Waiting at the Airport

As I write this, I am sitting at the DFW airport. I have just arrived from McAllen, TX and I am waiting for the ticket counters to open. So my adventure starts today. I just experience my first flight and I am about to experience my first sleep over at an airport. 

I still cannot mentally processes that I will be flying into Germany in only a few hours. When I arrived at College Station I had always planned on studying abroad. I just can't believe that it would be my second year in college. It was a little challenging for my parents to grasp the idea of me leaving the country when they barely let me leave the city, but I am happy I applied anyways.

I am really looking forward to learning a lot, not just from the class itself but, from the different culture and people. Right now my main worry is that I did not spend enough time trying to learn German. I hope that I can get by with what I know. The food is something I am also excited to try. Besides the language, I feel ready to arrive at Frankfurt and take it all in from the moment we step out of the airplane. 

Until then, I will sit here in the airport enjoying some Netflix and trying to cram in some more German phrases. 

Wait we leave tomorrow?

Sitting down now to write this post next to my half packed bag, I admit my preparations for this trip may be a little last minute. But between getting home from school, Christmas shopping, and getting my wisdom teeth removed, these last couple weeks have be hectic. Really this whole semester the idea of this trip never had time to sink in... For the first time in my life I will be traveling overseas!The idea still seems surreal to me.

Although I have trouble wrapping my head around it, I couldn't be more excited for this opportunity. Not counting a week my family spent in Mexico for vacation, I have never been outside of the U.S. With that being said, my family is currently hosting a couple visiting from the Ukraine. So although I lack experience abroad myself, I have been able to get a little cultural flavor right here at home. We even added a couple Ukrainian traditions to our Christmas! Meeting these lovely people and learning a little about their traditions has already given me a sneak peek to what being immersed in a culture completely different than ours will be like. I'm even more excited now, if that's even possible.

As well as experiencing new cultures and visiting new countries, I am excited to learn some history in such a great environment. We won't just be learning about medical history, we will be visiting universities, training centers and museums. It will also be interesting exploring countries with so much world history.

So while I may still be packing, I couldn't be more ready to experience as much as I possibly can. Bis bald Germany!

Return to Germany

It’s hard to believe that this summer will mark a full seven years since I’ve been in Germany.  I was last there the summer before my freshman year in high school with my mom and one of my best friends.  I actually bargained with my friend that if we took her to Germany with us she would take German with me in high school as our foreign language instead of Spanish—which we both agree was well worth it.  We have family friends who live in Bavaria and stayed with them for a couple of weeks, only traveling within the surrounding area so I am much more excited for this trip since we’ll be seeing a lot more.  I felt a little uncomfortable the first time since I didn’t know any German, but I’m now minoring in German language and can’t wait to be able to practice speaking outside of class.  I’m much more proficient in reading and writing, but I always felt that my speaking skills would more readily improve if I was actually placed in a situation where German is the spoken language. 

I love traveling and don’t really have any qualms about being away from my family, as I’ve been to Australia with People to People Ambassadors and attend college 1000 miles away from my hometown in Indiana.  I’ve been comparing our temperatures with those in Bonn and Berlin, and it’s much colder here—with a lot more snow—so unlike all of my classmates coming from Texas, I’ll be arriving to warmer weather in Germany.  I look forward to gaining a better understanding of the medical system and practices in Europe and starting the new year off right with my fellow Aggies abroad!

 
Ich wünsche euch fröhliche Weihnachten!

Go Boldly

           My iPhone app reads “2 Days Left,” and although I have checked it eagerly since October, the number is inconceivable. I am incredibly thankful for this opportunity to study abroad and can only imagine what this trip will hold. I hope for growth in many aspects, including my knowledge of German culture and medical history. The realization that we begin our journey across the Atlantic so soon is incredibly exciting and I am ready to jump into the unknown.

            My bags are still empty and my German vocabulary consists of “nein.” In so many ways I feel unprepared and yet I am perfectly fine with it. Ordinary semesters are filled with stress and structure, all-nighters in the library and memorization of chemical structures. I am more than ready to take a step back from the traditional classroom setting and absorb knowledge through my own experiences. The museums and medical facilities we will be visiting will provide a new way of learning that is unfamiliar to me. The free time will allow us to explore our own interests and get to know our fellow Ags a little better.

            As we embark on this trip, I need to encourage myself to be open to anything Europe may offer. Whether that be eating sauerkraut with every meal or taking an impromptu trip to a local market, I hope to leave nothing unseen nor regret not taking that extra step. After all, what other time in our lives will we have to be young and in Europe?  

Pre-Departure

We are now only two days away from departure to Europe, and I only get more excited as it draws nearer!  I am thrilled for our adventure to begin for several reasons.  For one, obviously, I look forward to exploring Europe.  My father is a pilot, and my family has been lucky enough to travel quite a bit throughout my life.  When I was ten, while in Germany, we climbed the steps of Der Kölner Dom in Köln and explored the Rhineland on bicycles (I don’t think I will repeat that particular experience during the winter, however).  Since then, I have always wanted to go back; because I was so young, I do not think I fully grasped the importance of that experience.    Having a greater appreciation for the culture differences and the historical value of the cities and sites we will be visiting, I think I will glean much more information from this trip. 

