An Accidental Tour Of The Rhine

[July 6] The week has been a blur of green hillsides through a Deutchebahn window. The language fills my head with choice words and half-phrases and I’ve begun to recognize a beauty in it that I had not even thought to look for. From the lessons in the peculiarly white AIB room to my first taste of Kölsh with a burger that rivaled those in America, the days in Bonn have been a refreshing alternative to hot New Mexican noons that smell of Kuhscheiße. I’ve explored a city that is at the same time urban and cozy, and I’ve seen a larger and more extensive bird collection than I could ever imagine.

But by this time, I’m sure you’ve read similar stories in posts above and below this one. The first question that may pop into your head when you see the name below this blog is probably: Why do they keep making fun of that chick for getting lost? Let me fill you in.

As my parents live in Dallas, I chose to fly from there to Houston to meet with the majority of the HoM students on the Fri-6:30pm flight to Frankfurt. At 3:30pm on Friday, the small but respectable Dallas Love Field Airport informed me that my plane was having mechanical difficulties and would not arrive until 5:20pm. I would inevitably miss the connection, and the next available flight would be at 4pm on Saturday. While this was certainly frustrating, I did get a nice hotel room and three free meals out of the day I lost.

The train itinerary between Frankfurt Flughafen and Bonn Hauptbahnhof and had been graciously left to my excited and happily independent devices. Unfortunately, I was having trouble finding internet enough to discern the difference between the words Flughafen and Haubtbahnhof, and my faltering confidence led me to the Bonn/Köln Flughafen, where I ran back and forth between an internet connection and the Fahrkarten at least four times, leaving annoying and ambiguous messages to the patiently waiting Dr. Wasser and Mr. Nipkow. By the time I figured out that Hbf was the same thing as Haubtbahnhof, I had a train ticket in my hand on which the only thing I could read was 13:51 and the number 4. So I went to platform 4 and got on the train that came at 13:51.

The word Haubtbahnhof never came on the little scroll-screen. I waited for longer than I should have, unable to reach anyone without an internet connection and the wrong version of a phone number. Finally I gave up and got off at a stop named Bad Hönningen, which I can only assume is extremely far away from Bonn based on the looks people give me when I mention it. There I stopped a nice young couple and their dog with a carefully practiced, “Bitte sprechen sie englisch?” The man called the right version of Nils’s number and three hours later, I was awkwardly hugging my host father at Bonn Beuel. The man is a firefighter; he prefers beer over wine and likes to read books about German history.

And after a long day of artificial kidneys and adorable axolotls and giant spiders that might still be crawling on your arm, I am holed up in a hotel room in Hanover. There is a surprisingly spicy pasta and few too many sips of delicious pinot grigio in my stomach, along with half a cup of chocolate ice cream. It was the first dinner so far that I’ve eaten with fellow students, and I had fun wandering the streets of the city while talking to people, for a change. Tomorrow we head even further north. I suppose I should get a good night’s sleep, since they seem like they are hard to come by up here!

First Few Days

July 5: While I was waiting in line at the train station to get my Eurorail Pass validated, one of the TVs in the room started showing international news. After stories about the recent wedding in Monaco and unrest in the Sudan, the news report briefly mentioned that yesterday “Amerika [something something] Tag der Unabhängigkeit.” This was accompanied by a video of a street in some American city festooned with red, white, and blue and crowded with dancing drunk people. Independence Day, one of the most important American holidays, was relegated to a fifteen second video clip. For the first time since arriving here, it hit me how non-universal the experience of life inside America is. I realized that I had vaguely assumed that the rest of the world had a perpetual feeling of “being on the outside looking in” on the Greatest Country on Earth.

I like everything about Germany, so far. I like having a pair of palaces two and a half blocks from my house. I like how almost every street has a bakery or café. I like how you’re allowed to bring your dog with you almost everywhere. I deeply and passionately love the public transportation system.

I still don’t have German culture figured out. I knew that Germans sampled from other cultures, but I didn’t know how that would manifest itself.. The radio will play German pop back to back with Shakira and Katy Perry. Gelato stores are everywhere. Pizza and spaghetti are available everywhere. A street musician plays smooth jazz next to the statue of Beethoven.

So far, we’ve toured the city and visited the König Museum. On the city tour, we saw a sample of the Roman ruins that lay under the city. Bonn is old and rich in history in a way which makes it feel very unlike all but a few places I’ve been to in the US, but that could just be the jet-lag talking.

Culture Jolt

Having lived in Texas all my life, I had no idea what to expect coming to Germany and experiencing a new culture and lifestyle. I wouldn't say I experienced a culture shock but more like a small jolt.

A few observations....

1. Everything is green and flourishing here which is a huge contrast to the dry land back home. Most houses have gardens filled with flowers. You can also buy flowers just about anywhere off the street too.

2. All cars are small hatchbacks. Lots of smart cars, bmws, mercedes...basically all the really expensive cars from back home are what everyone drives here. Since the small cars are so small, they can even be parked on sidewalks! Try doing that with a jacked-up red neck truck from back home! All the streets especially near my host family's house are very winding with tons of turns unlike the parellel and perpendicular streets near my house in Texas.

3. Hearing German everywhere took some adjustment. I just have to get accustomed to not knowing what signs and people around me are saying. However, I am catching on to some words and the pronounciations of the language is becoming more clear.

4. Bakeries are everywhere with tons of delicious food! It's quite easy to just grab a sandwhich or a pastry just about anywhere in Bonn. I'm glad we are walking a lot or the pounds would start stacking on!

After living here about a week, Bonn and my host family feel more like home. My host family have a beautiful house and are very hospitable. Every morning breakfast is waiting for me and dinners are always a family affair. I'm thankful for them welcoming me into their home and helping me become adjusted to a new way of life.


Coming up...Week 1 Program Highlights!

Amsterdammed Out

Sitting here, about to go to bed, it's been very difficult gathering my thoughts on last week, but mainly because the one and only Amsterdam was in the middle.... Ahhhh Amsterdam.. I should have known how interesting this weekend would have been from the start. First, we leave Norderney and hop on our train, which begins having technical difficulties and drops everyone off at some random stop in the Netherlands and the pretty much say good luck in finding your way to Amsterdam. So all 15 or so of us figure out where the next train is and we finally make it to centraal station! Now for the sketchy 11:30 pm walk for 45 minutes to our hotel in a foreign country on a Friday night. The streets were packed, the smells were, let's say, earthy. And we we ready for some sleep. The Marriott was a great choice although a little expensive, we all felt safe and were ready to view the city the next day.

We started off with a boat tour, which was just alright, but it was nice to see the canals and then we headed to get some coffee and see the bulldog and spend the day wandering the town. We went to the Heineken Experience, which was pretty awesome and I got very cultured, per say. Next we went to a park and rested for awhile on the sunny day and then headed to the Anne Frank museum which was very nice to visit at least once in a lifetime. The next day we woke up late and went to the van Gogh exhibit and the red light district again. It was a rather interesting place, and I can't say that I honestly have any appeal of visiting it again. Once was enough for me.

