3: Challenging Experiences (Samantha Fehlis)

Howdy!

The experience that has most challenged me to reconsider my beliefs has just been walking around my neighborhood. Before coming here, I often heard the stereotype from Europeans that Americans were overly friendly and even smiled excessively. Because of that, and anecdotal stories from my mom's time here, I expected people to be generally cold to others out in public. However, that is not what I have seen. While there is not the automatic expectation of acknowledgment that exists in the US when walking past someone on the street, if there is a reason to interact, people are very kind. Eager dogs, wandering children, and even just accidentally getting in each other's way often lead to a kind Guten Morgan or a smile. I much prefer this reality to the expectation I had set, and it is reflected in my experiences in Germany in general. My host family, cashiers, bus drivers, and even perfect strangers on the street are happy to help with the language barrier or give directions, whatever applies. The people here are definitely blunter than your average American, and that can sometimes be misinterpreted, but overall, I have found Germans to be much kinder and welcoming than I expected. Learning this has taught me to be less pessimistic and give people the credit they deserve.

3 Challanging Experiences (Nikash)

 Meeting the local students at the University of Bonn challenged my viewpoint on how intense the curriculum and workload is; in addition, it also challenged my view on what their work life and personal life balance was. My expectations were always that university here would be much more intense then that of TAMU and they would rarely have any personal time but its quite the opposite!

I met Moritz back in the first week of being in Germany and seeing hearing about his experiences with the schooling system and the freedom that one has out here was crazy to me as when your 16 you can choose to still do school or go to do an apprenticeship and then once you graduate high school many people end up taking 2-3 years as a gap year! I also met Ariane who is a student in Belgium and hearing her experience with traveling to Australia for 6 months just cause and trying to get a job with sustainable energy was so interesting yet she emphasized heavily that school was simply supposed to be a chill time to enjoy and figure out who and what you want to do and be. It just surprised me how much more efficient and relaxed the schooling system is here and now I really wish I did start my life out in Europe. 

Everyone here is so kind and I feel as though these interactions always pay forward because I’ve definitely made friends that will last a lifetime out here and I really do appreciate the kindness and empathy that they share for someone who is not from where they are and they really are just amazing people. I think I reacted to their positivity with more positivity which allowed me to make the most of my trip out here and it brought light to me to show that even a small compliment or exchange of words can lead to a everlasting friendship!

3: Challenging Experiences: Payten Jackson

 Challenging Experiences

    Being that this is my first experience traveling to Europe, I had many fears about how I would be perceived. I thought that this would be a challenge that I would have to deal with for the whole trip. Where I would be viewed as an "outsider" or stick out, but I was wrong. The Germans that I have interacted with so far have not made it a point to make me feel any different from them. When I walk around the city, it feels accepting and that they encourage diversity. Sometimes when I am in College Station, it feels isolating because there are not many people like me. So far, I have not had that feeling yet, which I would think would be the opposite. I am glad that this roadblock I had put up for myself was quickly torn down.

    I hope I will be able to become more fluent in the language because I would love to return in the future. The Germans have a way of life that I admire. They are constantly working to improve their country from the past and are not ashamed to admit their wrongdoings. Learning more about their history and how they have worked to prevent it from happening again is inspiring.

    So far on this trip, I have not had my core beliefs challenged, and I feel like this trip has only bolstered my values. I am excited for the rest of the journey to see if any new challenges arise. My character has grown, and this expansion of my worldview has allowed me to see much beauty in our differences.

3: Challenging Experiences (Olivia Cotton)

    Not a lot of my views have really been challenged while here in Europe, however, there are certain social normalcies that have most definitely made me reconsider my own way of interacting with people. While here, many students have commented on the general bluntness and lack of small talk Germans participate in. While yes, it can be a bit jarring sometimes to not get a ton of smiles and talk from your waiter, I do think this method of interacting with strangers is one I’d love to experience back in the U.S.

    One of our first times going out to a restaurant here, I found it incredibly refreshing to not have a waiter in my business and constantly approaching my table. It was different for sure, but it was a change I was happy to accept. On multiple occasions eating at restaurants in the U.S. I have had waiters completely insert themselves into my conversation, and was once even asked what I was texting to someone. That experience threw me for a loop because I found it quite odd that a total stranger would be so open about wanting to know pretty personal information about my life. What’s even crazier to me is the fact that at that moment I willingly told them the whole story and what I was doing, even if I had felt a little uncomfortable doing so. 

    

    Privacy is clearly an important thing for Germans to protect, and looking back now I know that something like that situation would truly offend any German, and would never happen while here. Instead, when I go out to eat here I am met with efficiency in taking my order and a waiter that never prods or tries to start a conversation. I love it. I’m able to eat my meal in peace and have good conversations with the people I came with, with no worry that the waiter is listening in and trying to insert themselves in our group. It could come off as rude sometimes just how little they cared about you as a person, other than what you were ordering and how you were paying, but I knew that this was because of my experience as an American. Going forward, I know it won’t happen, but I do wish people in the States respected privacy more. Although I can’t change an entire culture, I do think that changing my views on this and widening my perspective will lead me to be more guarded about my privacy when in public. I’d like to think that if I encountered the same situation today while in the U.S., I would politely decline to share this information instead of giving in despite my discomfort.

3: Challenging Experiences (Abby Burgett)

Howdy!

My time in Germany, and outside of Germany, has gone by so quickly. I have loved every moment here and I have learned even more. Before leaving for Germany many people warned me that Germans were rude and not very personable. This has been the opposite of my experience here, with everyone being more than welcoming and even kindly switching over to English for me.  

One of the most surprising things I have had to get used to are the habits my host mom practices in her home. From the very begging of my stay I have offered to load my dishes in the dish washer after meals, but she has told me no. It took a couple times of me asking this before she told me that she really doesn't need me to load them. This was something I should have understood because I had been warned of the Germans frankness, but it felt so out of line for me I had a hard time excepting it. It still does feel very weird for me to enjoy a meal that she has cooked by herself and then also watch her do all of the cleaning. She also does not share many meal times with me. She always asks me if I will enjoy the meal she is preparing to serve and what time I would like to have dinner. Having a communal meal is something that is valued in my family, and I believe many other Americans house holds. Eating alone is not foreign to me, but it is deferentially something I have had to get used to doing more often. Overall it has been a hard adjustment living with someone and feeling like I am purely a burden and not being able to contribute anything useful to the household. However I believe this is how she wants her household to run and this is what she is used to. This experience has been very different compared to how I grew up and has shifted my point of view on the ways different families function. 

