Home away from home

As I sit in the car going to Salzburg, Austria (the last stop of my family trip here in Europe) I can’t help but think how fast time has gone by. I feel like it was yesterday when I was going to the airport in San Juan. I have not written for a while. Since I finished my co-op. I even feel a bit weird because it will be hard to try to summarize how I feel about my experience so far and what I have done. Thinking back to when I was leaving Hanover: it was difficult for me. I started a completely new life in Germany. I still remember when I first got there…I think we all do. It’s amazing to see how much can change in such a short period of time. And not to sound cliché or anything, but this was the biggest lesson I learned this semester: to really value the moments and the time we have.

Part of Hanover's Christmas Market 

The last two weeks in Hanover were truly amazing. Primarily because the Christmas markets in Hanover are just out of this world. It was fun to just be able to leave work and have a glass of “Glühwein" with all my friends from work at the Christmas markets. Plus, I also got to travel to Lisbon, Portugal; which turned out to be on my “top three favorites list” of places I have visited.

Part of Hanover's Christmas Market

 The last few days I realized how deep and genuine were the bonds and relationships I created in Hanover. With my roommates whom you all know already, with the other co-op students and with my co-workers who were all mostly German; even with my supervisor Thomas whom I admired greatly. It was amazing to see the impact they had in my life and even more beautiful to see the impact I had in theirs. I know the friendships and experiences that I lived with each and every one of the people I met during this journey will always be with me wherever I go.

Last time all the co-op students were together. 

Saying goodbye is never easy. I wrote about saying goodbye when I first had to leave Puerto Rico. For some reason, it was even harder this time. I think that in each place we go, we find a little bit of ourselves in every step we take and we also leave a little part of us behind. And although letting go of all those memories, places, people and moving forward is part of the experience, it definitely does not get any easier.

But for those of you who think my drama is over, of course the only way to leave Hanover was the same way as my chaotic arrival. 

My family was coming to Europe the 23^rd of December and I was going to meet them in Budapest. However, I still had a few days before meeting them in which I didn’t have any plans. I decided to visit my aunt, uncle and cousins in Naples, Italy. They just moved there and I thought it’d be nice to be with family as much as possible; I also missed them quite a lot as I am very close to them.

It was all planned out (or at least I thought it was). Nevertheless, I was a bit stressed because I had to move out of my apartment 4 days before I had to actually leave. Everything had to be moved out, all the clothes packed and of course, I also had to make sure I had all my VISA details for Bali and New Zealand in order (which turned out to be a bit stressful as well). Long story short: Ana missed her flight. Yes. I missed my flight to Italy. I put the alarm and everything was packed and ready to leave. I fell asleep and when I woke up to my roommate’s (Louis) voice I realized what had happened.

 If I have learned ANYTHING from this experience was to try to think, before freaking out. The first thing that came into mind was that I wasn’t supposed to be in my room…so I needed to get everything out (meaning my bags) before my landlord would come to check it out. I ended up staying there the night before my flight because moving my bags to another apartment was just way more complicated (given the fact that I had quite a lot of baggage; yes, I regret this). And since my flight was leaving at 6am, it technically didn’t count as an overnight stay…I was only there for a few hours and happened to fall asleep in a mattress without any bedding. So, Louis helped get everything out of my room and we put it in his. I basically hid there until my room was checked and I was sure no one else was in the apartment. I stayed there while I called my aunt explaining the situation. I must admit that after my room was cleaned out: I did freak out a bit. I really wanted to be with my family already and tickets were incredibly expensive.

A few hours into the day I kept checking and checking flights until I found a ticket to Rome that was affordable. I called my aunt to see if she could pick me up at the airport in Rome instead of Naples and she agreed so: Rome it was. The only downside: I had an 11-hour layover in Brussels, Belgium. So I basically had to sleep (or not sleep really) inside the airport. I really did not want to leave and risk losing another flight. So I just stayed at the airport trying to distract myself in any way possible. Here is when you really think everything happens for a reason because I ended up meeting a group of Spanish couples who had the same flight. We all bonded over the fact we had to stay at the airport for 11-hours and we even exchanged numbers in the end.

