Erlangen, Germany

Why I chose to go to Germany: My particular choice was based solely on the language I chose to study upon entering college. I took a beginning German class on an impulse that arose from a close friendship formed with a German exchange student n high school. I had already taken French and Latin in high school, and I knew I loved learning languages and exploring new cultures. A lack of cross-cultural experience encouraged my thirst for knowledge of the outside world. My love of languages thrived as I continued taking German classes and I realized that I could become proficient in this new language by going to Germany and immersing myself in the language. I was extremely intimidated by this idea, but my hesitation quickly developed into enthusiasm for this experience that could never be duplicated in a classroom. Now, as departure nears, I realize how much time I have already invested in my language skills to prepare me for this life-changing experience. I feel ready to take on the challenge of immersing myself in another culture. I am confident that I will become fluent in a foreign language by living in Germany for six months.

How this class helped me prepare for study abroad: The study abroad experience represents a major challenge. Since I wanted to be as prepared as possible before living in a foreign country, I decided to take the Crossing Cultures course to help prepare myself for the difficult transition. The class has brought up a variety of issues that I would have not considered before going abroad. Most notable was the idea of learning about your own culture before immersing yourself in a foreign culture. This concept never seemed logical until I began to see that the beliefs, values, and norms of American culture are directly related to the preconceived notions I had developed about other cultures. In this class, I have learned that there may be no “wrong” way to think or behave, and I have a greater appreciation for cultural differences. Without the Crossing Cultures course, I could not have recognized the assumptions I was already making about German culture. Now, I will be going to Germany with a less biased perspective and a much more analytical approach to interacting with another culture.

What I identified as the greatest challenges facing me as I began my study abroad program: Upon being accepted to Kalamazoo College, I knew that I had to take advantage of its study abroad program. I assumed I would study in Germany during my sophomore spring quarter, because I would be playing soccer in the fall. At first, I never considered missing soccer season in order to participate in a longer program. One of my teammates then shared with me her desire for a richer study abroad experience, and her decision to miss a soccer season in order to spend more time abroad. I soon realized that I had not considered the six-month program as an option for myself. It became obvious that the only way I could truly become proficient in German was to stay longer than three months. However, I still feel guilty about deserting my team. It will be an enormous challenge to go to Germany and return for my final soccer season in my senior year without worrying that the team has lost respect for me. I hope that keeping in touch with the team throughout the fall season will allow me to feel that I am still a part of the great group of girls with whom I have so enjoyed playing soccer.

I also have to convince myself that my relationships with my family and friends at home will not be compromised. My parents continue to have trouble accepting the fact that I will be living in another country — if there were an emergency of some kind, I'd be so far away. My younger sister hasn’t shown much emotion so far about my decision to study in Germany for six months, but I know she hopes I will remain in contact with her as well. My greatest challenge will be to maintain my nearly two-year relationship with my boyfriend. I already struggle with the idea that I go to school in Kalamazoo while he goes to Ohio State. We barely see each other as it is, and I feel very insecure about putting even more stress on our relationship. He has assured me that he fully supports my decision and that he will be waiting for me when I return home. Luckily, I have convinced my boyfriend to come and visit me for a few weeks; I hope this will ease the difficulties of a long separation. I have also purchased a European cell phone to keep in touch with my family and friends, especially when I am feeling homesick. Although there will be many hardships to endure during my six months in Germany, the benefits will significantly outweigh any adversity that I will have to overcome.

Looking back at study abroad, as if I were describing someone else: When Kelly first arrived in Germany, she was extremely nervous and uncomfortable in the new country. She tried very hard to remain optimistic about her situation and this ended up being the most helpful factor in easing her transition. Her German improved and she eventually learned her way around the city. Despite her immense longing to be with her family and her boyfriend back home, she cherished her time in this foreign country. There were times when she felt like getting on the next plane back to the US, but she found ways to deal with her homesickness. She exercised, read her favorite books written in English, or wrote letters home to her loved ones. Kelly also traveled around Europe when she got the chance, and experienced many other cultures in addition to German culture. When it was finally time for her to return home, she was very excited about being reunited with the people she had missed the most, but she did not regret her study abroad experience. Her new appreciation of other cultures and even of her own culture could never have been acquired in a classroom.

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Read excerpts from my letters home.