day I learned the courage, tenacity, "go-get'em" attitude or knowledge (because I did gain real, concrete, can-be-put-in-a-book knowledge) to do so from my trip this summer.
I'm loathe to call this trip "life changing" and yet I would be lying if I said that this summer in Germany (and Austria, Switzerland, England, and Ireland) didn't change my life. Each and every thing I go through changes a piece of who I am as a person, this trip changed a whole lot of pieces in an immensely positive way.
Sincerely yours,
Caitlin Vanasse
Monday, September 21, 2009
Education of a Lifetime
From July 2- August 7 I got to do something most people only dream about- I got to go and explore a foreign land. Departing from the Houston airport, I had no clue to what I had coming in Europe (other than knowing that the possibilities were endless). I wanted to be affected by this trip, and during it I felt something pulling on me- though I never really knew what it was. In the wake of returning and coming back to A&M, I believe I am finally ‘living in the moment’ of my European adventures. During the trip, it took all my energy just to take in the new sights and sounds, not truly appreciating the beauty of the place. In retrospect, I actually feel the beauty of all the places I’ve been to with a much more tangible feeling than I did when I was actually over there!
In Germany, I definitely got an education on medicine’s unique history in Europe, but I also got something much more valuable- I got an education on a different peoples and culture. From the unmatched architecture in Vienna, the beautiful country of Prague, Amsterdam’s insane city life, Switzerland’s pure water and mountains, and Paris’ history- I got to see a variety of people and experience things I could never have experienced by just staying at home. It excites me to think about how I got lost in Bonn that first weekend night by myself in the city- not knowing where anything was. I proved to myself that I could get around by myself! Getting to know Steffi and her husband Christian was a first rate look into the lives of true German denizens! When I think about Steffi now, I know that I was blessed with someone truly special in this world. She is someone, a fellow sister human being, that I would have never even known existed had I not spent 3 weeks living under her roof.
When I think about German culture and American culture, there are blaring differences- and yet we are ultimately the same. How can I say this?! I think this realization for me makes the world a lot less scary to me. I feared the unknown and now I know (a little more at least) about ‘the people over there’. I appreciate their way of doing things (though I still prefer mine), but we still ultimately just want to live life as great as we know we can.
The lesson I value most from my study abroad experience in Germany was that it taught me to take a step back and live life in the moment more often.
In Germany, I definitely got an education on medicine’s unique history in Europe, but I also got something much more valuable- I got an education on a different peoples and culture. From the unmatched architecture in Vienna, the beautiful country of Prague, Amsterdam’s insane city life, Switzerland’s pure water and mountains, and Paris’ history- I got to see a variety of people and experience things I could never have experienced by just staying at home. It excites me to think about how I got lost in Bonn that first weekend night by myself in the city- not knowing where anything was. I proved to myself that I could get around by myself! Getting to know Steffi and her husband Christian was a first rate look into the lives of true German denizens! When I think about Steffi now, I know that I was blessed with someone truly special in this world. She is someone, a fellow sister human being, that I would have never even known existed had I not spent 3 weeks living under her roof.
When I think about German culture and American culture, there are blaring differences- and yet we are ultimately the same. How can I say this?! I think this realization for me makes the world a lot less scary to me. I feared the unknown and now I know (a little more at least) about ‘the people over there’. I appreciate their way of doing things (though I still prefer mine), but we still ultimately just want to live life as great as we know we can.
The lesson I value most from my study abroad experience in Germany was that it taught me to take a step back and live life in the moment more often.
The Real Life
My name is Andrew Reimers. My parents are Joseph and Laurie, and my brothers are Christopher and Erich. I have several close friends from home with whom I try to stay in touch. I live on campus. Most of my time between Sunday evening to Thursday afternoon is spent at work, in class, or in my room studying for class. The rest of the time I try to play as hard as possible. My best friends are either down the hall or within a bike ride of my room. My hobbies include writing amateurish sports essays, listening to podcasts, lifting weights, reading books that take themselves to seriously, and watching different HBO series on DVD.
Six weeks in Germany.
A lot of my energy goes into thinking about the future. Until July 3, 2009, my imagination was thoroughly occupied with the eminent excurrsion abroad. Dreams of schnitzel filled my sleep. This would be my pilgrimage. Nothing could be more exciting.