            Additionally, I love learning about different cultures and the histories I may never have experienced.  Specifically, I am looking forward to learning more about the Third Reich at Elde Haus.  I am very interested in World War II, but I have only ever studied WW II from the American perspective.  Also, during this trip, we often have a few hours to ourselves, or a free afternoon, and I am excited that we can tailor our free time to our specific interests.  For example, horseback riding is one of my favorite pastimes, and I hope to visit the Spanish Riding School in Vienna.

            Lastly, and most importantly, I am so looking forward to learning about the history of medicine in Europe, as well as gaining a better understanding of the European medical system.  I will be attending the UT Houston Medical School next August and appreciate the opportunity to expand my perspective of health care and widen my global view.  This particular study abroad gives us the opportunity to interact with medical professionals that we would likely not have had access to otherwise.

            I do not think I am really nervous about anything.  I am a fairly adventurous person, and since I have traveled to Europe without my parents before, I do not usually get homesick.  I suppose what I am worried about is once we get back to the United States.  I know we will all be suffering from jet lag, and since the semester begins the day after we get back, I am just hoping I will not be a zombie for class on Monday!

            Well, that’s all from me; Europe, here we come!

Guten Morgen, Deutschland

   Since coming to college, I have been trying to break out of my comfort zone, to widen my horizons, and to just generally be a little braver. Studying abroad seemed like the most wonderful way to accomplish these feats, and I feel really blessed to be going on this incredible trip.  

   Having never traveled past Mexico, I cannot say I have many expectations about this journey. I've been gathering tidbits on German history and culture since I heard about this program, but I do feel as though I am quite unprepared. My college language studies are in French, and my German vocabulary currently consists of about 20 words... but I am determined to continue learning!

   I will feel very grateful if I am able to spend time conversing with German students, experiencing this unique culture, and soaking up all of the medical history. As a Texan, I've seen very little snow, so it would be wonderful to get to see more :) I've been 21 for a couple of months already, and I'm not much of a beer drinker, but I would like to try some German beer too, just for kicks. I am also very excited about spending New Year's in Berlin; it sounds fantastic!

   I am probably most concerned about the language barrier. I want to use German whenever possible, out of respect, but as I mentioned I do not have much in the way of German language skills. My general goal is to offend as few native Germans as possible, while representing Texas A&M, Texas, and more broadly America, honorably.                                   Secondarily, I am a little worried about homesickness. I am very close with my family, but I want to get the most out of this experience. I hope I can find a good balance there.

   All in all, I am so thrilled about this wonderful trip. Bonn voyage! :)

Deutschland, ich komme!

Well, where to begin! First off, the most important aspect of the "college life" that I have ever wanted to experience was to study abroad. And now that I think about it, it's not something most students do. 

This is a privilege and I am determined to make the best of it!

Germany has always had a very special place in my heart. My parents originated from Iran and I have a very strong cultural pride. However, they met in the airport in Frankfurt. Since my father was 5, he attended a German school in Iran, and later accomplished medical school in Tübingen. My mother, on the other hand, lived and worked in Munich as a computer scientist. Both of my father's younger brothers accomplished school and currently work in Germany (although one lives in Iran). Because of these family ties to this country, I have always wanted to explore Germany. 

Being Persian, I have learned the importance of culture and ethnicity. I am personally infatuated with traveling, and I hope to somehow incorporate it into my future career. A personal goal in my life is to be fluent in 5 languages. I have mastered 2 of 5 (Farsi and obviously English), and I hope that German can be the third, especially through this trip and my future trip to Germany this summer.  However, exploring Europe is a first for me. My family and I typically travel through Frankfurt to Iran, but that is to the extent of my "Europe experience". I am filled with excitement and longing for this adventure to hurry up and arrive. How many people get to say they had a course in the history of medicine, in the region where it most originated from? With this excitement, however, comes a bit of anxiety. Again, I have never immersed myself in a culture on my own, and I can't help to see how I grow from it! 

Deutschland, ich komme! 

It feels like a dream...

I believe I can honestly say that my story is the most unique amongst my peers traveling on this trip. I actually go to Prairie View A&M University not Texas A&M, but always wanted to study in Europe. Therefore, after doing extensive research I discovered this course and knew I could not let this opportunity pass me by.   After relentlessly working with administrators, professors, and scholarship advisers they finally made it possible for me to partake in this once in a lifetime opportunity.

This will be my first time to Europe and I do not know what to expect.  I have traveled to Nigeria, South Africa, and Dubai but I know Germany will be the most life-altering trip I have taken thus far.  I will be thrown completely out of my comfort zone, as I will be with all new students in a foreign country that speaks a language that I am not familiar with.  It’s rather overwhelming, but also exciting to think that simply a year ago I could not have pictured myself in the position I am now.

My mother keeps me going and helps me remember that I am privileged to have these opportunities at my fingertips. She comes from a small village in Nigeria and hasn’t traveled much since coming to the states.  She often says she couldn’t imagine having these courses available when she attended University. 

