1: Week 1 Reflection (Michelle Estrada)

 After just one week I feel like I've learned so much. Life here in Germany has been very different from my life in the US. Different foods, using cash only (I am an avid card user back home), finding my way through public transport, getting lost pretty much every single day, relying on google translate to decipher the simplest signs and labels, and so on. I think back to when I was a freshman at A&M. Campus seemed huge and I was terrified of taking the Aggie buses just to get to class, and now I find myself using public transportation in a different continent. 18 year old me would not believe it. Of course, that is not to say that there haven't been a lot of obstacles along the road. 

Thankfully, my host family has been extremely sweet and understanding during our whole time here. I have felt really taken care of and our host family does their best to ensure we're comfortable and have everything we need. We've had many interesting conversations over dinner, and I feel like we have both learned a lot from each other about our respective cultures and languages. Our host mom has a jewelry business and she is always excited to show us her beautiful pieces, which is always fun. 

I think that the most challenging aspect about being here has been the language barrier. I never really appreciated just how much of my day requires language proficiency until now. Even knowing where to throw my trash away has become more than just a mindless task because I'm having to look up what the words on the bins mean. I find myself being very hesitant when going around places in fear that there was a sign or an announcement that I missed and I am doing something the locals might deem inconsiderate or rude. I feel like most Germans are very nice about people not speaking their language though, thankfully. I haven't had any negative experience as of yet. 

I have really enjoyed the greenery and the scenery. Just being able to take in the sights has been really wonderful, whether it is the streets in Bonn or the beach at Norderney. Prior to this trip I had never really travelled anywhere beyond a few states and Mexico. Seeing all the unique spaces and how they reflect aspects of the culture has been really fun. Additionally, I really enjoyed our time in Marksburg castle and getting to be immersed in its history. 

I think that juggling my responsibilities while being so far away from home has taught me a lot about what my priorities and goals are in life. Studying for the MCAT and keeping up with other deadlines while abroad has tested my patience and problem solving more than ever. Already I have made a lot of mistakes, and I've become frustrated with myself for big and small things alike. It is easy during a trip like this to want to deviate from boring studying, and I struggle with the fear of missing out on fun things, but I have learned that there is a balance between fun and focus, and that they are both conductive to my growth and personal goals in different ways. I hope that as the days pass I'll be able to find a more definitive sweet spot that'll allow me to make the most out of each.