Friday, June 12, 2015

Wrapping it up like a Christmas present

Now that I've been back nearly a week, I'm finally rested and free enough to have had time to reflect upon my time in Germany. To sum it up simply, I could not be more thankful for the opportunity that I was granted with this experience.

In the Pitt IE department, it's a requirement for you to study abroad (there are other options, but this is easiest and the most recommended). Last year, I nearly went to Uruguay to fulfill this requirement. I'm glad I put that off so I could travel to Germany. It was a place I always had wanted to travel, and the program sounded most like it would align with my career goals. It definitely lived up to those expectations.

What surpassed my expectations though, was the people I met and the experiences we were given. First of all, I've never met a better staff of people than I did on this trip. The professors were some of the most knowledgeable I've ever had, true experts in their fields. To be able to have them give us tours of the facilities that they'd worked with was even better. The two trip coordinators, Maria and Katharina, were simply amazing. They went above and beyond for us, and truly treated us to a full cultural experience of Munich, Bavaria, and southern Germany. I couldn't have asked for better hosts. Finally, the three students that accompanied us, Andrea, Tanja, and Chris, were also incredible. They were very welcoming of us, and always willing to spend time with us when they could. They made this trip so much fun for all of us, simply because they enjoyed their time with us as much as we did with them.

We also were treated to a full scenic and cultural experience of the region. Several times we traveled to the Alps, which were just breathtaking every time. We climbed in a high ropes course, traveled to the top of mountains, and rode an alpine coaster. We visited two castles. We traveled to the Tegernsee, which led to the best day of the entire trip. We toured a traditional Bavarian brewery, one of the best in Germany. And we visited Dachau, a real moving experience. I'm sure I'm missing something, because we experienced so much, and had so many good days.

All that said, I truly couldn't have asked for a better three weeks. I'm thankful for the time I spent, and I hope to be able to visit again soon. I'd like to thank everyone involved that made this possible, because without you, I'm not sure I could have gone.

Friday, June 5, 2015

What does the future hold?

When I first started this trip, I thought I had a pretty good plan for what I wanted in the future. I love my job now working in quality assurance, and I figured that I'd want to be living near a city (or at least in a suburb) for a long time. After taking a several industrial engineering courses during this trip, and seeing the beautiful countryside of Germany, who knows what the future holds?

I've definitely become a bit more open as far as career choices go. I love my job now, but I definitely have become more open to other industrial engineering type jobs over the course of this trip. I've always loved my major, and some of the lectures and visits we've taken in the past three weeks have reaffirmed that. While I still would prefer a job in QA, I certainly wouldn't mind working in any other type of role.

As far as living goes, I've always considered myself a city kid. But I've spent plenty of time outside the city, and a lot in the country. Taking several trips to the German Alps really made me realize how much I love that kind of land. While I may not live in a setting like that, I could definitely retire in a similar place.

My plans haven't changed completely, but it's definitely reopened my mind to what I may want later in life.

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

We Aren't So Different

I've only got three days left here in Munich, so I've had plenty of time to talk to and get to know some of the local students. From everything I've learned, I've really noticed that at the end of it, we're not so different. There are obviously going to be some differences because of political differences and whatnot, but that was expected. As young adults and college students, however, we are very similar.
You have students that really prioritize their education, like myself, and then you have students who would rather go out late at night and worry about the consequences. This stands true even with German students. As far as weekends are concerned, it's again very similar. There are people who like a relaxing night with their friends, or at a bar where you really just get to hang out and have a good time. Then there are the people who want to go out to dance clubs until the very late hours of the night. I've met both kinds of people in Munich, and I've found myself getting along more with the former.

The same goes for outdoor activities. We've spent a few days in the English Garden, and you see the same kind of split from young people. There are the ones playing various sports (mostly soccer, frisbee, and volleyball), and then there are the ones who just like to relax in the sun, maybe laying out to get a tan, or listening to music with their friends. Even among us, it was the same. Some of us were being active and playing sports, while others just soaked up the sun. At the base, we're really just the same people who enjoy the same kinds of activities. Sure, our political ideals and life paths may differ, but as people, I think we're all very similar.

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Cultural Norms

When it comes to Munich versus Pittsburgh, there are a lot of differences, but also quite a few similarities. However, the biggest cultural difference that I've noticed is one thing: beer. In both cities, it's readily available at most places. There are plenty of local breweries, each offering their own take on classic beer styles. That's about where the similarities end.

In Pittsburgh, you'll find beer in most restaurants and bars, and at select distributors. There's a wide range of breweries, and an even wider range of beer types. In Munich, you find beer everywhere. Any restaurant, grocery store, or convenience store carries beer. You'll find a wide range of breweries, but in only a few traditional styles.

In Munich, beer is just a part of the Bavarian culture. It's not abnormal to see a group of people enjoying a beer walking down the street or with their meal in between classes or during work. Here, it's a staple of their diet. If you were to do something like that in Pittsburgh, it would be seriously frowned upon, and maybe even illegal.

With all of that being said, I don't know which I like more. Sure, it's great to be able to enjoy a beer at any point of the day and relax. However, I miss the American beer style and beer culture. I don't miss the restrictions though. We'll see how I feel when I get back to Pittsburgh.