A Year Comes to a Close

As many of you know, I've already been back home in the USA since mid-July. I'll talk more about that later, and am focusing this post on my last few months in Germany.

Although a lot of my time was spent at school, (The summer holidays in Germany are only six weeks long! School didn't end until June 26th, although in many of the other states of Germany it doesn't end until mid- to late July), I had lots of time to travel, see friends, and appreciate all of the little things in Germany that are different or simply don't exist in Northern Michigan.

The highlight of my last few months was seeing the capital of Germany, Berlin, two separate times. I went once in May to visit one of my German friends (Myriam) who was an exchange student last year at my school in the USA. We had stayed in contact after she finished her year abroad, and she was part of the reason that made me consider going to Germany for an exchange. Her family invited me to stay with them for a weekend in Berlin and they showed me around some of the parts that the locals go to - which was great because in August I had already visited many of the tourist traps that Berlin has to offer. It was a nice change to fit in and do things as the locals. We biked around the city, participated in a flash mob in front of the Brandenburg Gate, went to a music festival, enjoyed (too much) coffee and cake, and went to one of the largest flea markets in Germany!

Stopped at ,,Leck Mich" for some Basil flavored ice cream

Biking downtown

With Myriam and her brother

Waffles after spending time at the flea market!

As part of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) Program, I also spent a week in Berlin with the other ~300 participants to focus on the political aspect of international ties between the USA and Germany. We met officials including Angela Merkel (the chancellor of Germany), the German President, and the US Ambassador to Germany. This included visits to the US Embassy, the German Chancellery, and the German Parliament. Although it was a busy week, we had time to hang out with friends and sight-see. This included seeing Checkpoint Charlie, the Jewish Museum Berlin, and the Berlin Philharmonic - a spectacular, multiple Grammy Award winning symphony!

With Caitlin, another CBYX recipient, from Alpena (MI)

Private party at the US Embassy in Berlin - I enjoyed my first rootbeer in a year!

Harvard's Radcliffe Pitches performed for us at the Embassy

Outside of the German Bundestag/Parliament Building

Within the Bundestag we listened to a parliament meeting

The US Ambassador speaking to us about the importance of continued strong relations between Germany and the United States

The German President and other officials addressing us

Later in the Chancellery; where press statements are made

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Luckily we finished most of our exams in late May to early June, so our final weeks of school were exam/test free and relaxing. We did a class trip as well to Dortmund, Germany where we spent time shopping and got a tour of Dortmund's soccer stadium. While I was there I bumped into another American exchange student that I knew from my program - it was one of those moments that made me realize how small of a world we live in. It was strange to know that I would have to say goodbye to so many amazing friends that I had made during my year - not sure when I would see them again. Obviously I plan to go visit again, but the opportunity to visit Germany again might not happen for a while, unfortunately. 

Dortmund Stadium

In front of my German high school with a few of the many friends I made this year

My last weekend in Germany consisted of a goodbye party, a traditional village festival called Schuetzenfest (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sch%C3%BCtzenfest), lots of packing, and no sleep. I couldn't have asked for anything more (besides more sleep). My American family also came to Germany to meet my host family and see where I had spent my year.

Within the Schuetzenfest building in my town - lots of traditional music! :P

Re-united after a year

It was indescribable getting in the car and leaving everything I had come to know and love, but eventually it was time to say goodbye the German way - Auf Wiedersehen (,,Until we see again")