Living with a family that is not my own has been a very new and interesting experience which I am so thankful to have had. Living in this new environment has changed my point of view on how a family dynamic should be. Although I am not as much of an active part of the household as I am use to, that does not mean I am a burden to the household. She has been so welcoming and caring during my stay here in Bonn and I am so thankful for her hospitality. 

3: Challenging Experience (Anna Beth)

 

    The challenging experience for me is not quite challenging itself, but has significantly influenced my views on globalization. As a student studying abroad in Europe, I felt somewhat like the personalities of high English literature (such as Emma or Little Women), where the young, aspiring characters would complete their noble education with the Grand Tour of Europe. I do not align with such a character like Emma's Mr. Knightly in that he was very (very) wealthy and upper class to feel so special as to travel in this way, but I did contribute time, effort, and money to broaden my cultural perspective and achieve a higher mental view on this study abroad. 

    However, as I traveled through Bonn, Luxembourg City, and Dublin these past three weeks, I have seen and encountered a large number of other tourists (especially in Dublin). As an example in Ireland, my classmates and I went to Glendalough, a beautiful landscape of tucked-away lakes. I would have thought the place would be quiet and serene. It was, but not as much as I would have thought with the amount of American (and other) tourists that populated the walking paths. This is not necessarily a terrible thing, it is just a new perspective to ponder (that is why I studied abroad anyways!) The only area with a lessened population of tourists from around the world was Nordeney, which made the experience just a bit sweeter and unique. 

    I always prefer spaces with less people, though I do recognize that I contribute to that population of people wherever I am at. Globalization is the increasing process of the immersion of cultures and economies across the world. As the tourist industry grows, and travel markets expand, it has become more common for foreigners to populate the streets of cities (and hiking paths, too, as I discovered). As I travel, instead of experiencing more of the place itself, I sometimes find myself wandering through extensive tourism populations. 

    There is both a benefit and a curse with this type of situation. I am able to meet some of the most cool, and adventurous, people from all over the world! Usually, the person who travels is a pretty fun individual. The curse with globalization; however, is that I find it harder to reach the hidden spots of a city, landscape, and/or country, where not many people go. To find places like these, I am most always likely dressed in hiking boots and layered down with a backpack and water bottle (and the weather is drizzly), but some of the moments when I can find those special places is something I always cherish! 

  

3 Challanging Experiences (aidan)

     Before this trip, my only experience with travel had been to Italy and Central America, so my only idea of Germans and Germany was from my dad. He is one of the smartest guys I know; maybe his view of Germany is skewed or constrained within BCG’s office in Berlin, but he would say how uptight and difficult they were to work with. Given what I've heard from him, I was a little curious as to what my personal interactions with Germans and my host family would be, but I was completely surprised. My host mom, Isabol, is the sweetest and always has something fun she wants to talk about. She won't even kill nats or flies in her house; she insists on capturing them in a cup and then releasing them in the children's park across her street. She has so much kindness within her and for other people, and I felt like it was a great first introduction and representation of the population of Germany. Even though I do not eat meals with her, she always finds time at the end of the day to talk to me and make sure I'm enjoying my stay with her and in Bonn. Overall, it has just been an incredible experience and worth the forty-minute train ride to stay with her when I'm in Bonn. 

It is very hard to judge a population or culture based on one person but everyone I've met in Germany, with very few exceptions, have been so nice and helpful. I mean I'm just a dumb tourist who doesn't speak a lick of german but if I've asked for help people have been very understanding on how complex the metro and bus system must be for tourists. It was definitely a pleasant surprise. After the image my dad put in my head about his co-workers in Berlin this amount of compassion was not what I was expecting. It's hard to believe we've only got like two weeks left on this trip. This has been an incredible experience with some incredible people, and I know I'll carry the memories, and a much better image of Germany, back home.

3: Challenging Experiences (Michelle Estrada)

I had my deepest moment of reflection during our tour at the EL-DE Haus. Back home we obviously grew up hearing about the horrors of Nazi Germany and World War II, but getting a more in-depth history as told directly by German citizens while standing directly where it happened was an extremely grounding and uncanny experience. I was pleasantly surprised to see that even though there are very few people left that were alive during WWII, the anti-Nazi sentiment and willingness take accountability for what took place is very much alive today. Walking around Bonn and other German cities I wasn't expecting to see advertisements opposing Hitler and National Socialism. I've seen a lot of regular citizens, both young and old carry pins and stickers that read, "F*** Nazis," and "Hitler? Nein danke," as well as graffiti in different parts of the city sharing that same sentiment. I feel like although many countries have their fair share of awful, unethical histories we often see their actions as nothing but a dark blot of the past. Something distant and disconnected from our reality now. Being in the EL-DE Haus I felt like Germans see their history very differently. 

Having never been to Europe before this program, all the history that I’ve heard felt somewhat distant and difficult to conceptualize. That is, until I was standing directly in the prison cells used by the Nazis and walking streets once destroyed by World War II bombs. Being in the place where the Gestapo operated and where innocent people were incarcerated, tortured, and executed caused feelings of deep sadness, anger, and confusion. Even now I fail to understand how such a wide, hateful, and harmful movement could spread across an entire country over only a few years. I’ve realized, however, that the willingness to confront shame and take responsibility, while continuing to educate the public and preserve places like the EL-DE Haus in their postwar state is powerful. It serves as a way to humanize and give a voice to all the lives lost as well as a cautionary tale to prevent something similar from ever happening again. 

 Here's an advertisement I'm sure many of you have seen while commuting in Bonn.

3: Challenging Experiences (Rebekah Bledsoe)

 Challenging Experiences 

    Howdy! There is no way we have been here for 3 weeks! It is flying by. I have learned so much and faced so many challenges already. One of the biggest challenges I was expecting coming to Germany was figuring out the public transportation. I was nervous about traveling with the trains and buses, but I knew I would get the hang of it and eventually become a pro at it. I loved the idea of being able to go anywhere and everywhere with the trains. 

     Coming into this trip, I had heard about the public transportation system and how efficient and affordable it was. I was expecting to become a lover of the trains and buses early in this trip. Since being here, I have learned that the idea of the public transportation is really great and has the potential to work very well. However, I have not had this experience with the public transportation. The trains that I take are almost always late or do not show up. This causes schedules and plans to be moved or even cancelled in some cases. This was very surprising to me and hard for me to comprehend. It also surprises me that everyone is so okay with it, as it is the norm. This was not a challenge I was expecting to face being in Germany. I understand that everything has its advantages and disadvantages, but for me personally, the advantages of public transportation do not outweigh the disadvantages.

Thanks & Gig'em, 

Rebekah Bledsoe

3: Challenging Experiences (Kendall Austin)

    The random interactions I've had in Europe have challenged my belief that the people here are unfriendly and uncaring. There have been many times where people that I didn't know have come up to me when they saw that I was struggling with navigating a place or situation.

