Week 3

This week was not too action-packed, which was actually great as I needed some rest. The Texas A&M students and faculty attended a "Welcome Hike" along with the other AIB schools. This was a great experience as I made friends with some of the Layola and Penn St. students, got some exercise in, tasted kleu wine, and saw Bonn from a whole new perspective. After the hike, a group of friends, from both schools, went out and had a good night. During the week, I studied and tried to get a lot of my HW done. Additionally, we met the Micheal form Enmodes and had an informational meeting while also presenting the possible ECMO problems. This opportunity is very interesting and I can't wait to dig more into this issue. This weekend I am traveling to Amsterdam and am very excited. I will keep you guys updated!

Week 3

This week has been quite a bit less exciting than the first two as I have become more settled in my new, temporary home and I have not traveled outside of Bonn. I have my daily tram routes down to a science. I know exactly when to roll out of bed in order to make the last possible tram that gets me to the AIB on time. One day this week, I did have to sprint from hbf to the AIB because one of the trams was cancelled without notice. The only problem with my last minute runs to the tram pickup is that I have not been able to consistently eat breakfast.
Speaking of food, almost everything I have eaten here, besides currywurst, has been incredible. I tried nutella gelato this week, and I must say it is better than most American ice cream (I know gelato is different than ice cream). Doner has been a staple in my diet and will probably remain as such throughout the semester. The best food I have had since arriving was surprisingly tacos. My host family made some incredible beef and included all of the Tex-Mex staples: salsa, guacamole, some weird French sauce that is similar to sour cream, etc.
Class has gotten more difficult, and balancing school work with exploration throughout the city and bars has also become increasingly difficult. Through these first three weeks, however, I have felt more motivated than I did the past semester in College Station; thus, I have managed to actually get a good portion of class work done each evening.
Although this week has not been too exciting, I am looking forward to the upcoming month of February. I already have plans to visit Amsterdam, Vienna, Budapest, and eventually Switzerland. I am most excited to ski down the beautiful slopes of Mount Titlis in Switzerland, but every adventure I embark one should be a memorable blast.

whoops I forgot week 1

I realized I forgot week 1. However, I wrote a bit about it in my journal that I've been *trying* to keep so I still remember how I felt about it.

If there is a word to describe my first week here in Bonn: it's jetlag. I was so exhausted every single day for the next week since my arrival because of the time zone change that I either couldn't sleep, or all I wanted to do was sleep when I wasn't supposed to. I remember taking a 4-hour nap on Sunday after we arrived in Bonn. Not only was that a mistake of massive proportions, I felt like it was kind of rude for some reason. Like my host mother probably thought Hannah and I were rude for just falling asleep all day and not going down to talk to her. It took a while for me to get accustomed to the time change, even then there are some nights that are better than others.

In terms of classes, the first week was incredibly easy. We only had one or two actual classes that week so it felt like a breeze. Compared to how things have managed to speed up two weeks later, the first week was an absolute piece of cake. I miss it immensely.

second week down

We've made it through two whole weeks now living in another country! A little impressed with myself I do have to say. I think I'm really starting to get a better grip on my classes as time has been going on, and I am definitely starting to figure my way around Bonn.

A few exciting activities we got to take part in this past week; one was a tour around Cologne, the other a welcoming hike for all the students over here with AIB!

My favorite part about Cologne was most definitely the cathedral. Never in my life have I seen something of such magnitude and beauty. Just standing there in its presence was absolutely breath-taking... I'm sure there are so many more of those moments to come over the semester. Aside from the cathedral, we also got a chance to try the famous Frueh bier, which knocked my socks off. Definitely a steep step up from a Natty light, that's for sure.

The welcoming hike was a wonderful experience as well. It was a very relaxing walk through some of the green of Bonn, which I can truly never get enough of.

Another really fun activity we got to take place in was some Kegel, which most of us just called "German Bowling" although we are aware it is not quite the same. In this game, there were 9 pins set up in a diamond, and the player had an arsenal of differently-sized balls (WITHOUT holes) to choose from. They would then roll the ball down a very narrow lane and try and knock as many pins as possible. I think I really got it down by the end of the night!

Back to the classes though.

I am having a rather difficult time with 211, but I've found recently that I just need to keep up with my reading of the textbook. However, aside from that class, all else is going very smoothly.

I'll be checking in again next week, see you then!

Bonn: Week Two

The second week in Bonn...

This week was packed with fun excursions and lots of classes! On Wednesday, we went on an excursion to Cologne, which is becoming one of my new favorite places. We got a city tour and potato soup for lunch(another new favorite) at a famous place called Gaffel am Dom. We then had the opportunity to see the Gestapo headquarters in Cologne and toured this building. It was a great, but sad experience. We also had a rooftop cathedral tour at Cologne cathedral, which was absolutely stunning. While it was cold, the experience was so cool and I am glad we got the chance to see it. On Friday, we received a complete tour of Bonn from several native Bonn residents, which was great. Saturday, the group took part in a welcome hike. We got beautiful views of Bonn, and mulled wine, what more could you want? On Sunday, Maria brought me along with some of her friends to a Cafe on the other side of the Rhein, accessible by ferry. I ended the week with another Milshkaffe and a Berliner, which is really no surprise. I am looking forward to our traveling in the next coming weeks, but I have enjoyed spending time with my host mom and being in Bonn! Next week: Munich!!