Six weeks back home.
Time for my first and final cliche truism of the Bonn Blogging experience. Something about "you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone."
My life is great. My friends are great. I'm living the American Dream more fully than most people ever have the opportunity to do. It only took a twelve thousand dollar oddyssey for me to stop taking it for granted.
The trip was great. I learned a lot about the world and about people. I cannot thank Dr. Wasser and the AIB faculty enough. I will certainly be traveling again, maybe albeit more of a verteran than before.
Andrew Reimers, signing off
Six weeks in Germany.
A lot of my energy goes into thinking about the future. Until July 3, 2009, my imagination was thoroughly occupied with the eminent excurrsion abroad. Dreams of schnitzel filled my sleep. This would be my pilgrimage. Nothing could be more exciting.
Six weeks back home.
Time for my first and final cliche truism of the Bonn Blogging experience. Something about "you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone."
My life is great. My friends are great. I'm living the American Dream more fully than most people ever have the opportunity to do. It only took a twelve thousand dollar oddyssey for me to stop taking it for granted.
The trip was great. I learned a lot about the world and about people. I cannot thank Dr. Wasser and the AIB faculty enough. I will certainly be traveling again, maybe albeit more of a verteran than before.
Andrew Reimers, signing off
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
As Time Goes By...
Well it has been about 3 weeks since I have been back in the states. After the start of classes and getting down my new daily routine, I find it hard to imagine that just 3 weeks ago I was traveling through Europe! My first couple days back I had to remind myself to say "Excuse Me" and "Thank You" instead of "Endschuldigung" and "Danke" (my spelling is poor I know. just bear with me). The weather is depressing and miserably hot, but I am glad to have air conditioning back. I am slowly starting to remember to bring a jacket with me to restaurants again.
Since I have been back I started noticing how much of the German language or things were actually around me that I never really understood till now. For instance, I clean houses as one of my many jobs and in this one house they had a sign that read "Welkomme". I had always figured it was probably another language and not just very poor spelling, but now i know it's German! I feel that by having visited the country I know so much more about it that the average American. When people talk about these places that I have now been, I can have a real picture in my head instead of imagining what they might be talking about.
I still get a kick out of saying "ya i went to Germany for about 5 weeks. Spent a week in Austria, visited Switzerland one weekend, and the Czech Republic another weekend." as if it were no big deal! Just in a very matter of fact manner : )
I do miss Steffie, Olaf, and everyone from AIB as well as missing the country itsself. I'm very grateful for the opportunities and experiences I had on this trip and I'm already planning what I want to do when I go back.
Tschuss,
Stephanie
P.S. I'm very happy that i've seen quite a few of you guys around campus and college station already!
Since I have been back I started noticing how much of the German language or things were actually around me that I never really understood till now. For instance, I clean houses as one of my many jobs and in this one house they had a sign that read "Welkomme". I had always figured it was probably another language and not just very poor spelling, but now i know it's German! I feel that by having visited the country I know so much more about it that the average American. When people talk about these places that I have now been, I can have a real picture in my head instead of imagining what they might be talking about.
I still get a kick out of saying "ya i went to Germany for about 5 weeks. Spent a week in Austria, visited Switzerland one weekend, and the Czech Republic another weekend." as if it were no big deal! Just in a very matter of fact manner : )
I do miss Steffie, Olaf, and everyone from AIB as well as missing the country itsself. I'm very grateful for the opportunities and experiences I had on this trip and I'm already planning what I want to do when I go back.
Tschuss,
Stephanie
P.S. I'm very happy that i've seen quite a few of you guys around campus and college station already!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
August 7, 2009
So our trip is over. Five weeks went by way to fast! It was great , though. Last night we went to a Morroccan restaurant for the going away dinner. It was such a cool restaurant. The waiter came first to rinse our hands in rose water. I felt like a princess. Then, we got a hige plate of appetizers, too much wine, and a shot. It was an herbal liquor that Andrew ordered for us, I don't know how he found out about it. But apparrently we were supposed to take that shot after dinner to help with our digestion. Whoops!
After dinner, we went around and talked about our favorite parts of the trip. Everyone was emotional and I really enjoyed hearing what everyone had to say.
