Where to begin? I am not really sure how to fit all my feelings about the past few days into a one page reflection, but here goes nothing. I will start off by saying I am experiencing continuing and overwhelming waves of culture shock and more often than not it is making me very uncomfortable. I am frustrated that I cannot read signs on the street or that I often have no idea what food I am actually ordering. I am finding that I am overly excited when I see a store or restaurant that I recognize or hear a passerby speaking English as I walk down the street. Part of me wants to cling strongly to those things that are familiar, while the other part of me knows that this experience will be the most meaningful if I really push myself beyond those levels of comfort. At this point, just a few days in I have decided that I am going to challenge myself and not revert back to the few things that remind me of home. However, I am also going to let myself take refuge every once in awhile. If after a long of day exploring Berlin, trying new foods, seeing new places and attempting to speak German, I need to watch an American TV show that I watch regularly I am going to let myself. I think if I stick to this I can still have a really meaningful learning and cultural experience here in Germany without getting burned out.
I am realizing that researching for and completing my project is going to be more difficult than I thought. I am barely comfortable enough to order a meal here, much less speak to people in an academic manner about an important topic. If I am going to be able to do my project really well I am going to have to get over some serious anxieties in the next few days. I am hoping that once I overcome that first interview and start to get further into my research everything will start to come together and I will realize that I am a lot more comfortable than I thought I would be.
So far my favorite thing about Berlin is that genuine interaction seems pretty standard. I have noticed when walking by restaurants that people don’t seem to be on their cellphones when sitting with their friends. They are talking and enjoying the company that is right in front of them. Berliners also seem to be pretty relaxed. People walk slower, the music is less intense and dinner seems to be a multi-hour event. At Humboldt University the students don’t seem to be constantly running to their next class and there is one grass square that is always full of people enjoying each others company. Everything seems to be less rushed than it is in Seattle. So far, I find it very refreshing to be in such a relaxed environment, but I know that when I return to the United States in about six weeks I will welcome the hustle and bustle with open arms.
Five days in I am very tired and still trying to get a feel for everything, but I am very excited to dive further into my research and explore more of what Berlin has to offer!
I am realizing that researching for and completing my project is going to be more difficult than I thought. I am barely comfortable enough to order a meal here, much less speak to people in an academic manner about an important topic. If I am going to be able to do my project really well I am going to have to get over some serious anxieties in the next few days. I am hoping that once I overcome that first interview and start to get further into my research everything will start to come together and I will realize that I am a lot more comfortable than I thought I would be.
So far my favorite thing about Berlin is that genuine interaction seems pretty standard. I have noticed when walking by restaurants that people don’t seem to be on their cellphones when sitting with their friends. They are talking and enjoying the company that is right in front of them. Berliners also seem to be pretty relaxed. People walk slower, the music is less intense and dinner seems to be a multi-hour event. At Humboldt University the students don’t seem to be constantly running to their next class and there is one grass square that is always full of people enjoying each others company. Everything seems to be less rushed than it is in Seattle. So far, I find it very refreshing to be in such a relaxed environment, but I know that when I return to the United States in about six weeks I will welcome the hustle and bustle with open arms.
Five days in I am very tired and still trying to get a feel for everything, but I am very excited to dive further into my research and explore more of what Berlin has to offer!