By 4:30 we were Amsterdamed out and ready to go back to Germany, where the language is at least familiar and the city is clean.

Tomorrow we have the Cologne cathedral planned and Wednsday we are gong to the USA vs. FRANCE WOMENS WORLD CUP GAME. HOW Awesome is that!?!?!!!?

Well, sorry for the errors, this iPad isn't the best for typing, but oh well, and hopefully I can post again before Paris on Friday!

Tschuss!!

Drachen, Lachen, ...Zachen?

So I have been in Germany a little over a week now and I can honestly say Goodbye America! Haha just kidding, I honestly could move here forever but I know I would miss out on great things back home, and I haven't quite gotten this German language thing down (even though I get really excited when everyone talks to me in German and I understand a word or they don't know I'm an American -- it adds to the thrill). But anyways, I have done  so many "wonderbar" things since the moment I stepped foot on this foreign land. 

Let me start with my host family: they are awesome, very nice people! There are 2 girls, Miriam and Elizabeth about 3 and 17. And David who is 18 that all live at home. The very first day they took Travis and I to Drachenfels which is one of the 7 hills of Bonn. It was beautiful and there was a castle ruin on the top from the thirteen hundreds!! I learned a little German here: (Drachen - Dragon, Lachen - to laugh, and Zachen- which i think is to sing but honestly i have no idea, it just rhymes) Regina (pronounced rehgheenuh) has cooked us wonderful meals of many types, my favorite being the schnitzel or currywerst or the fried potatoes! Tonight Travis and I gave them our gifts of some pecans, UNO cards, tons of A&M stuff, and don't mess with Texas bumper stickers.... (they loved all of it and said they were going to put don't mess with "us" on there instead!) 

Now for our excursion! First we went to Hannover and saw some very interesting things... Mainly the axolotl, an animal found in Mexico that has regrowth capabilities. Whenever a body part is cut off, it has the ability to regrowth that limb without the use of stem cells!! It was very neat to see! And then we went to their spider room, which was a free range spider infested room that we walked through... Creepy, I know, and they were all named too. I think I killed Fred... For our night in Hannover we relaxed with some wine and the USA bs Sweden world cup match. 

Next was the island of Norderney! (Which has been the highlight of my trip thus far.) the first day we went SWIMMING IN THE NORTH SEA after our visit to the rehab clinic on the island! This was definitely an experience of a lifetime, even though the water was cold enough to pierce diamonds. we even convinced dr. Wasser to get in! It was amazing, and the fish on the island tasted wonderful too! The next day was rather interesting and tiring though. The wattwanderung ate us alive. Whenever there is low tide (about every 12 hrs) there is no water between the islands of the north sea and the mainland of Germany.... So obviously we took a tour guide and walked across about 9 kilometers of mud to the other side. Although there was about 4 hours of painful grinding (my ankles are still cut up) this walk was VERY interesting and fun. To learn about the organisms that live in this unusual terrain was awesome, and we even got to see two crabs "doing it" as Bailey yelled out to everyone. It was awesome and people even ate raw oysters straight from the sea! Later on we went to the seal center and learned about how they take care of the lost baby seals and other interesting facts..


Next stop: Amsterdam.
Tschuss!

Procrastination is a Lifestyle

I can't believe I'm leaving for the Airport in an hour to go to Germany, a place I used to call home. I have no idea what to expect I feel like the image I have in my head from when I was younger has been edited by time. But that's okay because these 20-year-old eyes are starving for something new and adventurous to cling to and that's what they're gonna get.

I guess the main difference about this trip and all of the other ones I've been on is that in a sense I am alone. Sure I'll have my classmates and teachers there to guide and talk to but for the first time a trip won't consist of my parents dragging me into every church and museum along the way. On the weekend trips and shenanigans I'm sure we will get up to during the week I want to spend time experiencing the different cultures and meeting local people and just really getting a feeling for what each country is about.

Above all I'm incredibly excited for the 'study' part of this trip abroad. For six weeks I get spend time immersed in the history of medicine, one of the only things I've truly been passionate about. I'm sure we are going to meet so many brilliant people who are changing the face of medicine right now and what I'm hoping to gain is a sense of where I want to ultimately go with my medical career.

This trip is going to be insane and I can't wait to step off the plane into a new world that will be my home for the next 6 weeks. Just gotta finish packing. And find my darn laptop charger.

Ready for Departure

So I will be on my way to Germany in t-minus 12 hours and I could not be more excited! I am new to the whole blogging thing so you will have to bear with me while I get use to this. I am just finishing up some last minute packing and making sure I have everything I need for the trip. I am so scared I am going to forget something important and not realize it till I am on the plane or in Germany, so I am double and triple checking EVERYTHING!! I am really anxious to go to Germany. I expect to be completely culture shocking when I get there. I have never been that far away from home so I am really interested to see how other people live their lives differently than we do in the U.S. I have to say I am also really nervous, or maybe it is more excitement... I can't really tell. Either way I CANNOT wait to get to Germany and start this adventure with my fellow Aggies... WHOOP!!!
'

Here Already?

Throughout the entire semester I was constantly looking forward to and trying to mentally prepare for this trip. Even with all that, I'm still feeling a bit anxious now that it's finally here. All my bags are packed and waiting by the door, but I still feel so unprepared like I was never really aware of what was going to happen and that fact is just now hitting me. I guess you could say that I'm becoming aware that I'm unaware.

I feel a tinge of regret for not getting to know the woman I will be staying with better. We've exchanged a few e-mails and we're "friends" on facebook, but I would be lying to say I couldn't have easily done more. I know it won't be awkward staying with her or anything, but I'm still a bit nervous about it and think I might not be if I knew more about her. Anyway, this is only a minor complaint because she seems like an extremely nice woman from the little contact we've had, and I'm extremely grateful for her.

Once I get to Germany, I'm planning on mostly staying with the group as much as I can. I have planned trips to most of the major cities, but I know that things can change. For me, this trip is just as much about making relationships with people as it is about making a relationship with the countries, so I'm willing to change plans if others decide to. That being said, I'm really excited to get the chance to see all these places that I feel like I've been missing for so long. Paris is probably the trip I'm looking forward to most because it's such a legendary city, but I'm sure I'll find that each city has parts just as fascinating as the others.

Of course, this is a STUDY abroad program so I'm sure I'll learn a great deal. I'm excited to learn about European culture in general as well as the history of the area. The classes will definitely be helpful, but I suspect most of my learning will come by simply immersing myself in the culture. Having only really spent time in the United States and some resorts in Mexico, it will be interesting to see how different other cultures can be. From what I've heard, there are some pretty big changes, both positive and negative. Regardless of whether I end up loving it (which is likely) or hating it (which seems impossible), I'm sure I'll have learned quite a bit after the next five weeks are up.

