Introduction

Hello! My name is Anna and I am going into my junior year at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. This year I will be studying abroad in Tübingen, Germany. As a German major, I have been planning on studying abroad in Germany ever since I first decided my course of study; the only question was which city to study in. I chose Tübingen particularly because of its historic importance and beauty. I like that it is a small city so I can get to know it really well. I also think that as a smaller city there will be fewer Americans, so I can really immerse myself in German culture and language.

As an American, I have encountered many stereotypes relating to Germans and Germany, especially those relating to Germans being very organized and efficient. I am not certain how much that will be true, but if such stereotypes are true, I will not mind as I am usually a fairly organized person. Other preconceived notions I have about Germany and Europe in general are that people are more environmentally conscious (recycle more, etc.) and that people dress nicer than Americans do on a day to day basis. Due to these notions I will make an effort to be aware of any recycling customs and I will also make an effort to dress nicely. I will also try to be very aware of any cultural norms that might not be as obvious at first.

Another aspect of my abroad experience that I am very much looking forward to experiencing is the academic program. I am extremely excited to be taking courses primarily in German. I expect that these courses will be challenging, yet not unmanageable for me. From what I understand about schooling in Germany, I anticipate that these courses will require me to do a lot more independent work and I am prepared to put in the work.

I am very excited to be living abroad for a year. I am somewhat nervous as I have never done anything like this, for this long before. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at UMass Amherst so far, so I am anticipating that I will miss seeing my friends for a year, but the excitement and anticipation I feel about spending a year abroad overshadows those feelings entirely.

The political situation in the United States is in a very interesting state to be leaving behind. At a time when white nationalism and racism seem to be at an all time high, it will be interesting to be in a country that has encountered those issues before. I’m anticipating that I will need to have conversations with Germans where I explain that not all in America share those viewpoints and that not all of us own guns, etc. As political tensions rise in America, I will find it interesting to be able to thoroughly understand an outside perspective and understand how America is perceived globally.

I think my year abroad will be very rewarding overall. I look forward to fully immersing myself into German culture and learning to understand it and what’s going on in my own country in a new light.