Phrases I used the most: "Ein brotchen", "Noche einen bitte", "Ich spreche ein bisschen Deutsch"
New favorite foods: Was blessed enough to discover Milshkaffe (no, it is not a cappuccino), marmalade Berliner, Currywurst (somehow I am still the same weight.)
Places I went this week: Bonn, Cologne, Germany

Bonn: Week One

The first week in Bonn...

We arrived on Saturday, January 11th, in the afternoon. After a long two-hour bus ride from Frankfurt to Bonn, we arrived at AIB, where we met staff and also our host parents. I met Maria, my host mother, and my host cat, Mila, when I arrived at my house in Bornheim. Our first week was filled with many meetings about visas, german lessons, and learning our way around Bonn. My first few days were spent learning how to ride the train, attempting to read the signs and maps, and recovering from Jetlag. We visited many fun places in Bonn, like the Brauhaus Bonnsch, Bonn Ice skating rink, and Mayshoße vineyard. We took a trip to Aachen, Germany as well, to meet with Enmodes to discuss our semester project. My favorite part of the first week was our small weekend trip to Cologne, Germany, where we toured Lindt chocolate factory, took some cool pictures, enjoyed dinner and beer at Fruh Kolsch, and several other pubs in Cologne. My Sunday ended with a big meal (Maria goes big with food on Sundays), and a run with Bonn Running Club in the afternoon. I absolutely love Bonn so far, and I am so excited about what the rest of the trip has in store!

My newest phrase: "Ice spreche kein Deutsch"
Favorite food so far: Brotchen
Places I went: Bonn, Aachen, and Cologne, Germany

2nd Week in Bonn

Hallo!

It’s been about 2 and a half weeks here in Germany! Since the last time I wrote, we visited Cologne, Germany for a city tour, tour of the Gestapo prison house museum, and of course the beautiful roof top tour of the Cologne cathedral. Cologne was incredible but holy schitza it was freezing cold. The cathedral tour, although cold, was very interesting and one of a kind. They take you through tunnels and attics all the way to the very top, and most people never get to see this. The church took 600 years to finish construction, and as soon as it was completed, renovations began. Besides Cologne, the rest of the week was spent in classes, touring more of Bonn, and just getting familiar with the area, the culture, and the Kolsh! We went bowling or a German version of it, and it turns out I’m pretty good at it. We went on a hike with all of the students, host families, and faculty of AIB to a nearby church on top of a hill. I still love all the time I get to spend with my host family, and love the food! Lots of cake and coffee!

This weekend were heading to Amsterdam. Next week is Vienna followed by Budapest! Bis bald!

Beginning the third week of Hero Journey

After two weeks here in Bonn, Germany I have grown comfortable with my environment. Home here is starting to feel more and more like actual home. I am comfortable with my host mom and I have begun to solidify a weekly schedule/routine. Academically I am getting excited for the enmodes project. This project is relevant and real. Doing something that could potentially have a real world impact feels good. I enjoy doing real world work much more than homework(which i have done all my life). I am excited for this upcoming weekend because a group of us are traveling to amsterdam. I have never been to amsterdam but I have heard good things about the city. This is the first time I will be traveling on my own. I am enthusiastic for the opportunity to travel around Europe! Stay tuned next week for updates on Amsterdam!

Chow!

Bonn Week 2

Bonn Week 2 1.19 - 1.25

Tuesday I tried my first German spin class. I could only understand the instructor when she was counting (I have been practicing numbers A LOT), but it was still super fun! I am really trying to stay active since my diet in Germany has consisted mostly of bread and chocolate so far.

Deutsche spin ist kein problem!

Trip to Cologne, Germany

On Wednesday we went on a tour of Cologne Cathedral. The tour took us to the very top of the cathedral. Cologne Cathedral is the largest cathedral in Europe, towering at a height of 157 meters (~515 feet). It actually was the tallest building in the world for exactly 4 years (from 1880-1884). It is definitely a very spectacular place, even for those not affiliated with the Catholic church. 

side view of Cologne Cathedral

               

top of Cologne Cathedral

On Saturday we hiked to the highest point in Bonn. From there, you can see the Cologne Cathedral (about 20 miles away). 

It was foggy, but you can faintly see Cologne Cathedral in the background

After the hike my host family took me to this huge shopping center so I could buy an actual winter coat. Believe it or not, hoodies/sweatshirts do not cut it here in Germany. My new coat is so warm (YAY!) and it was 50% off (YAY!). 

Me, Ingrid, & Manfred (my host parents)

Thank you to everyone who is keeping up with me this semester via these blogs! I appreciate all of your kind words and support as I navigate these last adventures as an undergraduate at Texas A&M. <3

zwei

This past week has been great and I'm now getting comfortable with this new atmosphere. The days are filled with heavy class work or tours, which both make me very exhausted in the evening that I just fall asleep quickly after dinner. My host mom cooks great dinners and I'm exploring more about different plates, especially plates that don't have meat and are still amazing. The following weekend me and a group of others are going to Amsterdam, which I am super excited about, and the weekend after that we are going to Vienna and then Budapest. It seems so crazy how within reach different parts of the world are, especially while in Germany. Until next time!...

Time to travel

As our third week in Bonn has begun we have started booking all of our travel tickets and hotels and the excitement is really beginning. So far I have planned out to travel to Amsterdam, Budapest, and Sweden/Norway on my free time and I am thrilled to have the chance to see all these amazing places. I'm most excited for the chance to go see the northern lights and see some real snow for the first time. I am finding school is more difficult to handle with less free time but it is all worth it to have this opportunity and I can't wait to see all the memories we make on these trips!