    When I was in Mallorca, we tried to enter a parking lot that we thought was for the public. When we got to the entrance of the parking lot, a man was walking by with his daughters and he motioned for us to roll down the window. He said that the lot was only for employees, but we should follow him and take his public parking spot when he leaves. It surprised me that he went out of his way to guide us in the right direction, especially when we didn't ask for help. Once we parked, there was a young couple getting into the car in front of us who handed us their parking pass and said there was an hour left on it. I thought about if I was in that situation, there's a good chance I wouldn't even think about how much time is left on the pass or think to give someone else a free hour of parking.

    I'm always surprised and grateful for these positive interactions. I think I react this way because it is so unexpected since I didn't think Europeans would stop to help. These experiences make me want to be more aware of how I could make a small positive impact on someone else's day.

3: Challenging Experiences (Thomas)

 Howdy Gang!

    Since being in Germany, I think one of the biggest challenges that has reshaped a piece of my perspective on the world is the broad use of public transportation, its advantages, challenges, and unreliability. The broad implementation and use of public transportation by the German population is very different from the individualistic driving culture of the United States. For this reason, I have become more conflicted coming to Germany and witnessing the advantages and disparities of a more integrated public transportation system nationwide. 

    Coming to Germany, I believed that public transportation was unnecessary in the States due to our world class interstate highway system. Not only is America built for cars, but most of our cities require having a car and thus further rooting the car culture in the American psyche. After witnessing public transportation in action in another developed and productive nation, I now see what public transportation offers that our more individualistic car-owning society could never. Primarily, cost. The cost to drive a vehicle in Germany is far greater than it is to drive a car in the United States. Even with their smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles, their is no hiding from a gas pump that, when converted, comes out to $7.58 USD/ gallon on average across the nation and reaches nearer to $10.00 USD/gallon in some places. For this reason, the national train system has not only served as a public good, but an economic stimulant, allowing people to use their finances, which would be spent on fuel, elsewhere. 

    Secondly, international appeal. Anyone, from anywhere in the world can come here for business or tourism and never need to rent a car. I mean look at us for example. I will have been able to touch every state in Germany by the time we are through here and not once will I feel the need for a car. This cannot go unstated. If someone flys into the US, they have to have a friend come get them or they must rent a car. But any foreigner in the US is at the mercy of our highway system and their is very little alternative. This makes Germany a much more appealing place to visit and travel for business as one can have a confidence that they can do it all alone. 

    Alternatively however, there are certain issues with the DB in particular that, if we were to implement a similar system in the US, would have to be worked out. Firstly, reliability. This is the joke, and the all too disrupting reality. To be blunt, it boils my blood to know that the DB is a service, paid for by the German people daily, and that service is piss poor. In the United States, when money changes hands, we expect for the merchant to provide or do what was promised. When we have a train that is so late that it disrupts our plans for the full day, this cannot be explained by anything but apathy and underfunding. 

    If a similar system was implemented in the US, I would be apprehensive to take the trains even if they saved time. My thought process would always be "Well sure the train claims it can get me there by 5:30pm, but I can all but guarantee I'll get there by 6:00pm if I drive myself. This then renders the plus of having more freedom once at your destination and more reliable transportation on the return.

    To sum up my conflictedness, this is the line of thinking that I believe describes me most. An integrated national public transportation system would be "ours", but my car will always be "mine." Even if my car fails me, it is within my control. If the DB fails me, I feel vulnerable in a way. My plans have been ruined, not by my own faults, but by the incompetence of the system. So, maybe the cure to the American need for personal automobiles is a cure to the American need for control, independence, and self-responsibility. But then, we wouldn't really be Americans anymore, would we?

3: Challenging Experiences (Ali Latham)

 Howdy! 

    I cannot believe that we have already been in Europe for 3 weeks! It had been such an amazing experience filled with core memories, laughter and growth. I have loved every minute of it! 

    Throughout my time in Bonn, I have had the privilege of living with the Klein family. They have 3 kids who are 8, 5, and 1. At first, I thought that one of the most challenging things I would face during my time in Europe would be the language barrier between me and the kids in my host family. At first, I was nervous about how we would connect since they didn’t speak much English and I don’t speak German. Simple conversations felt awkward, and I worried that I wouldn’t be able to bond with them at all. But to my surprise, things turned out better than I expected. We started communicating through gestures, laughter, games, and the occasional translation app. Over time, our connection became more natural—full of shared jokes, silly faces, and playful moments that didn’t need words. The experience reminded me that communication is about more than language; it's about effort, patience, and openness. What started as a challenge turned into one of the most heartwarming and fun parts of my trip and caused me to change my belief of the difficulty of a language barrier. I now know that with a little bit of patience, effort and understanding conversations might look a little bit different but can work. This also changed my perspective by showing me that genuine connection does not always requires words- just the willingness to engage. 

    I am so thankful for the connection I have made with the kids in my home and could not imagine my time here without them. Some of my favorite memories of this trip so far have been doing cartwheels and coloring with Leonie, playing tag with Julian and playing peek-a-boo with Max. From my experiences with them I am more open to the concept that you can over come language barriers and develop real connections. 

I have been so grateful for my experiences here in Europe so far and I am excited to see what is to come. 

Thanks and Gig’em!

3: Challenging Experiences (Victoria Gomez)

 Howdy!!

    Oh my word how are we already more than three weeks into this life changing trip?! I have done and seen more than I could have fathomed. Although I have no experienced some challenges that have caused me to reform my previous beliefs, there have been some examples where I had to take a step back and relax. 

    This past weekend I had the absolute pleasure of traveling to Paris with some of my friends. Prior to my arrival to Paris, France, I had mentioned to friends and family about my future excursion. Every single person I had shared my travel plans, followed with an extreme caution of the danger I will experience in Paris. They had told me to watch where I am at all times and expressed how Paris is actually very dirty and unsafe for a young woman in her twenties. Initially I had brushed this off as normal family weariness. Initially class the next day I had also shared with our professors about my plan to visit Paris. Each professor had their own warnings of Paris. Then when I had gone back to my host family and told my house mom of me traveling to Paris, she displayed concern of the rude people I would encounter as well as the overall trashy look Paris conveyed. With all these warnings I was entering Paris very very anxious. I had already mentally prepared myself to be safe as well as carrying multiple hand sanitizers.