 I really thought my departure was quite ironic…one would’ve thought that with everything that happened when I was going to Hanover the first time, I wouldn’t have any other stressful events. And well, me being who I am, of course one dramatic entrance wasn’t enough. The exit had to be the same as well.

 “Oh Ana.” Literally the expression of everyone I met in Hanover when they found out what had happened. But, like I have previously mentioned: life goes on. I made it to Rome (safe and sound) and reunited with my aunt, my cousin Natalia and my uncle. I cannot describe how great it was to see family after being away for so long. Even if I wasn’t in Puerto Rico. I felt like a small part of me was. For the first time, I really felt like I was home because being able to speak Spanish and to just be so comfortable around my family was a feeling I had missed. Moving around so much makes it hard to completely attach to one place. But if there is one place I will always be attached to that is certainly my beautiful island: Puerto Rico. Anyhow, I will keep traveling and moving; finding different places that I can call "Home away from home." And Hanover was certainly one of them. 

Part of my family in Ravello, a small town in the Amalfi Coast. 

I plan on keep writing more about my Christmas vacation and about the places we visited during the month of December. In three days I will be moving to Asia. Especifically to Bali, Indonesia. I will be living in a village by the sea called Tianyar Village. And you’re probably asking yourself something in the lines of: What the @#$* will she be doing in Bali? 

 Well, first of all I really wanted to explore a part of Asia this year. Given the fact that I am already traveling; I might as well try to visit as many places as I can. I had a big gap between the end of my co-op and the start of my academic semester so I thought, “what can I do in between”? And that’s when I found a program that really caught my attention.

I haven’t shared it with you all, but about 10 months ago I had the opportunity to go to Otavalo, Ecuador and teach English to an indigenous community. I also taught English back in Boston to Northeastern employees (most spoke Spanish as a first language). I have learned that I truly enjoy sharing what I know with others through education and most of all, I have learned I have a big passion for languages. So the program I found and that I will form part of  offers you housing and food for a very decent price and in exchange you teach English to the kids of the Tianyar Village by the Sea. I will be in Bali almost one month and a half living in a household shared by other international volunteers from all parts of the world. I am truly looking forward to this experience and to learn as much as I can about this country and continent. Once again, I think this experience continues to challenge me in ways that can only help me grow. Let’s see what other adventures I can get myself into. Prost!

Wanderlust

Hi all,

I hadn’t posted in a while because I went to Morocco and Spain for 9 days and so it was definitely complicated to post while traveling. However, I need to say that these past 9 days were some of the best ever. I went to Marrakesh, a city in Morocco, with some friends and then went to Valencia, Spain for a week. It was an amazing break and most importantly, an amazing experience to get to know both cities and countries even better. I crossed off another continent off my list which was pretty amazing as well. I came back to Germany and I couldn’t wait to put the footage of my trip to Morocco together and share the video I prepared of this amazing trip. Here is the a sneak peak of the video in case you want to watch:

As I shared this video on social media, my friends and relatives started asking me (and probably who didn’t ask, wondered): “How can she travel so much? What’s the secret?” Honestly? There is no secret. I knew I wanted to travel as much as I could this year so I prepared myself and organized everything in order to do so. Traveling around Europe can be incredibly cheap as well if you know where to look and research well where to stay etc. 

By the end of my experience abroad (by the end of December) I will have traveled to 18 different cities, 12 different countries and 2 continents in 3 and half months. Here is a list:

Munich, Prague, Paris, Hamburg, Lund (Sweden), Denmark, Valencia, Marrakesh, Barcelona, Venice, Milan, Rome, Naples, Budapest, Vienna, Salzburg, Hanover and Lisbon.

Pretty crazy right? And I can’t wait for Bali and New Zealand coming up next year… I wanted to share with you a few ways in which you could save some money and travel as much as you want to when you work or study abroad!

Transportation

In Europe, flights, trains and buses are incredibly cheap in comparison to those in the United States. This definitely facilitates moving around from country to country without spending a lot of money. In my case, I am the type of person that really doesn’t care how to get there as long as I do. There are several ways to do so.

