Wrapping Up an Amazing Trip

The weeks that I spent in Germany were such a wonderful experience. I not only learned about engineering, but I also learned about the German culture. On weekdays we spent a majority of our time in class and doing homework, but on weekends, we were able to travel to many different cities and learn more about Berlin. Throughout my time in Germany, I had so much fun becoming better friends with my peers and exploring new areas of the world. Continue reading “Wrapping Up an Amazing Trip”

Reflections on Germany Trip

All in all, it was a very rewarding experience. Germany is such an awesome place. Berlin itself is such an impressive city. There are so many historical sites that are just so interesting to see and visit. Then there’s also the diversity of cultures in Berlin, which means there are numerous options of cuisines that we can choose (there are several very good Indonesian restaurants too). The public transport system throughout Germany is also very astonishing. The level of efficiency of the public transport puts to shame many systems around the world. Every weekend we also had the opportunity to visit other places in Germany and it is such an awesome experience. I can honestly say that I’ve lost count on how many historic churches, cathedrals, and castles we have visited because we visited so many of them. In conclusion, our Germany trip is definitely something that all Calvin engineering student should consider because it is just that great.

Vielen Dank! Tschüss!

SPIG 2017 is easily the coolest thing that I will have done in my time at Calvin. The program lasted only six weeks but we. did. so. much. So many new experiences and memories made, and yet, much of what was foreign and strange to us at the beginning of the trip is now so dear and familiar that part of me feels as if I am leaving behind a kind of “home away from home” at St. Michael’s Heim and TU Berlin. Continue reading “Vielen Dank! Tschüss!”

Reflections on Germany

Germany was great, to be succinct. To be a little more elaborate, Germany showed me what I appreciate about the United States, but also what was fascinating about Germany and the culture of Germany. Germany was fascinating because of the history that could be found if you just observe your surroundings. I loved the food in Germany, such as döner and the simple German breakfast of brötchen, meats, cheeses, and cucumbers or tomatoes. I appreciated the quiet places in Berlin and around Germany, with their parks being no exception. Seeing first hand the influence of refugees on Germany was extremely interesting and thought provoking.

I also learned a lot about engineering through the statics and dynamics class. I began to see real examples of engineering at work that I could connect to my class. One of the most important things about this trip was getting to know people. I am thankful that I became friends with many of the people on the trip. I am thankful for the blessings that God has given me on this trip. Thanks to the Professors and all who made this trip so great.

“Hey how was Germany?”

If I had to sum up everything that I learned, did, and saw in Germany in a word, it would be “unreal”. I mean that quite literally too. Whenever I look back on this trip, I find myself asking, “Did that really happen? Did I really fly for the first time? Did I really travel to a foreign country where I barely spoke the language and live there for six weeks? Did I really coordinate a trip to Denmark and stay with an exchange student from high school? Did I really do all of that on top of a 200 level engineering class?” Continue reading ““Hey how was Germany?””