Erika Dvorak

Erika put her German minor to work and discovered a new side of Germany during her summer abroad. 

Home University: Hope College

Study Abroad Program: Freie Universitat Berlin's Summer Program

Major: Psychology

Why did you choose to study abroad in Germany?

Well, I am a German minor, so it made the most sense. Living in Germany gave me ample time to apply everything I have learned over the past 6 years I have been studying the language.

Did anything about Germany surprise you/was it different than you expected?

I had been to Germany twice before, so I basically knew what to expect as far as culutre. However, this time, I was living in a big city in the north (Berlin) rather than a smal village in the south. Living in a city gave rise to many different experiences than a small village. I surprised myself more than the country surprised me, for I was able to go into places and have full conversations with store clerks or waiters without missing a beat.

How do you think study abroad will help you in your future?

Studying abroad definitely helped me have a better appreciation for others, not specifically foreigners. Spending time in a different country meant I had to learn a new subway/bus system, learn where to go on the weekends, where the best places to eat were, and simply how to go with the flow. Germans are very relaxed when it comes to time, which is very different than Americans, though this doesn't mean they aren't on time for things. However, they simply are slightly more relaxed and do not get so stressed about small things. They have 'sitzenbleiben', or rather, they can just sit and be with others without the need for going to be elsewhere...that is something I definitely miss about being there. Also, it helped me to realize my comfort zone wasn't as small as I thought. I tried so many new things while studying abroad that I now have a much larger comfort zone. I wanted to gain the most while I was over there, and that wasn't going to happen if I stayed cooped up away from new things all the time!

What advice do you have for a student thinking about studying abroad in Germany?

Stop thinking about it and GO! It was definitely an experience I look back on all the time. The people I met, classes I took, and places I traveled to were all a fantastic experience. I am approaching the day where I'll say "One year ago today I left on a plane for the best semester of my life!" and I really wish I could go back to those months. Spending an extended time in Germany, or any where abroad, helps you appreciate what you have and what else there is out there in the world. Choosing to be in Germany was one of the best decisions of my college career.

What was your favorite part of the summer program in Berlin?

It's hard to pick just one thing, but I would have to say simply being in the city during the summer months. When classess were done in the afternoon, a group of us would often just pick an S-Bahn stop to get off at, and we would wander around that area. It was awesome seeing all the different areas of the city...Berlin is quite large! I also loved the city feeling in Berlin. It's different than being in Chicago or Atlanta or something like that, because Berlin is much more rich with life. Everything is old and there is history scattered everywhere. As I walked around the city, it all seemed much more 'liveable' as well. Everythign wasn't as cramped and cluttered as American cities, but rather more open and lively. When applying, I had the option to choose a homestay or live in student appartments, and I chose to do a homestay. I believe this is also a reason why I loved being in Berlin. I lived in Zehlendorf, about 25 minutes from the city center, so it was able to get away from the city each night as well. Living with a family also helped me learn more about day-to-day family life in Germany. My host family was wonderful and were always very helpful! I reminisce about studying in Berlin all the time, and I'm sure you will too if you make the decision to go!