This past summer I had the opportunity to study abroad in Berlin. To say I was nervous would be an understatement, I had absolutely no idea what to expect. I knew that I would be learning German, but other than that I was not so sure. During my adventure, I gained so many new experiences, and they all impacted me so much. The best part is that they make the best stories.
One of my favorite anecdotes to share from my trip is “The Fridge Story”. When I arrived at my host mom’s apartment, I settled in and chatted with my new roommate. I had a bit of an appetite, and decided to open the refrigerator to see what kind of food was inside. When I
opened the fridge, there were only two items inside: a whole coconut (yes, there was a coconut), and a small container of sauerkraut juice (very German). It was a funny moment to start off my month, and don’t worry, my host immediately went to the grocery store to buy lots of sugary “American” food for me and my roommate.
There was a fairly simple routine that we followed every weekday. Get ready in the morning at our homestay, take public transit to the school campus, and have German class for three hours before having an hour break for lunch. During these lunch breaks, we would receive a small stipend to grab food at a local café or restaurant. There was a wide variety of cuisines available, and there was something for everyone. One of my favorite places to go was at the market hall behind the campus. There were lots of booths selling fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, crafted items like candles and soap, and many others. One of the vendors sold solid New York City style pizza. Although I never tried it, the booth next to the pizza vendor sold Vietnamese food that was apparently the favorite of the former president, Barack Obama. I guess I should have taken the opportunity to try it.
I had such a great time in Berlin this summer, and although I was initially skeptical, I ended up having a fantastic time and could not recommend it more. Please take advantage of this amazing opportunity and apply now!
