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Writer's pictureAlvin Xu

Farewell Berlin

Words in any language can't fully describe my time in Berlin. It was more than remarkable, beautiful, engaging, fulfilling, and inspiring.

I have learned so much and gained so much. This was and will be one of the most memorable summers in my lifetime, I’ve met new friends, seen things, had the best program leaders and teachers to make my learning as fun as possible. Thanks to them, I owe them for changing the way I see forever, in a broader sense, seeing things with more cultural context and empathy. History class would be more relatable now, since not only are you sitting through the class, aimlessly flipping through textbooks and worksheets, and struggling to listen to the teacher, because you’ve been there. You have seen what war has done, but you could also see that German and Germany isn’t at all like they’re past. They are trying to rebuild, recreate, renovate, and innovate. History comes to life, what you learn in class, instead of instantly rolling into the section of useless knowledge except for school/ test in your brain, becomes knowledge that deepens and extends an experience you have in one of the best summer of your life. Deutschland ist die besten Land für Europas Geschichte gelernt. Es hat ein immens Höhe Gesichte. I’d say the only flaw of this summer abroad program is truly how short it is. You are rushed through to experience everything and make connections, if they have more time, there would be more time to study languages, and bond with the host families you met, less rushed activities, and more free time. Time truly flew while I was on this program, but time always flies when you are having fun! Ich hoffe euch die Programme in die Zukunft erleben! Berlin would be my personal recommendation, but it also depends on what language you are learning, or what you are trying to study; passion is everything. Studying a language abroad is completely different than a classroom experience, the world around you is revolutionized and plastered with the foreign language you are learning. Passively you are gaining so much more exposure and immersion. Not only that, everyday you can go home to a host family (some of the kindest people I have ever met, truly and sincerely miss them), and practice your target language, whether it’s from what you learned in school before, or what you learned in class earlier today (we take language classes in the morning), this is where comprehension comes in. In the afternoon you also have excursions, which you basically go out and sight see the city, where guess what! You can practice your target language more!!! Plus learn about the history and culture. It truly was an amazing trip, and I hope you all had fun reading and following my journey. If you have any questions feel free to email me!


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