    When I had arrived at Paris and went to the Metro I was on guard and overstimulated. After a couple minutes not only was it a lot cleaner than I had anticipated but it was also nicer. The streets and the train station were very clean. I was pleasantly surprised. The entire way to our hotel was seamless. Our hotel was also nice and in a good area with a cute local bar under it. Later that night we decided to go down to the bar where we met the NICEST people. The bar owners were very kind and welcoming. They even asked not take pictures with us and showed us places that we can travel to and get our best experience. Our entire experience was filled with kind people who aided us with the language barrier and clean environments. 

    My reaction towards all of this was revealing in the way I hope to carry myself in the future. Obviously in a foreign country I want to exhibit caution as I am a young girl but remaining open to new ideas. I hope to carry myself in a graceful manner and face every situation with a kind heart. I do plan on taking in people’s experiences as they must stem from somewhere but do not want to let it taint my idea of a certain place or people. 

Thanks & gig’em,

Victoria Gomez

3: Challenging Experiences (Jemima Borrego-Garza)

 Hallo,

    Since arriving in Germany, I’ve mostly stayed at AIB or my host family’s house to study. But I’ve really missed having access to a library that’s open 24/7, or even just late into the night. Back home, I would walk to the Annex Library and lock in for hours, often losing track of time. Here, finding a study space has been harder. I didn’t realize at first that everything shuts down on Sundays, and that even during the week, places open late and close early.

    One morning, I got up early, hoping to grab coffee and start my day strong, but nothing was open. I walked around the city looking for a place to study and came up empty. I felt like I had wasted time and failed myself by falling off schedule. At the same time, I see my host mom, who works a calm job, sitting outside in the evenings to read and enjoy the fresh air. She makes time to relax, and she doesn’t seem to feel guilty about it. For me, that still feels foreign. I constantly feel pressure to be doing something productive. Even relaxing can feel wrong. I know this isn’t something every American experiences, but among the STEM students I know at Texas A&M, this kind of constant hustle is normal. There’s always pressure to get ahead through internships, research, and volunteering. I’ve internalized the belief that success comes from nonstop work, and that mindset has followed me here. So when my host mom starts a deep, thoughtful conversation, my first instinct, though it feels rude to admit, is that I don’t have time to talk. And that makes me feel even worse, because she’s being kind and generous with her time.

    This experience has forced me to reflect. I haven’t fully shifted my mindset, but I’m starting to notice the discomfort I feel when things slow down. And I’m beginning to ask myself: what am I really afraid of when I stop working? Living in Germany has challenged me to rethink how I define productivity, success, and rest. I’m still figuring out how to balance my drive to achieve with the need to enjoy life and connect with people. But I know this discomfort is important, and I hope it leads to growth.

Tschüss!,

Jemima

3: Challenging Experiences (Caroline Readinger)

Howdy Again!

I would say coming in I had thought that Europeans were going to be too busy to take time out of their day to help an American who couldn't even speak their language. However, since I have gotten here, there have been multitudes of instances where locals or other European visitors have been willing to help me. For instance in Mallorca, we were driving stick and adequate drivers, but had very little experience driving up a mountain and were somewhat unaware of the fact that you need to shift very quickly to a low gear to make that climb. We got stalled out on a one lane road on a mountain, but were fortunate to have a turn off. When we made it over there, we kindly went up to a man in a car also on the turn off and asked for advice to which he kindly helped us out. He coached us through uphill automatic driving and left us on our way with a smile. Similarly, when we went cliff jumping, there were about six European dads lifeguarding for us three American girls. They gave thumbs ups to each other when we resurfaced and simply were super kind showing us the right place to go and tricks for getting out on the rocky shore. Again these Europeans (from all over) did so with a smile. Lastly, with public transportation, every time I have ever been confused and gone up to someone, they have been super helpful and so willing to speak English with me. 

I have been so grateful for the hospitality that I have been shown here where I figured I would be more alone.  

Thanks and Gig 'em. 

3: Challenging Experiences

 Think back over the last 3+ weeks.

• What is the experience you have had in Europe so far that has most challenged you to reconsider your point of view and/or your beliefs? 
• Describe this experience/event. 
• For public consumption, journal about your reaction: what is your reaction, and why do you think you are having/had this reaction? Explore the experience and how you are processing it as well as how it seems to be affecting your perceptions in a broader way.

+Post due Sunday 7/27

+Comments due Friday 8/1

2: Happiness For Tourists (Nikash Kakarla)

Treatments in regards to saunas and spas have been shown to provide many benefits to the body and helps one relax, but its important to understand that the effectiveness of the treatment and the benefits that saunas offer are based on the perception one carry’s before and after the treatment. One of the many benefits of saunas is the relaxing effect and its ability to increase serotonin levels which leads to greater feelings of joy and less anxiety. With the increase of serotonin levels this helps decrease stresses that may be caused by environmental factors. The issue however, is that there isn’t a widely accessible methods for those who may not be able to afford it as sauna treatment to experience it. Sauna treatments vary in price points but most of the times its a very expensive process. Within the article, the author mentioned how people in metropolitan areas such as New York and Finland find it difficult to find to find affordable saunas.

Although it my not be accessible for all, once one has the opportunity to experience a sauna, they should be inclined to allow for the spiritual and mental state of their self’s to slow down and fully emerge themselves into the experience to gain its full potential. During the lectures I learned about the adversities one may face which can lead to physiological changes during the sauna but letting go of ones perceptions and fears will allow a complete experience and one should develop a state of full calmness while in the sauna. Within the NYT article, this idea is reinforced as wellness is not solely obtained though the physical treatment alone. The author exemplifies her experience while in New York on creating a sense of wellness; however she only achieves this feeling when recalling the Finnish idea that soundness and wellness is about the appreciation of the natural environment and simplicities. 

Many may counter argue and encourage the idea that it simply is a placebo effect that is pushed to allow for money to be generated, but this opinion must be digressed. Learning information through lectures and experiencing this sauna first hand has taught me that the benefits do indeed exist and it was quite enjoyable indeed. The sauna experience within Norderney was one of the best excursions I had the pleasure of experiencing. The various therapies that were offered were absolutely splendid and I would highly advise family and friends alike to enjoy their stay at the badehause. Similar to me, the author also reached a discovery that differing spa treatments reached differing states of emotions which illustrates that the treatment can also be tailored to ones inner self and help them full experience the benefits. A state of wellness can differ from person to person so it is important to reflect into ones tastes and see which one truly fits their needs. Although the treatment itself can attribute to many qualities akin to rejuvenation, it is critical to focus on the human condition as well and find that a shift in minds set to find beauty within the day to day life and ones simple surrounding can also lead to an overall better lifestyle and wellness. Stay spa treatin, cause ya never know when you’ll be getting a beatin!

