Berlin, Emotions, and Finding Myself

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By: Elizabeth Prieto

Studying Abroad is a daunting task. At times, it can be extremely lonely and overwhelming. But luckily, 黑料网911is an exceptional program that has the utmost care for its students. During an orientation day, which is perhaps the most difficult part of the study abroad experience, one of the wonderful 黑料网911staff members shared a quote from a former mayor of the city where I was. 鈥淏erlin ist arm, aber sexy,鈥 translating to: 鈥淏erlin is poor, but sexy.鈥 That quote really spoke to me, and I started to see how it could apply to myself. Sure, I was a little emotionally all over the place, but I could still have fun and feel great about myself). 

As I filled my days with vintage shopping, learning to cook a few German staples, and taking yoga and Zumba classes, I slowly began to not just experience Berlin, but immerse myself in it. And that's the core of what studying abroad is. Sure, it makes for some amazing stories and cute pictures, but it also provides the opportunity to discover who you are in a completely different setting, allowing you to know yourself better. Though I am only roughly a month and a half in, I am so much gentler with myself than I was before. I鈥檓 embracing all the 鈥渆mbarrassing鈥 parts of myself. 

So my biggest advice to those studying abroad in the future is: be prepared to learn about not just another culture but yourself as well. While that can be scary, it鈥檚 freeing, especially in a place you鈥檝e never been before. Don鈥檛 push down your emotions, marinate in them.

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