Week 2

So far, I feel as I have been adjusting very well. I still haven't found my rhythm in terms of going to classes and feeling put together, but not has gone tragically wrong just yet. I'm very excited about my upcoming adventure to Amsterdam. So far I have planned to visit the Anne Frank museum and the Van Gogh museum but I have other festivities that I just can't wait to see. Thankfully, also, I'll be going with my close friends so I don't have anything to worry about safety-wise.

But in terms of reflecting how these past two weeks have been, nothing particularly special has occurred except for the fact that I absolutely hate one of my classes.

Bonn Week 2

This week already felt much more like a normal routine; it doesn’t feel like I’m living in a foreign country anymore, except when my knowledge of German runs out and I have to ask people if they speak English (it doesn’t take very long but it’s better than it was in Texas?). It's really cool to see how quickly we're all getting closer to each other, and it feels like the whole "early friendship" phase is accelerated here, especially with Bri and Enrique. Going to Cologne this week was amazing despite the weather; that might be the coldest I've ever been, but it was so beautiful that I almost didn't mind. The cathedral is the best I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen a few Gothic cathedrals in Europe; I absolutely cannot believe how massive it is, especially considering the technology and knowledge available during the time when it was built. I stayed after the official end of the program trip with Dany, Cody, Bri, and Enrique; we went to a restaurant that we quickly realized we didn’t want to eat at (but we did want to drink at), then found an unlimited Italian buffet for 8€ which was SUPER good. Cici’s has never, could never. We accidentally got on the wrong train because we didn't really understand the system, so that was an unnecessary $15 mistake, but it's better to happen between Cologne and Bonn than it would be on a longer train ride, and at least we figured out which trains to not get on sooner rather than later. That being said, Enrique losing his wallet is pretty rough, so hopefully he'll be able to figure that out soon. Finding out that Kobe died was a weird moment because, even though I'm not a big sports person, it was pretty jarring to realize that real things are still happening in the US while we aren't there (not to make a tragedy about myself).
I love the group a lot, and I think we all get along pretty well. I'm definitely having a lot of fun here, especially because classes aren't difficult yet so it still feels pretty much like a vacation. I obviously didn't know exactly what living in Europe would be like, but I don't think I could've made a better decision for myself.

Week 1

Having just arrived in Germany, I already know this is going to be a great semester. I mainly spent this week to familiarize myself with the city, learn how using public transportation works (already having took the wrong tram line my second day of class and showing up late haha), and get settled in. Honestly what surprised me the most is HOW GOOD the food is here. Going to the market square is my favorite cause there are dozens of food trucks and stands ranging from Italian, Indian, crepes, bratwurst, and fresh fruits. Not only can you get a meal for 5 euros, but the food just hits different since its not mass produced, shipped, and stored in supermarkets. I honestly did not know grapes and blackberries could be so good. The market is so greatly designed you could find anything you would need; lunch, clothing stores, dozens of pubs, convenience stores, and even a UK shop that sells ketchup potato chips oddly. Everything you could ever need is located not even a 5 min tram ride away.

Week 2

Week two in Germany was great! Since last week was just syllabus week, getting over the jetlag and getting settled in Bonn, we were actually able to get into our coursework. I realized that studying abroad would prompt a different kind of work ethic that most students are used to back at a home campus. Since we have to make time for program trips and excursions, a lot of our classes are crammed into longer days. At the same time, I had some classes more frequently such as Systems and Circuits four out of the 5 days of the week. This was especially tough on us since we had a quiz EVERY class day, so we really had to be on top of studying once we got home in the evening. This was more stressful in my opinion but was totally worth it since we were able to visit Cologne (Koln) on Wednesday. The city was so beautiful, we were given a great tour by a guide with a great sense of humor, and above all we were able to witness Cologne Cathedral. I was blown away by the history and attention to detail involved and was completely awestruck. I look forward to visiting again during Carneval, one of the biggest celebrations that everyone gets involved in; even my host mom who has been attending practices for a performance she's participating in. In addition to the trip to Cologne, the AIB organized a group hike that many of our host families participated in. Even though the temperature in Germany is a lot lower than Texas, it still felt great to be outdoors, see the city, and be treated to sandwiches, cake, coffee, and mulled wine! I look forward to what this next week could bring!

Week 2

Week two in Bonn has so far been just as exciting as week one. This week, we went to Koln for a day trip. The Koln Cathedral was absolutely beautiful. I enjoyed looking at all of the beautiful artwork and stained glass. However, I am terrified of heights so climbing up 65 meters in the air wasn't quite as fun to me, but as long as I didn't look down I was okay! I enjoyed learning about all of the history of the cathedral and the city! Yesterday, we all went on a hike in Bonn and I got to catch up with an old friend I went to fish camp with. I enjoyed not only catching up but also enjoying the beautiful sights on the hike. There where so many beautiful skylines that I don't get to see a lot of in my hometown or in College Station, and I really enjoyed getting to see them. I also got to try a German version of bowling called "kegel". I'm almost positive that we were not playing correctly, but it was fun none the less. We also got to meet and talk with the other TAMU Program in Bonn! They where all incredibly nice and I enjoyed talking to them and playing kegel with them. I am excited for this upcoming week. Class is starting to pick up so I know the work is going to get more difficult, but I am ready to take it on!

