Study Abroad and Domestic Study Away

Throughout my time in Germany, I have been challenging myself and learning different outlooks which has been extremely rewarding. From learning a new language, experiencing cultural norms that I was not expecting, and travelling to new countries, I am happy to say that I have grown in confidence and knowledge.

Studying abroad can be humbling at times, especially when you are learning the language and are not familiar with the societal norms. From sorting trash to finding the bus, it was tough at first trying to assimilate, but I learned that being out of my normal environment would allow me to grow as a person and challenge myself. I enjoyed this challenge, and I was able to experience Bavarian culture in everyday life. I appreciated that I was able to immerse myself through business classes from a German perspective, as well as taking an intensive German course that helped me to speak German while ordering, asking for directions, or even saying goodbye with a Bavarian dialect. This helped me in day-to-day life in Germany, and I am incredibly grateful for the number of experiences Germany had to offer. I loved exploring cities throughout Germany, such as Munich, Regensburg, and Oberammergau. Each city had its own special charm with its medieval style buildings and the vast paintings throughout each city depicting fairy tales, folklore, or biblical history.

One of my favorite experiences, however, was exploring the Linderhof and Neuschwanstein castles created by Ludwig II. Even though the Linderhof palace looked small on the outside, it was remarkable on the inside with the entire interior covered in gold, silver, and intricate paintings and patterns. Neuschwanstein was like Linderhof regarding its attention to detail, but it was impressive that Ludwig was able to incorporate a beautiful medieval style in the architecture despite it not being the time period. Overall, I have made many fond memories of my time in Germany, and I am grateful for the amazing experience.