THEN, at Olaf's favorite hangout, we saw tons of graffiti that I'm pretty sure Olaf did all himself. He's crazy. This place was five stories with a beach party outside. Each floor was something different- DJ, chill, local shops, and graffiti. It was so much fun!
After dinner, we went around and talked about our favorite parts of the trip. Everyone was emotional and I really enjoyed hearing what everyone had to say.
THEN, at Olaf's favorite hangout, we saw tons of graffiti that I'm pretty sure Olaf did all himself. He's crazy. This place was five stories with a beach party outside. Each floor was something different- DJ, chill, local shops, and graffiti. It was so much fun!
Berlin Blog part 2: Perspective on Perspective
A laymen definition of perspective: the way something is seen. Something happens around dozens and gaggles and multitudes of people, and they all see something else or something more.
As we get older and wiser, does our perspective increase or does it change.
An argument could be made that perspective simply expands. We might not, at one point be able to see or interpret or understand the entire “picture,” but as we grow more and more of the picture is made visible and comprehendible, as if the blinders over a window had been lifted and the grit and grime washed clean.
Similarly, perspective could morph and contort as the mind of a child develops into the mind of an adult. What may have seemed innocent and harmless when we were young reveals its guilt and malice until it bears no resemblance to how it previously appeared.
Four days after our classes have ended, and I have yet to sort all of the memories and emotions and facts and figures into a format that I can understand. My central processing unit works diligently to defragment the hard-disk of my mind. May what remains after all has been considered be objective and accurate, and may my perspective, small or large or cone-shaped or cubic, be sufficient to decode it.
As we get older and wiser, does our perspective increase or does it change.
An argument could be made that perspective simply expands. We might not, at one point be able to see or interpret or understand the entire “picture,” but as we grow more and more of the picture is made visible and comprehendible, as if the blinders over a window had been lifted and the grit and grime washed clean.
Similarly, perspective could morph and contort as the mind of a child develops into the mind of an adult. What may have seemed innocent and harmless when we were young reveals its guilt and malice until it bears no resemblance to how it previously appeared.
Four days after our classes have ended, and I have yet to sort all of the memories and emotions and facts and figures into a format that I can understand. My central processing unit works diligently to defragment the hard-disk of my mind. May what remains after all has been considered be objective and accurate, and may my perspective, small or large or cone-shaped or cubic, be sufficient to decode it.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Goodbye Berlin...
(Yes, I'm finally updating about our week in Berlin)
I never expected to like Berlin so much. Throughout our trip when interacting with my host mom and other people in Germany they would all ask if I was going to visit Berlin and encouragingly tell me that I would love it when I affirmed that Berlin was part of our trip. I didn't quite believe them though. In all honesty it's a very special big city that I like. I love Chicago, but that's because I have so much heritage and relatives there, I also love Minneapolis and St. Paul, but they're smallish for big cities, especially when counted seperately.
Anyway the point being that I thought I would get to Berlin and be like "Oh, this is nice to visit" and then go on my way again, instead a small piece of me has fallen in love with Berlin. I suddenly understand why every German I met told me Berlin was a "special place" with fondness in their voices, and I understand why it's being split for so long was such a travesty. Berlin's charm is inexplicable, but without being too annoying I'm going to try to explain some of it here.
Berlin is alive, in fact Berlin is overflowing with life... Being on the streets you can feel it. Berlin is a place where things happen, where strange monuments are built, where personal submarines are invented, where tear-filled confessions are made, it's a place perhaps summed up by the last place we all went together, Tageles. Tageles is this 5 story building in the old east side of the city that squatters and artists moved into and have kept since the wall fell 20 years ago. It cost 2 euro to get in (apparently an increase from the past) and is well worth the cost because once inside you can buy food or drinks at the beach bar while listening to live music (or watching contortionists and fire breathers, or so I'm told) or you can go into the building. Each floor of the building is something unique, on the top, a bar and a viewing area from which you can see art installments projected on the wall of a neighboring building or just look out at the city. The fourth floor is where people live, but is also full of graffiti that instead of looking disrespectful or like an eyesore, looks like it belongs, sort of how I imagine the graffiti on the west side of the wall looked. The third floor is full of artists pedaling their wares including postcards, shirts, prints, oil on canvas, jewelry, and many other things. Second floor is a bar and a theatre that shows things like Slumdog Millionaire alongside German and independent films. The first floor is just the entrance, but the whole building and in fact the whole place just has this air of magic about it. I'd never have guessed I'd like the place so much, but now I can't seem to stop talking about it.
