I have wanted to visit Germany
for a very long time now. I started learning German seven years ago when I was
in middle school. Through my language classes I have learned so much about
Germany and its culture, but I have never been able to see and experience it
for myself. In high school I had two chances to participate in a German exchange
program. Because of the expense, I was never able to go to Germany, but I had
two German girls stay at my house that I became friends with. They are both
from Lahr, a city in southern Germany next to the Black Forest. I learned a lot
from them and even if we don’t get close to their home during this trip, I am
excited to finally be able to see their home country.
This is a picture of Lana, one of my German friends,
during her stay in the United States.
I thought this D term trip would
be an excellent choice for several reasons. I have never been outside the USA
before and I am majoring in Japanese, which requires a study abroad trip to
Japan. I thought a short trip with a group to a country whose language I am
more familiar with (but not totally comfortable with) would be a good way to
prepare myself for a longer trip to Japan. I also am very excited to see all
the sights and cities that we will be visiting during this trip. I love the
design of all the great and old structures that can be found in Europe, and I
know there are some beautiful ones in Germany.
It’s always been dream of mine, seeing as I grew up watching cartoon
versions of Grimm fairy tales, to be inside of a real castle. Plus going to
Berlin, a city that I have heard so much about from my various German teachers,
and being able to speak to people that live there would be a fantastic
experience.
This is a watercolor painting of Neuschwanstein Castle I
made a few years ago.
I mentioned that I am a Grimm
fan, but I like many of the modern forms of entertainment that come from
Germany as well. I have seen a number of German films such as “Lola Rennt” and
“Goodbye Lenin” which I have enjoyed very much. I am also a fan of a few German
bands such as Rammstein and Tokio Hotel (though my German friends tell me they
are not popular in Germany) and the musician Peter Fox.
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