Post 1: Germany Bound

When I applied to be a part of the College Scholars program at North Central, I was told that before I graduated I would be required to study abroad in some capacity. I was excited by this, because I had wanted to study abroad for as long as I can remember. So when I finally saved enough pennies to afford a D-Term trip, I was ecstatic. For three weeks I could be in another world, surrounded by new people and exciting adventures. But I wasn't quite sure where to go.

For a while I had planned on travelling to Morocco—I wanted to go somewhere unusual, to learn about a culture that was completely unlike my own. Two of my friends, however, wanted to go to Germany, so when the D-Term information day rolled in I said I’d go with just to hear what Dr. Wolf had to say.

Coming from a background in classical music, I had learned a lot about Germany. Many of my most favorite composers, ranging from Bach to Schubert to Hindemith to Stockhausen, had called Germany their home. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that this country, whose language I was about to study for my graduate studies, was one I knew almost nothing about.

At this point I decided to do a little research. The title of the course, “Germany through Castles and Cathedrals,” excited me—as the daughter of an architectural enthusiast, I had been looking for beautiful buildings my entire life. This trip, I thought, would be a great chance to see places older than the United States, something I've only ever been able to ogle from magazines and photography books.

But more importantly, if we’re being honest, is the food. I’m a total foodie, and I try to have as many culinary experiences as I can. Germany, the home of hearty meats and finely crafted beers, will be quite a departure from my Italian home kitchen, but one that I can’t wait to experience. I expect to bring my looser clothing for this trip…I’m more than ready to eat my way through our three-week adventure.

There are so many other things I want to see in Germany, but I want to prioritize anything involving music. I’m a classical musician, so naturally I’d love to see an orchestra or some sort of other classical event.

I’d especially like to visit the Konzerthaus Berlin, one of Berlin’s oldest and most famous concert halls (pictured). The Konzerthaus was once a theatre, but was converted into its current state after World War II. The acoustics in historic halls such as this is almost always phenomenal, since it was built long before microphones were an option; any orchestra housed in such a place would sound fantastic. Hopefully I can afford the tickets!

But I’m also interested in a lot of other musical styles, and I’d be most interested in hearing whatever is being created in Germany right now. I am sure that along the way we’ll run into some electronic, jazz, and dance music, as Germany (especially Berlin and Dresden) are known for their music scenes.

SO36 (pictured) is one such place. One of the many punk and alternative clubs remaining from the 1970s, SO36 (named for its postal code) is a hotspot for local and visiting bands in the punk, alternative, and indie genres. Perhaps a few of us will be able to make the trek to this part of Berlin.

From music to food to architecture, there is so much I want to explore in Germany. I can hardly wait for December to come! 

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