I will definitely miss my friends and family as well as my girlfriend over the rest of the summer, but they will all be waiting patiently at home for me when I get back. Though it seems like I'll be gone such a long time, these goodbyes won't be forever. I've made a number of new hobbies this summer including biking, tennis, and just fitness in general. The fact that I'm going to have to let some of that go for the next five weeks is a little hard, but it's certainly not the end of the world. Who knows, maybe I'll even pick up some new hobbies while I'm gone. Regardless of the people and things I leave behind, I'm very excited for this opportunity. My plane's landing really can't come soon enough.

Last min

After waiting an entire semester the trip to Germany has finally come. It is the night before I leave and I am finalizing all of my packing after thinking about what to take for the past week. I just hope I don’t forget something that I will need.

I am feeling little regrets about not learning a lot of German so I hope that I will be able to get by without it. Hopefully my host family will give me a crash course in German. Maybe I’ll just run to B&N to get a little dictionary before noon tomorrow.

I have only planned out my first weekend in the Netherlands as of right now because I feel things will change when I get there. Trying to figure out what the group wants to do or just going off and doing my own thing. I am looking forward to getting to know the group more because I only know a few people.

I am looking forward to learning about the history of Germany and other places in Europe. I am excited to see all of the museums and architecture Europe has to offer. I hope to learn lots about the wonderful beer in germany. I hope to broaden my beer tastes outside of weissbier.

I know that I will miss my family and the new friends I have made in Lubbock this summer. I am also going to miss being able to ride my bike everyday. Hopefully I can still stay in triathlon/biking shape by running a little bit, maybe this will allow me to see more things.

I look forward to seeing everyone in 24 hours

Hallo!

In the midst of a whirlwind of packing and preparing, I remembered that I hadn't actually posted this blog yet, despite the fact that I thought about posting every day for the past two weeks. Hooray for procrastination. It's amazing how fast time passes in the summer. I must admit, if I had written this a few days ago, all I would have been able to write about was anxiousness. My glasses broke and the new pair I ordered had to be sent back, I had last minute banking trouble, I still can't speak even a little German and my host mother can't speak English any better, and I just managed to ram my face into my desk chair so I'll probably have a black eye tomorrow. Look out Germany here I come!

So I guess the procrastination paid off. My old glasses were repaired enough to take with me, I will not be broke traveling through Germany, I have an excellent German/English dictionary, and I'm hoping my impending black eye will make any con artists think twice because I am clearly a dangerous woman. Getting the packing (mostly) done and the weekend plans established (thank you Drew, Bailey, and Kristen) did wonders for my travel jitters and now all I'm left with is a whole lot of excitement.

I'm not too sure what to expect, but I don't want to have to many expectations anyways. Better to leave room for all the awesome experiences that will happen then to try and live out my expectations. I know this trip is going to be amazing for a fact. It's been my 11:11 wish all summer, so that's basically a sure thing :) I'm really excited to meet my host mother and get either really good at German, or really good at charades.

The time over there is definitely going to fly, so hopefully I won't have time to be homesick. I'll miss my family a whole lot. They'll be going on vacations too so I'm not too worried about them missing me which is good for my peace of mind. I'm also not sure if I'm gonna like German food all that much, but I'm not worried about it. It's part of the experience.

I can't wait to get on the plane tomorrow and get started! It's going to be a fantastic summer. I've just got to get the last of that pesky packing done. Once again, thank you procrastination.

Leaving Tomorrow

It still hasn't really sunk in yet that I'm leaving for Germany in less than 24 hours. I've never been out of the country. Since I live in the Chicago metropolitan area, I figured that going to school in Texas would be equivalent to studying in another country. However, last winter when it became apparent that the stars might align and this trip might become a reality--I was thrilled.

My biggest worry is finding vegetarian food (my second biggest worry is that my yoga mat doesn't fit in my duffle bag, if that gives you any clue about my priorities). I barely speak a word of German, so I don't know how I'm going to read labels or ask waiters/ store clerks if stuff has animal products in it. Similarly, many ingredients in the US are vegetarian simply because it is cheaper to make them out of corn by-products, whereas in Europe it is more economical to use animal by-products. To be safe, I'll probably just live on beer and chocolate for the entire trip.

I like structured activities, so I'm a bit intimidated by the free weekends. There are several sites I'd like to visit that are not part of the program, but I'll get more comfortable negotiating trains and traveling in general when I get over there. Advice various people have given me about their experiences traveling in Europe has ranged from not encouraging to terrible: "You'll spend the first few weeks worrying about getting robbed, but then all your stuff will get stolen and you'll find out it isn't that bad!" "If you can't find a place to stay, just sleep by the road! You'll be fine!" "Americans get charged 4 times as much for things. Tell everyone you're Canadian." "Don't go to Paris; it sucks." "Bring underwear you don't like so you can throw it away instead of washing it." However, as long as I don't act like an entitled, obnoxious, stereotypical American, I think I'll be fine.

Already?

Well July sure snuck up pretty fast. Summer just keeps getting shorter and shorter.

I've spent most of my summer working in Lubbock, but all I've been able to focus on is this trip. I spent a lot of my time out there looking up things to do and see on our free weekends, and looking for cheap hostels. After the program, I'm going to Helsinki, and Stockholm, so I still need to figure out how I'm going to spend my time there. I guess that's what the train rides are for. Hopefully I'll be comfortable enough with travelling around Europe by then that I'll be able to go on the rest of my travels without any issues.

Speaking of issues, I've already had my first passport scare. Since I've been out of town all summer, my College Station pile still hasn't been sorted through. It wasn't where I remembered packing it up, so I destroyed the house pulling everything apart to find it. I was starting to think I was going to be stuck here. I'm not usually one to lose anything, so I was convinced it was gone. But, I finally found it, and now I have a big mess to clean up.

I'm not too worried about losing it on the trip, but it will be glued to me the whole time. That was definitely enough stress for one summer.

Now to leave that awful start behind and start on a month long of experiencing new, exciting things and making new friends.

I'm not sure what I'm going to miss over the next month. Obviously, we will all miss family and friends. I'm not a picky eater at all, so I don't think I'll really miss the food here. I'm actually looking forward to the new foods we'll get to try. I'm definitely not going to miss the hot, humid summer. It's 65° in Bonn right now... I don't think I could be more happy about that.

I am definitely excited about just about every aspect of this trip. Maybe a little nervous about meeting my host family, and the weekend travel going smoothly, but overall I know this is going to be one of the best experiences of my life.

I do still have some packing to do, so I'll end with that and see you all in Bonn!

24 Hours

I have a little over 24 hours before my plane will be taking off from Houston Intercontinental Airport bound for Frankfurt, Germany. And I won't be getting on another one for five weeks. Wait, what?

The past few months my excitement (and anxiety) for this trip has been steadily increasing. I am so looking forward to the adventures that await me. I guess just the idea of being so fully immersed in a culture so foreign to me is overwhelmingly exciting. I am generally slightly cautious to new and unknown things, but this time I can't wait. It is such an incredible opportunity to be able to talk to foreign people, see the buildings and the culture and the history, and hopefully pick up a little German.