2: Happiness for Tourists? (Samantha Fehlis)

 I enjoyed my experience in the sauna on Norderney, but I did not think it was something life changing or that I would be interested in doing regularly. There were moments of the extreme heat that were very pleasant, but the lack of privacy and general nudity did not appeal to me. This highlighted a large cultural attitude difference between the United States and Europe regarding privacy and the body. I prefer to relax and decompress by myself without the added layer of social dynamics in a shared space. 

On the whole, saunas and spas can provide people a relaxing and pleasant experience but they should not be used as a replacement for real treatment and therapy. The actual health benefits have very questionable evidence as we learned during class and on the island, but that doesn't eliminate how they can be a tool to relax in stressful periods of life. Self care is incredibly important to make sure one does not reach a point of burn out. However, while resting in the sauna or getting a massage are great experiences, if you don’t actually adjust your mindset these activities are not a cure all, as Britta Lokting noted in her New York Times article. 

Real benefits can only come from serious decisions to be more mindful and intentional about one’s health. Reducing stress is one method to improve health, but exercise, eating well, and sleeping well are much more important. If partaking in saunas and spas can contribute to someone feeling better in life than I am all for that, but we can’t expect miracles from one activity. Lokting’s article made a great point of this, impressing that many choices have to be made to improve your quality of life. 

2: Happiness for Tourists? (Olivia Cotton)

    Sauna and spa treatments, much like any other therapeutic techniques, require commitment and openness to the full experience to see their benefits. In order to feel better and let oneself go, you must first give in to the process and allow yourself to be uncomfortable then transformed. Sauna and spa culture is not popular in the U.S. (besides the spa days bought by those that can afford it), which leads to the uneasy feeling when first experiencing this. However, this uneasiness can lead to mental health benefits once one gets accustomed.

    Going to the Badehaus in Norderney was not my first experience with saunas and bathhouses, which is probably why it felt so natural for myself to be in this environment again. Living in Japan I’ve had the opportunity to go to onsens and experience a similar culture. My first time however, was not as relaxing and beneficial as the subsequent times, as I was worried about how well I was “doing” the onsen. Instead of focusing on my own relaxation, I was focusing on if I had cleaned my body the right way, and if I was holding the towel how those in Japan did. While it’s true that most of these worries vanished once I got in the soothing mineral waters, there was still a level of anxiety due to the unknown of this experience. Since that first trip to the onsen though, I have gone again and gave in to the whole process, allowing myself the relaxation promised by many.

    Coming to Norderney, I was excited to experience this culture again, even though there are definitely many differences between the two. Being in the Badehaus made not just my body feel relaxed, but my mind as well. I let go of personal problems I was pondering and stayed present in the way the salt water eased my muscles and spirits. I left feeling lighter than before, an experience that would be shared by many.

    After reading Britta Lokting’s article, my simple stance is this: she did not do it right. Most things in life come with practice, and the first time is always uncomfortable. This is a principle and motto I tend to live by, as it reaps pretty positive results. To Lokting, the sauna was of little help and all happiness hacks she found in Norway failed in her daily New York City lifestyle. Perhaps this was due to the fact that she was trying too hard, as she acknowledged, or it was the poor infrastructure for long term happiness in the U.S. and her own personal issues getting in the way. Instead of seeking the sauna and nature for relaxation and enjoyment, she clouded this with her own need to check a box on her contentment to-do list. If you can not find these techniques readily in the U.S., then pivot to find your own personal brand of happiness, however that may be. Happiness is not a commodity someone simply buys by booking a ticket to Helsinki, but a skill one practices through time and effort, along with the knowledge of what your body needs.

While yes, a spa and sauna experience can not fully gift you unlimited happiness in life, it can improve your wellbeing if you let it. While the physical benefits may not be there, calling for more thorough research, the mental health ones are up to you. Leave your feelings at the door and think about the way your body feels in its environment. Listen to the sounds of nature and the textures you feel to ground yourself and build a connection between your body and the earth. Concrete and glass will only push this connection further apart, so relish the little things and understand where people are coming from in history with the innately human experience it is to find relaxation in the earth. Sauna and a dip in the North Sea can clear your head and bring you a sense of peace you’ve never felt before, if only you let it. 

2: Happiness for Tourist? : Payten Jackson

 Suanas and Chasing Happiness

    

    Suanas have been used for hundreds of years, including Nordeney, which has been a Spa Island since the 1700s. Sweat baths have been in existence since prehistoric times, with the Fins officially giving it the name "Suana", which means to cleanse the body and spirit. Suana usage has been associated with emotional and physical therapy, and there has been limited research to prove its effectiveness in improving the physical state of an individual, but emotional treatment is harder to prove. Chasing the idea of happiness through various activities does not lead to genuine happiness, and instead ends with comparison.

    After reading the article from The New York Times (31 March 2025), it can be concluded that chasing happiness does not lead to the actual feeling. The author of the article was constantly in the mindset of "well, if it works for them, it will work for me," which is an unproductive approach. Yes, Finland has been awarded as one of the happiest countries on the planet, but more factors contribute to that than the author addressed. The author of the article would ask others for advice on what she could do to be happy, but she never asked herself what made her happy. She was constantly looking outward for an answer instead of looking inward. Going to saunas or talking to nature is not going to suddenly cure loneliness or sadness, when the next idea is to compare. 

    The common phrase "comparison is the thief of joy" is threaded throughout this article. The author compares the residents, the governments, and the cultures, but fails to recognize the beauty in these differences. I agree that the United States has multiple ways it can improve to help its citizens feel more appreciated and valued, but as society continues to change, it is necessary to seek value in oneself first. The author only ever felt happy when she stopped comparing and copying exactly what the Fins do, but instead modified it to fit her daily life. Walking with her dog and releasing her feelings into nature made her content once she realized that her situation was not the same. Her journey shows that things like saunas and forests cannot bring happiness until the idea of what happiness should look like is no longer chased.

    When I went to the Bade-House in Nordeney, I was excited to experience my first sauna and the other amenities. The first obstacle was that nakedness was required within the sauna, which is not common in the United States. As I undressed to get into the sauna, I started to get a little nervous, but I knew it would be worth it. Once I got in and sat down, and conversed with the other girls, I enjoyed how peaceful it was. The sound of the rocks shrinking and expanding under the heat and the smell of the wood made me relax. Dr. Wasser had taught us that sweating would increase and become faster the more often the sauna was used. After washing off with cold water, then going to the next sauna, I did notice I would start sweating faster, which made the sauna more comfortable. 

    When it was time to leave the Bade-House, my skin was supple and rejuvenated, and after a week of biking, my muscles finally felt relaxed. Of course, my experience will be much different than the person next to me, and I understand that. I enjoyed the suanas and the different pools, but other people may not have had a good experience. This is why it is good to not compare what you find happiness in to what another person might not. Even if I did not enjoy the saunas, I would not go "I did everything like the Germans, I should be happy now." This line of logic will leave one chasing instead of being grounded. When the author finally stopped trying to be like other people, she found what brought her joy.

