“The biggest thing I’ve learned from this experience is how much I’ve grown in my confidence and independence. It's hard to point to one specific moment because it happened gradually over the four weeks, but I came home feeling like a different person than when I left. Being in a new country pushed me outside of my comfort zone every day, whether that was navigating the city, exploring places on my own or adapting to new situations,” reflected Kaitlyn Ellis, a psychology and sociology double major who participated in the Global May Germany program.
A four-week program based in Berlin, students examine German citizenship and explore how life in Berlin has changed throughout history. Each week focuses on a different period from the Prussian Empire, World Wars I and II, to the Cold War and finally modern and contemporary Berlin.
“It was important for me to go abroad because I wanted to challenge myself and experience something completely different from my normal routine. I had never spent this much time in another country on my own before, and I wanted the opportunity to immerse myself in another culture while learning about history in the places where it actually happened,” said Ellis.
For a psychology and sociology major like Ellis, going abroad provided her with skills like intercultural communication, adaptability and open-mindedness, all which will be beneficial in any career she decides to pursue.
“As someone who’s hoping to become an adolescent therapist, this experience helped me develop skills that will be valuable in my future career. Living in a different culture encouraged me to be more open-minded and see issues from perspectives that may be different from my own. It also strengthened my confidence, adaptability and ability to connect with people from different backgrounds, all of which are vital when working with others in a therapeutic setting.”
Some of Ellis’ most impactful experiences of the program were visiting museums and historical sites like the Jewish Museum Berlin and a concentration camp, where she continued learning interactively about World Wars I and II as well as the Cold War. However, outside of course curriculum, connecting with classmates and experiencing a new country firsthand was also quite memorable for her.
“Outside of class, my favorite memories were simply spending time with the people in the program. We shared so many dinners, conversations and adventures throughout the four weeks. One moment that stands out was our last night in Berlin when we all sat on the grass outside the cathedral watching the sunset while live music played nearby. It was such a simple moment, but being able to relax and reflect on everything we had experienced together made it one of my favorite memories from the entire program.”