The Bundestag and Berlin

A couple of weeks ago, my host family and I were contacted by my Bundestag representative (the person that represents my region at the German parliament in Berlin), Herr Christian Haase. He was very keen to know more about CBYX and how my year here has been so far. My host family and I were invited, along with some other CBYX students and their host families in the area, to go to Berlin for the day, tour parts of the city, learn about the Bundestag, see the Reichstag building (the building that houses the Bundestag), and meet with Herr Haase. Neither of my host sisters had been to Berlin before, so they were both very excited. I’ve been to Berlin a couple of times, but I was still super happy to be going back.

We all took the train to Berlin on Monday (about a 4-hour trip) and met Herr Haase at the Reichstag building. We were able to talk with him about his job as a Bundestag representative and share with him some of the experiences we’ve had as CBYX students this year. Then he gave us a private tour of the Reichstag, which was really amazing. Of course, we walked up the dome of the Reichstag building, which has beautiful 360° views of Berlin. The dome is made out of glass and sits right above the plenary chamber (where the Bundestag meets and holds debates). The design of the dome signifies a more transparent government (because you can actually see and watch the government from above). It also represents the ideal of people above the government (because the dome allows the public to walk above the government chambers).

We were also able to go to the Brandenburg Gate and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. Even though we didn’t have that much time to see Berlin, it was nice to visit some of the more well-known sights.

After we said our goodbyes to Herr Haase and his wonderful assistants, we took the train back to Höxter. It was a very long day, but it was so much fun to see Berlin and talk with Herr Haase. The Bundestag is extremely interesting and I was happy to learn more about it.