    Emotions are a fluid idea, constantly changing and not at a set point. This is why it is important not to base contentment on others. People find joy in many ways, whether it be partying, reading, exercising, or going to saunas. Stepping away from comparison is the biggest step forward toward individuality.

Payten

2: Happiness for Tourists (Thomas)

From my Personal Experience, I believe the sauna is good if performed for its proven benefits: providing an acute sensation and momentary distraction. While there are many claims of sauna's benefits, anywhere from “it’s good to sweat” to pseudoscience of the highest order, I believe that sauna on its own is harmless. The danger of sauna arises from those who see it as the ultimate solution rather than a therapeutic tool to accompany modern medicine when treating illnesses. Once, when I was shadowing an oncologist, there was a sweet man accompanied by a not-so-sweet spouse who both believed wholeheartedly that traditional medicine was out to get them and would only receive medical advice if it was considered “alternative medicine”. One of these alternative therapies presented by the couple was the sauna. That man had stage 2 colorectal cancer. This is very treatable if a treatment plan is started early, but with the promise of “alternative” therapies that had lofty claims behind them, not supported by research or any medical personnel on the planet, but rather sung by sauna enthusiasts, that man would choose only these miracle waters until it was too late. This is the problem when therapeutics and practices get too big for their britches. Nothing is inherently wrong with astrology, chiropractors, or saunas. The problems begin when people declare that astrology will determine your future, chiropractors can cure heart disease, and saunas can cure cancer. No clinically supported treatment will ever be able to compete with the assurance of resolution that these pseudosciences peddle. 

Additionally, the practice of sauna, with sudden changes in surface body temperature, swift dehydration, and increased cardiac output, should be monitored by healthcare professionals. I was amazed how a local swimming pool has lifeguards, but the human furnace is relatively unsupervised. I have no qualms with sauna if done properly, but the potential heart fatigue, kidney strain, and blood osmolarity changes seem to be to likely, given the environment, to not require monitoring personnel or even a hydration blood test at the door. 

I found the New York Times article very sad. The author traveled across the globe in the search for happiness, to then bring home to be practiced in New York. This is almost the hero's journey, except she didn’t find the boon. As she experienced the Finnish cold plunges and talked with trees, I’m sure she had a great relaxing vacation, but upon returning to the US, she rooted her purpose in replicating this foreign lifestyle. I do not think happiness is found in practices such as these. Similar to her cold plunge experience, I think true happiness is found in doing something hard and prevailing. I believe that true happiness is found in taking on responsibilities and fulfilling them. This is why people weightlift, run, take a hard major, help others, start families, take on new jobs, and strive for excellence. The happiness is in the challenge, not in the trees. 

She acquired tools to substitute valuable things in the human experience, such as relationships, which is fine if there are no platonic relationships to be had, but instead of substituting them, I feel the focus should be on acquiring them. With the conclusion and key to happiness being “Quiet the mind, and find pleasure in small acts and observations”, this is only a shell of a revelation. You cannot persist in a zen state all the time. To be truly happy, you need to learn to love the chaos just as much as the still of the storm. To be truly happy, we need to humble ourselves and recognize our total powerlessness in the world, and yet trudge forward anyway. If happiness is all that we seek, we will never achieve the most valuable experiences found in sacrifice, hard work, and grief. 

The article, class, and my own experiences connect as they all point to the danger of harmless practices when people entrust them with their ultimate healing. The article walks us through the thoughts of the author as she attempts to use sauna culture, independently innocuous, to rid off all her sadness and bring about ultimate joy. Our class has walked us through the harmlessness of sauna unless performed in unsafe conditions: dehydrated, inebriated, or exhausted. And my own experience has shown me that sauna is great if used as intended, but can be adverse to patient health if perceived as a cure-all. 

In Conclusion, sauna and sauna culture pose a grave danger if perceived by an individual as the steam baths of ultimate healing. Only sour disappointment awaits those who attempt to sweat away their autoimmune disease or cold plunge away their cancers. If, however, one perceives sauna as an accompanying therapy to traditional medicine, it can be used responsibly, providing relaxation at a minimum with no major adverse effects. Finally, from a philosophical point of view, as it relates to the New York Times article, I do not think that sauna culture can ever replace growth as a human through responsibility and challenge. 

2: Happiness for Tourists (Victoria Gomez)

 Saunas = Happiness?

    When I saw the itinerary included a trip to a spa island with luxury saunas I was more than excited. Ignorant to German and Finnish culture of saunas, my idea of the sauna experience was far from what we participated in. I had associated a sauna to the limited knowledge I obtain from my local gym. But my time spent on the quaint island of Nordeney forever altered what a sauna will mean to me.

 The entire week leading up to the saunas were spent being lectured by our professors on the theory and actual statistics accompanied by this idea of thelasso therapy. We were educated on the theory that although there is little concrete evidence on the physical healing aspect of saunas, there is more material backing of a positive mental health result. Before even entering the sanctuary that contained the saunas, I made a mental pact with myself to open myself up to this new unique experience. As someone who is chronically stressed and anxious, I knew this was something I needed and I wanted to put forth my best efforts to reach this alleged relaxation the saunas provided. Upon entering the sauna I was excited due to the amount of buildup I endured for this whole experience. I knew the sauna would be hot, but my word was I not even in the ballpark of how hot it actually was. Initially I was overwhelmed by the amount of heat being wafted in my face, but the smell of salts cleared my sinuses as well as my mind. With each sauna I went in, I gained confidence and comfort with the whole process. Even though I wasn’t inherently more stressed or anxious, I felt little to no effect after each sauna regarding my mental wellbeing. On a physical aspect, I did feel refreshed and like I could smell colors from miles away. The idea that saunas possess a healing factor may be subjective to the person going through the process. Although the healing factors of saunas may not be a universal application, it can still serve as an enjoyable experience of culture and relaxation. 

    In the article “Finland Says It Can Teach Tourists to Be Happy. Challenge Accepted.”, the author embarks on a quest to discover the key to happiness. In doing this she employs multiple strategies that are suggested to provide a sense of happiness. She finds these strategies on her stay in Finland through multiple people. Each held a foundation of staying embedded in nature and having a foundation of appreciating the little moments within life. But even when the author went through with these methods, they fell short and she was plagued with loneliness. She would search for happiness wherever she went. The author finally concludes that happiness is different for everyone. What makes one person happy may not apply to everyone else. I personally love reading and movies while my best friend enjoys exercising and going out. The key to achieving happiness is something everyone will struggle to find if they search for it endlessly. 

