Kelsey Wood: Exploring Germany

Berlin has been a great place to study abroad.  In a big city you have everything you need from culture to food, clubs and music.  Everything is always moving and it seems like everyone is from somewhere else.  English is the unofficial second language of the city, but it's not so prevalent that you won't have to learn a thing or two in German.  You definitely won't be bored in Berlin since there is something happening 24/7.  Yet for such a big place it has a local feel.  For instance it seems like everything is just a 30 minute u-bahn ride away, most stores are closed on Sundays and the streets are lined with family owned stores, cafés and restaurants.  

 

If you plan on studying in Berlin it might be tempting to take off and see other countries - and you certainly will, however we've had the best time by renting a car and seeing what Germany has to offer beyond Berlin. 

 

Bavaria is really cool! With its cobble lane ways, sausage, local beer, tons of castles it's   picturesque with a old world feel.  Equipped with our lonely planet guide, google maps, and snacks, a fellow student and I headed out on the autobahn in our rental car to check it out.  In 3 days we ate Nuremberg sausage, drank Bamberg smoked beer, and marveled at Rothenberg ab de Tauber, which is really more beautiful than a postcard.  

 

The next weekend we are off again this time to the alps and small town Oberstdorf.  What's amazing about Germany is how the accents change.  All the German I learned and used in Berlin failed me however communication is mostly non verbal and pointing goes a long way.  This trip we were able to stop in Munich and have a beer at the famous Hofbräuhaus while check out some museums. 

 

If you are considering studying abroad in Europe, Germany is definitely the place! 

Kelsey is a third year bachelor of Business Administration student studying abroad at SRH Berlin in Germany.