My initial impression of the global business program, city, and country has been very positive. I have enjoyed getting out of my comfort zone while also being able to enhance my education. My favorite part of Germany so far has been learning about its history. I have always enjoyed learning about the Holocaust and Hitler?s reign. Being in Germany has given me the opportunity to learn very hands-on and see the impacts on the country very clearly. By the end of this global business program, I hope to better understand world cultures and be empowered to travel out of the United States again to continue learning.
So far, I have loved Germany and learned so much about its history and culture. However, Germany and the United States have a few significant differences. First, people in Germany are very quiet and to themselves. A normal inside-speaking voice in the United States is equivalent to talking very loud in Germany. Most of the people that I have met do not seem very friendly, but once you get to talk to them, they just want to learn about the United States and tell you what it is like living in Germany. Another large difference between the United States and Germany is their emphasis on sustainability. In Germany, many people drive electric cars, lights, and air conditioners only turn on when you are present in a room, and bathrooms are usually all motion sensor technology. Despite this, there is still a lot of litter on the streets. Everywhere we go, there are cigarette butts on the ground. This shocked me because of how much emphasis there is on sustainability elsewhere in German culture. The final large difference I have noted is the utilization of public transportation. The U-Bahn is the train system in Munich, which has been such a resource for us. It is so easy to navigate and a great alternative to walking.
