It’s funny that I chose to take German as a language. When I
first started last year, I was in it because I loved learning about World War
II, especially what happened in the European Theater. But sometime over winter
break I learned that my great-great grandparents on my father’s side spoke
fluent German because they lived on the Poland-Germany border. My mother’s great
grandparents actually are from Weimar and
Taking this trip next year not only means I will finally get
to see a world outside of this country/culture, but also is going to be a
chance for me to see first-hand many of the things I have only read about or
seen in documentaries about the war. I expect it to be especially moving
because my grandfather was in the US military as navigator on a B-24 plane that
was responsible for bombing many parts of Germany, Poland and Czechoslovakia. Since
Germany still has many buildings it ruins, it will be strange and yet
fascinating and sad to see what is left and know my grandpa was a part of it. His
involvement in the war is a huge reason I developed such a passion for learning
about it.
I’m hoping this trip will teach me more about the everyday effects
of war. How people lived weather was in concentration camps during WWII,
regular life on the street, or on the East Side while the Berlin wall was still
standing. Hopefully I learn a little about traveling as well. My whole life I’ve been bound to road trips around the US to probably three-quarters of the states and
one trip to Canada and have never had the chance to experience a truly foreign
country. As a German student, I especially am excited to be immersed in the
culture and language and have the opportunity to practice my own language
skills and test what I think I know.
It did not take much thought to realize Germany is the best
place for me to go on my first step to becoming a world traveler! I just hope I
can remember everything I learn and can absorb it as much as I can before we
leave.
