First Week In

 What I’ve Done

The first week in Germany has been amazing! It all started with a great flight- probably the best international flight experience I could ask for. The flight was only about half full, so we were able to spread out a bit, which gave me a whole row to myself! I was able to have the dinner, watch some movies and tv shows (since we all had individual screens, I was able to choose what I wanted to watch, which was nice, even though  I didn’t get to watch all of the things I wanted to) and then I fell asleep for 6 hours! (This was the biggest blessing; it helped with the jet lag more than anything!)

I arrived in Hamburg on Wednesday, which gave me the rest of the week to spend with a friend of mine that I’ve known now for 6 years. I was able to meet some of her friends and joined her in her “everyday life” as much as I could. One of the many fun things we did was to participate in a peaceful demonstration that occurs in Hamburg on the last Friday of every month called “Critical Mass.” The intention of the demonstration is to support a healthy biking culture in Hamburg. There is a German law that if 15 or more bike riders are in a group, they are allowed to travel on the street and follow the same laws as someone driving a car. Using this, hundreds, if not thousands, of people gather at a meeting point that is spread about through social media and word of mouth an hour before the start time, will ride together throughout the city. It was such a positive experience- the other riders were very nice and polite, there were even children riders! Some people brought fun lights and music, which added to the atmosphere. The police actually “helped” with the demonstration in a few different ways. They were at the meeting point asking for a representative to let them know the intended route so that they could block the traffic to make it safer for the riders. While no one wanted to talk to the police (as the demonstration is against the city authorities), everyone was really happy they were showing their support, even if it was more of an attempt for them to have some control over the situation as well.  It was overall a great experience, one that I don’t think I’d be able to find back home.

I also got the chance to take a quick trip to Berlin, going by car- which isn’t something that typically happens, as gas is now at $5.88 a gallon (in Hamburg, at one of the cheapest gas stations in town).  While we were there, we stayed near the Sonnenallee, which is known because it is the street that the Berlin Wall once separated. We were invited to an “Apartment Warming Party,” where another American was there! We joked how it always seems to happen, saying “where there’s one of “us,” there is almost always another!” In the bigger cities, especially the multi-cultural Berlin, this is fairly true.  On our trip home we were able to spend some time at the Alexanderplatz, which is where the infamous Berlin TV tower is located. It was such a nice and sunny day, so it was great to have the opportunity to just relax and enjoy one of my favorite parts of the city.

After getting back to Hamburg, I got the chance to meet up with my cousin, a former exchange student my aunt hosted. It was great to see her, catch up, and just spend time together. It’s a great feeling knowing that it’s not just a short visit, but that I can see her throughout my experience her in Germany.

All of this brings me to Monday, when I moved into my apartment. I was able to take an ICE train, which is the Inter City Express train, which at one point was travelling at 239 km/hr. or 148 mi/hr.!  At the train station I was met by one of the members of the club that is participating in the scholarship program here in Kassel. She took me to my apartment, leaving me with the cutest “Welcome Basket” filled with some foods, chocolates, and a little cake.  I was able to unpack all of my things and get settled in my room. I took the night to myself, to get some sleep and settle in.

On Tuesday I got to meet my Local Chairperson here in Kassel and we took care of the official business “stuff.” I got my bank account, health insurance, registration with the city, and some information about registration at school and with the Immigration Office. We also took some time out of the day while running errands to get some coffee (and if you know me, I got a Chai Latte with soy milk ;-). This is one thing, of many, that I really do admire about the Germans is their desire to just take a break in the middle of the day, so that you don’t feel so stressed. J We also went to the grocery store and got a couple of things to get me through the rest of the week before I go to the orientation with the other Federation students in Frankfurt.

Running the errands around town really let me see that although it feels a bit overwhelming, I’m actually really close to the middle of the city and where all of the shops and such are. It’s only a 15 minute walk or so before I’m near 2 of the main shopping centers and on the street where most of the little shops are. (H&M is there too, of course I would scope that out!)

First Week In:  How I Feel

I think it’s also important to reflect on how I’m feeling while I’m here-especially if you’re reading this with the intention to know what it’s like to Study Abroad.

During this week I have had many different emotions. I’ve felt the jet lag, which can often make me feel various emotions all at once. I haven’t felt too overwhelmed in any given situation, as I am comfortable with my language abilities and I’ve been with someone that  could help me if I’m in a situation where I need to know things that I’m not too comfortable with (such as at the bank when I opened my account).

I think it’s really important to feel comfortable in my living conditions, which I have taken extra measures to do so. The apartment is 204 sq. ft., which may seem small, but I think you can see in the pictures, that it’s just a perfect size for a single person. I took the time to move the furniture around and make up the room in the way that makes me feel the most comfortable.  I was able to find the laundry room and all of the amenities around the building today, so it’s already feeling like home. 

I’m getting really excited to starting classes in 2 weeks. I have found out that Kassel, like many other German universities, has a Hochschulsport program, which offers a variety of different sport classes- everything from yoga and meditation to tango dancing and Zumba to American football and baseball! I’m really looking forward to playing basketball, which is something I had hoped to be able to do while here in Kassel. I’m looking forward to the routine that the university life will offer. J

Lastly- I’m already realizing that I’m starting to switch over to thinking in German, even talking to myself in German! I think it’s really exciting that it’s all coming back so quickly, but I know it will come in waves. Having studied abroad before, I feel a little more prepared for it, but I know too, realistically, that it will be difficult as well.

Now it’s off to get my laundry and going out to explore around the city on my own!