So far, my summer has consisted of being extremely lazy and bored in my hometown while trying to finish up summer school. I am taking two online classes for a total of six credit hours. Both classes are supposed to last until August; I am trying to finish them in four weeks. Needless to say, I am eager to finish them up and get on to something a little more exciting.

If you asked me a few weeks ago what my current fears were, I'd probably talk about being away from home and loved ones for so long, getting along with my host family, or what to do one the weekends. While these are still on my mind, if you asked me today my answer would change to airport security, which clothes to pack, and how to deal with my Dr. Pepper addiction.

Overall I am extremely excited about starting my journey tomorrow. I think I will feel a lot better once I finish (ok, get started) packing though. I can't wait to get there and get started already!

Ready

There is a brand new bag, still as limp and empty as the day I got it from the store. There is a pile of clothes awaiting the washing machine. The electronics and chargers that are so dreadfully vital to my existence have not yet been collected, and a pair of cats has succeeded in convincing me that a week of perpetual naptime was a good idea. But there is also a drawer full of completed paperwork in the next room and a steadily shrinking to-do list in my head. Friends from all over the state have been sufficiently caught up. Six weeks of studying dairy medicine has filled me with more knowledge than I could ever want. I have been productive, in all the ways that count. Or all the ways that don’t, depending how you look at it.

I do not anticipate that the fat of Summer’s leisure will do anything but expand my waistline, as it already has during my stay in greenless hicktown, New Mexico, where the lettuce is iceberg and the green beans come with bacon. I look forward to beer and sausage and various tubers, and whatever other calorific foods the Germans have to offer; I will eat it without regret. I love food, and I need something new. It’s cliché, but it’s what I look forward to most.

Oh, and the learning. I expect that this trip and this class will be infinitely more exciting than any I have ever seen. Not only do the lecture and lecturer seem like they will be interesting, but the country itself contains, in my opinion, the most fascinating culture and history on the continent. Except for the mandatory trip to Austria, I plan to tour Germany exclusively, and hopefully learn a great deal about the language while I am there.

That, however, is the extent of my planning. It frustrates some of my friends and my parents that I know so little about what I would like to do and what I think I will learn, but I say that ruins the fun of it. So what if I don’t wash my clothes until the morning of? I’ll get to the airport three hours early, like you’re supposed to. And I may not know where I am sleeping on the Saturday night of the fourth weekend, but I’ll know on Saturday morning.

I’m not ready. But I’m excited. Are you?

Wattwanderwhat?

I absolutely cannot believe that I am leaving for Germany in three days. As everyone else will agree, it seems like only yesterday that we were attending our first induction meeting. The semester ends, a few lazy summer days roll by, an OChem class comes and thankfully goes, then BAM! There she is, July 1st, sitting pretty on the next page of my planner. One ticket to Germany, bitte.

The past month of my life has been a somewhat voluntary, yet particularly unpleasant, sacrifice to the OChem gods. Daily four hour mini-marathons of note taking, lab work, and turtle time (Bailey LeConte, Drew Bedgood, Lisa Clayton and I have become very fond of spending our break time with the turtles that reside in the tank at the end of the hall. We are quite positive they will miss us once we embark on our great adventure. Especially The Brain, he seems to be the odd-turtle-out.). The only thing that makes completion of my summer course bearable is the knowledge that Germany awaits. Because Drew and Bailey are also traveling to Germany, class time evolved into “plan Germany jaunt” time at a very early stage in the curriculum (around when Dr. Miller handed out the syllabus). Thank goodness I have had these two around. Without them I would most likely be hostel-less on the upcoming weekend trips and would probably be in a slight state of panic. Bailey, Drew, for all of your help, my sanity thanks you.

Next on the list, packing. It is quite literally next on the list because the process itself has yet to actually begin. I will be carrying, on my back, everything that must accompany me on the trip. For this reason, I figured I would attempt a minimalistic approach. I know what you’re thinking. “Female. Europe. Five weeks. Good luck with an essentials only concept.” Well thank you for your support. Considering the fact that I only have one day to pack, I figure I can’t overdo it by too much anyway. Tomorrow morning I will take my final, deflate my air mattress, throw it in my car, and drive home to Dallas. I am hoping that spending a month on inflatable bedroom furniture will have conditioned me for the “mattresses” that await at hostels.

What will I miss while I am away? Well, I am not quite certain. Though I am not one that is generally ailed by homesickness, I am sure I will miss friends and family more than anything else. Honestly, the excitement of being in Germany will probably drown any possibility of sorrows for the first five, or so, weeks of the trip. What do I most look forward to? Everything! Sightseeing and people watching. Obviously, tours of facilities and insight into medical history. Maybe some morning jogs through the parks in Bonn (a preemptive measure to combat the beer belly).

Well, since the only words my spell check is flagging are German, I guess this post is blog-ready. Until Bonn everybody!

Beer Bellies, Diet Coke, & Medicine

After a rough summer of Organic Chemistry from 7:30-11:30 every morning, and work from 12:30-4:30 everyday, I cannot believe that the time has finally come for a break! I have been planning on this trip to Germany since September, and have known about it for over a year now; having had a friend previously go on the same study abroad program last summer. The excitement has been continually building up and my "over" planning will finally come to a halt (I've been told on several occasions that I am "out of control"). Sitting here at my last day of work I am writing down everything that I need to do before I leave, and counting the hours until my plane leaves (~72 hrs). Among other things I decided that for this first blog entry, I could summarize all of my fear and excitement into three categories: Beer Bellies, Diet Coke, and Medicine.

Beer Bellies

This idea derives primarily from my future roommate who got back from his summer I study abroad trip to Germany this week. Let's just say that (although I haven't seen him in person yet) I have heard that he put on a few pounds during his month long stay. The Germans are known worldwide for their beer, and it is something that I highly look forward to. I personally feel like this shouldn't be too big of a problem noting that there will be miles of walking to be done everyday in hopes of staying fit. This beer belly concept can also be extended to my excitement for the German culture and being fully emerged in a foreign land where I may be "taking back" some of my experiences with me (even if it means a few pounds). This is a once in a lifetime experience and I do not intend on letting any anxieties get in the way of missing out.

Diet Coke

Ah, my love for diet coke (and caffeine in general). This is going to be a problem. I have a serious addiction and I know that free refills and my daily accessibility to diet coke will be limited. This, however, is going to be something that I will have to get over, no matter how hard it may be. Heck, maybe this trip will be a good time for detox. Among other fears, however, I know that I am going to miss my family and my niece, of whom I only get to see a couple times a year to begin with. I am continually comforted in the fact that I am not completely shut off from them, and my experiences abroad will only give me more to talk to them about. Also, the fact that I will get to see my cousin who lives in Paris for a weekend will be very exciting!

Medicine

This theme is obviously more blatant for it describes the whole purpose behind this trip! I absolutely love medicine and new technologies that have to deal with improving quality of life for many people. I have gone through our schedule to see what museums and hospitals we are visiting so many times that I should probably have it memorized by now. This is definitely what I am looking forward to the most. The international experience in medicine that I will gain through this program will be second to none and I am hoping that it will aid me with applying to medical school.