For instance, we have one of the most common: trains. There are several “discount cards” you can buy if you know you will be traveling very often so you can save money every time you purchase a ticket. I bought the “Bahn Card” (offered by the German transportation system) which saves you 25% off every ticket you purchase of a train leaving from Germany. It is a convenient way to travel around Germany in my case and to save money on the ticket if I want to take a train to another country departing from Germany.

Then we have buses…A lot of people hate them. I honestly don’t mind them because taking a bus that has wi-fi and in which you can probably sleep (even if it’s not the most comfortable thing) is not the worst thing in the world. I have taken buses of up to 11 hours which may seem horrible, but it wasn't. I slept most of the way and it’s also a nice way to meet people who are stuck with you (and you’re stuck with them) for that period of time. A good bus company in Europe is FlixBus. Sometimes they might not be the cheapest. But so far, they have been the most reliable and some of their buses even have wi-fi which is very convenient if you are meeting with some friend in another country and need to communicate with them.

Then we have airplanes. Yes. The most comfortable way of traveling. But at the same time it can end up being the most complicated one. I have had really good experiences with all my flights in Europe. However, it is definitely a process to find the most affordable and convenient tickets (especially because I am on co-op so I have to leave after a certain time and make sure I still make it). Most flights from Hanover are incredibly expensive, but from Hamburg (which is about two hours from Hanover) they are incredibly cheap (about 15 euros roundtrip sometimes). Which brings me to my first suggestion: look for other airports. Many of us only look at one airport and sometimes there are other options that are way cheaper (although probably more complicated and harder to get to sometimes). Nevertheless, if the difference in price is so big then I am the type of person that goes for it and just balances out what I am saving in time and losing in money versus what I am saving in money and losing in time. You have to play the game. 

Every time I have to go to Hamburg it is free with my student ID card (yay!). Then the train to the airport is only 3.20 euros. Although the entire trip takes about 3 hours total; the price difference is kind of crazy. Leaving from Hamburg to Dublin was only 20 euros and my next trip to Portugal was only 40 euros (roundtrip!). So yes, always look out for every possible option that might get you the cheapest and most efficient way to get to where you want to go. This is how I have saved so much.

Another suggestion I have for flights is to use Google Flights and other websites (like Just Fly) to book them. These sites give you the best prices and you can track the flights (and have alerts) so you can buy them when they are cheapest. It is a well-known fact that, most of the time, flights are cheapest when bought on a Tuesday or a Wednesday so I always look at them, track them, and just pay attention to buy them when it’s most convenient. Have in mind that most of these flights do not allow you to check your bag for free which is why you also have to learn how to travel and pack light. This has been one of the things I have learned incredibly well this semester; especially if you are only going to be traveling for a weekend. So always look into the policies and restrictions of each airline because there are some airlines that also require you to check-in with time or print your boarding pass (if not they can charge you a certain amount of money). Some airlines I have used to book flights that are good and cheap have been: Eurowings, Ryan Air and Vueling. Even Iberia had a pretty decent flight to Morocco that wasn’t incredibly expensive considering I was going to Africa. 

For those of you that are spontaneous travelers (like me), there is website called Skyscanner. It allows you to check the cheapest places to travel each weekend. You select a weekend and then, as a destination, you type in “Everywhere.” It shows you the best options for that weekend and this can also give you an idea as to what is the best time to travel to where in Europe. It definitely helped me plan out and organize my trips.

Accommodation

This is where you can save a lot of money, but it also depends on the type of person you are. Some people prefer to spend more money on where they stay rather than have more spending money (for food or whatever),and then there are people that can sleep literally anywhere if you let them, and then have more cash to spend that weekend. I am more of the second type mentioned. I am a heavy sleeper (those who know me know this for a fact) so I can sleep anywhere and it doesn’t really matter to me. Of course, you always want to stay in a place that is safe which is why looking in the right places is essential. I have stayed in both hotels and hostels throughout my experience and to be honest, many times, the hostels have been better than the hotels. I have also stayed at Airbnb’s which most of the times have really good prices too and are a nice way to meet locals and get good suggestions as to what to do in each country. 

