Why Germany?

As I began to ponder my reasons for wanting to go to Germany, the list kept getting longer and longer!  As someone who has never left North America, I am very excited for this experience abroad!  Going abroad is something I have always had the desire to do, but have never had the opportunity.  My dad refuses to fly over oceans, so it was never a family vacation option, and being an education major makes it difficult to fit it in here at NCC.  As an aspiring teacher, I am always looking for things to put on my resume that will make me stand out over other prospective teachers.  Studying abroad will certainly show my ability to be flexible and adjust to different situations.  This trip would definitely be something that would help me stand out in that way!  However, I could have chosen to take part in any of the 2014 D-term trips, but I chose Germany.  I have always been curious to learn more about Germany because I am a large part German.  It is also a place that has so much history for how young of a country it is, and I would love to learn more about it.  I have always been interested in World War II and am excited to see some of the places where real events took place.  Additionally, the title of the Germany course, Castles, Cathedrals and Culture, immediately grabbed my attention.  I am continuously infatuated with church architecture.  I think that they are so incredibly beautiful here, and I cannot imagine how taken back I will be to see the cathedrals in Germany!  I am sure that I will never get tired of seeing all of the castles and cathedrals that we will pass in our journeys through Germany!  Another infatuation of mine, is Christmas.  I absolutely love Christmas!  It is by far my favorite time of year!  Knowing that I will not be home for the Christmas preparations with my family makes me a little sad, but the idea of the Christmas markets in Germany makes me get over that really quickly!  I have been looking at pictures of some of the Christmas markets in Germany, and they are just so beautiful!  I cannot wait to see them in person!  One last reason that I am so excited for this trip is that as a teacher, it is expected that we be lifelong learners.  I love to learn, and will continue to engage myself in learning experiences for the rest of my life.  This opportunity is so unique and learning in such a different place is a fantastic experience.  This is something that I will be able to look back upon for the rest of my life and always be glad that I did it.  I cannot wait to embark on this amazing journey!

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 All Saints' Church or Schloßkirche in Wittenberg where Martin Luther posted his 95 theses in 1517.  

Christmas market in Lüneburg.  German's like to celebrate outside, no matter what time of year!