After months of planning, working, and class, I finally feel prepared and ready to flee the country. All that's left is an OChem final (dear God help us all), a little more packing left to do, and a 3 hour drive to Dallas tomorrow. I can't wait to meet my host family and begin an adventure of a lifetime on Saturday!

Until Bonn,

Tschuss!

First Time Out of the Country

I have lived in the same house all my life, I don't travel much, and I have never been out of the country, not even to Mexico, so when this study abroad opportunity was presented I had to take advantage. So, as excited as some others may claim to be, I doubt that they have looked forward to this as much as me. Not only did I never think that I would be able to do this, but I was skeptical that a program out there even existed for biomedical engineers. Now that the day is almost here I am ready to strike out on my own, away from my family, and go places they have never been before, and learn about a culture that they know very little about.

Nothing is more exciting to me then experiencing the culture first hand. It is going to be so interesting seeing the differences in everyday life, and other small things like that: the food, the dress, the music. I can't wait to learn about all of it. I like a certain type of all of those things, so it will be fun to try new stuff, and see how different or similar it all is.

Of course the next thing that I anticipate most is the scenery and attractions. Germany is a much older country than the US so it has much older and more beautiful buildings and other architectural works. The museums, hospitals, zoos, castles; they will all be like nothing I have ever seen before.

As much fun as being in Germany is going to be, I have to admit I am quite excited for the weekend trips to other cities and countries. I will be going to Amsterdam, Prague, Paris, and a few other German cities that aren't included in the program. I have spent weeks planning hostels and activities for the weekends we're there, but also hope to stumble upon a few hidden spots that tourists don't usually venture to.

One last thing that I am excited about, the BEER! How could I not be when traveling to one of the world's most famous countries for their beer? We are definitely going to try as much as we can of all the different kinds. Hopefully we will all still like American beer when we return.

These last few days have been so stressful, especially with all the packing and planning, but I know that it will all be worth it when I arrive in Berlin on Saturday. Although, I am nervous about the culture and language barriers I am confident that we can manage, and that we will all come back more experienced and learned than before!

Ready to Get Out of Here!

Anticipation, excitement, mountains of fun. Germany will be incredible. Since I have never traveled abroad, I don't know what to expect. Of course I have reviewed all the travel tips provided by AIB and Texas A&M, but that is only the surface. Those travel tips help give you ability to travel and be prepared for the unexpected, but until I actually get Germany, I really don't know what to expect. I have talked to people who have traveled to Germany

One thing I am wondering about is how much American culture Germans know about. Do they follow celebrities like TMZ, or do they think that stuff is pretty stupid. As of right now, I do believe they show American movies in Germany. It could be interesting to see the new Transformers movies over there. However, if the Germans do follow the American celebrities, I can tell my host family that I have seen some of their houses in Beverly Hills. I would also find it interesting why Germans or other Europeans like American celebrities so much. And I know it is not the same way for the United States. I do not know any Germans except for Dirk Nowitzki. I know that Germans know about him because he was the number one searched person recently on yahoo.de. This is actually pretty cool since I saw a Mavericks game this year, however it was the first game Dirk was injured. The Mavs lost to the Raptors. Yep, the Raptors. But I do believe that the Germans follow American culture.

I am also looking forward to talking to Germans as well. I want to know how much personality differences there are. I know that Americans are known for being friendly, but do Germans offer something different that Americans would like. My prediction for what Germans(based on what I have been told and seen on TV) that they are frank and more serious than Americans. Even though this isn't a reputable source, South Park had an episode about how the Germans are the least funniest people in the world. Yes, South Park is a raunchy TV show with little cartoon characters, but it probably has some truth. Maybe the Germans will prove me wrong.

I am also curious how many people will have the name Schaefer. Since my name is German, I wonder if it is like Smith or Williams in the United States. Maybe it is spelled differently or is there an amula over the a.

To wrap this blog up, I am excited about going to Germany because of the new surprises and adventures I will be having.

Another New Place

Well I'm finally home in Bandera, TX and have internet access for the night so I'm taking the chance to write my blog while I can. I've been in Vinton, LA all this summer and the only internet I've been able to get on has been pretty sketchy.Most of my summer, so far, has been spent working for my dad and for a veterinarian at Delta Downs and shadowing at a big equine clinic in Vinton. I want to be a large animal veterinarian (hopefully equine) and have been working on my "experience hours" so far this summer.

I am so excited about going to Germany. Honestly, I'm probably more excited about the nicer weather than anything. It's definitely going to be a huge break from the hellish heat in humidity that I've gotten used to in Vinton. At least in Bandera it's dry heat and it actually cools off some at night. I'm not really sure yet if I'm going to get to Germany and absolutely love the weather or freeze my butt off.

When I first found out that I was going to be going on this trip for sure, I figured that I'd be most nervous about going to a completely new place on my own, where I didn't really know anyone. If it wasn't for this study abroad opportunity, I don't think I'd have convinced myself to go at all. I guess that just goes to show how much I've changed in the past few years. When I first graduated high school, I never would have thought that I would even consider going on some sort of trip like this. I was one of the most shy and quiet people you could ever meet. I'm still pretty quiet, actually, but I've gotten better. I guess I've just picked up and moved to enough new environments that It doesn't really bother me anymore.

Right now, the thing that I'm most nervous about is getting my bag checked and getting on the plane. I'm not too worried about figuring everything out once I get over there though. I've only been on a couple planes in my life and they've both been short flights where I didn't have to worry about getting my bag checked. And not only will this be my first long flight but it will be the first time I've ever been out of the country. I'm probably just over-worrying myself about this though. I'll probably be at the airport around noon or early afternoon because that's the only time my dad can drop me off. He has to get back to Vinton because he has horses to run that night (he's a race horse trainer if I hadn't mentioned that before) so we're going to drive to Houston after he finished tracking horses in the morning so he can get back in time.

I'm also sort of nervous about speaking German. I've been spending most of my summer, thus far, working on my Spanish and cajun French than studying German.

I got an email from my "host mum" today and she seems pretty awesome. She's a quarter Ecuadoran (I probably spelled that wrong), a quarter Italian, and half English. And her brother runs an Irish pub. If I can't manage to expose myself to some new culture then I've got issues. It's probably going to be a complete turnaround from living in smalltown Louisiana and spending most of my time on the race track like I have been for the past month and a half. It's so exciting!!! I can't wait to head off on this new adventure and see what all I learn.

Six Days

I cannot believe there is only one week left. Actually, less than a week. More like six days. You can tell by looking at my desk that preparation is underway. Yellow and purple sticky notes are stuck to my bookshelf, fluttering messages like "Pick up meds" and "To Buy: ..." You know it's happening when you come home with two bags worth of samples from the dermatologist, just so there is enough for you to use while abroad. Seven days is a blessing and a curse; you only have a few days left to get everything done (kind of freaking out!), but knowing that it all will be done in six days is comforting.

