I participated in the “Global May Germany” program where I spent four weeks living and learning in the city of Berlin. During the program I studied the German culture and history through educational group excursions. These included trips to the Berlin Wall, ballet, Jewish Museum, Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, and a World War 2 bunker.
This program was transformational because of all the new experiences I faced during my time aboard. There were many differences I had to face while being in a different country. This included many cultural changes that I was not used to during my everyday life. The cultural exposure allowed my views to change about the expectations and stereotypes I had made before attending the program. These were assumptions like what people ate and drank, the language, how people interacted with each other, politics, religion, and clothing and style. Global May Germany allowed me to see and experience a new culture which affected how I view differences in the world. I was able to compare my life in Ohio to others in Germany.
Everything I did during this program allowed me to see differences in American culture versus German culture. I noticed it even during simple grocery runs. While I was at the grocery, I could visibly see how they do many daily tasks differently. Everyone at the grocery carried their own bags. You have to buy your own bag at the checkout, so everyone brings reusable bags to use. This is an effect of the environmental conscious attitude they have because they do want extra waste with plastic and paper bags. They also have a water bottle exchange which is when you get money back from recycling your bottles. They are very successful with limiting their waste which is overall better for the environment and something I think the US should incorporate into our society.
The conversations I had with locals gave me an insight on about how our political systems and policies are different. I had a conversation with a local about their healthcare. This came up because he asked what I was studying at university I explained to him that I learn about Public Affairs, and I want to help fix and create new policies for my own country. He agreed that was a good major to have because he had the opinion that our healthcare policies are worse back in the states. We compared some of the medical access we have between our two countries which was interesting to hear. The biggest difference we noticed was the cost with American being more expensive than German healthcare services.
Another key experience was the dining. In America, the waiters have to live off the tips because they do not make a high wage. This means they rush people out to get as many people as possible in for their tips. Germany waiters make a high wage which means they want everyone to have slow dining experience, there is no rush. I was shocked at our first dinner at “Spagos” when our dinning took us 2 hours for a one course meal. This dining experience is something I learned to enjoy slowing down and enjoy the moment.
The cultures and experiences I was exposed to during my time abroad allowed for many big transformation in myself. The biggest change I experienced was the confidence I gained while I was living in the city of Berlin. I had to make decisions on my own while being in an unfamiliar location. I gained trust within myself to make choices during my time in Germany. I also gained an understanding of others and different cultures during my time studying in Berlin for four weeks.