    The process of going to a sauna is one meant for relaxation and a spiritual renewing. This process can fall short if one is without the correct heart posture. The article given to us from the NYT was a stark demonstration of this. If one goes tirelessly searching for something, they often do not fins it and miss what is in front of them. Her continuation of looking for happiness never works until she takes time to pause and look around her. This stillness and calm, similar to that of a sauna, is difficult to achieve if your thoughts are clouded by external factors. The sauna, although having no physical benefits, aids in isolating this calm and breeding a detoxifying sentiment in an ideal scenario. Even if one does not feel the spiritual renewal others experience, saunas are one thing that if you get the opportunity face it with an open heart and a cold shower nearby! 

Thanks & gig’em,

Victoria Gomez

    

    

2: Happiness for Tourists (Anna Beth)

     According to Lucius' father in Thermae Romae Novae, "They [Roman baths] are celebrations of our way of life... in war and in life...if you cannot rest your body and rejuvenate your strength, giving any endeavor your best is impossible" (Episode 1). Lucius, as the main character, is inspired by the collaboration of his grandfather and father to cultivate and protect the future of Rome by providing a tranquil space for relaxation and release of unwanted tension for its citizens. While this could be considered a very dramatic statement about the role of the Roman baths, the function of such baths, as well as saunas, could be considered a highly beneficial practice for the awareness and appreciation of a supple body and calm mind.

    The article provides a resonation for any burnout American, who desires a sense of release from the heavy demands of life. As a collegiate athlete, I understand the need to relax my mind from the academic studies and my legs and core from activities of riding. Though I do not really think talking to trees will give me peace, I agree with the author that the Nordic practice of saunas can engage the release of stress through an active conscious presence of mind. As the author describes, I also experienced a sense of glow and renewal as I walked out of the sauna into the open air. 

    However, when is hot too hot? My little brother came to visit me as I studied in Costa Rica, and as a fun adventure I took him to hot springs warmed by the local volcano. When we jumped into the hottest bath advertised by the springs, my brother and I took one look at each other... and screamed! We got of there as fast as our burned bodies could take us. During the sauna experience in Germany, I gritted my teeth while the hot löyl was wafted towards me by the ritual fan. Instead of pursuing this experience as a point for relaxation, I was engaged in a battle of physical fortitude to withstand such temperatures!  Is this a correct approach to the sauna and hot baths? When can too much become too much? I am not able to answer that question here, but it is an exploratory question to ask about the possible exchange I made between fighting through the burning pain and the peaceful relaxation I had initially come for. 

    Looking back on my experience from the Badehaus, I wish I could incorporate such practices at home. The least I can do is a hot shower after a long day. As a last reflection, the Badehaus (and class lectures about the sauna) has changed my views on relaxation and the particular care I need to apply to my body and mind. I have discovered a purpose to rejuvenate my strength through the usage of the manipulation of environmental conditions.

2: Happiness For Tourists (Kendall Austin)

     Sauna and spa treatments can be extremely beneficial, but it is important to understand that the extent of the benefits depends on the mindset you carry into the treatment and whether or not you maintain that mindset after. The primary benefit of sauna and spa treatments is that it feels good. When you feel good you are more relaxed and it is easier to let go of stress. An issue with these wellness experiences is that they are usually very expensive and not accessible to many people. In the article, the author wrote that it was difficult to find affordable experiences in New York compared to Finland.

    To be able to deeply feel the benefits you have to allow your mind and body to slow down and take in the experience. From class, I know that there are many physiological changes that occur when in a sauna, but achieving the feeling of relaxation requires you to choose to be in a calm mindset. The NYT article supports the argument that wellness is not obtained through treatment alone. The author writes about her experience trying to create the feeling of wellness in New York, but she achieves this feeling only after remembering the Finnish idea that wellness is about the pleasure of simplicity and nature.

    Spa treatments can be seen as genuinely helpful or as a placebo used to make money. It depends on the mindset you take into it. I found my sauna experience on Norderney very relaxing because I was in the mindset that I wanted to enjoy and get the most out of it. Previously, I have had spa experiences where I was not able to relax because I couldn't let go of the responsibilities it felt like I was putting off. This is similar to how the author of the article had conflicting experiences when doing the same wellness activities, but on different days in different settings. The NYT article supports the argument that wellness is not obtained through treatment alone. She eventually discovered that a different kind of activity than sauna or spas helped her reach the feeling of wellness. Wellness is a state of being that can be reached differently by everyone. Even though the spa experiences feel relaxing and rejuvenating, finding the beauty and simplicity in life around her had a larger impact on her long-term wellness. You are able to find wellness in the sauna and spa, but maintaining that feeling beyond the experience requires you to remember the reasons behind it.

2: Happiness for tourists (Michelle Estrada)

Mindfulness and relaxation are a skill. One that comes easily and naturally to some cultures like the Finns and the Germans, but much harder to others. Living, studying, and working in America means that wellbeing often takes a backseat. We compete with each other over who slept the least amount of hours, laugh about being on our fourth cup of coffee, and see incessant work as noble and admirable. 

It is unbelievable to me still that in Germany stress is a pathology serious enough to warrant a prescribed beach and sauna stay. Meanwhile stress in America feels like the default. It is something you accept and don't do much about. Therefore, many of us simply don't know how to relax. 

    I found myself relating to the author of the NYT article during my sauna experience and my overall stay in Norderney. I heard of the therapeutic effects of the island, took notes on the tradition of the sauna, and prepared myself for the ultimate German relaxation practice. Although I enjoyed the experience thoroughly I never quite felt relaxed. Just as the author didn't feel quite happy despite doing all the "right" things while under the tutelage of the Finnish locals. Lying in the warmth of the salt pools I realized that I could not recall a recent time where I could be somewhere where nothing was expected of me for an indefinite amount of time. My mind often wandered back to all the work I still needed to get done, which in turn made me stress about not relaxing and making the most out of the experience. I was surprised that within the Badehaus there was an absence of clocks and no easy way to tell time for the most part. Germans who visit the sauna don't come bearing the responsibilities of the future in mind, they come in order to enjoy the present. 

    I concluded that to fully enjoy the benefits of the sauna and thalasso one must also employ the correct state of mind, which depending on the kind of environment you're accustomed to can be quite tricky to achieve. Happiness and relaxation are not clear destinations, and as such we can’t arrive at them solely through following a procedure and checking off items in a list. I've spent my college years under constant stress and moving from one thing to the next as quickly as possible, so mindful pause feels unfamiliar. 