Week 2

The second week in Bonn was great. It started out with me attending my host brother's basketball game. I was skeptical about how interested I would be, but surprisingly it was fun. I got into the game and started cheering and yelling at the referees. They ended up winning so I was satisfied. Following this, I got to know some of his friends and eventually played a small pick up game with them. We then went home and had a tasty beef stew dinner. The weekend soon came to an end and the real work began. My peers and I were introduced to the Enmodes project and started to brainstorm ideas. This is a tough project but will be worth the hardships. In the coming days, we attended a field study in Köln. I will not forget the amazing sight when I got out of the train station, the Köln cathedral was stunning. We learned about its history what role Köln played a role in WWII. I will not forget this day trip and will definitely go back, especially for Carnival! We then ended the week with a tour of Bonn. There are many interesting sights to see as Bonn was the capital of Germany for many decades. Great second week and many more to come. 

Week 1

My first week in Bonn has been quite the adventure. I have no experience with foreign countries, so everything is new to me. My first day living with my host family, we went on a walk where they showed me some of the highlights of the city. I also learned how to use the public transport system, although I had a few kinks to work out as I got on the wrong bus my first day using it by myself. Luckily I quickly figured it out and I can now get home using the bus without any issues. I have also been trying many new foods, almost all of which I have loved. My favorite thing I have tried has probably been a specific type of Spanish pork that my host family had one night. I'm excited to see what the next few months will bring, and overall this first week has been a good start to the program.

2nd Week in Bonn

This second week felt longer and all the new information (from classes and excursions) had me more tired out. Work has abruptly piled up so I hope next week I am able to adjust better. A highlight from this week was playing "kegel" since it was completely new to me. This is the first time I have my own room and live without siblings/roommates, so it can be relaxing but has at times also felt lonely while I'm studying and don't have as much background noise. There are times I want to send messages to my family in Houston but can't expect a quick reply due to the time difference, so hopefully I find a good way to work around small things like that. Other than that, I feel more confident to go around the city and am really looking forward to the next week and hope to learn more basic German with my host family as well.

Arriving in Bonn

The first week was well-paced. Surprisingly, I wasn't super jet-lagged and it wasn't until the fourth day or so that the language barrier gets frustrating. Figuring out the busses and trains took some time (and getting lost) but it all worked out just fine, and is easier than it seems. My host family is very kind and it is no problem (from either side) to share our opinions or ask about something. They are very understanding, which makes it much easier to adjust being in a new country. This week was a lot of walking around Bonn and getting to know area around the AIB better, as well as meet two of my host siblings who no longer live at home. I haven't learned much German but I am at least more comfortable with seeing a word and knowing how to pronounce it. Most of all I am glad that this study abroad has many opportunities to learn about the history of surrounding areas as well.

Week 2 in Bonn

We started getting into a relatively normal class schedule this week which is nice, I am enjoying a little bit of routine along with the excitement of new experiences here in Bonn. On Tuesday, we went bowling after class which was very different from bowling in the US. It was very fun and I think we all got the hang of it after a few turns. On Wednesday, we had a full day in Koln where we got a city tour, a tour of a Gestapo building and prison, as well as a tour of the Koln Cathedral where we climbed to the top. The Gestapo prison tour was my favorite from that day. Although it was sad, I found the history very interesting and I think it's important to take advantage of learning about the Holocaust and World War II while in Germany. Sadly, I got sick at the end of the day and felt horrible that night and the next day. This was the first time that I actually felt homesick and wanted to go home. I got frustrated when I had to walk all the way to the pharmacy instead of just hopping in a car, and I was equally as discouraged when I couldn't read the label on the medicine. As soon as I felt better these feelings of frustration went away, and I am back to enjoying my trip with an open mind. I am definitely getting closer to my host family as well and am enjoying their company here in Germany.

Week 1 in Bonn

After only one week of living in Bonn, I feel like I have learned and experienced so much already. On my first day after the flight over from the states, I took a walk with my host family along the Rhine which was lovely. When I got home however, I lounged in my room for a bit and then felt a little paralyzed. I was worrying about how I would navigate the public transportation system the next day and trying to figure things out about my new from my room by frantically searching on my computer. I was nervous to even go outside for a walk and test run of the train for some reason. I think my nerves of being in a totally unfamiliar place where I didn't speak the language caught up to me. I finally talked myself into going out for a walk around my new neighborhood and my fears subsided. Now that I have conquered the public transportation system and am more comfortable just going out to explore the city, those initial fears seem a little ridiculous. The rest of the week was filled with fun experiences with new friends such as ice skating, wine tasting, a trip to Aachen, and a weekend trip to Koln. So far, I'm loving it here and I'm looking forward to more new experiences.

erste Schritte

Hallo!
     I have spent two weeks in Germany now, and I must say I'm having the time of my life. Given that as a kid my grandparents brought me Germany to see family and to learn more about the world it really just isn't the same as coming to live here on my own. Thankfully during my stay here in Bonn I will be living with my host family, the Steinfelder's. Living with a host family has been a great experience so far. By living and eating with them I have gotten a different perspective from the one I have grown up with in Texas, and generally a better understanding of how non Americans view the world and how my view of the world isn't the only way. Something that has also come from talking to my host family and from traveling around town during the day, is a better understanding of how to speak and understand German. The rate at which I've been learning German has been a pleasant surprise and I can now can almost always understand the basics of what is being said either to me or to others. Replying is coming slower but with enough practice I hope by the end of the trip I will be able to keep a conversation going only in German to anyone. Food in Germany has been amazing so far, ranging from Döner to Pfannkuchen or the multitude of different pastries and breads you can find in the local bakeries.

     As far as what I have done in my two weeks here in Bonn, well where to start. Apart from visiting different parts of Bonn and getting to explore much of the city center with my class mates. The first trip we took as a group was to the Mayscoß vineyard where we walked to the top of the hill to drink wine in the ruins of a small medieval castle, and later had a tour of the wine cellars in the valley (with a few more glasses of wine).
     Then at the end of the week we visited Aachen where we started our design project which I am very exited about, and then visited Charlemagne's cathedral which was beautiful.

