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.