I think the title says it all. As I write this it is officially one month since taking on an adventure of a lifetime. This place has become home to me in more ways than I can express. It started with the unfamiliarity of the area. I grasped onto the unknowing. From there, it moved to paying attention to the culture norms. After adjusting to some cultural changes, it became calling Bremen, Germany home when talking to peers back home.
Fall here is absolutely breathtaking. The weather in and of itself is a bit unpredictable, but I truly would not have it any other way. The cool days are heart-warming, the rainy days are awakening, and the “hot” days are a reminder of home. Outside my bedroom window I am beginning to watch the leaves change slowly and hear the chirping of birds every morning. Each morning I do yoga to the quietness of the small city and when I decide to go into the city I hear and observe people riding their bikes to work and doing daily tasks. I find myself almost upset about the fact that in a short time, these acts will not be my daily routine anymore.
Each weekend I learn something new about Bremen and its history. Each interaction I become more and more aware of the cultural stigma that is discussed in the States. I say this because, before coming here I was told by many people that Germans are rude and unfriendly. I have come to learn and realize that that is entirely untrue. I have yet to meet an American as willing to help as helpful as Germans have been. I have yet to meet an American as understanding of other cultures as Germans are. I do not mean to make this sound as if I am targeting the States, but I do believe it is important to raise awareness to the misinterpretation of different cultures.
Rollins strives to create a legacy where students enter the “real world” as culturally aware citizens of the world. This is a perfect example of a student following the mission. In my pre-departure blogpost I discussed how important vulnerability is in order to grow as a human. Within only a month I find myself breaking down my own walls in order to assist in the creation of relationships. I find myself smiling more, assisting strangers more often, and enjoying the little aspects of life more and more. I am excited to see how else I change throughout my time here. I truly will never be able to express the effects this adventure will have on me as a person. What I can say though is that, without this opportunity I would not be the woman I am or becoming.
Additionally, it has been interesting learning how others view the US. Three days into being here I found a friend group that I could not imagine doing this adventure without. I will never forget the statement one of the friends here made when they saw my instagram feed. “Wow your feed looks like an ‘American movie theme’.” This is engrained in my head is because it reiterated the idea that is often spoken about America. Our lives, in America are a “commercial” to the rest of the world.
Though there will be many take-away’s from this experience, one of the main ones has to do with change. Change is terrifying, but the growth it allows you to endure is something money or an academic education could never afford you.
