Kirstie W - Freiburg, Germany - Spring 2014

I am living my dream every day I wake up in Germany. 

I started off on a bad foot.  When I arrived in the air port my plane was very late and I had no clue where I was, where to go, and no way to communicate with anyone.  I met an American and a German who helped me find my way.  I handed the address to the taxi and he drove me to my dorm, but I had no keys, I didn't know where I was living, and it was very dark and late.  Some Germans helped me and let me into my building.  I could not get into my room, but my nice German roommate was helping me and being very nice.  I ended up sleeping with my roommate from my program for the night.  Besides that, I was so happy to finally be in the country I dreamed about.  I really am bad with public transportation and directions, but somehow I am still here so I survived.  If anyone is bad with directions or scared that they cannot speak the language or understand anything that is no problem.  Someone will speak English and if not sharades is a really good way to communicate.  The whether is very interesting.  I never thought scarves were important, but it is definitely important here.  I am glad I bought boots for every day use, also.  Good jeans that you can wear a few times without washing is important, too.  Definitely, a person just needs t-shirts, jackets, good jeans, boots, one or two nice outfits, a decent amount of nice casual, and everyone dresses pretty practical and comfortable in Freiburg.  And definitely getting a bicycle was a fantastic decision.  I recommend that to anyone.  Bring your own special school supplies like pens.  I realized I should have brought more of my personal care products.  Everything here is pretty expensive, and I cannot go to Walmart to take care of all of my needs.  Really, not having a Walmart is such a problem.

On another note, travelling is amazing!  I love trying to speak with the natives in their native tongue and the sights are straight out of a film from when knights and princesses existed.  Everything is different and breath taking.  There is an adventure around every corner.  I realize that I have not done a good job of exploring my surroundings, and I definitely should do more of that.  I feel like I am in a fairy tale wherever I go and whatever I do in Europe. 

By the way, I ran into my RA from Elmhurst!  She is doing her J-term and I ran into her at a museum in Berlin!  Crazy!