When I was boarding the plane that would take me to
Germany for 6 months, I was so excited. I was excited to finally know exactly
what studying abroad was all about. I had been told by many people that
overall, studying abroad was a positive experience, but that I had to “learn to
appreciate the little bumps along the way.” Each time someone uttered a phrase
similar to that, whether in conversation with me personally, or in front of a
group of to-be exchange students at UNCG, they seemed to be recalling memories
that weren’t so great. They would usually laugh this off and focus on a more
positive aspect of their experience. Remembering that I needed to “take stride
in the little mistakes,” I began the task of becoming settled in Mannheim,
Germany.
The best way I can summarize my study abroad
experience so far is that it has been nothing but a rollercoaster. That may sound
like a negative thing, but it isn’t necessarily negative. There have definitely
been some growing pains associated with living in a different country and
learning to be a member of another culture. However, the experiences have been
so important for my cultural awareness, but more so for my independence as an
adult.
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| Schloss |
My first few weeks in Mannheim were, as this whole
trip has been, a rollercoaster. I met so many awesome people, and took part in
many excursions that were offered through the winter academy I was attending.
The excursions were fantastic. I saw so many places that I probably would have
never bothered to travel to by myself. That being said, it’s a great thing I
had those excursions to distract me, because I had many problems to deal with
concerning registration with the city and country, enrollment in the
university, and registering for classes.
While dealing with a mountain of issues from the
university, banking, and housing, and other sources, I still managed to get to
know the city and be social. Mannheim is definitely not what anyone would
picture when they think of Germany. It has been destroyed several times
throughout history, most recently during WWII. Due to this, Mannheim has little
of the quaint and cute stereotypical European architecture that one might
expect to see anywhere in Europe, but that is not a problem. A perk to living
in Mannheim is that it is sort-of almost in the middle of Germany. I have been
to a handful of major German cities, along with many other quaint, old-style
German towns because of the position of Mannheim within Germany.
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| From Schloss |
Another perk to studying abroad in Germany is its
central location in Europe. I have been here for 2.5 months, and I have visited
France, Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia. Since Germany is central, you never
have to go too far. As far as
Mannheim goes, it’s an okay place to be. It is average. It’s kind of dirty, but
it strangely has a unique industrial charm. While sometimes I think about how
different everything would be had I chosen another location, I do not regret
choosing to study abroad in Mannheim.
While most other people made their post specifically
about their city, I wanted mine to be more about what people can expect while
studying abroad. Culture shock is definitely real. I thought it wouldn’t be
that bad. I thought that because I was merely aware that there would be vast
cultural differences, it meant I would not really experience culture shock. I
was very wrong. For the first week, I questioned my decision to study abroad at
all. I really wanted to come home. I felt I had made a mistake, and knowing
that I had months ahead to go before I could return home only made my outlook worse.
I had trouble with buying groceries, public transportation, and finding my way
around the city. I was very uncomfortable. Every person I have spoken to about
their first few weeks here has told me a similar story. Many people told me
about frantic, teary-eyed calls to their parents, expressing regret and asking
if they should just come home the next day. However, these people, myself
included, decided to stay and try to make the best of things. So far, though it
has been very bumpy, things have worked out. I have traveled to places I have
always dreamed of going. I have met very unique and interesting people. I have
experienced much more culture than I have experienced in my entire life in the
United States. This experience has turned out to be one of the most important
experiences I have ever had, and it is only about halfway over.
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| Apartment Mural |
With all that being said, I just want to encourage
anyone who is thinking of studying abroad in Mannheim, or anywhere. There will
be many things you have to deal with, problem or not. There will be a lot of
paperwork, and appointments, and apathetic student help, or worse, apathetic
university staff. There will be a lot of obstacles in your way of having the
best study abroad experience that you can. All of these things will fall on
your shoulders, and yours alone. Though that sounds frightening, I am not
trying to deter anyone from studying abroad. I just wish I had been told about
some of the problems I was going to experience, rather than mostly all of the
fun that I would have. I have had a lot of fun while here. However, there have
also been a lot of problems that I was not aware I would have to deal with. But
that is the way it goes. Dealing with these problems while abroad has made me
so much more independent than I was in the United States. I thought I was
independent before coming here. I had a car, a job, my own money, and I managed
my own finances. Being abroad and experiencing having to accomplish important
tasks, often with little or no help or advice, has made me grow so much as a
person. As uncomfortable as I was sometimes, it has been the most valuable
experience I have had so far in my time here.
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| View of Rothenburg |
Knowing that I can accomplish this actually makes me
feel like I can accomplish anything back home. Studying abroad has made me feel
much more like a capable adult. I can’t wait to see what is in store for the
rest of my time in Germany. To anyone thinking about studying abroad,
definitely do it. It will change your life in positive ways that you won’t
imagine.
Brandon Taylor
University of Mannheim
Mannheim, Germany
