Take A Peake: Final Thoughts

To say that this entire semester was a learning experience would be a vast understatement. When I started this blog, my goal for the semester was to be put out of my comfort zone and explore what the world has to offer. On the one hand, I’ve traveled all across Europe and seen unbelievable places and met amazing people. On the other hand, I have been shoved out of my comfort zone in more ways than one. The ways I had imagines being put outside of my comfort zone greatly differed from what actually happened this semester. But when do we ever get what we expected? Life is so unexpected and if there is one thing that I learned, it is that I need to simply realize that everything will work out and I should just be happy. In no way to I regret anything that happened these past 4 months and if I had a chance for a redo, I would choose everything to happen the same exact way. All the good and definitely, all the bad. Something that I am proud of is deflecting negativity from my life and purposefully choosing to just be happy. In a way, I feel like life kicked my ass to see if I would give up or let it get me down. If that was a test, then I feel like I have passed with flying colors. Despite being in a foreign country and far away from many loved ones, I have never felt more happier. I honestly believe that this happiness comes from my personal growth over these 4 months and accepting life’s challenge as they come. When will everything be exactly as we expected or even hoped? Never. When will everything go exactly as planned? Not gonna happen.

Aside from major life lessons, there are a few things that I happened to pick up along the way. Swan Lake is not the Nutcracker and in fact, has nothing to do with Christmas. McDonalds in Europe is where all the cool kids hang out. Also, when in doubt, McDonalds will always have a clean, free bathroom. It is easy to spend hours at a café or restaurant – most likely, they expect you to. You will always have to ask for the bill because the waiter will never want to rush you. Scarves are accessories in southern California, but necessities in Berlin. Mittens and wool socks probably saved my life this semester. There’s nothing worse than seeing your train/bus leave right as you arrive at the stop – its always a good idea to just run for it. Despite that Germans are dead silent on trains and buses during the day, theyre they best places to meet them at night, when they’re loud and rowdy. Germans and other Europeans are more conservative in their smiles and I realized that I smile a lot. Thank you and I’m sorry were my key phrases in all the different countries I visited. More often than not, people are willing to help you out. More often than not, people want to have a conversation with you. My trusty boots will always earn me a friendly patdown in airports. Foregoing studying for finals for a few hours to see Michael Buble perform live, up close, will probably be one of my greatest decisions yet. My mind is still blown that I have literally crossed the Berlin Wall so many times over the past few months. Time goes by so much quicker when you have a friend next to you on the bus. Starting in October, I dreaded every time I saw a single decker X83 bus because I knew it usually meant cozily squishing together will all my classmates and other FU students. I don’t understand Germany’s declining birthrate….I see nothing but babies. Everywhere I go, there is always a crying baby following me. When contemplating whether or not you should go on an adventure…always do it. Always take a million pictures or make friends that take a million pictures. Not to sound too cheesy, but kindness is a language that everyone understands. Many German stores are closed on Sundays, so stock up on food before then. Meeting up with friends and family across Europe can give you a little piece of home. Pierogi is probably one of the best dishes I’ve ever eaten. Fall in Poland is gorgeous. The beaches in Ibiza are shockingly beautiful, although I could do without the topless/nude bathing. I could probably spend a lifetime in italy. Never will I forget that my first glass of red wine was sitting next to the Duomo in Florence. Paris wouldn’t be complete without climbing the Eiffel Tower, seeing it glitter, and eating sugar crepes. Neither would London without sipping tea at Harrods. Vienna is a city filled with beautiful Christmas lights and my best friend. I don’t think Christmas will ever be the same without the Berlin Weihnachtsmarkte. Berlin is a crazy and incredible city that I never expected to fall in love with, but now I can say that it feels like home. I need to learn some more adjectives besides beautiful and amazing, but I don’t know how else to describe everything I’ve seen!

Today is my last full day here in Berlin and I'm doing all the things I haven't gotten a chance to do and trying to make the most of it. I will try to get in a goodbye post (maybe free wifi in the airport?), but if not -- then I will be seeing all of you soon! Auf Wiedersehen!