KRISTA
Elementary Education Undergraduate |
KRISTA
Elementary Education Undergraduate |
I cannot believe that I have been back in the United States for almost a week. This time last week I was relaxing at my host families home in Germany, catching some sun, barbequing and laughing about the activities the night before. It was a perfect way to end an amazing trip. This excursion to Germany was a once in a lifetime trip, not because I can never go back to Germany, but because the people that were a part of this trip and the activities we did, the laughs and the memories we shared can never be duplicated. I went into this program only knowing two of the participants and I left with a whole new family stretching from the U.S to Germany. The first day in Berlin we were walking from the train station to our hostel and while dragging my luggage through the subway, one of the wheels broke. Still, with three out of four wheels, I made it work as we continued walking down the streets of Berlin. It was as we were rolling over some cobblestone sidewalks that I felt my bag collapse and realized that yet another wheel broke off of my luggage. I was now down two out of four wheels and could no longer drag my 19 kg of luggage. I was not really sure what to do, I was tempted to just chuck my luggage in the river. But I was lucky enough to have Matt, a participant on this trip that I had just met the previous day. He handed his luggage to me to roll the rest of the way and he threw my luggage over his shoulders and walked to the hostel like that. I could not thank him enough and from day one I knew that this group of people were a wonderful group (Between Dan and Matt, they continued to carry my luggage the rest of the trip. Those guys are amazing!). Our coordinators planned incredible activities for the trip; they kept us busy, active and educated. But I learned so much more on this trip that went beyond the museums and tours and schools. I learned about people, their lives, their desires, what they love and what they hate. I got to know each person’s personality and created connections on this trip. In my first post I talked about how I was ready to step out of my comfort zone and experience something brand new. What I did not know before the trip was that my comfort zone went beyond just my place of being. My comfort zone also included the foods I ate, the drinks I drank, the activities I took part in and my interactions with people. On this trip, I was able to get out of my comfort zone and meet, talk and interact with people I barely knew. What resulted from this was a lot of laughs, a lot of great memories and new friendships. So, what I learned as a future educator is immense. I learned about their schools, their students, and the teachers. I went to a Waldorf and was blown away by how unbelievable and marvelous that school was. But what I learned on this trip went beyond all of that and that is why I wanted to dedicate this last blog to the wonderful people I met on this trip. As a future teacher, I believe it is important to foster friendships, help students grow and learn beyond their textbooks. On this trip, I did just that. Not only did I foster friendships with the American participants, but my connection with the German participants also blossomed. The time and the distance does not matter, because the friends I have in my life stretch across the ocean and it is absolutely amazing! Thank you to everyone who made this trip possible and made it an experience of a lifetime. "Don't be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is before you can meet again. And meeting again after a moment or a lifetime is certain for those who are friends."
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I have been in American schools for all of my life and this was my first experience in a new country and a new school system. I have had foreign exchange students in my schools before but I have always been the majority and never understood what is like. But for the past three days I have been the foreigner in school and it was incredible, confusing and interesting. For the first time, I was the one that the students could not understand. I had to practice speaking slower, listening closer and adjusting to the new culture of the school. The students were so excited to have us there and when we arrived the first day they ran up to us with big smiles. They wanted to tell us everything they could in English and know everything about us, I felt like a local celebrity.
I learned just how hard it is to communicate with others who do not speak the same language as you. I learned how to use plenty of hand motions while speaking in hopes that they would understand what I was trying to say to them. They are truly brilliant students with the ability to speak multiple languages. It was an absolute joy talking to them, answering their questions and being a part of their classes. I quickly realized that it is much different than American schools. The students do not have to line up or be escorted to class by a teacher. They are given the freedom and opportunity to play outside, walk around and have a short break before returning to their classrooms on their own. The school was decorated with artwork, the students seem happy and the little school had the most wonderful atmosphere. Tomorrow we will visit a Waldorf school, which I am very excited about, and then we only have one day left at school. These days are flying by fast, only four days left! Everyday is a new adventure with amazing people at my side. These once strangers have become great friends and we are taking on Germany together, one day at a time! Berlin was an amazing beginning to a wonderful adventure. I was raised in Buffalo, so it was a very surreal feeling being a part of a new culture, experiencing a new life style with new people. My group is wonderful and I am so happy to be traveling with such a diverse group of amusing and awesome people. My coordinators are so knowledgeable and helpful; they made the commencement of this trip so easy and fun.
We walked more in three days than I think I have ever walked in my life. There was so much to see and so much to do that we had to walk with purpose and my legs were yelling at me by the end of the day. But we saw so many incredible things that the pain was well worth it. Between trying to learn the subway system and trying to remember the names of all the buildings and places, the first three days were certainty an adventure. The food here is incredible, it is so hard to verbalize so I think everyone just has to come to Germany and experience it for themselves! I have never been one to step outside my food comfort zone, I have always liked what I liked and that was what I wanted. But this trip was a chance to have new experiences, especially in the food category. It is a delicious, life changing experience. One of my favorite trips in Berlin was the Reichstag Building on Thursday. The building was beautiful, incredible and mind blowing! It felt as if you could climb Berlin forever and be on top of the world. It was a great experience to be able to look out across Berlin and learn about the city and really learn about how beautiful it is. My other favorite trip was to the Berlin Wall. Many different artists painted the part of the Berlin wall that is still standing and walking along the wall was truly an adventure all of its own. I could have spent hours at the wall just looking at all the little pieces within the paintings and trying to come up with my own interpretations. I also just arrived at my host families home today and I would be lying if I said that my nerves were not going crazy about living with a family and staying in a strange home. My heart was in my throat all day, so many thoughts were running through my head. It was not fun when I got out of the car and stepped on a dead mouse that their cat had brought home; obviously a welcome gift for me. But the night quickly turned around, we had a wonderful meal and played cards and my nerves have calmed down. It is only a few days into this trip and it has been wonderful so far! I can’t wait to see what else this trip has in store. Until next time, Krista |
AuthorI live in Clarence, NY. I am a full time student majoring in early childhood education with a concentration in science. I also work at a daycare center with infants and toddlers. I am excited to further my education and experience a new culture! ArchivesCategories |