Earth Science 101 at Northwestern had given me a tiny glimpse into the energy efficient and saving habits that had been established in Germany. The country had become well-versed in using solar, wind, and renewable energy sources as a means of creating a country that could actually protect the environment rather than taking more away from it and consequently destroying the naturally prevalent resources available in the country. As an American visiting Berlin, I was shocked to see some of the minor changes that seemed to be important energy-saving techniques. Not only did Berliners rigorously organize their garbage into various different categories, but they also left out bottles that they had used in case someone in need could take those bottles and then exchange them at a nearby supermarket for some change. After nights out, seeing bottles scattered across the city was an extremely rare sight. Instead, you were far more likely to encounter a group of friends going home on the train with their empty bottles piled into a case that they would take home. Further, the flea markets in Berlin were so vast exactly because people were unwilling to let good-quality items be tossed into the garbage. At a flea market, they could find a new home. In terms of eco-friendly habits, it was clear that the habits I learned and witnessed in Germany are ones that I would like to carry with me as I return to the United States and make an effort of being more aware of my environmental impact. Interestingly, when music artists were interviewed in Germany, many of the political-climate questions that they were often asked about were related to the climate and climate-consciousness. Though it was certainly a shift from the U.S., Germans’ commitment to eco-friendliness was extremely impressive and something I would like to carry with me as I proceed in my life.