NF – Lueneburg – Post 1

Hey I’m Natalie, and I’m studying abroad in Germany this semester. I chose Germany because my ultimate goal for this study abroad is to learn German. I’m doing an affiliate study abroad through University Studies Abroad Consortium. Since I knew where I wanted to go it was a matter of finding the most affordable program which a quick advisor meeting with the study abroad office was able to help me out with.

I’m going for the Fall semester which mean that I’ll be missing Saturdays in BDS and all that that entails. And it’s not a light decision for me, I absolutely love football and I’m from Seattle so I’m really excited to see what Kalen DeBoer is going to do with the Tide in his first season after making the move and breaking the hearts of all my hometown friend’s by leaving the University of Washington for Alabama. I probably wouldn’t recommend that people study abroad during the Fall, but for my circumstances it’s the best choice.

My prep for this study abroad is fairly different, I’m sure. I’m already used to not physically seeing my family for an entire semester just because of how far Seattle is from Tuscaloosa. And I’ve done a big culture shock before because again, the South and the West Coast are different beasts. With Germany in particular, I’ve spent an extended amount of time over there the past two summers, so I kinda know what to expect on the exact culture shock such as food differences and clothing to some extent. So, there’s not a tot of mental or emotional prep that I’m doing because I’ve had practice. Generally, I know what I need to do to not get super homesick, or else when I do feel alone and am missing my friends and family, I know how to cope.

As for the physical, “what am I going to pack?” element, I’m not too worried about clothes. Obviously bringing a light version of my standard wardrobe but also intentionally under packing so I can buy things there to fit in a bit more and really immerse into the German culture. There are some things that I just need to have to make me feel safe and that I can turn to when I feel so isolated and to remind myself that I’m not alone. For me that’s my childhood stuffed animal and a Darty Gras sweatshirt. And they’re on polar ends of the spectrum but they remind me of good memories and connect me back to the people who are special to me. Probably some photos – some zaps – and a box or two of emergency Kraft mac and cheese for when I just really need a taste of home ie. crappy processed American food that’s going to kill me, but that I grew up on and have an endless nostalgia for. And I say emergency mac and cheese because I know that I can make other familiar foods that I love and that will remind of home in Germany such as a cheeseburger and an ice-cold coke or a breakfast omelet and orange juice.

Ultimately I believe that the point of study abroad is to experience other cultures and so while I have these crutches that will make me feel safe and at home so to speak, the idea is to not need them. Here’s an analogy: it would be ideal to not have a fire extinguisher taking up valuable cabinet space underneath your sink, but you’re only setting yourself up for failure if you don’t have one. Conversely, you only really need one fire extinguisher, so anything more is a waste of space. And I think that’s the most important headspace to be in while packing for a study abroad: don’t set yourself up for failure, allow yourself what you need but be intentional about it.