Already I'm planning to return to Germany, perhaps my friend will make it into University in Berlin, or perhaps I'll find a way to feasibly study in Germany again, maybe I'll even go the way of my friend Ellen and work in Germany for a few years. Whatever happens, all of Germany, Berlin especially, has wormed its way into my heart and I'll never be quite the same person I was at the beginning of July.
And so that's all. I might get back on when I return to the USA on Saturday and am not so pressed for time about how much I miss everyone, but otherwise this chronicle is over, just as this chapter of my life is over. See you in 4 weeks for the retrospective.
Sincerely,
Caitlin
P.S. I am writing about my week in London/Ireland on my lj if you're curious including a bit about adjusting after all my time in Germany to the cultural differences.
P.P.S. Sorry about all the run-ons.
I never expected to like Berlin so much. Throughout our trip when interacting with my host mom and other people in Germany they would all ask if I was going to visit Berlin and encouragingly tell me that I would love it when I affirmed that Berlin was part of our trip. I didn't quite believe them though. In all honesty it's a very special big city that I like. I love Chicago, but that's because I have so much heritage and relatives there, I also love Minneapolis and St. Paul, but they're smallish for big cities, especially when counted seperately.
Anyway the point being that I thought I would get to Berlin and be like "Oh, this is nice to visit" and then go on my way again, instead a small piece of me has fallen in love with Berlin. I suddenly understand why every German I met told me Berlin was a "special place" with fondness in their voices, and I understand why it's being split for so long was such a travesty. Berlin's charm is inexplicable, but without being too annoying I'm going to try to explain some of it here.
Berlin is alive, in fact Berlin is overflowing with life... Being on the streets you can feel it. Berlin is a place where things happen, where strange monuments are built, where personal submarines are invented, where tear-filled confessions are made, it's a place perhaps summed up by the last place we all went together, Tageles. Tageles is this 5 story building in the old east side of the city that squatters and artists moved into and have kept since the wall fell 20 years ago. It cost 2 euro to get in (apparently an increase from the past) and is well worth the cost because once inside you can buy food or drinks at the beach bar while listening to live music (or watching contortionists and fire breathers, or so I'm told) or you can go into the building. Each floor of the building is something unique, on the top, a bar and a viewing area from which you can see art installments projected on the wall of a neighboring building or just look out at the city. The fourth floor is where people live, but is also full of graffiti that instead of looking disrespectful or like an eyesore, looks like it belongs, sort of how I imagine the graffiti on the west side of the wall looked. The third floor is full of artists pedaling their wares including postcards, shirts, prints, oil on canvas, jewelry, and many other things. Second floor is a bar and a theatre that shows things like Slumdog Millionaire alongside German and independent films. The first floor is just the entrance, but the whole building and in fact the whole place just has this air of magic about it. I'd never have guessed I'd like the place so much, but now I can't seem to stop talking about it.
Already I'm planning to return to Germany, perhaps my friend will make it into University in Berlin, or perhaps I'll find a way to feasibly study in Germany again, maybe I'll even go the way of my friend Ellen and work in Germany for a few years. Whatever happens, all of Germany, Berlin especially, has wormed its way into my heart and I'll never be quite the same person I was at the beginning of July.
And so that's all. I might get back on when I return to the USA on Saturday and am not so pressed for time about how much I miss everyone, but otherwise this chronicle is over, just as this chapter of my life is over. See you in 4 weeks for the retrospective.
Sincerely,
Caitlin
P.S. I am writing about my week in London/Ireland on my lj if you're curious including a bit about adjusting after all my time in Germany to the cultural differences.