For those of you a bit scared of hostels, they are really not bad at all. There is a website called Hostel World in which you can find some of the best hostels in each country (and prices are really good compared to hotels if you do it with time!). Yes, you sometimes share a room with a lot of people. In my case, I shared a room with 12 people in Amsterdam, but you can also stay in a private room (in which case you have to pay more). I did this when I visited Hamburg, Germany.

For those of you wondering how I could share a room with 12 people: well, first of all they give you locks (and many hostels also have lockers) in which you can put all your stuff and store it away (safely). When I’m traveling, I only go to the hostel, hotel or Airbnb to sleep because I have only a weekend to explore so I don’t really spend a lot of time there. Regarding bathrooms and showers, it is pretty much like college. You share a bathroom and showers with the people in your floor so it is an experience most of you have already had if you study in the United States (or anywhere like this for that matter). So in the end, you end up paying way less and saving more. However, in case you prefer to stay in hotels (which can surprisingly sometimes be cheaper too), I use the website Booking.com which shows you the best deals and discount offers. It is also pretty convenient because some hotels let you reserve the booking and cancel without charging any fees (not every hotel does this though, so make sure they say you can). In the end, I chose to travel to the countries where I also had friends I could visit and stay with so in my case this was another reason why I didn’t end up spending so much money.

Save up!

For those of you thinking of going abroad, save some money!  I applied for scholarships and worked during the summer in order to be able to fund all of these trips. My parents also help me with a monthly allowance, but I use that more for my living expenses in Germany. Being able to have your own money and be independent economically feels pretty good. Always have a budget for your weekend and make sure you don’t exceed it unless there is some circumstance in which you have to do so. Here are some other tips on how to save money when you travel:

• ·        Look for free and cheap stuff to do: free walking tours, free museum exhibitions, etc. Try to talk with locals and ask them which places are nice to go (and free!). This is why I recommended the app “Like a Local” because it truly gives you the best (and cheapest!) options of what to do once you are in the country.
• ·        Eat in authentic places: Part of the experience is trying the food each country has to offer and many times, the best food can be found in the most authentic, warm places. The people that cook the best are the ones that are truly passionate about the gastronomy their country has to offer. I may not know that much about food and I am honestly not that picky, but some of the best places I have eaten at have been sort of hidden and suggested by locals. The owners make sure you have the best culinary experience and I have even ended up befriending some of them!
• ·        Public transportation: This one is a must. Public transportation in Europe is pretty good and cheap in most countries. There are many ways to explore a new city and if it’s big, public transportation is always the way to go. Alternatively, I love to walk everywhere so walking for me is not a problem at all (and it is also a great way to explore better the new places you visit!). But taking taxis every time you want to go somewhere can definitely become the reason why you spend so much money.

These are only some ways and suggestions in which you can travel and afford to do so as much as you want. Traveling and getting to know another place in an authentic, genuine way is my passion which is why I love I have been able to discover so many new ways in which I can continue to do so. If you are only traveling once and you save up for only that one trip, then you don’t really have to worry about all of this. However, since I knew I wanted to travel as much as I could around Europe; I did my research regarding every possible way in which I could save some money and travel more and more. I hope this helps and encourages you to travel and see more. I must say it has been an amazing experience so far and being able to live and do my co-op in Europe is what has allowed me to do all of this. 

7 reasons why Germany is a great place to live in

Two weeks ago I wrote 8 reasons why you should go abroad and now I wanted to be more specific about why I have loved living in Germany. If you ever get the chance to have a working experience or even an exchange for some amount time, I strongly suggest it. It has been a great experience so far and although it is not as sunny as living in Puerto Rico (or Boston where we definitely get more sun than in Hanover) …it has many other aspects that I have fallen in love with and these are only SOME of them. And for those who are truly worried about the cold: if a girl from the Caribbean can handle it, so can you. 

