Today I went to my last class at the Humboldt University of Berlin, and I was hit with the realization that my time in Berlin has officially come to an end. I knew from the beginning that this day would come. However, after being in Berlin for over eight weeks, I got used to daily life in the city. I had a routine, and it felt like I had moved to the city indefinitely. I felt comfortable walking around and exploring new areas, navigating the public transport system (which was wonderful by the way), and trying different types of food. Right now I am planning what to do on my last full day in Berlin, and procrastinating packing (worried my luggage will weigh more than what is allowed).
I can’t help but feel bittersweet about leaving. As people say, “don’t be sad that it’s over, be glad that it happened.” I’m definitely glad that I was able to come to Berlin, it was an incredible learning opportunity, both academically and personally. Berlin helped me grow as an individual as well. I am now more confident and willing to try and explore new things and have grown to embrace spontaneity and “go with the flow” more. So, I’m leaving Berlin with a positive outlook, but I have made so many memories here and honestly feel like Berlin is a second home for me now and don’t feel ready to leave. I’ve done so much in this wonderful city, but there is still so much more I haven’t even touched the surface of. Two months may seem like a long time, but in Berlin it’s not enough. All of this gives me a reason to want to come back (maybe by then I’ll be able to speak German better).
I may not be in Berlin for much longer, but the memories I made will stay forever. I had a wonderful time learning about Berlin’s culture and history, learning German with both Northwestern and Humboldt professors, and learning about the history, urban planning, and social issues of Berlin through lectures and excursions. One moment that will stay with me is the time we saw and sang Willst du mit mir gehn, a Nena song (it’s a great song) in my German class at Humboldt. I enjoyed all the incredible food (especially ice cream) that I had, and all of the beautiful sights I saw (Berliner Dom, TV Tower, so many honestly). More importantly however, I am thankful for the incredible friends I made on this trip. From staying up late and listening to music (got a noise complaint, oops), going to the Markthalle Neun every Thursday with my friend Alex (and sometimes Mauricio), constantly bickering with Mauricio in German class (friendly bickering), and just being plain silly, I’m going to miss seeing and hanging out with them everyday.
Markthalle Neun
NENA | Willst du mit mir gehn [Official Video] from NENA on Vimeo.
Thanks for the memories Berlin. I hope to return one day, but for now, Tschüss!