I have been looking forward to this trip all semester! For the longest time, I didn't know if I would be able to go. When my dad sent me the it's-a-go! email, I almost jumped out of my chair. Good thing I didn't, as stares of disdain from fellow Evans Library computer users would have shot my way. This trip is the best combination of everything that interests me. As a Biology, pre-optometry major, I am and have always been interested in the sciences. Being able to tour medical schools and medical museums, see surgeries, understand controversial issues like euthanasia, and learn about the birth and rise of medicine will be invaluable experiences. Knowing where we have been is important for being an integral part of the future.

Not only will the history of medicine fascinate me, but I cannot wait to be in Germany, mein Heimatland (homeland)! My father is German (born and raised- love calling him a "Hamburger"), so my upbringing has been surrounded by German traditions- Weinachtsmann, Bratkartoffeln (delicious fried potatoes), Oktoberfest. I have been to Germany before, so some of the German cultural subtleties won't be new. Nonetheless, this trip will something completely different. This program will allow me to see and tour things I normally wouldn't. I will be doing excursions to cities in Europe I have never been before. The people will be new; the places will be new. I hope to make life-long friendships with the locals and fellow Aggies. (Improving my German will also be a super plus!)

The excitement keeps building the closer we get, but so do the nerves. I am most anxious about being gone for so long- seven weeks! It's one thing to be in College Station for seven weeks, but being in Europe is something completely different. These last few days, I really understand what Joy meant about the roller coaster of emotions you go through. One minute, I'm thinking, "I can't wait! I can't wait!" The next, I say, "Forget the nerves; I just want to stay home"- where I can sip a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice watching The Next Food Network Star.

I have to say, one thing I will really miss is my Florida OJ. But luckily, everything else Germany has to offer will make up for it. I can't wait for Currywurst and Spezi and weisse Spargel and endloes Kartoffeln and....O yes, there is one thing I must mention before I close this chapter. Has anyone ever tried tuna fish pizza? This is something my grandmother and father love. I must say, it sounds kind of "out there," but I will be trying it! Join me?

As I sign off, I must say I'm really excited to click "Publish Post." Not only is this my first blog post ever, but doing so will allow me to cross off "Blog" from my purple sticky note. :)

And So It Begins.....

This is meant to be my pre-departure blog but I've actually already left. I've been in Europe for almost two weeks with my dad. I was hoping this would be a good way for me to start getting used to the flow of Europe and make me feel comfortable when I'm on my own. It's also great being adjusted to the time already (that was a rough first week). I still feel pretty much the same now as I did before about the program but at least the anxiety of Europe in general is taken care of.


I still expect to be uncomfortable and feel out of place sometimes but I also expect to adapt and learn to appreciate the chance to experience something different. I generally tnd to dislike too much change. I like what i know, but with this study abroad program that all goes out the window. Everything is going to be new and it's sure to be different, but it'll probably be the time of my life.

In regards to the program, I'm curious to see the development of medicine and the present day practices in Europe to see the similarities and differences. However, I feel like this program isn't as much about the credit as it is about the experience so I'm looking forward to a different type of learning environement.


Preparing for the trip was more stressful than exciting though. When I was packing I kept worrying that I would forget something or pack too much or not enough. It's just such a long time and I didn't know what to expect so I couldn't know what to pack. Also, the idea of trying to figure out trains and hostels was overwhelming but thankfully I have a great group of travel buddies to help me. I don't know what I would have done without Josh, Carrie, Elena, Sam, and Aubrey.


I'm excited to experience a new culture and to try out another perspective of the world, even if I'm admittedly a little nervous. I can't wait to get started!

Adventure Awaits

This just doesn’t seem real yet. It’s hard to imagine that in less than two weeks I’ll be hanging out in Bonn, Germany or off on a weekend excursion to one of the hot spots in Europe. All the planning and preparation is ultimately accumulating into nervous/excited anticipation of actually arriving in Germany.

I never planned on studying abroad. There just didn’t seem to be too many opportunities for biomedical engineers and the cost seemed outrageous. However, once I learned about the History of Medicine program in Germany, I instantly knew it was the perfect fit for me. I’ve never left the country so everything about this trip will be a new experience for me. From traveling by train to walking cobble-stoned paths I will take it all in with awestruck excitement.

This program’s focus on the past and present medical advancements is a perfect part of my education as a biomedical engineer. Global relations seem to be increasingly important in the workforce. Studying abroad will allow me to learn how to interact with people who live in different cultures. “There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign.” This quote puts my traveling into a different perspective. Everything I see will be foreign to me, but in reality I’m the one who’s foreign to the place I’m visiting. Learning how to adapt to new places and work with different people are skills I need to survive. One aspect of the program focuses on new and upcoming medical technology, but I think it’s important to know how we got to where we are today. From the guest lecturers to the field trips, I’m excited to learn all about Germany’s place in the medical history of today.

My host family sounds like a wonderful family. Their introduction email just filled me with so much appreciation for them to welcome me into their home. They have three children around my age so I’m looking forward to hanging out with them and their dog!

I have to admit, the weekend travel is what really grabbed my attention about this program. As if traveling around Germany isn’t enough, I have the opportunity to travel to surrounding countries with my friends and have mini-adventures in cities such as Amsterdam, Paris, and Prague. It’s been overwhelming looking at all the things to do in these cities (and a bit of a hassle to find hostels) but this trip is allowing me to experience different cultures outside of Germany and to see the places I have only dreamed of visiting all in one trip.

I feel that the closer it gets to my departure date, the more nervous I’ll become. I’m honestly not looking forward to the long plane ride, but it’s worth it. I’m always worrying about things so my goal is to let go during this trip and just enjoy every second. I can’t say I have specific expectations other than my desire to experience as much as I can. I hope the trip doesn’t fly by too fast, but I’ll be sure to capture as many memories as I can and hold onto them. Everyone always says studying abroad changes you. Well, I’m welcoming a change. A change in the way I view the world all the way down to how I view myself.

Fond Memories

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

Back Home

I’ve put off writing this for a really long time because I want to make sure that I include everything that I want to say and I don’t forget anything important. Unfortunately, I currently can’t think of anything coherent to start off with, so I’m just going to make a list of all the things I can think of and say whatever comes to mind first. So here it goes:

• I loved the Hygiene Museum in Dresden. I was just telling my family about it yesterday so I’ve been thinking about how cool it was recently. I wish that more museums had interactive exhibits like that one did and I definitely wish that we had got to spend more time there. I think it’s funny that even though everything was written in German, I still feel like I learned from the exhibits and displays.
• Watching surgery was a really great experience too. It was cool that Katie and I got to see both cardiac and orthopedic surgery and get a feel for the differences between the two types. I wasn’t even really that interested in that kind of thing before, but after talking to the surgeons and seeing how organized and professional the operating rooms were, I’ve kind of been thinking about what it would be like to be a surgeon. Who knows, maybe I’ll have to start considering medical school now too.
• I also really, really like riding on trains. As long as they’re not incredibly crowded, they were a really great way to get around. It was nice to be able to relax and read or listen to music and not have to worry about getting lost or taking a wrong turn.

