Hearing German being spoken around me was nothing out of the ordinary. I grew up in a family where I was not able to speak to my mom's half of the family due to a language barrier. My mother and father met in Germany, where my mother lived and my father was stationed in the army. Since then, they've gotten married and moved to the States.
Every year or so we would return to my mothers home town in Germany, where I simply played games as a means of communication. With my mother around, I could simply tell her what I needed and it was taken care of. In high school, when given the option to learn German as a language, I was excited! I wanted to be able to speak to my family!Throughout my years of high school German, I thought I had learned quite a bit of the language. We didn't do much in the classroom, but what we did do, I did well. I graduated high school a semester early and spent half a year in Germany, living with the family that I knew, but couldn't speak to. I was wrong to think that I knew German. It was as if I wasn't at all familiar with the language. Over time, with a lot of patience and help from friends, I began to learn the language and have fun while doing so!
I have since learned more than just the language. Through the classes I took at North Central and my time in Germany, I've learned about the culture, history, and traditions. I was not anticipating learning this when I had begun to learn German!
Since I often return to my small, southern village in Germany, I anticipate learning of the differences in dialects and culture of the big city of Berlin! I also typically do not enjoy large cities, but I have heard so many great things about Berlin! I'm keeping an open-mind and am excited to learn about everything that lies within the streets of the city.
Another aspect of the trip that I'm excited to be a part of is talking with those who experienced the Berlin Wall. Making a connection between the themes we have learned in class to actual memories created on this trip will be exciting!
Overall, I cannot wait to spend the time in Germany with friends with time rich in history and memories!
Note: Below is a picture of Berlin at night! You can see the Fernsehturm in the back (the REALLY tall building) which was build between 1965 and 1969. Theres a restaurant at the top, and the sphere turns. So while enjoying a meal, you get a 360˚ view or Berlin!