As well as visiting the Gestapo museum and learning more about the ugly side during WW2. One thing I'm a bit surprised and glad to see is a collective effort to acknowledge what happened during WW2 and realize that it was a poor time for Germany and its actions, and not claim that its the past and they should move on, but to sort of embrace it and move towards a world where things like that are never going to happen again.
     I also visited my family here in Germany for the weekend which was great as it had been a long time since I had seen some of them.
     Upon my return and when classes started again I was presently reminded that it wasn't only a trip abroad, but a study abroad (aw). Even though classes were a little heavy the second week they all covered subjects I was happy to be in (except Diff-EQ) so they flew by, but I quickly realized how much of my time I was active during the day, when I was getting up early and getting home, eating, and then doing a little homework before bed.

     During this busy week we also had the chance to visit Köln and tour a little around the city, the highlight being the Köln cathedral which we had a tour up and around the top of the cathedral, where the view was amazing, despite the foggy day.

     Overall so far this trip has been so much fun, and I feel like I'm actively learning all of the time from when I wake in the morning to when I head to bed at night. Next week we are visting a couple museums locally and then to top it all off I'm heading to München on the weekend (I'm sad Bayern München has an away game), and then Wien shortly after. I'll catch up to you later, tschüss

Week #2

Guten tag! Like last week, I want to start this blog by including some pictures from my second week here in Germany!

Tuesday 1/21/20

This video is from the AIB led activity we had to play Kegeln which is the German version of bowling. 

Wednesday 1/22/20

This was taken from a tower on top of the cathedral in Cologne on the day of our Cologne excursion.

Thursday 1/23/20
This video was taken during our lunch break on Thursday. It was my first time trying currywurst and it was so good! You can tell from the steam that it was cold out side and this hot dish hit the spot! 

Friday 1/24/20
This is a video of our study abroad group ending a long day of classes and tours trying the authentic Bonn/Cologne style Külsch. Nice to sit and reflect on all of the days activities!

Saturday 1/25/20
This was a short video of part of our welcome hike with some of the host families. It's amazing how pretty the woods are even in the winter without leaves on the trees.

I noticed a pretty big change as I transitioned into this new week. Some of the newness of my environment wore off as I acclimated to life here. I learned a couple new words and phrases that really helped in everyday life: hallo, danke, bitte, entschuldigen, es tut mir lead, and sprechen she English? Knowing these phrases gave me a lot more confidence in being able to interact with strangers and participate in society. This week has also led to me becoming a lot more comfortable with my host family. One night I stayed up with my host parents for 4 hours talking about all kinds of things. After this I feel like I know them a lot better and they know me a lot better too. I also got to hang out with my oldest host brother for an hour or two just sharing music tastes. We are into a lot of the same things and I have found some really great new German songs. I realized that the first week I spent a lot of time worrying about not disturbing their normal way of life and being courteous. However, reflecting on it now I was may have been approaching the whole situation wrong. I think that by trying to not get in the way of their daily routine and keeping to myself I was coming across as not wanting to get involved or integrate myself into their lives. Since this realization I have tried to be more relaxed and as a result feel so much more at home. I have really started to bond with everyone. I was sitting at the dinner table the other night and can already see how hard it is going to be to leave them. Glad this realization is happening now so I can start appreciating my time here with them before it's almost gone!

Tschüß!

week update

This is somewhat my first blog post now in Germany and at times it's hard to believe I am actually in a different country. I LOVE IT, so far. I am a bit scared because I recall Dr. Wasser telling us about the honeymoon stage and we'll soon encounter more stressful situations, so we shall see. I love that we are always out and about which have given me the best sleep of my life because I get home so tired. It's a good thing but a bad thing at times because I find myself either staying up late or waking up early to finish hw and other things like that but I think next week should be more chill to do homework and etc. Currently, I am finishing this to get ready to go celebrate the Chinese new year with my Host parents. I am excited about this new culture in a new place. As time goes on I will add pictures but for now Tschuss !

Week #1

Hallo! I want to start this post by sharing some of the highlights of my first week here in Germany...

Sunday 1/12/20

My room in the basement of my host parents house! This was probably the thing I was most curious about when thinking about what life in Germany would be like. I was very pleasantly surprised to have such a large space with my own sink. 

Monday 1/13/20

This picture was taken during our first day of school when we went out to get food during our lunch break. 

Monday 1/13/20

This was also taken our first day at our first German pub! We were drinking a kölsch which is a type of beer that is from the Bonn/Cologne. This pub brews the beer themselves in giant tanks that we could see from our table! 

Wednesday 1/15/20

Were fortunate enough to take a group bonding trip to Mayschoß about 40 minutes from Bonn. We got to learn a little about growing grapes and producing wine on the German hillside which was very fascinating. 

Saturday 1/18/20

We took this picture on the deck of the The Chocolate museum in Cologne. We decided to take a quick trip to Cologne to visit the museum and see the city a little bit.

Reflecting back on my first week I am not surprised that it went by so fast. It involved a lot soaking up a new environment and figuring out how things were different from the culture I was used to. The first full day here, I found myself feeling kind of weird. I started to feel cooped up in the house but I was afraid to leave the house not really knowing anything about the people or the culture here. I took a walk along the Rhein. I noticed that I was dressed in much lighter and more colorful clothing and everyone else did too. I felt a lot of eyes on me. Once class started I had an excuse to get out of the house and start interacting with the community while in the company of my peers which helped me learn the swing the things. During the beginning of the week it wasn't until I was alone in my room that I really felt like I could relax. However, at the end of the week, I felt myself relaxing more in public and at home with my host family as I learned a little more about how things work. I know in time I will even start to feel at home here!