1.     Job opportunities

Germany has one of the lowest youth unemployment rates in Europe. A reason behind this fact is that they really promote this idea of being an apprentice. Many professions promote this scheme which many times offers a dual program in which you receive training (and work) alongside education for multiple professions. It allows young people to have the opportunity to work in the field beforehand. And of course, it also makes living expenses affordable...Sounds pretty good to me. 

2.    Germany treats its workers right

This reason goes hand in hand with the first. If you do get an opportunity to work in Germany, you would like to hear this. Germany is really good at respecting its citizens, and if you have the opportunity to work there, you should go for it. Germans work fewer hours than both UK and US citizens, and their unemployment rate is also lower (as previously mentioned). You even get 30 days of vacation time, minimum. If you DO get laid off, you’re entitled to a month’s wages for every year you’ve worked at the company.

3.    Sleepy Sundays

And this is for real.  All the shops are closed (even the supermarket). For us, it is something we are not used to, but I believe it truly allows Sundays to be a day for rest. It becomes part of a culture that allows people to enjoy time with their families or away from work. I have noticed it is not common to be working on the weekends here, contrary to what you see in the United States for example. 

4.    Public transportation system

All trains are on time and there are high speed rail connections between major cities. It allows you to travel long distances if you are on a tight budget. There are high speed ICE trains which are pretty impressive. Also, you can buy discount cards that help you save some money every time your train leaves from any German station. The metro and public transportation systems in every city are also highly efficient and affordable. It makes not having a car way easier!

5.    Innovation

I went to an open house the other night where every institute (Engineering and Natural Sciences) would showcase what they were working on. I was surprised as to how many people attended this event, even little kids. And what surprised me even more was how many activities were available for the kids to participate in this open house as well. It was not only for adults or students who studied these topics, but for everyone else. People of all ages were there and they were genuinely interested in what was going on. They talked about climate change and how all these new technologies were going to help us. There were “games” for the kids which included building a helicopter or making something with a 3D-printer. All this knowledge was available to anyone and it was very interesting to be able to be a part of this. It also made sense as to why Germany dominates the U.S. in innovation. (If you want to read more about it click on the link: Why Germany dominates the US in innovation).  

6.    Housing is SO cheap (compared to Boston and to many other places)

I have lived in many places and Germany has been the cheapest…BY FAR. This definitely makes it one of my favorite places to live.

7.    Germans are amazing people

You have all seen my transition throughout the blog. Coming from a small island in the Caribbean, it was obvious there were going to be some major cultural differences. As months go by I realize how loyal and genuine Germans are. Germans tell it like it is, and frankly, it’s refreshing. They’re also some of the most tolerant, well-traveled, and intelligent individuals you’ll ever find. I have noticed that, considering the country’s troubled history, most people are anxious to move beyond the negative and to show the world what real Germans are made of. And it’s wonderful.

(Source: http://www.thelocal.de/galleries/lifestyle/ten-reasons-to-live-in-germany)

The co-op experience: From Boston, Massachusetts to Hanover, Germany

This blog has allowed me to share everything I have experienced from my perspective and what I have been working on in the laboratory. However, I thought it would be a good idea to be able to also know the side of the other co-op students as well. Like I mentioned before, I am one of five co-op students in Hanover. The other four students are working in separate laboratories conducting their own research. They wanted to also share a bit of their experience in Hanover.

Meet Elise Armstrong

Major: Biology

Year: Fourth

From: New Hampshire, United States

“Hello Ana's blog followers! My name is Elise and I am currently cooping at Leibniz University at the Institute for Plant Genetics and Proteomics under the supervision of Professor Hans-Peter Braun. 

The research I am assisting with involves a unique, symbiotic relationship between a legume plant, Vicia faba, and the bacterium, Rhizobium leguminosarum. Root nodules develop on the legume to host the bacteria that fix nitrogen into ammonia in exchange for dicarboxylates. The objective of this study is to investigate the mitochondrial proteome to further understand plant metabolism and the relationship with the bacteria. My weekly responsibility is to ensure that my supervisor has all of the bacterial, plant and mitochondrial material needed to perform her assays. I have additionally been assigned an individual project to create a protocol that quantifies nodule growth via spectrofluorescence. Reflecting on my research experience so far, I feel fortunate enough to say that the type of research I am involved with and in such great capacity has truly made this coop experience unforgettable.