This course will help me become more globally knowledgeable in the realm of medicine.  I matriculate into the University of Texas Medical Branch next fall and I know this course will put me a step above, as I will be exposed to foreign medicine and learn the origin of healthcare practices that we use in the states.  These are things that the average medical student does not encounter in their domestic coursework.

Beside academics I know that I will enjoy everything Europe has offer and it still hasn’t registered yet that this trip is really happening.  Germany, Austria, and New Years Eve in Berlin I don’t think any trip can top this one!

Ready to Take a Little Risk

Back in June, my parents and I had a long discussion about the opportunity to study abroad for three weeks in Germany.  The thought was a little out there, due to the fact that I have never really had the chance to take this sort of a "risk" so to speak by myself before. My dad looked at me and told me I could go. Shocked by the news, I was still processing everything in my head. As the semester rolled around, I decided to get on board and get outside my comfort zone.

The semester has flown by, now with only 11 days until I depart from good ol' Fort Worth for a three week long excursion to tour and learn about Germany and Austria, life in Europe, and the way that medical history has developed throughout a continent that is much older than the USA. Europe is filled with rich history, with both its good and bad memories. I wanted to study abroad to be outside my comfort zone, and do something I had never done before.  I want to become more open minded in the way I think and act and the way I perceive the world. 

I am excited to be able to learn in a different environment other than College Station, and I am ready to be immersed into a completely different culture than the one I am used to. The next 11 days cannot go by any slower as I am so ready to board the plane and take on a new adventure! Germany, here we come! 

Let the good times roll!!!

Looking back on this semester it has flown by, I feel like I signed up for this study abroad last week.  Over the last few weeks, I have slowly but surely been gathering everything for the next month.  It has actually been a lot harder then I thought it was going to be.  Unlike everyone else I leave on the 12th of December, so I need to pack for 5 weeks.  I will be spending Christmas with one of my very good friends are her family in Bergamo, Italy!! We will be skiing and partying, and having an all around good time!

I have always wanted to go on a study abroad not only to help me academically, but to also experience another culture for a time longer than 2 weeks.  This Study abroad is giving me a chance not only to further my medical education, but also give ming the chance to experience other cultures.  I will be able to experience Christmas in Italy and New Years in Germany!!! Not many people can say they have done this, and it is really exciting.  While I have been to 5 european countries, I am expecting that Germany will be a completely different.  I'm a little worried about the language barrier, but I think that most of the Germans will speak English.  I am also excited to be able to experience the party culture of both Italy and Germany.  Here in the US I am not legal, but there I will be; this will allow me the chance to find the beer that I will dunk my Aggie ring in when I get it in April!!!!

Over the next few days I will be finishing my last 5 finals, and then packing on Wednesday.  While it is an extremely stressful experience getting ready to leave, I know that when I finally get there on friday it will all have been worth it!
...
Day 1: I am finally in Germany!!!! Things were a lot more different then I though they were going to be while I was in Italy.  I was able to experience a different culture for a much longer time than I have ever before.  This time allowed me to not only learn the Italian quite a bit more than I have ever before, but now has me speaking Italian in Germany and not because I want to but because it has almost become habit.  While I was there I stayed with my friend and her family; living the "Italian way" has also changed my perspective on life because the "American way" is not the only way to do things.  For example an American Christmas is short and sweet, there is a lot of consumerism and not so much family, but in Italy it is completely different we ate a 5 hour meal and literally talked the entire time. There was not as much emphasis on presents as there was on family, which was completely different from what I have ever experienced and is something that I would like to bring back to my family next year.  Though there were many differences in the "Italian way" and the "American way", I wonder what the differences will be when comparing to the "German way". Until next time let the good times roll!!

Life at Home

Two months ago, I returned home from Germany on the longest flight of my life. The plane ride was horrendous. There is really no way to rephrase that while still having an accurate statement. I knew that the best way to adapt to U.S. time was to stay awake as long as possible on the plane. It seemed as if time’s passing was slowed since I woke up at 5 in the morning and returned home at 5 pm yet with the time changes, there were many, many more than 12 hours between those two 5 O’clocks. Once in Houston, I was immediately thrust back into preparations for the first day of school in the fall semester. There were clothes to wash and bags and boxes to pack in order to move back into the dorms. It was a rush and there was no time to relax. In most ways I think this was a good thing. The adjustment back to life in College Station was not hard because there was no time to really sit and think. Looking back on this summer, it seems like a dream or another life that occasionally reaches over and bleeds into the one I live now. Occasionally I find myself responding to questions with “nein” or other little phrases I brought back with me. Sometimes I will see an old man help his wife into her jacket and I remember the grandfatherly German man who looked out for me on one of my train rides. I still remember the art, the food and the cobblestone streets. The churches and their stained glass windows are like nothing I will ever find here. I am still astonished at how young our country is while houses and buildings in Germany and Austria have stood for hundreds of years. It was a wonderful trip that brought me some of the most beautiful scenery and experiences I might ever have. For now, though, it is life as usual, studying hard to plan for a future that may or may not go according to plan. However, no matter what happens, I know I can adjust because I have proven myself before in a country far away from home.