Studying abroad is nothing like what I expected. This statement comes with some good and some bad, I’ll start with the bad. Jacobs University is a fairly secluded campus in northern Germany. To get to the nearest major city, downtown Bremen, you must take a 30-minute train. Although there isn’t much to do downtown Bremen anyways, so the closest major cities one would want to visit (Hamburg, Berlin, Munich) take hours to get to by bus or train, or an expensive flight. So, with the exception of my weekend travels, I spend all of my time on campus. In addition, it is an English speaking campus. Therefore my German is not improving… at all.
On a positive note, Jacobs is an international school with students from over 100 countries. Going abroad I had two major goals: to be immersed in German life and to become a more global citizen. Though I’m not immersed in German life, language and culture the way I had hoped, I have definitely become a more global citizen. Being at an international school, I have met people from all over the world. (Germany, Nepal, Pakistan, Ghana, Macedonia, Albany, Russia, Kenya, Japan, Nicaragua and Malaysia to name a few) Meeting these people have made these countries more than just a point on a map test or a stereotype the way they previously were. Though I’m not learning much about German culture, I am lucky to learn about the life and culture of people around the world.
The most surprising thing I’ve gained from my experience here is my appreciation for home. Though I still believe America has a lot of improvements to make, I’ve learned that everyone has complaints about their home country too. I’ve also gained a new appreciation for the little things back home: ordering delivery without the stress of a language barrier, my car, chick-fil-a, flexible dining hours, warm weather, and my friends and family. Coming here, I knew what I didn’t like about America, but I don’t think I understood what I love about it.
When I arrived at Jacobs University, I felt lost. About six weeks later, life here feels normal. I miss my life at Rollins, but I no longer feel lost. I appreciate the opportunity to live as a normal student in Europe. This isn’t the easy, fun, adventurous experience I was expecting. Classes are hard, travel is expensive, and location and weather are not ideal; but I am learning and growing and being humbled in ways I am grateful for.