The decision to do research abroad was at first daunting. However, I must admit that my favorite aspects of coop were the challenges I faced both at work and when traveling. Because a majority of my colleagues do not speak English as their first language, it has given me the opportunity to improve my confidence, communication and social skills when working with other scientists. In an effort to fully immerse myself within their culture, I have been able to connect and form a network of mentors that can support me. The challenges I have faced when traveling (i.e. getting on the wrong train, not double checking signs, not saving reservations etc.) have positively affected my character and personally growth. Learning to transfer my feelings of confusion and culture shock into sympathy when travel plans go poorly has been another important skill I will carry with me for the future. Overall, this has been a memorable opportunity and I cannot wait to share my experience with other undergraduates.”

Meet Rohan Sharma

Major: Chemistry

Year: Fourth

From: New York, United States

“I'm working in the Institute of Technical Chemistry cultivating mesenchymal stem cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells to create vasculature in vitro.  Also, creating 3D scaffolds from synthetic polymers to mimic in vivo conditions for cell growth. What I have liked about my experience so far is getting to know the other coops/spend time with them and putting myself in a brand new culture and learning a different lifestyle.”

 

Meet Anusha Din

Major: Behavioral Neuroscience

Year: Third

From: Dhaka, Bangladesh

“Although I’m a behavioral neuroscience major, I want to work in drug discovery or pharmaceutical research post-graduation. Because of this my co-op is at the center for biomolecular drug research (BMWZ in German). I work on my own project to uncover the biosynthesis of a fungal metabolite called terrain. Basically the end goal is to discover which one of the genes is responsible for a unique ring contraction step in its pathway. So far I think the most important skill I’ve developed is being able to do bacterial, yeast and fungal transformations solo.

Sounds like a lot of biochemistry? Honestly it is! Which means it’s very different from the theory I’ve covered in class and sometimes that’s hard. However, this means that I get to learn a lot of new concepts and lab techniques which has been what I like most about this co-op. The second thing has been learning from my supervisor and coworkers who are always friendly and willing to answer my questions.”

Meet Sarah Cushman

Major: Biochemistry

Year: Fourth

From: Connecticut, United States

Sarah is actually back in Hanover for a second time. She loved Germany so much she came back and she talked about both of her co-op experiences! (She was also my savior when the whole luggage situation happened)

First co-op

“I work at the Institute for Multiphase Processes which specializes in Biomedical Engierring. For my first co-op I designed and performed experiments to determine the epigenetic modifications of H3K9 in stressed cells that had been cryopreserved. I utilized cryoprotective agents such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) with varying concentrations and then inspected and collected data on three biological replicas of marmoset monkey bone marrow stem cells using immunofluorescence techniques.”

Second co-op

“For my second co-op I performed optimization experiments to determine the most favorable voltage and height to electrospray volvox spheres. We were able to determine an ideal ratio of inner beads to outer beads that could grow stem cells and contain growth factors. I also electrosprayed fibermats that were a mixture of gelatin and PCL. By dissolving the gelatin with ethanol the mats would become porous and serve as the structure of artificial arteries between which the volvox spheres containing cells could be held.”

Ana: “Why do you love Germany so much?”

“Germany was one of the easiest countries to adapt to. Germans are some of the funniest people I have ever met, extremely hard workers, and helpful if necessary. I have grown as a researcher in Germany because in the lab here you are expected to be very independent after you have read the literature on your topics and have been shown once or twice what to do in a laboratory. With so much independence, you learn how to organize and prepare your own work as well as fix your own mistakes. Another cultural difference is that it takes a lot of work to win a German’s true friendship. In the US, the term “friend” is often used loosely. My first three months in Germany I turned 21 and half of my lab shook my hand for my birthday, because they didn’t “know me well enough” for a hug. When you ask a German how their weekend was, they won’t just say fine or good, they will usually tell you about their weekend. Small talk is not very common here, you either know people well or you don’t. The people I have met here were worth getting to know and are some of my closest friends now. The lab work and the people are why I just keep coming back. There is always something new and innovative and exciting to learn and you get to do it with the best people and it doesn’t get much better than that.”

