It's all good!

I am going to talk a little bit about my experience in Germany so far because I really want to talk about certain things I have already noticed before I post about the countries I have visited and what I have done there.

This summer I had the opportunity to work at Purdue University’s School of Veterinary Medicine doing research at the canine oncology department. It was such a great experience and it was an intensive 11-week program where I learned a lot and I was away from home from May till August. One of the main things that scared me the most when I decided to do this whole year abroad was getting homesick. I know it’s something completely normal, but going away by myself for more than three months to all these places was something that I honestly didn’t know if I was prepared for. When I got to Germany and the whole luggage dilemma occurred I was already starting to feel a bit overwhelmed by the entire situation. Like I said in one of my previous posts: it had been a crazy week. Not only because of the planning, packing, etc. but also because of the whole hospital situation. That aside, Germany is different from what I’m used to. This is why I chose it. I wanted an experience that would bring me out of my comfort zone. An experience that would truly teach me something new (not only about the country but also about myself). And so far I can tell you I chose the right place to come. 

We all go through so much during these years. It’s a period of change and transitions and having to adapt constantly while meeting new people and still trying to figure out who you are is no easy task. Having this all in mind, I started thinking about setting goals for my experience here in Germany. I have been traveling quite a lot since I got here and a part of me still is in Puerto Rico. I started to realize that even though I have been traveling and meeting new people, I have not been completely present in this moment. This is why having goals for me can certainly help me focus on what I truly want to get out of this experience. It can also help to prepare me for what’s coming next (New Zealand and Bali). I also want to talk about a few mistakes I have made that I feel have hindered my experience a little bit at the beginning. I think it’s important to recognize this so you can work on it and truly go all in. I post this because I know that a lot of people may be going through the same. It’s amazing that I am in Germany, but it does not mean there are no challenges that come with this experience. Once we learn to recognize this, it gets easier. Most importantly, once we learn to recognize that everything is a process and that step-by-step it will get better, it actually will. It might seem random as to why I decided to post this today. And well, I got a little story that tells you why.

Today I was returning from Munich, Germany because I went to the famous Oktoberfest celebration. This was the opening ceremony weekend and I met with some friends from Panama and Puerto Rico there. It was an amazing experience and you truly get to see a huge part of the German culture. More about that in one of my next posts. When coming back from Munich, I took a 10-hour bus. I know. Crazy. I was so tired and kind of out of it. I just wanted to get home and go to bed. I slept for the most part but I did not sleep the last four hours. Next to me a guy sat down and started asking me where I was from in German and I told him I don’t speak German and that I was from Puerto Rico. He was from South Korea so understanding each other got a little harder because I didn’t speak German and he knew very little English. When I said I was from Puerto Rico, another guy turns and asks me (in Spanish), “Where in Puerto Rico are you from?” I said I was from San Juan. He told me he was from Pereira, Colombia. A city near one of the major cities of Colombia, Cali. Once again I felt so relieved to meet another person who spoke Spanish. I plan on taking German once the winter semester starts in mid-October but meanwhile, it frustrates to not really know the language that well. Although I have been able to pick up a few words here and there and I am more used to the accent, it is still hard to not be able to fully express myself. So when I meet someone who can speak Spanish, yeah I am very happy. The bus stopped for around 1 hour to eat and stretch. John, the Colombian, went with me to eat something and as we sat down I asked him his story. I wondered how he ended up in Germany. And I wanted to share this because meeting him made me realize everything I mentioned before. His story and his advice really got to me. I realized I want to be fully immersed in the culture here and I want to truly be able to say I enjoyed it to the maximum.

John is 23 years old and he was working as an engineer in Colombia. He told me he had always wanted to finish school as early as possible to start working and start his life right away. However, when he started working he realized he was always stressed out, he wasn’t content with the way he was living. One day he quit his job and applied for a scholarship/internship in Germany (where he would be living for an entire year). This internship brings international people that studied engineering or science and focuses on teaching refugees or people from disadvantaged backgrounds and communities everything they know that will help them build a better life. In exchange for their teaching, these interns get free accommodation and food. They are also trained in how to immerse themselves completely in such a new culture. They take German and also take a class where they study the German culture and why they are the way they are. He gave me some details as to things he had learned so far about the culture and everything he said I had already noticed. He explained the reason behind that and it made sense. Everything started clicking for me and I realized that I had not truly immersed myself in the German culture.There were three things he advised me to do that I will never forget and that I will do in order to adapt myself better:

From :www.sanjoseinside.com

1. Disconnect from home.

This is by far the most difficult thing for me to do. But John said it was one of the most necessary. Ever since I arrived from Germany I have been attentive to what my friends and family have been doing. Since I came here by myself without really knowing anyone but Sarah, I was holding on to what is safe and secure. I was still thinking about the amazing time spent back home after being away for the summer. I started thinking I was not ready for this experience because although I was physically here in Germany, I was still mentally in Puerto Rico. John said that disconnecting from what is going on back home (with the exception of talking to parents and friends once in a while to let them know you’re okay) is essential. This is how you’ll be able to open up and accept that your life is not there anymore but here at this present moment. My parents had bought me an international plan for one month where I had unlimited text messages, but I started realizing that no one here really uses text messages, only the people back home. So this week I will buy a German phone number and I will put away my US phone. It does not mean I will disappear from the face of the Earth. It simply means that I will truly give my life here a chance to take place without my head thinking of what goes on back home. I will check my US phone once in a while but I will not renew the international plan. I don't really need it. I will only use my German phone number and pay a little extra so I can use the phone when I travel to other countries. It was a hard decision to make but it is necessary for me to fully dedicate and focus on myself and my experience here. I will let you know later how it went.

From: bestwaytolearngerman.com

2. Speak German even if you feel like you’re not making sense

I know for a fact that when tourists or people from other countries try speaking in Spanish I truly appreciate the effort they are making even though it is not their first language. John made it very clear that this is also essential in order for Germans to realize you’re making an effort. They might look at you confused at first because they don’t understand you but most of them actually correct you or tell you the correct word so I have been trying to perfect how to say “Thank you” and “You’re welcome” in German because those are basically the only two words I know how to say correctly. But I always say them and hopefully I can learn more and more. I know how to order in German and say “Hello” or ask “How are you doing?” as well as answering. But it doesn’t matter what I know, I need to practice and being in this environment is perfect for that. It will only help me more and it will make the transition easier.

3. Talk to other people who are going through the same.

Another important thing I have noticed about coming to Germany on my own to work is how much free time I have on my hands. I am generally a very busy person. Back at Northeastern, I study Biology so my schedule is always kind of crazy. I work two jobs and I am involved in volunteering and several student organizations. Besides, I live with my best friends and already have my group of people there that I consider basically my family. However, here I am only working 30 hours a week and since classes haven’t started and I am still getting to know Hanover, it has been hard getting used to being…not busy if that makes sense. I know everyone dreams of not having classes but sometimes that transition can be hard as well and you can definitely find yourself feeling lonely. It is part of the experience because you are still adjusting to many things at the same time while trying to create a whole new life on your own. But what’s key here is that you are actually not on your own. You will always meet people who can relate to you and to your experiences and it is important to talk to these people and share how you feel. Not only you are creating another bond with someone new but you are also talking to someone who actually knows and understand everything you are going through. Talking to my friends and family from home is nice but for them to understand how everything is here can be almost impossible unless they actually get to live it. From this piece of advice, I learned that going back to your comfort zone won’t help you. This is exactly the chance to get out there and meet new people.  It has been the first time I actually have time to myself. I sit down at the same cafe everyday and have a nice coffee, I am able to write and read that book I was never able to finish. At the end of the day I have appreciated the time dedicated to myself. Talking to John about everything was so refreshing. Just like when I met Juan Perez. 

At the end, I felt like I had known John for a long time. I was so appreciative of him sitting down and listening to me and how I felt. A part of me I want to work on while here in Germany is to have patience. Sometimes I get impatient when things do not seem to take their place at the pace I want them to. But one of the things I have realized the most from Germany is that the pace here is different and it will take time to get used to everything but that's normal. It is not only adjusting to life here but it is accepting that I am leaving and starting a new life altogether. Although I will not change my persona and character, I also have come to the realization that I will definitely grow and change so much throughout this experience. Talking to John made me focus again on what’s important: me. This is my time to explore. Everything is part of this journey that I am very privileged to be able to have. So if I learned anything today is that I will make the best of it. And for those who are in my same position, even if they are not in a country like Germany (it can even be happening in your own country because you are moving or starting a new job) ,  I promise it gets better. As it already has for me. Take your time and a couple of deep breaths because everything is a lesson and taking life step by step, enjoying every moment is what we are meant to do. It all might sound very "cliché", but it is something I felt was worth sharing because not everything is perfect. There are hardships and challenges that will come with every experience that we encounter and telling you about mine might help you avoid some of them even if you end up having a few of your own. Oh and just a picture of the beautiful park right next to my apartment. More to come on my next post!