BRITTANY: Final Thoughts

Looking back on this trip, it was everything I had hoped for and nothing I had expected. I did not know what to expect of Germany. Coming into this trip I was very nervous. I was afraid of what the other people on the trip would be like, and I was afraid of going to a country where I could not understand much. All I knew was I wanted an amazing adventure, and that is exactly what I got. I have seen so much and met so many interesting people along the way. We live in such a beautiful world, with such amazing people. I have enjoyed the company of everyone I have come across in Germany, and I can honestly say I am going to miss these people greatly. I have made friends with the group of people from South Carolina, those from Minnesota, and those from Jordan. The thought that I may never get to see these people again saddens me. I hope to keep in touch with everyone, and one day be a big group again. I could not ask for better company.

Coming to Germany has really opened my eyes to the world around me. It is crazy how different one’s culture can be from another’s. There are multiple similarities and differences between Germany and America and it is fascinating to observe these. This trip has really sparked an interest in me. I want to do and see so much more than I have been able to. Traveling to Germany has made me want to get out and observe other parts of the world. I want to see and experience it all! There is so much to do out there, and so many great experiences waiting to be had! I am already planning my next trip abroad!

Overall this trip has been amazing. I am in love with Germany, and I am greatly going to miss this country when I leave. This may have been my first trip to the country, but I am sure it will not be my last. If I could rewind and live the trip all over again I would. I have no regrets for Germany, other than not being able to stay longer. Being here has made me very happy. The experiences, the people, and the places have all been amazing. I feel blessed. I could not ask for anything better.

SABRINA: Final Thoughts

Germany has been an amazing experience. I really do not want to go back to the States! Before I left, I had last minute worries  and it never hit me that I was leaving home until I and some friends went to see “The Hangover Part 2” and I saw the clip of them taking off to Thailand. I looked at my friends and I was like, "I'm leaving for Europe tomorrow, guys..." It took all the strength I had to get on that plane. It was my first time on a plane, and my first time leaving the country. But nine hours later (all but like 2 of which a baby screamed) we safely landed in Munich. Then a quick run to the next plane and we were off again. 2 hours later, we landed safely in Berlin and had to march off to find our hostel.

When I saw the road to the hostel, I was frightened!  But it was actually pretty nice. Berlin was and still is my favorite part of the Germany trip! Berlin was just so amazing!!! There was so much to do and see, and also where my "why am I going to Germany" fears went away because I could order food and drink.

There were very few moments where I realized I was in a different country. One of those was when we went out on the river and watched people dance. Oh, I wish every night could have been like that night. It was so...  serene or something, everybody was happy and just having fun. I wasn't too happy to leave Berlin, and even less happy to see Magdeburg. I have to admit though, the place has grown on me. I still think it's sleepy, but I still wouldn't mind staying here for a few more weeks or years. Every day we have done something, which I really have enjoyed because I think I would have been miserable if I just had to sit around the city all day!! There was only one day I did not go out, nothing was planned, and I was sick. So I chose a great day to be sick :)

When class started, I thought I was going to cry! I was put in the more advanced class with people that have had SEVERAL semesters of German! Frau Weber was like: GermangermangermangermanDeutschdeutschdeutsch!! And I was like: ???????!!!!!!!! *cry* but I kept to it and I've made it through. I feel that I can better understand German. I really enjoyed the class and Frau Weber. I'm going to miss everything about it (except for that Abschlusspruefung....that was harsh).

I met so many great people that I'm going to hate to leave! Emma and TJ are great, and the Jordanians are really nice too, Yanal is my favorite though. And I love Hendrik and Bo!! We're all friends on Facebook, but who really talks to Facebook friends? I'm going to miss most of the things in Germany. My list of things I won't miss will be shorter though: nasty German water (tap and bottled), expensive drinks, paying for bathrooms, smelling cigarettes everywhere, seeing the same people EVERY DAY, the smells of Germany, recycling bottles and Pfands, bipolar weather, no air conditioning, and difficulty with language barriers. Everything else I'm going to miss.

Today has been very sad. Because it hit me that I'm going to head back home, and I'm going to leave most of the people I've met, and I'm going to have to go back to my boring life. I don't want to leave Europe! I want to stay here! The lifestyle seems much healthier! I'm going to miss walking everywhere and having good quality food! I honestly think I'll move to Germany one day. I've loved this trip so much and I'm not ready for it to end, but I know every good thing has to come to an end. I'm so grateful I got this opportunity, I'm going to miss being here so much!

REGINA: A rich history

I think something that we miss out on in America is having the experience of living in a very old country. I mean, compare Germany to America. Germany has houses that are more than twice as old as America as a country is.

Now, relative to its age, America has made a lot out of itself. But there’s so much more culture to be found in a country with a history as long as Germany’s. A great deal of the most famous composers in history came from Germany, or, if not Germany, from German-speaking countries. There are so many different types of architecture to be found in Germany, too. I’m not a big fan of older American architecture, but even in the large, over-the-top buildings that can be found in Germany, there’s something incredibly charming which I feel American architecture lacks. And a lot of it is incredibly well preserved.

