This will be my final blog for this semester abroad.
Words cannot express how much I have enjoyed and learned during these four months in Germany. I have gotten so accustomed to living here that it will probably be a culture shock when I move back to the U.S. There is so much opportunity to grow when you put yourself in a situation completely foreign to anything you have known.
Before I talk about what I will miss in Germany and what I have missed about the U.S., I want to briefly discuss the final examination period of German education for anyone considering studying in Germany for a semester or two. Finals here are very different from what you are used to in the States. They are much more difficult, but I suppose that is the price you pay for having no homework during the school year.
As for what I will miss most in Germany, I have a couple of ideas. First, I will of course miss the friends I made here. Meeting more international people in this short span of time than in my entire life was captivating, as I got to hear first-hand perspectives from countries I had only ever seen on the news. I will also miss the grocery prices. Yes, I know it sounds funny, but everything really is super cheap here compared to the United States. Going to the grocery store and spending around 30 Euros a week is just one of those perks of living in Europe. Another obvious one is the culture. Adjusting to a new culture over a long period is challenging but leaving it can be just as hard. I think I might have a difficult time re-adjusting to the American day-to-day. Lastly, and this might surprise some, is the student life. Here, there are simply more things to do than in Arkansas. I can spend a weekend in another country, visit a big city, or just enjoy one of the countless activities around here. Having all these options is something I really enjoy whenever the weekend comes around.
Now for what I miss about the U.S. and cannot wait to return to. My family and friends are of course the biggest part of my life that I want to get back to. No matter where you go, you will always miss the people you have spent your life with, and that is true for me as well. A surprising thing I did not expect to miss is driving. There is just something about having complete transportation freedom. I do not miss my car insurance bill, but I do enjoy being able to go wherever and whenever I want. Public transportation here is reliable most of the time, but having a car is something I grew up with, and it is hard to replace. Another thing I miss, which might surprise some people, is the food. I miss Mexican food, greasy burgers, and Taco Bell. While I know these things are not healthy, the taste of a Taco Bell deluxe box at 2 a.m. just cannot be compared to anything else.
I am flying back to the United States in two weeks, and I intend to make the most of these last days. I just returned from France and the Netherlands, which were as amazing as I had hoped. Next, I want to visit Italy before I leave. My time here in Germany has been unlike any other, and I encourage anyone who wants to challenge themselves to take that leap and explore the world.
As always, Auf Wiedersehen, Adventurers.