P.P.S. Sorry about all the run-ons.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Tschuss zu Alles
There were 5 of us left behind in Berlin as the program came to a close. I happened to be one of them. Our last weekend in Berlin (and Europe) was a great one. The first day, Justin, Matt, Brittany, Caitlin, and myself decided to go back to the Jewish Holocaust Memorial and walk around in it. As Dr. Wasser said, it is pretty disorienting to walk amongst the 2,711 stones. We also went under the memorial to place for more information. Most of the information here had been presented to us on previous excursions, but I found the letters written from the victims on display to be extremely upsetting, especially one in particular of a letter from a little girl to her father. Very sad.
In the evening we decided to hit up Blue Man Group!!! And the best part, we had to wear raincoats because we were seated so close and could get hit by paint/other items. The show was fantastic. The funniest part of the show is when one of the blue men used gooey bananas as a projectile. It all happened in slow motion. The banana was shot out of the blue man's chest and landed all over Caitlin!!! I have never seen Matt laugh so hard in my life. He was crying. It was really funny stuff. After the show we got to take pictures with one of the blue men. The creepy one as Brittany put it. Well, as it turned out, my camera was accidently on video so we had to retake it. In the end we got two videos and three pictures with the blue man. It was a very documented two minutes.
This program was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me and I am so thrilled that I had chance to take part in it. Not only did I have so much fun, but I made wonderful friends and I had many stories that I will be able to tell for years to come, everything from the crazy Czech lady assaulting Matt in prague to the Speedos in Italy. I want to thank everyone involved with the program as well as my classmates for this wonderful experience. It is not something that I will soon forget.
Vielen Danke,
Roger
In the evening we decided to hit up Blue Man Group!!! And the best part, we had to wear raincoats because we were seated so close and could get hit by paint/other items. The show was fantastic. The funniest part of the show is when one of the blue men used gooey bananas as a projectile. It all happened in slow motion. The banana was shot out of the blue man's chest and landed all over Caitlin!!! I have never seen Matt laugh so hard in my life. He was crying. It was really funny stuff. After the show we got to take pictures with one of the blue men. The creepy one as Brittany put it. Well, as it turned out, my camera was accidently on video so we had to retake it. In the end we got two videos and three pictures with the blue man. It was a very documented two minutes.
This program was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me and I am so thrilled that I had chance to take part in it. Not only did I have so much fun, but I made wonderful friends and I had many stories that I will be able to tell for years to come, everything from the crazy Czech lady assaulting Matt in prague to the Speedos in Italy. I want to thank everyone involved with the program as well as my classmates for this wonderful experience. It is not something that I will soon forget.
Vielen Danke,
Roger
From Hygiene to Couscous
Berlin was one of my favorite cities that I had the chance to visit on this program. It had history, beautiful buildings, and a great night life. While we were in Berlin we went to the Hygiene Museum, which was probably the most hands on museum that I have ever been to. The room that I had, along with Justin and Matt, was the Transparent Man room. This room was interesting because it was in this museum that the first transparent man was ever built. The original transparent man used a plastic covering, real human bones, and over 12,000 meters in copper wire. Now the transparent man uses synthetic bones made of aluminum and different parts of the body will light up when a certain button is pushed. The transparent man is a good tool to use when studying the human body. That, and it is just a cool thing to look at.
Bodyworlds was also a great experience in Berlin. I had been to Bodyworlds about 4 years ago when I was a sophomore in high school so this was certainly something that I really enjoyed because I had not seen it in so long. It is definately a must see for people, however I am not sure if I would feel comfortable having my body displayed like that after death, but that is another topic completely.
The farewell dinner together was probably one of the best memories I have from the entire trip. It was good to hear what everybody had to say about the trip and their favorite parts. I really enjoyed that excercise. Also, Dr. Wasser and Olaf deserved recognition for all the hard work they put into the program to make sure that we would all have a great time (which we all did), so I thought that was a great part of the evening. That dinner will certainly be something that I will never forget and I thought it was appropriate that this program ended on such a good note.
I will miss you all.
Roger
Bodyworlds was also a great experience in Berlin. I had been to Bodyworlds about 4 years ago when I was a sophomore in high school so this was certainly something that I really enjoyed because I had not seen it in so long. It is definately a must see for people, however I am not sure if I would feel comfortable having my body displayed like that after death, but that is another topic completely.