You can go and find houses that people lived in 400 years ago fairly easily. I think it’s incredible that there are buildings to be found here that are older than America is.

Being as old as it is, and having had so many great people and things that have come out of Germany, it’s a wonder that Germans are so humble. America really doesn’t have any excuse to be as cocky and full of itself as it is. Germany, and Europe in general, has been around so much longer and has done so much more; it’s just insane how proud Americans are to live there when we’ve done so little in comparison.

I feel as though instead of so much focus on the history of the United States in K12, there should be more of a focus on what the rest of the world has been doing as well (my own experiences being that, until I got to USC Upstate, essentially nothing beyond what concerned America specifically was discussed in school). I think that if we were to teach our students more about the world around us, maybe Americans would stop thinking that they’re the best there is and see that there are other countries out there that are just as great, and in some cases, better, than our own.

GENIE: Toilet Paper and Zucchini

For several days there has been an annoying group of children at the Jugendherberge. All day and night they would run up and down the halls screaming, laughing, jumping and being just plain stupid. Annabelle and I actually complained once because they kept knocking on our doors and then running away. And not just knocking really. They would slam their fists on the door and then sprint off. We had to come up with our own secret knock so we wouldn’t keep opening the door for no one. It was driving everyone insane. We started fighting back eventually. The best moment was when Annabelle, Chris, Yanal and I were on the elevator. We had just been joking about Yanal yelling at the kids in Arabic if they tried to get on when the elevator stopped at the 3^rd floor on the way to the 5^th. When the door opened several loud children began to shove their way onto the tiny elevator. Yanal puts on a serious, borderline crazy-eyed, face and began to slowly walk towards them while he prattled on in Arabic, gradually getting louder and louder. They kids booked it back out of the elevator! It was so funny! Throughout that day and evening we stood up; Annabelle yelled at them in English to stop knocking on our door, and when they did it two minutes after she said that I opened the door and screamed something in Deutsch along the lines of “Shut your f#$@ing mouths” and then slammed the door (one of the kids looked like he was going to crap his pants when he saw his death in my eyes) and then TJ and Emma wrapped toilet paper around their faces like mummies and harassed the kids in the hall a bit. It was great.

After the Yanal incident some of us went to a cookout on the school campus. It was a lot of fun to mingle with the German students and have delicious grilled food and free drinks! We ended up staying for a long time and drinking and laughing with the other students. They steak they had there was fantastic, and the salad was to die for. They also had this grilled slab of cheese you could eat and it was heavenly! Afterwards we walked all the way home, which was lovely and felt great after we stuffed our faces.

The next day (Wednesday) we had our final. It was intense. Six pages long plus an oral exam. There was one entire section of the test on Rotkäppchen that blew my mind, and not in a good way. I had no idea what I was doing! But thankfully, Frau Weber said we all passed. Regardless, we were all drained after that exam, and it was relaxing to meet up at 2:00 to go bake some Brötchen. Finding the place was weird though. It was very sketchy and for a hot minute I thought Bo was taking us to our deaths where someone had paid him to deliver a bunch of students to the ghetto where our bodies would be used in various experiments. It ended up being a lovely building with many lush plants in the surrounding area. It was all very natural. When making the bread we even ground the grain there. It was fun kneading the dough and making various spreads. We even made hand-made salads and dressings.

While the bread was baking we were taken on a tour of the grounds by the head honcho, Frank. He showed us the old building that had once been used as a classroom or recovery room for sick patients. Those who had lung problems could lay down and the windows would open and they would get clean, fresh air even though they were in the middle of the city. We also saw many gardens where they grew their own fruits and vegetables. There was a zucchini the size of my arm! I wanted to eat it so badly.

Eventually the food was ready and we feasted upon our brötchen and salad. It was fantastic. My favorite spread was one that was made with a yogurt-like base and had many herbs and onions in it. There was a delicious mustard salad dressing that I was in love with as well, and the homemade peppermint tea was addictive. After the dinner we had some cake the women made for us that contained a little coconut, strawberries, rhubarb and something else. Maybe peaches or apples. It was amazing.

It rained very hard on the way back to the hostel, but we didn’t mind. Several of us got together as a sort of celebration of being finished with our final exam in one of the hostel rooms and we danced and talked and had a great time!

Today, after class, we went to the area of the Elbauenpark. We went into the Schmetterlinghaus (butterfly house) and saw several lovely plants, birds, fish and insects. I loved it in there and wanted to stay longer.

After that we went rock wall climbing! I almost didn’t do it, but I’m glad I did. I tried all three heights, the largest being 25 meters. The shortest one was bizarrely the most difficult, and the mid-sized one was easiest. I wish I had made it to the top of the largest one but my arms got so tired. I only made it a bit over half-way before I had to stop. I physically could move no more. It was so much fun though! I really enjoyed it and I’m glad I took the opportunity.

I’m exhausted now though. It’s been a physically and mentally draining week so far! I look forward to sleep tonight and our good bye cookout tomorrow evening. :-)

ANNABELLE: One big family now

Besides the many excursions we have gone on during our time in Germany, I would say the most uplifting and life altering aspect of this trip would be the random, smaller activities around Magdeburg.