Tschüß!

Week 1

Hallo!

This week has been crazy. We have gone on so many tours in Bonn and Cologne, many about the city and the history of the area. My favorite tour would have to be the former house prison of the Gestapo. This tour was full of so much history and held many personal stories from the people who were imprisoned there. One fascinating thing I had learned at this tour was that during Nazi rule, women were awarded medals, like the Olympics (bronze, silver, and gold), based on how many children they  had. A women would receive a gold medal if they had 8 or more children, and the 8th child's godfather would be Hitler. In regards to academics, they have been going well. My favorite class this far would have to be the History of Medicine course because I am very interested in history and the medical sciences. I have found myself getting a little behind on school work because our days are so packed and then I am very tired by the time I get home, but I will just have to learn how to manage my time and work through the tiredness. My goal for the upcoming week is to have fun but also set aside enough time to catch up on my school work.

 Tschüss!

1st Week in Germany

The first week in Bonn, Germany has been amazing. Excitement continues to build as I am exposed to more and more of both the city of Bonn and the German culture. Although I miss driving, having a readily available and easy to use public transportation system is amazing on top of being able to walk to and from most places once your within the city square. Living with my host family has been very nice. All of the food I have tried so far I loved and being able to have conversations in English and attempted ones in German has been fun. I am looking forward to the joys and wonders that travelling outside of Germany brings both with the entire program staff and other students as well as in smaller groups on our free weekends.

woche eins

Survived the first week! Should be smooth sailing from here on out, right? Well... I guess we'll see. 

Classes started off really quite smoothly, but soon began to pile up unexpectedly. Although we are given plenty of time for excursions, the days that we do end up with classes are quite rigorous. Truly it is only a small problem that can be easily solved with a little better planning on my part, something I will make sure to do moving forward. 

I really enjoy our language class as I had set it in as one of my goals to leave here with at least a few German sentences under my belt. I have even been making sure to keep up with a daily DuoLingo lesson as well. 

But hey, now let's get to the fun part of the trip right?

The picture above was taken on our welcoming wine hike where we got to hike a little ways up a hill, drink some wine, and check out a breath-taking view! Definitely my favorite excursion so far, but I cannot wait to see what they have in store for us next.

Willkommen in Bonn

This first week and a half have been culture shock to say the least. It is much colder than Texas here, traveling is solely based on public transportation, stores are not open as often or as late, and home life is quite different but, it is all so exciting. The food is different but it turns out a lot of the dishes are similar to southern style dishes so they're sehr gut. The excursions to Cologne and Mäyschuss were a great time especially getting to try the wine and take a tour of the cathedral. Getting to explore the town and find my favorite shops as well as the excursions have been a great experience so far and I cannot wait to see what else Europe has to offer once we can finally start traveling!

The First Week and a Half

On my day of arrival to Bonn, I met the Bolle family, my hosts during this semester long journey. This family is made up of three children, a mother and father, and the father's mother. The father and grandmother speak English the best; thus, I spend most of my time speaking with them during dinner and any other free time I have throughout the day. I have heard many entertaining family stories, some seemingly inappropriate yet extremely humorous nonetheless. I have spent time playing games and interacting with the three hyperactive kids, finding new methods of breaking the language barrier as I still struggle to learn and remember the German words and phrases taught in class.
I found the first week of class to be almost stress free as I explored Bonn and visited bars with fellow classmates with very few obligations to schoolwork. On day two in Bonn, I learned which train route I need to take back to Auerberg the hard way. I accidentally took an hour detour to a train stop across the river. Aside from this traveling setback, I have acclimated to my new habits in Germany well as I have gotten used to a somewhat consistent schedule at AIB.
The first major class excursion was to a red wine vineyard outside of Bonn. My classmates and I took a hike up a steep hill and gazed at the view of hillside while sipping white red-grape wine. The wine seemed to get worse as we continued to try different varieties, so I ended up just buying a bottle of the first wine we tried and drink it quickly within the following days.

Class continued as usual and I got more and more adjusted to a new lifestyle in Bonn. The next excursion during week two brought the class to Cologne. Upon exiting the subway terminal, I was immediately shocked to see a colossal cathedral almost directly in front of me. I had heard of the Cologne cathedral before, but the sheer size of the church blew me away. Lunch was paid for by AIB, which my wallet greatly appreciated, then we set out to visit a Gestapo museum. The entire museum visit can only be described as incredibly depressing yet fascinating. The tour broadened my view of how despicable and manipulative the Nazi party acted when running their nation. After leaving the museum, the class trudged toward our final task of the day: climbing the Cologne cathedral. The elevator shook as it took us about 40 meters up, yet I was not scared until I got off and immediately looked down. We were not yet close to our highest destination, but I wanted down at that moment. I forced myself onward until we finally climbed to the highest tourist point of the cathedral. I stood a safe distance from the railing and enjoyed a beautiful, foggy view.

