Guest Blog: Clare Michael

My name is Clare Michael, I am from Jenison, Michigan! This is my first time traveling outside of the U.S. and my first time traveling alone. We’re already two weeks in and Ive already made some unforgettable memories.
I started off knowing very little German. I didn’t actually realize how little German I knew until I got here. However, after a week of classes, I was able to order food and have conversations with strangers in German! Conversations with strangers is already nerve-wracking enough when it’s in English, but I really had to step outside my comfort zone to have conversations with people who speak fluent German. Every time I am able to do it without switching to English, I feel so accomplished.

My host family has been the sweetest and most caring with my roommate and I. My host father is a chef, so I’ve been able to try many new foods. I also got the wonderful experience of learning how to cook a popular german dish, Königsberger Klopse. I also got to cook with my host mother. We are going out to a Moroccan restaurant next weekend and I’m crazy excited. I’ve very much enjoyed getting to know them and meeting their family and just talking to them every night. 

I’ve seen so many new sites here and done so many things I never thought I’d do on my own. I thought traveling around the city by myself would be a much more terrifying experience, but exploring different areas of Berlin has given me such a broader view on the world around me. Berlin is beautiful, and I can’t wait to travel and see more of the world in the future.