Also, since I know that it was really helpful for me to read the blogs from previous trips before I left for Germany, I want say a few things to the people who are going on the trip this summer or even next year. And I know that you will probably hear a lot of this stuff from Dr. Wasser, but sometimes, it’s easier to listen to advice when it comes from another student. So, here are my words of wisdom to future generations of globe-trotting Aggies.

• Make sure that you know how to work your phones before you go wandering of in the European wilderness. Okay, so we weren’t exactly lost in the woods or something like that, but it is a little nerve-wracking getting lost in a hospital when all the signs are in German and realizing you can’t get a hold of anybody because someone doesn’t know how to work a phone (yes, I’m looking at you, Katherine Elizabeth Wright.) The numbers that you have to dial are different whether you’re in Germany of another country, so I suggest you figure out what they are before you go, especially if you’re about to leave for one of your free weekends. (By the way, we eventually figured out how to work my phone when we were lost in the hospital and it turned out that we were right around the corner from where we were supposed to be. So, that was a little embarrassing.)
• Invest in SmartWool Socks. I’m serious here, you won’t regret it. If you go on the winter trip, you will be walking through a lot of slush and snow and I don’t care how nice your boots are, you will get wet feet at some point in time. (https://www.smartwool.com/default.cfm#/Womens/Socks/_/_/227/)
• Pack light. Or else you will suffer. I had the distinct disadvantage of not being able to go home between the trip and going back to A&M, so I had to carry around a lot of stuff that I didn’t need for the trip but I needed for class this semester. Unless you absolutely have to bring something, don’t pack it. I had a chance to do laundry three times on the trip (twice for free in Bonn) so don’t worry about bringing enough clothes for every single day of the trip. Just don’t forget to pack a few really important things: lots of socks (see above comment), extra camera batteries, a water bottle (it’s really hard to get non-carbonated water so I usually just filled a bottle up at the hotel each morning), and you’re A&M student ID (it will get you discounts getting into museums.)

Overall, I think that this trip was a whole lot of fun and definitely worth it. We got to do so many amazing things and learned so much. Thank you so much, Dr. Wasser, Dr. Zack, and Nils; I know you guys all put in so much work and the trip wouldn’t have been the same without you! I really miss being in Germany already and I definitely hope that I’ll get to go back to Europe again soon!

Reflexionen

Location: College Station, Texas

So... it has been some time since my last posting; but it has certainly not been some time since I last thought about the journey through Germany and Austria. So many wondrous things seen, so much knowledge gained. I will do my best to put my varied thoughts into words (perhaps I should have done a better job of organizing when I unpacked).

This study abroad trip was everything that I expected it to be, and then some! Currently, I am using my experiences to help me write a paper for my Animal Science Seminar class, I was able to use my time at the Hanover Cattle Center in my interviews for Texas A&M's Vet School, and the emotions that I felt there have stayed with me, rising to the top of my thoughts while situations play out here in the States. The only negative from this trip is that for the past two weeks I have had a strange craving for a German-style donor kebab. As soon as I get my own kitchen, I will find some lamb and make one.

It seems short, but this just about sums up what I can say about the "History of Medicine in Germany and Austria." This trip was definitely the best thing I have ever done. Anyone out there reading this humble blog post, I most certainly recommend a trip overseas. Seeing a foreign land, an alien people, a distant culture, is an awe-inspiring sight that shows just how much all peoples have in common. Thank you to everyone who was with me in this odyssey, and thank you to everyone who worked behind the scenes. I cannot thank you enough for making this experience possible.

Gute Reise, Freunde!

Ich Bein Ein Berliner

It’s hard to believe it’s been almost 2 months, since I got back from Germany. The time has gone by so fast as school and other activities have swamped my mind. I wish I could say that I had had a real time to sit down and reflect on all that I learned and saw, but life is too busy. However, without even trying, I’m always thinking about Germany and comparing it to my life here. At times I’m glad that I live in Texas and go to Texas A&M, but other times I wonder how awesome it would be to live in Germany and be a student there. Life here can be so boring sometimes, but in Germany, everything was new and exciting and it seemed like there was always something to do. In some of the cities we were in, like Berlin and Vienna, I felt like I could spend months there and not see everything that there was to see. One of my recent thoughts on Germany was when I was driving and downtown Houston and looking up at the skyscrapers. I wondered if a German would be awed by these tall structures after being around all of the incredible architecture in Germany. How would the Cologne Cathedral stand up to a towering glass skyscraper? In my mind, I realized after seeing the things I saw in Germany I was less impressed by these 20th century buildings. That’s a huge change for someone who would drive by downtown and see the skyline and be amazed at what he saw as progress. After seeing huge structures that made me wonder how people in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries could have possibly constructed them, I don’t appreciate today’s buildings nearly as much. Will people in 200 or 500 or 1000 years care at all about the huge skyscrapers that one can see in any large American city? My guess, probably not. That’s what made Germany so special to me. After being in America for 20 years, a country that people could say sometimes forgets its past when it comes to progress and expansion, I loved seeing Germany, a country that embraces its past and progresses with it and around it. That by far is what I think about most when I remember my trip.

I would be lying if I said the only interesting thing in Germany were the buildings. The history of medicine program put on by Dr. Wasser, Nils, Dr. Rainer, and AIB was superb. It saddens me to think I may never have the opportunity to do some of the things we did on the trip. Seeing heart surgery was an experience that I will never forget. To have the opportunity to see someone’s heart beating inside of them was truly amazing. It helped that the doctors were so friendly and explained what they were doing during the surgery. I would jump on a chance to see heart surgery again. Aside from the surgery, I was very impressed with the hospitals in Germany. They were very clean, very well run, and very advanced. I wouldn’t mind having to spend time in one of them….kidding. The museums we saw were incredible. I could have spent a day in everyone. I was amazed at the extensiveness of the exhibits and the sheer number of specimens and pieces. I’ve been to some great museums in America, but Germany’s museums definitely rivaled anything I had seen up to this point here. The thing that left the most indelible mark on me, though, had to be the concentration camp. It showed how evil people can be and reminded me how we must always be wary of current events that seem wrong but happen because nobody stands up to stop them.

One thing I really miss about Germany is the transportation. It was so simple to jump on a train or subway and get to your destination comfortably and efficiently. It was also a great way to see the countryside and lay of the land. I love driving around in my car, but the mass transit in Germany was definitely a good experience. Another thing I loved was the beer. There is simply no comparison between German beer and American beer. I miss it very much and have tried to find something equivalent here, but with little luck.

Now it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t talk about the few things that I didn’t like about Germany and Europe in general. First and foremost was the water. I was never able to acquire a taste for the carbonated water and really missed normal water fountains. I also missed being able to get free water at restaurants. I guess German water is worth more than America water. The only other thing that I didn’t like was the prices. I definitely spent more money on food there than I ever would here. However, the cost of the experience was definitely worth it as the food was great there and I miss kebaps very much.

