DEVANTE’S EXPERIENCE ABROAD
OEA Scholarship Recipient
Senior
Why did you choose the location you studied abroad in?
“I chose to go to Berlin, because of the opportunities it gave me back home. I was able to gain nine credit hours from the program which aided me in graduating early. I also found that the city was close to other European capitals that I wanted to visit. I saw Berlin as a fun challenge in working on my comprehension of the German language as well.”
Describe the types of food that are common in the host city or country.
“There is a plethora of vegan and vegetarian restaurants as Berlin is somewhat of a new-age city. It is easy to find food that accommodates all dietary needs. It is really cool to try currywurst which is a cheap dish to get from different places around Berlin. Curry 61 is the best restaurant for currywurst as well as most restaurants near the Berlin city-center.”
Describe some of the cultural Differences you encountered.
“The cultural differences are subtle, and the things to adapt are just common courtesy things. I didn’t find anything a struggle since I had already been abroad before and knew there weren’t many things to stress over. The major thing students will find discomfort with is the lack of air conditioning, but if students manage ways to keep cool, they will be okay. Berliners may also be seen as staring at a person, but that isn’t something to be worried about, because they aren’t actually staring at anyone they are just looking in general.”
How would you describe the locals in the host city?
“People in Berlin come from such a diverse background that it bleeds into the cultural identities of the locals. Many locals have a strong sense of social justice and are not afraid to speak up about how they feel politically. I went to local gay bars and met people from all kinds of backgrounds who were able to teach me about spots that only locals knew about. I believe that Berliners are not afraid to say hello and strike up a conversation, but only in spaces made for conversing like that; I wouldn’t go to a shopping mall searching for friends.”
Describe the academic environment abroad.
“Some students may find that the Goethe Institut is a less traditional style of learning. It is less lecturing each day and more of partner assignments for the majority of the day. Each day was around four hours with a thirty-minute break and then a fifteen-minute break. The length of class can definitely feel daunting at times, but it is worth the length. There was homework due every day of class that was check during the class period, so students cannot procrastinate or they will not be successful.”
What part of your experience made the greatest impact on you?
“Being able to see that my German speaking abilities were actually much higher than I originally thought. I understood so much more German, and I was not as fearful to practice what I know. Being able to see so many historical landmarks that I read about was impactful as well. I was able to touch history and not just learn about it. I was able to connect with locals and learn what they feel about the world and not be taught about their opinions from a book.”
In your opinion, why should students study abroad?
“Students need to study abroad to become well-rounded, globally-conscious individuals. It makes you actually worry about what happens in the world, because you are now connected to these places. It sparks a realization of the privileges you are afforded each day compared to others, and it helps you to gain access to communities you’d never think were there. It is so important to go abroad, because it opens up doors that you didn’t even realize existed.”