Eins

Arriving to Frankfurt was a chilling experience because it was at freezing temperature and an entirely new environment. The first week was amazing! However, the first night before class started I couldn't sleep all night because jet lag is a real force to be reckon with. That being said, I came to the first class tired but with there being a new city, transportation to figure out, and new people to meet, I was newly energized. I am greatly impressed how clean and awesome the public transportation system is. Furthermore, the rest of the week had a great time learning about my surroundings and meeting new people. Also, visiting a vineyard and the Aachen cathedral are great places to feel welcomed to Germany. My host family are great people who genuinely care about me. At first, I felt awkward meeting my host mom the first time, but as soon as we drove home; all the nerves left because I felt that she had a warm heart and open arms. Ever since the first time meeting my host family, I am always excited to see them after class. More to come...

Week 1

It was a great first week in Bonn. Post traveling, I met my host family for the remaining semester. My host mom is very caring while my host brother has a lot of the same interests as me. We all get along well and I will definitely love staying them. My host mom took me around Badgoodesberg, the town that I live, and gave me a history lesson on the first day. After a long day worth of rest, school started. Lots of information on how the trip will go and what it will entail. We then went to Aachen to meet Enmodes, the company that we will be interning for. They are young individuals and have a wide span of knowledge on the physiology, especially the cardiovascular/respiratory system. They specialize in ECMO's and its oxygenators. It will be a great opportunity to work and learn from them. It is early, but I have a good feeling about this study abroad!

Smooth Sailin

The first week in Germany has been a success I would say. I am learning some more German - enough to show that I care to learn the language. My host mom is the only one that permanently lives in the house with me. However, there is a chinese boy who comes and stays here during the week to work and at the moment her friend from Mexico is here as well. I love that i can speak spanish german chinese and english all in the same household. The mix of culture is so humbling. 

The enmodes project we are working on is starting up and i think above all else I am excited to be a part of something actually relevant. I enjoy the small class sizes and the people in my classes. I can’t wait to see what next week brings as well!

Guten Nacht Blog👋🏼

Bonn Week 1

Guten tag! I am living in Germany with the Witzoik family. They have four dogs: Mino, Timo, Hercules, and Bella. The largest dog (and the one with best table manners) is pictured below, which is Mino. This is not my first time studying in Germany, but it is my first time having a host family and I am so thankful for them and their overwhelming generosity.  

My room

Mino

Between starting classes and getting adjusted to a new time zone, this past week was pretty exhausting. We took a nice break in the middle of the week to visit Mayschoss Altenahr where I got to do my first wine tasting and learn a lot about the wine production process from start to finish. 

Touring the winery

Wine tasting at the vineyard

It has been a great start to the semester. With this being my final semester before graduating from Texas A&M, I hope to gain more than just knowledge about the classes that are required for my major. The major reason I decided to come to Germany is to acquire life skills and a better understanding of the world around me. I am actually taking some really interesting classes this semester though, which include: Physiology, Genetics, Neuroscience, German, and History of Medicine. My current favorite class is German!

1 week into Germany

Hallo!
I've officially been in Germany for a little over a week. I can already say I love it here. I love Bonn, because it is the perfect size. It is big enough to give me a big city feel with public transport and a new discovery at every corner, while also not being too overwhelming. If I get lost, 5 minutes later I will end up back on a street I know. The public transport system is easy to get a hold of, and as cheesy as it sounds, I feel so independent doing all of this on my own. I absolutely love my host family, and it amazes me how much of a perfect match we are. I already feel so comfortable with them, as if they truly are my family. We spend every night together at dinner, and a 30 minute meal usually turns into a 2 hour conversation. They are open, accepting, and very patient with helping me learn German. I have already learned so much more in just a week of being here, thanks especially to my host family and German tutor. Class wise, I already love my coursework. I love history and I love medicine, so the History of Medicine is very interesting to me. Dr. Wasser and the rest of the faculty make this program to where you are learning adequately while also having time to see the world and do everything you want to do. Speaking of seeing the world, we have already toured 2 cities, Aachen and the small town with the beautiful wine vineyard. The wine was delicious, and informative about the agriculture in the Rhineland. Aachen was fascinating, learning about Charlemagne and his significance in Germany and the local area. Did you know they estimate a vast majority of the European population are all somehow descended from this man? His bones are in his tomb at the Cathedral and scattered among his priced possessions. Apart from excursions, exploring Bonn has been a great experience. The food is great: Doner's (kabob with bread), Schnitzel, pasta, everything. I even found a German version of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. The beer is excellent and cheap, an American college student's dream. That's about it for now, pictures to come on the next blog.

Bonn week 1

Getting to Germany and settling into our host mom’s house has been kinda crazy. Gesine is really sweet and is helping us adjust without doing too much, which I really appreciate. I like the food a lot; she cooked some rosemary potatoes the first night that were SO good, I wish I could eat them at every meal. I also like the public transport system a lot— it’s really easy to get around the city and it only took a couple days for it to feel natural. It was weird to not start class until Thursday, but it was nice to have time to relax before worrying too much about school; I doubt there will be many opportunities for all of us to go drink a beer on a Monday night, but it was a fun way to spend time together and get to know each other. The winery tour on Wednesday was a similar bonding experience, and the view was amazing; I’m enjoying the group a lot and it’s nice to expand my friend group some (of course the wine helped break the ice). Aachen was also a really beautiful city and I’m excited to get more into the enmodes project; they seem really into working with us and want to hear our ideas and teach us about their products and the industry in general, which I like a lot. It’s already easier to feel at home in Germany, which is something that I was fairly worried about before coming here because I really wasn’t sure if or when that would happen, but I love it here. Not knowing much of the language is kind of crazy, but it hasn't been too much of a barrier because most people speak English, but I'd love to get to a place where I can have interactions in complete German.