There have been countless moments where I have thought to myself that I never want to leave and how happy I am here. Walking to the park several evenings a week with friends and finding our way back to the hostel is a relaxing and pure experience.

Although Magdeburg is not a metropolis or raging city, I have really enjoyed being a quasi resident of this area. Early this week I bought a handmade purse from a Ugandan woman and thought to myself how I feel reinvigorated by life and less burdened than I had been feeling in the previous semester. At times I have thought that the everyday stresses and pressures of college life can be so very overwhelming and draining. Since I’ve been here I’ve been so carefree and content.

I have also wondered if my separation from a cell phone and being inundated with negative American politics and news has had a beneficial and cathartic effect on my disposition. I have loved my random activities from taking the bus around town exploring, to going to Curry 54 for some 4,00 Currywursts and Pommes, to buying trinkets and presents for myself and loved ones. Everyone on this trip is like one big family now, sharing food and making fun of one another. I feel like I will always be connected to everyone on this adventure to Germany.

BRITTANY: Cultural Differences and Random Thoughts About Germany

I find it interesting that all of the music I have heard in Germany has been American music. I have to admit, I was slightly disappointed. I wanted to go to Germany and buy some really good German music, but according to Hendrick, our go to man for Magdeburg, Germany does not really have music in German.

I have also realized that almost everyone in Germany is at least bilingual. I have even come across many people who can speak three or four languages. It makes me wonder how the school system is set up and how these people seem to be able to switch from one language to another with such ease. Why isn’t the American school system allowing for its students to become bilingual?

As far as German fashion goes, Germans seem to be stuck in the 90’s. The clothes fit differently and there seem to be mullets everywhere. Definitely one of the most unattractive hairstyles there is! I wonder why none of the many people with mullets realize how silly their hair looks.

Germans seem to absolutely love their dogs. They literally take them everywhere with them. I love this. I would take my dog everywhere with me if I could. The dogs in Germany are even allowed in the restaurants with their owners. This would not go over well in America. The dogs seem to be better behaved here. I have heard very few bark, or beg while in a restaurant. They are all very friendly, and much more in shape than American dogs. This is probably because they get to walk and get out on a daily basis.

Many places in Germany don’t have air conditioning. At first it was uncomfortable, but I have seemed to adjust to it. The nights are cool, so with an open window, it is comfortable. I could not imagine not having air in South Carolina!

There are no free refills for drinks in Germany. This can get expensive. Also, water isn’t free like it is back home. Many times alcohol is cheaper than water, which isn’t a problem, Germans have very good beer! You don’t tip waiters in Germany, which is nice. The money you would be tipping them goes to a drink refill.

Public transportation is so much better in Germany than it is back in the States. It seems like it is easier and cheaper here to take the bus or the street car than to actually drive somewhere. Sometimes you have to walk a little farther to get on the right bus, but the walking is nice. It’s nice to be outside, and it forces you to get exercise.

I love to see the differences between Germany and the United States. I’m really going to miss Germany when I leave. I have learned so much about people on this trip. I hope to come back and see and learn more.

DUSTIN: Baking Bread

Today was a good day I took my final exam I baked Brötchen, made some salad dressing, and had a fresh cooked meal. The day started out stressful, I woke up looked over my notes and head to school. I got to school at about eight o’clock. When the class started at eight thirty and the teacher told us we had until nine to study. When nine o’clock came she walked us over to the other class room where the test was being administered. When I got it I finished really quickly, in about thirty minutes, we where give an hour and a half. It feels good that after today we have no more grades in class, but we still have to go though.

Late today we went to this place that was in the middle of a neighborhood. When we walked into the front gate, it seemed like we were walking into a horror movie because there was a long dirt road which lead to a house, which turned out to be part of the old fortifications of Magdeburg. When we go to the house no one came out to great us, so we were standing there in the middle of a yard with random animal noises. But eventually our guide and head cook man come out and brought us up to the cooking room. First impression of the place was, there is no way I want to eat anything that I make here. I have to say the first impression isn’t always the right impression.

When he took us up to the room we started the process of Brötchen backen. The first step is to grind out grains and mix it with salt, yeast, and water. Altogether that part took like 15 minutes.  Then we had to knead the dough for 10 minutes.

Then it came time for me to put my culinary skills to the test and try to make salad dressing. It was difficult but with the help of top chief and translator Coffman and some German lady that was there I did it. I made some kind of mustard, honey based salad dressing. I have to say without them I couldn’t have done it, the whole recipe was in German. I now know the difference between an Esslöffel, and a Teelöffel. An EL is a table spoon and a TL is a teaspoon.

While the Brötchen was baking he gave us a tour of the grounds. It was pretty amazing because we got to go into a part of the old bunker. That was cool, I realize now how short everyone was back in the day. I almost had to duck when I went through the door.

When Brötchen was finished we chowed down. There is nothing better than fresh baked Brötchen and freshly made salad, dips, salad dressing, and cake. I enjoyed the day, and I wish I had the recipes for all that stuff we made today, because I would love to make it at home.