Coming Home
This might be the hardest question yet. I’m not sure that I can choose from three and a half months of amazing experiences in Germany to pick just one memory as being the one that stands out. I can remember my first overwhelming and last moments in Köln and each of the new experiences in between. Each of the memories I have are so different; I have memories of my trips throughout Germany and into other parts of Europe, the time spent with my host family, and my explorations of Köln and the German culture.
I definitely think that study abroad programs are beneficial. Not only did I learn a lot academically, but I also learned so much about myself, my culture, and other cultures. I have had experiences that I never could have had at Allegheny, or even in the US. Having studied abroad, I now have a much broader world view and a clearer understanding of the world around me. This past semester was a challenge and a test for me, and now that it is done, I realize what a great learning experience it was.