All in all, I can honestly look back and say that the trip to Germany and the other countries I went to was a life changing experience. I truly gained a new perspective on the world and enjoyed the chance to see other cultures in action. I have to thank Dr. Wasser, Nils, Dr. Rainer and all the rest of AIB for making the trip possible and providing guidance and information that not even the best tour guide could have given. I only hope that I will enjoy myself as much as I did the next time I go to Europe. The one thing I can promise is that I’ll be back.

So now it's really over

I guess us writing these posts means the class and trip are really over. As I sit here at 3:30 in the morning, with 2 tests tomorrow and an assignment due, I can't help but think back to our trip. I read through a lot of the posts already and I can say that I echo the feeling of relief that many felt in Germany. It was a great break from the constant stress of being in biomedical engineering, and looking to even more difficult things in the future. I think that all of us are going to look back at college as kind of a big blur of school and stress, with a nice little break in the middle where we went to Europe. That is definitely one thing I was hoping to get out of the trip, and I'm happy to say that I wasn't disappointed.

To say the least, all of the trip activities exceeded my expectations. I had no idea so many different activities could be planned so intricately to fit into three weeks. I feel like we really got a look at a lot of different things. I had no idea that observing the surgeries was going to be so thrilling. I had figured that we'd be up in a gallery like in House, kind of watching but not experiencing. The fact that we got to put on the masks, scrubs, and the weird rubber shoes and stand literally right there was amazing. I think we got a good taste of the thrill that surgeons say they get when performing surgery. The idea of stopping the heart, putting it on bypass, fixing it up, and starting it back up again is just amazing. The surgeries were definitely one of the highlights of my trip.

The places I visited and the things I saw were great, but all of it would have been nothing without the people that were there with me. I honestly did not expect to become such good friends with the people on the trip. Once we all opened up and started to get to know each other, it felt like we were all old friends out having a good time. I cannot thank Nils and Dr. Wasser enough for all of the hard work and planning that went into making the trip happen as smoothly as it did. They really made it a unique and memorable experience.

Thank you everyone for a great time, and such good memories. I hope we continue to have reunions and keep up with each other.

Nicole ended with Disney, so I guess I will too. This one's for Luis.

We must be swift as
the coursing river
With all the force
of a great typhoon
With all the strength
of a raging fire
Mysterious as the
dark side of the moon

Looking Back at the History of Medicine

My life has been a whirl wind since I have returned from Germany. Between classes starting back up, taking the MCAT, running the Houston half marathon and planning a running a retreat for fifty high school students I haven’t had had much free time. So when my cousin sent me a message a couple of days ago asking about my trip to Germany I had to stop and process everything we did.

The first memory that came to me was observing the surgeries. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute from studying a heart beat inside a man’s chest while the surgeons performed a triple bypass to watching the surgeon suture up a girl’s arm after repairing a fracture. Then I began to remember the cities we visited, like Berlin, Vienna, Hannover, Copenhagen, Dresden and Bonn. The New Year’s Eve celebration in Berlin is one of my favorite memories. I usually don’t like large parties and lots of noise, but celebrating the New Year with thousands of people from around the world is quite the experience. If I were to return to Germany I would like to visit Dresden again and spend time along the Elbe River. I would also head back to Copenhagen in the spring or summer time. It was nice in the winter, but I could tell that it would be outstanding when there wasn’t snow and slush on the ground. And as the memories continued to flow, I remembered the people we met through AIB, in the hospitals, and the museums.

I’m very fond of all theses memories; however, I feel that the most important idea I took away from the trip was not a memory of a particular place, event or person. Instead the trip left me pondering the impact my generation of doctors and biomedical engineers will make in the medical field.

Before going on this trip I only ever considered the current state of the medical world. I was focused on all the state-of-the-art medical care we have. But the history of medicine museums that we visited in Germany made me realized that the term ‘state-of-the-art’ is relative. At the Charite History of Medicine museum in Berlin we learned about the barbers and laughed at the technique they used to preform amputations. We laughed because it seemed ridiculously obvious to us that using unsterile tools in an unsterile environment would lead to infections, but 200 years ago the procedures were the best they had because germs had not been discovered. Which of our ‘state of the art’ medical equipment will be laughed at by the new ‘future of medicine’ some 200 years form now? I don’t say this to disclaim or belittle the discoveries we will make, but make a point that there is much will change both during and after our time.

Then, when we discussed the invention of the stethoscope on the Medical History Walk in Vienna, I began to ponder our acceptance to these new innovations. The stethoscope is a staple of a doctor. If you were to dress up as a Doctor for Halloween you would put on a pair of scrubs and hang a stethoscope around your neck. Today doctors rely on them to diagnose patients. But, when the stethoscope was first discovered, the doctors of the time thought the idea was worthless. What incredible medical invention is sitting right in front of us that we refuse to accept as important?

These two thoughts have floated around in my head since we returned to Texas. In high school history we were taught that history was important because we needed to learn from our mistakes in order to have a successful future, but until this trip I had not considered applying this idea medicine. Our generation is capable of advancing the medical world relative to where it is today as long as we study the developments that have occurred, find the weaknesses, and integrate new knowledge and technology as it advances.

El Fin

Since coming back to the U.S., I have thought about Germany several times. It occurred a lot more in the first few weeks back. This was probably because classes had just started again, and were (and still are) a lot less fun then what we did in Germany. It took me almost a week to get my sleep cycle back on track. I feel asleep at 9:30 PM a couple nights and woke up at 6 AM without an alarm. I have since gotten back on track.

The main thing that I want to talk about in my final post is the differences between the U.S. and Europe, and what I like about each side of the ball. First and foremost is my final opinion on the contrasting healthcare systems. I do not feel that either system is the “right” system. My belief is that both systems work in their respective countries, and therefore each country should follow the old addage, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Changing either system would cause confusion and anger amongst almost half of the nation, so staying with the status quo is the best thing to do.

Moving on from the topic of the class to the culture of each area. I love the Euro and the way prices are listed for everything, everywhere in Europe. The tax is included and the numbers are mostly round (ie end in a 0 or a 5). I don’t like pennies and Europe has mostly done away with one cent increments, at least form what I experienced. Now to what people wear, although this will be partially biased since I was only able to see the summer fashion. I saw a man wearing white Uggs in Prague. I really, really, really hope that this does not become the norm here.

I really miss the food. I have gone back into my college cycle of me cooking plus campus and fast food, and obviously these are no comparison to big time restaurants. I really liked the little sandwhich and pizza shacks that were in most of the train stations in Europe. Also the kabobs in Berlin were amazing. I feel that a shop like Ali Baba’s could make a killing on northgate at 2 AM.

I really enjoyed my time in Germany and Europe and I would love to go back ASAP. I would like to do a couple different things on my return trip. First I would like to go in the summer. I know many people complained about Copenhagen, but I liked it on the trip and think I would love it in the summertime. Second, I want to go to Bavaria. I would really like to go to Munich. Third, I have now put Octoberfest on my bucket list, but hopefully I will have more than just one opportunity to experience this for the first time, and the rest of Europe again.