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

also Austria as well. After being informed of all this, suddenly my passion for world history became a passion for my family’s history. Instead of just learning a language for fun, I feel like I have a purpose in learning it and about the country.

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.