Well, the end of the WHU summer program has arrived! I’m quite emotional as I process these last few weeks. The class modules were super informative and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to learn about topics ranging from European Trade Integration to German Beer Culture! I’ll take this knowledge back to TAMU and my future workplace. My time abroad challenged me to open my mind and boundaries: when you’re in a new country you have no choice but to adapt and be flexible. I’m typically a more reserved person, but this experience challenged me to be more forward and proactive. The case studies were fun, but challenging-especially when we had to present our findings. I also got to meet so many other people from around the world and learn about different cultures through their stories.
Thinking back to my first post, I think my initial impressions of Germany, Vallendar, and WHU were pretty accurate. I felt quite relaxed the whole time, which is new because I’m usually quite stressed during classes. Also, I still find it so fascinating that shops are closed on Sundays, and I find it to be a big contributor to my relaxation. I also noticed that a lot of Germans say “Ciao” when saying goodbye, which I think is interesting.
However, as an additional thought, I do feel my perception of Germany has changed. It was quite easy to view it as a whole country with one general culture, especially from a tourist standpoint. But my classes and discussions have proved me wrong. Germany’s 16 federal states are so different and so diverse in culture. There is no one way to define German culture. This is especially emphasized in the beer industry fragmentation and German history. We visited the House of History Museum in Bonn, where I learned in-depth about Germans’ lives during the German Democratic Republic (East Germany). Hearing and seeing the stories of those from that time was a profound and eye-opening experience. I’ve gained a stronger appreciation for the past and can see how strongly it affects the present.
My time in Germany feels like a dream! My program had many experiences ranging from castle visits to historic sites and traditional German cuisine events. We even visited the Bundesbank-Bunker, where Germany hid 15 million German marks during the Cold War. I feel like I truly got to experience Germany. Time flies when you’re having fun!!
Ciao Germany!
