My two weeks in Germany have been quite the experience. We did so many things I feel like I've been here for months! I've gotten to experience the inner city, local hangouts. The whole shebang. It has been the most wonderful, exciting, eye opening experience of my life. I am taking away so many cherished memories and new life long friends. Germany met my expectations day 1 and has been topping it everyday since.
Having gone to school, actual school, for a whole week now, I've seen a drastic change in the temperament of the students. I've decided its the teachers. Obviously (haha). Some teachers just don't have the respect of the students and therefore get completely taken advantage of while others implement strict order. Its peculiar to see the same people go from almost wild beasts to ideal students. Mind blowing! It was also very different to have the same classmates the entire time I was here. I'm not quite sure I agree with the teachers moving classrooms but it was defiantly a stark difference from school in America. I was also expecting the school itself to be bigger but I liked that it felt like more of a home atmosphere and not a learning institute. And not that I expected to be driven to school everyday but that trek biking is long. I'm always sweating when I get to school which is not what I thought would happen! School has been a "learning experience" and not something I will forget anytime soon.
Besides school, Germans in general have busted my initial notion towards them. People in America tend to think Germans are always angry and yelling but from what I've seen, this is not true! The more I learn and see about the German people, the friendlier they appear. I've had a good handful of complete strangers wave at me or say hello. It's a very kind gesture. Germans are a very passionate people as well, especially when it comes to their 'football'. I knew soccer was a big deal but I had absolutely NO idea how radical Berliners become! It was fascinating to watch them rally together, chanting, cheering. I can't wait to experience this for myself tomorrow! In general, being in Berlin has changed my outlook on the German people and I hope to share my new found knowledge with my friends and family back in America.
As far as any other stark surprises, I've been in the clear. My two weeks in Berlin has taught me a lot about Germany in general. I've had my rude awakenings when first arriving but nothing to radical since. The tap water and AC don't even phase me anymore and the short beds are OK now too. These two weeks have also showed me the social dos and don'ts of Berlin (Germany in general); shutting doors is not rude, EVERYONE bike EVERYWHERE and naked people are perfectly acceptable. Not exactly American standards but doable until Sunday. I have a feeling it will be weird to adjust to American norms after being in Germany for so long. No more fresh fruit I suppose.
Germany has been a blast but America is starting to sound better and better. We've done so much during our time here it will be nice to just relax a while. That and not having the constant thought of how your getting home in the back of your mind. I still have tomorrow for german fun and I'm looking forward to that! Sunday will come very soon and it will be time to go. Seems just yesterday we were flying in, nervously gathering our belongings to greet our german counterparts, readily awaiting the two weeks ahead. Now, as I finish my final blog, I am looking back at the previous two weeks, wondering where the time has gone. I feel so privileged to have gotten to have go on this trip, have this once in a lifetime experience. I have made so many new friends, both German and American, and am looking forward to keeping in touch with them in the following years. I've become so close with my German host and her family, it will be very hard to leave, but as Dr. Seuss said, "Don't cry because it's over, Smile because it happened.". As I wrap up my last few days here in Germany, I can say but one last thing. Chow. Auf Wiedersehen. Goodbye.
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