I thought studying abroad would be a life-changing experience. I remember skimming pamphlets and websites advertising their studying abroad programs in [insert foreign country here], promising a newly found independence, language proficiency and a discovery of the real you, or a fresh perspective on one’s American lifestyle. Even when I read my first pre-departure post, I can’t help but laugh a little at how cheesy I sound, hoping for an “adventure” and a “fresh start.”
While I may have mastered navigating my way through the streets of Berlin (with a little help from Google Maps), perfected the phrase “Do you speak English?” in German, and developed a new appreciation for free tap water in restaurants, the classes and cultural excursions IPD planned for us (although they were amazing) are not what I use to define my study abroad experience in Berlin.
It’s about the nights out with friends that make waking up for classes the next day especially difficult. It’s about eating ridiculous amounts of döner kebab, ramen, and PB&J sandwiches because you and your roommate are too lazy to cook. It’s about climbing FIVE flights of stairs to check out a beach-themed rooftop “restaurant,” and later discovering there is an elevator.
It’s about the 10-15 minutes of silence that falls upon your group whenever you discover a place has free wifi, and it’s about coming back home to realize you only have about $60 to your name. But most of all, studying abroad has been about all the friendships I’ve made with people that I never would have met otherwise.
Studying abroad was an amazing experience – I really can’t stress that enough – but I would say that I’m pretty much the same person pre- and post-Berlin, just with some new friends and better profile pictures.
Tschüss, Berlin! Till next time.