Reflections

22/07/2010
Oh, how I love Germany! I thoroughly enjoyed the trip and I am so thankful for my decision to apply for a spot. I had completed the application process immediately and did my best to stay updated on the trip details and make myself prepared for the journey, while working my way through my first year of veterinary school. A month has passed since I left Europe and it is nice to be home, but I very much look forward to going back to Germany someday. The great thing about Germany is not the good food or the comfortable weather, but rather the amazing people I encountered on this journey. Everyone had a very upbeat and positive attitude and I believe that is why Dr. Wasser fits in so well, as well as the main reason behind my opinion of the country as a whole. Only one old lady yelled at me during my whole time in Germany, and it was obvious that nobody seemed to like her anyway. A train conductor had given up his personal quarters and bed for me, the veterinarian at the Berlin Zoo had taken the time to give us a personal tour, we were allowed to physically greet elephants at the Cologne Zoo, and a man had shared personal stories regarding the Berlin Wall and his brother’s death. In contrast, I was fined fifty euros on a train in Italy when the ticket stamp machines were broken, and during a quick pass through Austria the man who checks tickets on the train charged us additional fines for not having purchased tickets ahead of time, even though we had never stopped in Austria, so it would have been impossible. In Berlin, Jule had invited me to hangout and meet some of her family and the surgery resident had reviewed equine case rounds in English so we could understand. In Hannover, Simon was an amazing host student and made sure I had everything I could want, another host student gave me a whole spool of thread so I could repair my ripped jeans, while another host student, Johanna, has recently sent me a card for my birthday. Everyone we met in Germany was always nice, helpful, and gave good directions. Olaf the program director assured we were always doing well, even after the trip had ended and we were traveling in Italy.
I remain in contact with the friends I have made and I have developed a great interest in Germany. I cheered for the German soccer team throughout the World Cup and I am planning to continue to learn to speak German. I really enjoy telling my friends about the great experiences I had in Germany and I would love to return there to study someday, such as for a residency. Knowing that I have great friends in Germany to visit, I look forward to returning to Germany the next chance that I get. I have also learned a great deal of techniques and skills that I hope to apply in practice in the future. A greater understanding of the holocaust and the lasting effects on Germans today is another thing I have gained from this whole trip. Germany may have great food and nice weather, but the main reason I am so eager to return is to visit the great people and my great friends!
-Knut
(a blog by Greg Hoyt)