First Freiburg Post!

To think that I’ve been back in Germany for almost 3 weeks is just something that I find hard to believe. I already feel so at home in Freiburg, and even though I still have a lot of the city left to explore, I feel like it’s mine already. Berliner Allee is my residence for the next 3 months, and while my room may be a little sterile, I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.

My room! (With a TV that doesn't work)

Very white I know

View from my window!

I’ve already become fast friends with the other Berliner Allee IES kids, the language program kids included. The acclimation to the German culture in Freiburg has also happened very quickly. I’m now a proud bike owner, and for once have my own bell to kling at people which is a glorious feeling after being harassed by so many bikers in Münster.

On my bike! (courtesy of Emma)

            After 5 weeks in the States, I was wondering how my German would be when I came back. But I’m surprisingly pleased with my level of speaking. I’m in the high level German class so there is formal instruction and whatnot. But it’s also great having German roommates that I see on a regular basis and can converse with. Louisa is really the only one of the 3 that I’ve met that I regularly talk with, but even still, talking about things like movies is practice. And I definitely want all the practice I can get. People generally don’t know that I’m American unless I’m speaking English with the other people in my program which is awesome. I was also asked if I was Russian or French which I found hilarious. I really enjoy the company of the Freiburgers. It’s an eclectic group, lots of students and hippies, but everyone is just super friendly. Not to mention this city is gorgeous. There are so many parks everywhere. Like seriously America needs to invest in more green spaces in its cities because it's just downright beautiful here. 

This is the lake that I run around. Kinda pretty huh?

            I’m also really looking forward to all the opportunities that I will be awarded this semester. They traveling and trips that we’re taking are of course awesome, but also things like the Rent an American program and the hiking in the Black Forest are just amazing. Through the Rent an American program I’ll essentially get to try and see if the Fulbright Teaching Fellowship is really something I want to do as I go volunteer in German classrooms and teach kids about American culture. I think it’ll really help me on my application for that. And then the hiking. Just oh my goodness. I’m kind of in love with the Black Forest. The waterfalls, the mystery of it, it's just somewhat magical. And the best part is, there’s so much to explore! Then there is the wine country to the Southwest of us, and I’m very much looking forward to biking to some vineyards and doing some wine tastings.

I'm outdoorsy and stuff

Some of the Berliner Allee chicks! (Left to right: Elise, myself, Emma, and Rin)

It really is the Black Forest guys

Waterfalls in Triberg

Waterfalls on our hike 2 weekends ago!

            Overall, I couldn’t be any happier with my decision to go back abroad and to do the IES European Union program. My classes should be challenging, and the fact that they’re paired with these field trips makes them even more awesome. The case studies that I'll be completing as well as the visits to the seats of these major European institutions is something that I never would have imagined myself doing. And I also couldn’t have asked for a more awesome and diverse group of people to travel around Europe with. While I’m not going to be best friends with everyone in this program (there are 57 of us, I know my limits), I know I’ll make several close friendships throughout the semester. I've had so much fun with this crazy group of people so far, and I know as we get closer, it'll only get that much better. 

We're kinda crazy fun (ps that's Moser and Anders in the back)

Just another night on the town (Moser is kind of a ladies man lol)

Berliner Allee celebrating Salome's birthday!

Making dumplings at Fei's place. Katie was kind of the dumpling master.

I'll be sure to post about Berlin and Prague soon! Just needed to get the first post up and running :)