When thinking about why I decided I
wanted to go to Germany, I couldn’t come up with the exact reason. I grew up in
a tiny farm town of just over 200 people. I went to school with the same kids
from preschool through senior year of high school. In other words, being from
such a small town, there is little diversity, and essentially in relationship
to the rest of the world, it is like growing up inside a closet. So college was
my opportunity to broaden my horizons and traveling abroad was something I
definitely wanted to do. Because I
transferred schools after my Freshman year and then changed my major during my
Junior year, I didn’t have room for a whole semester abroad so this D-term trip
is perfect for me.
For as long
as I can remember, I have always wanted to travel yet I have never been out of
the country nor have I flown on an airplane! Germany has always been near the
top of my list for travels and this trip will bring lots of new experiences for
me. One reason I chose this trip is the fact that Germany is part of my
heritage. Both of my parent’s families descend from Germany.
Another thing that further increased my interest in Germany is the German foreign exchange student we had during my senior year of high school. It was interesting to listen to him speak in German but also learning about the differences between the United States and Germany. For instance, their laws about the legal age of driving and alcohol consumption are different and he said they have 5 years of high school versus our 4. I also thought it was interesting that they are required to take a certain amount of English classes. He got to see the country I live in and this D-term trip is my chance to see the country where he lives.
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| This is a picture of Ferdinand (right), the German Foreign exchange student we had at my high school. He had played on a volleyball team in Germany but since we didn't have a men's volleyball team, he helped the women's team. In this picture we are warming up for a game. My sister is setting the ball to me (though I am not in the picture) and Ferdinand was there to try to block the ball. |
The most significant reason I choose to study abroad in Germany is an
academic reason. I am a history major and recently I have been very interested
in German history. Last spring I took a class about WW I and II. Much of the
class focused on Germany especially once we got to WWII. My sister also took a
Holocaust class and is now writing her senior seminar paper on people who
rescued Jews during WWII so I have been learning a lot about that as well. But
it is one thing to sit in a class room and learn about something and I imagine
a completely different learning experience to actually be in the place where
the events actually occurred. Seeing places like the Berlin Wall and a
concentration camp will only help me to gain a different perspective.
This is a picture of the entrance to the Sachsenhausen Concentration camp. The words translate to "Work makes you free". The camp, located outside of Berlin, was built in 1936 and was in operation until 1945. It was used to hold prisoners and was also used as a training center for German officers. Around 50,000 people died at this camp. Being in Germany and visiting places like a concentration camp and other historical places is an experience I don't want to miss.
Picture: Accessed from http://grieftour.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/113-2.jpg on 8/30/12
Caption info: Accessed from http://traveltips.usatoday.com/concentration-camp-tours-germany-14175.html on 8/30/12
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