1: Week 1 Reflection (Jemima Borrego-Garza)

 Hallo und Howdy!

    Walking into the airport and finally seeing a familiar face, Michelle, I instantly felt at peace. Being in a new country, on a new continent, and traveling completely alone was stressful. But the moment I hugged a friend, I knew I had made it. Most of the time I spent alone or without interaction, I found myself reflecting and quietly observing all the little things locals do. I love people-watching and have enjoyed seeing those small moments that make life feel shared, not necessarily specific to Germans, but just human moments. A family walking together, a couple hugging, people laughing at something small… those scenes made me feel more connected here, rather than feeling like an outsider. It reminded me that we're all similar in some way, and that realization helped me feel welcomed.

    The day they called my name to meet my host family, I already had a feeling my host "mother," Gesine, was going to be a blessing. She greeted us with a hug and the warmest smile. The way she talks and carries herself is full of kindness. She and her family have been so curious and open to learning about our culture, and they love to share their own. I even had a moment where I told her about something I was struggling with, and she opened up about going through something similar when she was younger. She gave me advice and comfort that I really needed. Her cooking is amazing, and she has this calming presence that radiates to everyone around her. I talk about her a lot because she’s the one we interact with the most. I’m so excited to keep learning from her and about her culture. I can already see why so many students stay in touch with her long after they’ve left; she’s someone worth keeping close.

    I’ve struggled a bit with understanding the train station. I know more now, but I still don’t feel confident enough to do it alone. The time change has also hit me; I've been waking up at 4:30 a.m. almost every day and can't fall back asleep, so naps are necessary if I want to feel okay. In Norderney, not many people speak English, and that’s been a challenge. Sometimes when I try to talk to locals and they ask a question, I freeze a little and end up shyly saying, “English?” It makes me feel a bit of shame, but honestly, I expected those kinds of things, so it hasn’t hit me too hard.

    One thing I absolutely enjoy is the peace in how people live here. I love the pace, how they eat, drink coffee, and walk around. It makes me realize how anxious and rushed I am in my own life. I hope to bring a bit of that calm back with me and apply it, even in the fast-paced life in the U.S.

    I reflect a lot. Especially when I’m doing things by myself. I love laughing and talking with others, but I also really value deep thoughts and those solo moments with my brain. I think my biggest growth so far has come from learning how to find peace without losing focus. This trip doesn’t feel like a vacation to me; it feels like a quest, like I’m picking up skills and values along the way to level up my animated character in a video game. I can be so harsh on myself when I don’t grow fast enough, but I’m realizing that some things take time. My pace toward a goal might be different than someone else’s, and that’s okay. I don’t think I’ve ever reflected this much before, but I’m looking forward to learning even more about myself.

Danke schön :)
– Jemima Borrego-Garza