Why I Chose Germany

While I am fascinated by other cultures and love to learn about them in sociology and anthropology courses, unfortunately I have not had the opportunity to go abroad so far in my life.  I am so happy this all will change when I go to Germany.  My decision to go to Germany was influenced primarily because I am 25% German and although it is a part of my grandfather’s heritage and thus a part of my heritage, I do not know much about Germany other than what has been taught in history courses regarding WWII.  While my grandfather was born here in the U.S., he and my grandmother visited Germany before he passed away, and he said it was his favorite place he had ever been.  Although my grandfather died eight years ago, even today his memories are kept alive by my grandmother, and I am continuing to learn things about him that I did not know even now. I think traveling to Germany and learning more about the German culture will be a great way to learn about my grandfather’s heritage, and my own, since I have not done so up until this point.

            One of the other qualities that drew me to this trip was that we will not merely be going to tourist attractions and museums.  Although obviously tourist attractions and museums are important, and it is beneficial to have some on any trip, I appreciated that this trip seemed to be more about learning about authentic German culture by immersing ourselves in a variety of settings and branching out from the tourist attractions.  As a sociology major, different cultures have always interested me, and I am fully looking forward to soaking up as much of the German culture as I can.  Whether it is trying new foods, navigating through the urban topography, or learning the basics of a new language after taking German 100 in the fall, I hope to get as authentic of an experience as a person can get in 18 days and truly step out of my comfort zone as I consider this trip to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  In addition to the culture, I anticipate that we will also be talking a lot about architecture, which will be a new experience for me because I have never thought much about architecture in the past.  The fact that a building's architectural style can truly reflect history is fascinating, and I hope to learn more about that.

            One place I am looking forward to visiting is Hohenschönhausen secret prison (pictured above) and the psychological torture chamber.  As a psychology student, I have learned the negative impacts of isolation and other forms of psychological torture, so I will be fascinated to learn more about what inmates went through.  After looking at the location’s website, I learned that many previous inmates as well as historians and cultural scientists work as lecturers and speakers at the prison.  While I am not sure exactly what we will be doing there, I am sure it will be a truly moving experience.

   Pictured above: Wittenberg, Germany  

Pictured above: Augustinerkloster Monastery

            I am also really looking forward to visiting Wittenberg.  After taking a History of Ideas course and learning a bit about Martin Luther and the Reformation, it will be very exciting to roam the same streets that Luther once roamed in Wittenberg and to stay in the Augustinerkloster Monastery he once lived in, located in Erfurt. Additionally, since the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation is approaching, this will be a particularly interesting time to visit!

            Overall, I could not be more excited to learn more about a part of my heritage, experience a new culture, and see things in real life that I have previously only read about.  

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