That being said, this experience in conjunction with a different cultural perspective raised my self awareness regarding the lack of mindfulness in my everyday life, and made me realize that maybe stress doesn’t have to be the default. Maybe that’s the first step in honing that skill within myself.

2: Happiness for Tourists (Aidan)

 Saunas can offer a few health benefits like improved blood circulation, relaxation, muscle recovery, and potential cardiovascular improvements due to the heat exposure. Regular sauna use can also reduce stress and sometimes promote better sleep. However, they do have issues like excessive heat can cause dehydration, dizziness, or even heat stroke if not used properly. Being in a sauna for too long can be dangerous, same with using saunas with alcohol. It is really a matter of responsibility. 

The NYT article “Finland Says It Can Teach Tourists to Be Happy” highlights how Finland’s sauna, food, and community contribute to mental well-being. It says that saunas are everywhere and accessible to the public. The article states saunas are tourist attractions and they offer relaxation that can improve sleep, memory, and stress levels. The article makes saunas sound like a social equalizer in a way, improving the local and public physically, socially and spiritually. 

The physical benefits are not backed up by science, an ice bath is proven but saunas have less evidence to back them up. However, for many the sauna is a palace to relax and feel connected to themself. In my experience at the bath house the sauna did not make me feel as clean in the way it was advertised. Coming out of the sauna I’d feel sticky and gross and nothing like I do coming out of the shower. For me the most relaxing park of the bath house was the cool pools right after we exited the sauna. 

In my experience and the NYT article saunas are more of a mental medicine than something that will benefit you physically. Sometimes happiness is the best medicine so if a sauna is that place for you then there's no reason one should not use saunas. 

2: Happiness for Tourists

 

The concept of being able to go somewhere, relax, and find some peace sounds like a package deal to relieve some stress. I can see the benefit of floating in water, as I saw many people at the sauna in Norderney radiate peace; however, it is not for everyone, and it has to be approached in a specific way.

I came with the illusion that I would come out of the sauna like a completely different person. I loved learning about the culture beyond the expensive spas in the US and experiencing what “loyl” is. I felt the anticipation of being relaxed and with smooth skin from the benefits of sea water. It wasn't until I was floating in a dark, hot sea water bath when I closed my eyes and thought,  “Relax, relax… how much time until my MCAT?” I could not relax; I kept having a wandering mind. I would describe it as someone wandering through the desert, thirsty,  while having a well of water in front of them, and just staring at it.  I changed different methods by having a cold plunge and then a hot bath to feel something. I left feeling a little refreshed, but still with a mind full of thoughts. I woke up the next day with my eczema flared up and a confused mind. 

I felt disappointed that my mind and body did not completely let this beautiful culture and therapy allow itself to be embraced. I wanted to feel and learn, experience and tell, yet I realized, through self-reflection, that it is not completely the sauna and sea water that gives that therapy, but entering with the mindset of completely wanting to let go. I was waiting for a miracle, when I was the one who had to make the change, and then let the sauna/water baths absorb all the stress. Like we learned in class, this can be a spiritual change, and I did not mentally prepare. Perhaps with practice and repetition, I could master the enjoyment of this therapy. As for my skin, maybe it was the sea water, or even stress, that made it flare up, but I was hoping for some relief.

When reading the article, “Finland Says It Can Teach Tourists to Be Happy. Challenge

Accepted.” I found it extremely realistic. After the author spent time doing what the Finnish do to relax, she found herself in loneliness. She realized she focused too much on following a recipe to be relaxed, rather than allowing herself and mentally prepare to be relaxed in her own way. In class, we learned how this beautiful culture finds its peace, yet one has to get reminded, this is not just a fun activity, but rather a spiritual one. 

Overall, while sauna and spa therapies can offer deep relaxation and even spiritual renewal, their effectiveness depends less on the water or temperature and more on the mindset brought into the experience. Both my own time in the sauna and the insights from the NYT article revealed that peace cannot be forced or prescribed; it has to be welcomed. True benefit comes not just from the external treatment, but from an internal willingness to pause, release control, and let stillness do its work. With time, practice, and intention, I now understand that these therapies can be transformative, not because they change us, but because they give us space to change ourselves.

2: Happiness for Tourists? (Rebekah Bledsoe)

 Saunas and Happiness 

    If you would have asked me a week ago if I thought saunas were fun, enjoyable, or overall beneficial to my health, I would have told you that you were crazy. As a Texas native, I pretty much spend as much time in the air conditioning as possible. I get enough heat just walking to my car in the morning, and now you're telling me to  purposely go sit in a boiling hot room for fun and relaxation? Yeah, no thank you. However, my view on saunas have radically changed since having my first real experience with one this past week. 

    As I was sitting in the sauna, I could feel myself start to sweat, my heart rate increased steadily, and my skin felt like it was on fire. At first, these feelings were uncomfortable and a little scary. However, the longer I sat there and accepted the heat, the better it started to feel. As I started to relax physically, I let my mind calm down from the hecticness of the past couple of weeks. This was the most beneficial aspect of the sauna for me. The ability to have a space where I could completely relax was exactly what I needed after days of traveling and making a new country my temporary home. Leading up to my first sauna, we learned about the history and medicinal aspect of saunas. While there have not been many physical benefits to saunas proven, there is no doubt that there is a mental health healing component to saunas. As long as people are feeling the relaxation aspects of the saunas, I do not see a problem with the saunas themselves. If saunas are what works to help someone get back to being themselves, then sauna can be their sort of "medicine". 

    The author of the article, Britta Lokting, set out to find happiness in the happiest country in the world. She was determined to figure out the secret to their happiness and apply that directly to her life. During her experience, she tried all the things that claimed to be the reason for the happiness of the Finns. While she enjoyed them in the moment, she found herself right back where she started when she returned to America. After much time and reflection in the States, she finally realized the secret to the Finns' happiness: enjoy the little things. And the "little things" look different for everyone. For some, it is the birds flying through the sky or a walk through a park, it can be anything. For me personally, it is sunsets that bring me the most peace and happiness. Every time I am driving home from a busy day and I see a beautiful Texas sunset, it brings an overwhelming sense of peace to me. 

    The main conclusion from the author is that everyone's happy is different. Happiness is not a one-size-fits-all. This is a beautiful thing because each person gets to define what their happy is. For many people on the island of Norderney, saunas are their happy place. The sauna is where they are able to find peace and let their minds and bodies rest. I can attest that a sauna is a wonderful place for this. Whether there are physical benefits or not, the peace that the saunas bring is a medicine in and of itself. I believe it is important for everyone to find their happy place where they are able to fully relax and get away from the busy every day life so ingrained in our society. 

Thanks & Gig'em, 

Rebekah Bledsoe