Ein Neues Abenteuer

I decided to participate in this program because I felt like it could help me decide what I'd like to do after college. My love of traveling and learning about new cultures and places made coming to Germany an easy decision. When I first heard about it my freshman year, I knew I really wanted to go on this trip. I knew I wanted to travel abroad, just didn't really know when or where. When I talked to a former student about their experience on this trip, I knew it was a great opportunity and that it would help me figure out where I wanted to go with my career and grow and learn about new things. I'm extremely excited to travel and learn about different places in Europe and to learn more about Biomedical Engineering.
One of my initial concerns was living with a new family with different culture than me. I traveled to Germany about 4 years ago and was excited to come back to this beautiful country but was a little scared of living with a German family. My host family were very responsive and kind in their letters before the trip which eased my mind quite a bit. Another concern I have is missing home too much. I have a little sister and a dog (aka my baby) which I am going to miss immensely and was a little scared to leave them behind. My parents were a little hesitant to let me go at first, especially since the program is overseas, but are excited for me nonetheless and were very supportive in helping me prepare. 

Leaving for Bonn- A New Adventure

I always knew I wanted to study abroad since I was little, and when I found out about the Bonn Biosciences Program three years ago, I knew I had to go. I spoke to a student who had just gotten back from this program and he had nothing but positive things to say about his experience. He described it as one of the best times of his life. Now that I am getting ready to embark on this journey, I am most looking forward to new experiences such as traveling to new cities, staying with a host family, navigating a new place on my own, and learning about life in Germany. Although I am nervous about getting lost, not knowing the language, and adapting to a completely different way of life than I am used to, the opportunity for growth and new experiences has pushed me to go to Bonn. I feel like I will adapt well, I am fairly open minded and enjoy change. However, I really have no idea what to expect since I have never been to Europe and have never even lived outside of Texas, much less the US. I am also looking forward to documenting this journey on both this blog and in my own journal, so that I can further process and understand how this trip will change me, as well as look back on this experience in the years to come.

A New Land

I have known for a long time now that at some point during college that I wanted to study abroad, it was just a question of when and where it would be. When I first started looking into the available programs for BMEN the Germany trip was always the frontrunner due to my German heritage and family living there. On top of that living in College Station for most of my life and then also attending A&M has lead me to want to live out of town for a bit. I expect to learn and grow a lot during these few months and hope that alongside my classes I can also learn more German. I am extremely excited for this adventure to start!

I decided to travel abroad to expand my horizons as I have left my home country very few times. I want to learn a new a language and better understand German culture and the culture of surrounding European countries. I am nervous to meet and assimilate into my host family. I hope to build a lasting relationship with these people and understand their German heritage. I am also anxious about meeting new people who speak a completely different language during my time on campus; however, I look forward to facing these challenges and growing as a person during my time in Bonn.

Before Bonn

Every aspect of this trip was very appealing, from the program to the travel, and as I researched the trip I knew it was something that I absolutely wanted to do. However, the research project sold me on this study abroad program because of it's relevance to my career path.

I am very excited for the travel aspect, as well as the close teacher-to-student ratio that we don't always get at a university as large as Texas A&M. I am nervous about navigating the different countries, and potential language barriers. However, I am extremely excited to experience all of the different cultures and learn more about Europe!

I was initially attracted to the Bio-sciences semester because it allowed the opportunity to visit and experience the many different countries I had always wished to visit. Now I have the privilege to further myself as an engineer by developing my education under talented faculty and progressing interpersonal skills throughout the program activities. I look forward to building strong friendships with other students part of the program that lives long past the time we will be abroad.

The Before

It's hours before the flight takes off and it's all settling in. Security and baggage check went through slowly but quickly. I am both excited and sad to be going on this new adventure, leaving behind my family and friends but also making new memories and experiences. I'm looking forward to seeing Europe and meeting my host family. I also look forward to the flight where I can sleep for 9 hours and watch TV shows.

T - 3 hours

If Dany hadn't told me in the first week of class that she was going to Germany and wanted me to go with her, I probably wouldn't have applied. Dr. Wasser's presentation was compelling, but I needed that push to actually commit. I expect to gain a lot of confidence and independence while abroad, and I'm excited to explore Europe on my own. I'm nervous to be away from my family for so long, but I have good friends coming on the trip and I know I'll make more while we're there.

Germany here we come!

So here we are, day of departure, and I'm at a complete loss for words on how I might explain how I am feeling right now. Very excited to have this opportunity of furthering my education on the other side of the world, but still a little nervous when I really sit down and start thinking about it. I know I'll have no issue once I'm there, but the crossing of the threshold is always the biggest hill to get over it seems.

I'm not setting too many expectations for this journey as I really just want to see where it'll take me, ultimately staying away from trying to guide it myself. Becoming more acquainted with the culture is a goal I have set for myself, but not an expectation I am forcing. In addition to cultural integration, a couple other reasons I signed up to participate in this are to break out of my comfort zone a tad more, and challenge myself with an unfamiliar learning environment. 

Once again, nervous, but more ready than ever. 

Day of Departure

Today is departure day and it still doesn't feel real. I want to be excited to go but I have been so busy trying to see people and preparing to leave I haven't had much time to get excited. I realized that I usually get excited when I picture myself in my new environment and imagine what it will be like when I get there. However, this is the first time I really have no idea what to expect so I can't really do that and I think that is why I am not as excited as I expected to be. I just keep reminding myself of the reasons I want to go. All of the incredible opportunities I'm going to have to learn and experience new things. Being able to see a new place and hear new language. Hopefully I will be able to learn a little German too!