The farewell dinner together was probably one of the best memories I have from the entire trip. It was good to hear what everybody had to say about the trip and their favorite parts. I really enjoyed that excercise. Also, Dr. Wasser and Olaf deserved recognition for all the hard work they put into the program to make sure that we would all have a great time (which we all did), so I thought that was a great part of the evening. That dinner will certainly be something that I will never forget and I thought it was appropriate that this program ended on such a good note.
I will miss you all.
Roger
Monday, August 10, 2009
Berlin in a nut shell
Four days in Berlin and still so much to see! As I was leaving the hotel Friday morning at 4:30 am! i looked around the quiet city and reflected on the past couple days.
Day one we went on a bike tour through the town. I figured after riding through Berlin for 4 hours I might have some idea of how to get anywhere, but afterward I was just as lost as before. We didn't even see a majority of the city! I never realized just how big Berlin was.
Over the last three days we went to several Museums and hospitals. I found the MRI machine at the Charite University Hospital a lot of fun. But the coolest things of all were the technological advances they showed us to help aid in surgery. It reminded me how you don't have to go to medical school to help out in the medical industry. Physics and computer science are just as important especially in advancing our ability to get medical care specialists to everyone everywhere, even if there isn't a specialist in that area.
The last night was a lot of fun and a very touching time for all of us as we reflected on our favorite parts and how we have all grown as a group. And we celebrated by all going out together to one of the coolest "clubs" I have ever been to. It was like icing on my cake called trip to Europe. Thank you everyone for your help in making this trip so amazing. I have enjoyed getting to know everyone and hope to see all of you even if it is while I'm working at the Rock wall.
Guten Tag Berlin!
Stephanie
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Farewell Europe…
Dated: Friday- August 7, 2009
Today I left Germany and ended by far the most amazing trip of my life. As I get older and the responsibilities pack on, I knew this trip was necessary before I become grown-up and boring. I have made lifelong memories and friends, but also reaffirmed my desire to work in Medicine. Thanks again everyone!
We had our last meal together eating Moroccan food. I had some weisseweinshorle, but it couldn’t compare to the stuff in Vienna! The food was pretty amazing, I honestly really did not know what I was eating in the appetizers, but it was good. As any of us would agree, the best part was sharing our experiences together. This reaffirmed the truth that our group has grown together and become a tight knit family. I can only hope that our friendships will continue once back into normal life in College Station!
I also must mention that I had my final currywurst yesterday for lunch and it was GOOD. Although some people did not like Olaf’s “famous” currywurst in Cologne, I still liked it Olaf, don’t worry!
I arrived back here in Texas at 3 PM to a humid and sweltering Dallas. Awesome!.... I only got two hours of sleep last night after some of us stayed at Olaf’s old hangout til three in the morning. It really was a unique place, I loved it. So yeah, today I have been up for more than 26 hours. But that’s not even possible, there are only 24 in a day! Ha… gotta love those time zones. So… thank you Dr. Wasser and AIB for an amazing five weeks! I will never forget all that ya’ll have done to make my experience incredible.
Today I left Germany and ended by far the most amazing trip of my life. As I get older and the responsibilities pack on, I knew this trip was necessary before I become grown-up and boring. I have made lifelong memories and friends, but also reaffirmed my desire to work in Medicine. Thanks again everyone!
We had our last meal together eating Moroccan food. I had some weisseweinshorle, but it couldn’t compare to the stuff in Vienna! The food was pretty amazing, I honestly really did not know what I was eating in the appetizers, but it was good. As any of us would agree, the best part was sharing our experiences together. This reaffirmed the truth that our group has grown together and become a tight knit family. I can only hope that our friendships will continue once back into normal life in College Station!
I also must mention that I had my final currywurst yesterday for lunch and it was GOOD. Although some people did not like Olaf’s “famous” currywurst in Cologne, I still liked it Olaf, don’t worry!
I arrived back here in Texas at 3 PM to a humid and sweltering Dallas. Awesome!.... I only got two hours of sleep last night after some of us stayed at Olaf’s old hangout til three in the morning. It really was a unique place, I loved it. So yeah, today I have been up for more than 26 hours. But that’s not even possible, there are only 24 in a day! Ha… gotta love those time zones. So… thank you Dr. Wasser and AIB for an amazing five weeks! I will never forget all that ya’ll have done to make my experience incredible.
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