Born in Dresden, Germany, my time in the U.S. was a study abroad. Culture and identity have always followed me in my life. My Dad is Dutch, and my mother is German. Living in a household where cultures are different, one learns to accept the differences and enjoy them. Living in several countries and travelling, I built up a further sense of how cultures vary in traditions, values, behaviour, etc. I quickly understood how important it is to have an open view towards all kinds of environments. Instead of judging values or behaviours that might be common within a culture, it is essential to try and learn more about the values, traditions, etc., however uncomfortable it may be for oneself. Even if one disagrees with elements of a particular culture, it is always good to be open and try and determine why that culture may have those attributes. I have come across cultures similar to my characteristics and others that do not follow my character. From experience, the cultures and people most dissimilar to me have brought me the most fascination and happiness. For example, when I came to Rollins College, I noticed a very different environment. Growing up in Germany, I saw that Germans are very focused and hard-working people. This focus can, however, also make them less talkative.
Stereotypes would not exist if they would not at least hold a little truth, and although it is not my intention to create generalizations, most Germans are closed off. I am half German and know that I am not very talkative, especially with people I do not know. I would choose to work by myself over working with someone else. Coming to America, I realized that people were far more social and liked to converse in small-talk, generally speaking obviously. I found this behaviour in particular to be a part of Rollins College, and it helped me find friends quickly and build genuine connections. Beyond making connections that I am sure will last a lifetime, the experience taught me how to come out of my own shadow more than I usually would. Now I know the importance of working together with other people. Minds coming together is powerful and creates beautiful work. My four-semester experience at Rollins, for that reason, was exceptional and set me up nicely for a return to Germany. Writing about the significance of culture and identity in being a global citizen has been a great reminder to let my guard down and let go of biases. There will always be attributes of a culture you disagree with, but at the same time, there will always be attributes you enjoy. For example, even though I have never been the biggest fan of German culture, it does have values and traditions that are great in my eyes. I think punctuality is important, as well as organization, planning, and directness. My favourite holiday is Christmas, and I am now closer to my family, meaning that I will get the chance to celebrate it properly this year. To be a global citizen, I think one should find comfort and see the wonders of any culture. That is what I will also do now as I indulge in my new journey at Reutlingen.