Group picture of co-op students in Hanover, Germany. 

I am so glad I have had the opportunity of sharing this experience with the other co-op students. I am so grateful to have met them and it has been so fun to travel with them and spend time together. We do something almost every week and they have become my family here in Hanover. We all come together as a group and it is pretty amazing because we are all so different. I am glad this experience brought us together and the best part is that I will see you all in Boston when I come back. Meanwhile, we still have a few weeks left together. I can assure you we will definitely make the most out of them! 

8 reasons why you should go abroad

Deciding to do an international co-op was no easy task for me. I had mentioned previously in one of my posts how I always thought my first co-op would be in Boston working in a veterinary clinic. I mean it when I say that I never thought I would end up doing research in Germany. I remember the day as if it was yesterday. I was going into one of the buildings at Northeastern when I got an e-mail that said the following:

“Hello-

Greetings!  

Are you thinking about a co-op, in Germany?  

If “yes”, the next step is to contact, Thomas Reinard @ Leibniz University, and articulate in a cover letter, what your research interest is. 

Here’s his link:

https://www.genetik.uni-hannover.de/reinard.html?&no_cache=1&L=1."

This e-mail was sent by one of the co-op advisors at Northeastern and for some reason, right when I saw it, I said to myself: “Co-op in Germany…that sounds pretty amazing.” And so I did my research and sent the cover letter and resume. A couple weeks later I received an e-mail saying they would look for a lab for me to work in and that if I wanted to come to Germany to do my first co-op, I could. I was so excited about the fact that this was even possible. However, many “buts” came to mind when I thought of living abroad. It is normal to be scared at first, but for all of you out there who need one last push to do it, I made a list of 8 reasons why you should do an international co-op/study abroad.

Source: https://www.studentuniverse.com/travel-guides/study-abroad/10-reasons-why-you-should-study-abroad

1.   Explore the world

One of the main reasons I have always wanted to live abroad was because of the opportunity of exploring and interacting with other cultures. There is so much you can read and study in a normal classroom setting. However, the opportunity of experiencing everything firsthand is incomparable. Immersing yourself in a new culture is an experience that will teach you many things nothing else could. Getting to see other ways of life, listening to other languages and realizing there is so much more waiting to be discovered is what brings a smile to my face every day. Every time I travel to another country I get to see a new way of life and I get to meet new people every day that continue to make my experience as unique as it can be. Learning something new and traveling to new places only makes me want to know more and more.

Source:http://cf.mp-cdn.net/75/9b/47ead1636bc8c8445caf64de78e2-does-the-public-education-system-in-the-united-states-produce-better-scholars-than-other-countries.jpg

2.   Education in other parts of the world

Every education system is somewhat different, but something that I have realized from working abroad (not even studying) is how different the education system in the United States is to that of Germany for example. Another reason you might consider studying abroad is for the chance to experience another education system different from what you have always known. Although I am only doing a co-op abroad, I am taking German classes in Hanover so I have had to do some research about how the system works. You will have the chance to see another side of things you might not be exposed to otherwise.

Having the opportunity to immerse in the education system of another country is something that portrays their culture and traditions. This can certainly help you understand better the people and why they are the way they are. If you study abroad, education is clearly the main reason why you are going to live in another country so choosing the right program for you or the right school is an essential step towards your experience and a very important factor when deciding if you will do it or not.

Source: Pinterest

3.   Getting to know a new culture

This one is pretty self-explanatory. Leaving your home country will expose you to new and fascinating ways of life. You will find other types of food, traditions, customs, social atmospheres and perhaps even a different language. You will have the opportunity of being part of this way of life. Most importantly, by getting to know other cultures you even appreciate your own culture even more. I believe I have learned so much from my culture that seemed “normal” to me before leaving my home country. This is also something you get out of this exposure to a different cultural background.

