The Experience of a Lifetime

Studying abroad is a great way to experience a foreign culture and learn a new language. But while abroad, at least in my experience, I learned that experiencing the culture does not actually mean living it yourself.

From the outside

14 weeks in a foreign country may seem like a long time, but it’s hardly any at all. In 14 weeks, I had to try to experience as much German culture as possible to truly understand the city. In 14 weeks, I had to adjust to this new country and way of life, make my time the most productive as possible, and then try to prepare to say goodbye to it all. 14 weeks is enough time to experience a culture, yes, but to truly immerse yourself into and understand it as someone who has lived there their whole life? It comes no where close. Even as someone who lived in a host family out of the tourist section of Berlin, it was hard to truly feel like a real “Berliner”. I saw what it meant to be one, I experienced it in some small ways, but I feel the only way to truly immerse in the culture is to truly live here. Not as a temporary student, or tourist, but just as a citizen. You cannot compact a lifetime worth of knowledge and experiences into 14 weeks, and while I have done and learned so much, I know it only barely scratches the surface of what Berlin is truly like.

14 weeks is enough time to experience a culture, yes, but to truly immerse yourself into and understand it as someone who has lived there their whole life? It comes nowhere close.

There were advantages and disadvantages to experiencing the culture through study abroad. It is by far much better than being a tourist, and excursions helped compare different cultures so get a wider understanding, yet it is still a limited view of what the city and country has to offer. Our German classes try to give us a better insight on some of the cultural aspects that differ from what most Americans are used to. Once again, its entirely different to learn about somethings than to experience something, and it’s entirely different to experience something than it is to live it. Study abroad has given almost a preview to German culture, and to explore it most you have to live it yourself.

Ticking By

One of the best things study abroad has given me though is the connections with so many people on this trip. From my first host family to my second, and to the friends that will soon live across the country from me, these people are what made this trip abroad a truly miraculous experience. Living in host families has given me such a truer understanding of German culture and everyday life in Berlin. They truly opened their homes and let me into their lives. My friends abroad have a special place in my heart. Something about exploring and experiencing new things together creates such a strong intimate bond. The friends and families I have made will be the hardest part to leave behind.

From my first host family to my second, and to the friends that will soon live across the country from me, these people are what made this trip abroad a truly miraculous experience.

These last few days are not only saying goodbye to these friends and family, but also to the city of Berlin that gave us so many wonderful experiences to share. It is hard to look at the days counting down knowing I will have to say goodbye to such a beautiful city that has so much more to offer. But this will just keep me coming back for more and letting the adventure continue.