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4.   Learn a new language

This is one is very dear to me because I love the idea of learning new languages. If there is something my experiences have taught me is that the best way of doing so is by completely diving in and immersing yourself a 110% in the culture. Chances are that if you are going abroad, you are also hoping to learn a foreign language. Many study abroad programs offer formal courses besides just living in the country so you are able to incorporate everything you have learned in the classroom into the experiences of the day-by-day. 

Even when doing an international co-op like I am, I have been exposed to German since day one. In Germany everyone knows a bit of English and enough for you to get by. However, my recommendation is that if you have the opportunity of learning more than you thought you could: do it! I think you should always try to get the most out of every experience and opportunity you have. Although German is a very hard language to learn (especially in such a short amount of time), I have really made it one of my goals to know as much as I can by the end of my co-op. Taking German classes and asking people what this or that means is really my way of going beyond and making the most out of this experience. If you can (and you have the chance) try do to the same! Take advantage of the fact that you are in the actual country where the language is spoken.

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5.   Career Opportunities

I truly believe an experience abroad changes your perspective in many different aspects. Getting to work in another country and being exposed to different environments and customs can be attractive to future employers. It can enhance the value of your degree and can move your future career forward and closer to where you want it to be. It also creates a willingness to learn more and it broadens the horizons because there is more to what you thought you knew. At least, this is what I have experienced from working in Germany. Many people love the host country they work in or study in so much they end up wanting to live there indefinitely.

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6.   Making lifelong friendships

One of the biggest benefits of studying abroad is the opportunity to meet new friends from different backgrounds. While studying abroad, you will attend school and live with students from your host country. However, since I am doing an international co-op the experience for me has been a bit different but equally rewarding. I am very close with the three people I live with and I can honestly say I know I will keep in touch and hopefully see them again after I leave. They are all very special and I think it's a pretty interesting dynamic how a German, a French, a Puerto Rican and an Iranian can all get along and have such a nice relationship despite we all speak different first languages. 

Also, me and the other co-op students are very close at this point as well. None of us knew each other before coming to Hanover, but the fact that we all had to go through the same process was something that brought us together. We always try to do something every week  and bond more.  I know I will also value their friendship as time goes by because the experiences and adventures we have been through are unique. Meeting them has definitely made my experience even better and the fact that I get to see them all when I return to Boston eventually makes me happy. Other people I have met include people from my travels. In one of my previous blog posts I talked about how I met John. John then introduced me to all of his friends who came to visit Hanover and I found myself hanging out with them as well. I have even traveled with them. I also stayed with a Dutch lady in the outskirts of Amsterdam when I booked an Airbnb. Her name was Delano and she was the sweetest. I have met people when I take trains, buses, airplanes or people who have helped me along the way (like Juan Perez); and in some way or another they all have contributed a small part to what my experience abroad has been so far. 

The bonds you create and the people you meet are unforgettable because, together, they all form part of this experience that you will carry with you for the rest of your life.

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7.   Personal Growth

Now, I know this sounds very cliché, but it is true. There is nothing like being on your own in a foreign country. It certainly brings out your independent nature. It helps you explore a new nation and bring out the curiosity that lies within. I believe one of the benefits of living abroad (whether it is for co-op or for studying) is the opportunity to discover yourself while gaining an understanding of a different culture. Being in a new place by yourself can be overwhelming at times (you all have seen it happen to me at first). However, it tests your ability to adapt to diverse situations while being able to problem solve. I can personally say I have learned how to deal with situations better considering everything that has happened along the way and this a very important part of what has been my experience abroad.

8.   The experience of a lifetime

For most students, this time may be the only opportunity they ever get to travel abroad for a long period of time. This is my case. Eventually we will find a job and a career, and the opportunity to study abroad may turn out to be a once in a life time opportunity. Even if we do get to travel later in life, it will never be the same than when you are this young.
I know living abroad can also turn out to be hard economically for many, but when I made the decision to go abroad there were many scholarships and financial aid available to students who really wanted to do it. If you really want to do it, it is possible. It takes organization and planning, but it is definitely worth it.

Take this opportunity to travel the world with no commitments but to work (or study) and learn about new cultures. Living abroad is an experience unlike any other. And these are 8 of so many more reasons I could come up with of why you should do it too!