Samantha Martens 鈥�19 Expands Her Horizons While Studying In Germany
Samantha, an English major with minors in communication and music, has spent part of her junior year studying in Germany through the Witt in Wittenberg program. The experience illustrates the value of living and studying in another country.
鈥淪o, you have spent more than three months in Germany now. How is your life so far?鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 been better than I could have ever imagined! Studying abroad in Germany has been one of the absolute best decisions I have ever made. I've taken German, communication, and international studies in school, as well as learning about the monuments, memorials, and museums in Germany. Now, I know a lot more about the German government system.鈥�
鈥淲hat was your best moment?鈥�
鈥淗mm, it鈥檚 hard to pick a best moment, but I really enjoyed visiting Leipzig! I鈥檝e also had some really fun moments in my classes 鈥� we occasionally play games like Taboo or Pictionary in my German class, and that helps to associate words to the memory of playing the game. Even just walking around Lutherstadt Wittenberg is fun because you get to people-watch and admire the colorful buildings and history within the city.鈥�
鈥淲hat about your struggle with living in a foreign country?鈥�
鈥淚 think one of the biggest struggles would definitely be the language barrier. I鈥檝e taken German for a few years now, and there are still moments where my vocabulary falls short, but that鈥檚 unavoidable. The trains can also be a bit difficult, but only when they鈥檙e delayed or cancelled. The train system here is perfect, in theory!鈥�
鈥淲hat did you learn through this experience?鈥�
鈥淪o far, I鈥檝e learned that pretty much everything is a learning experience. It takes practice to get better at a language, or to understand the way the trains work! I鈥檝e also come to realize that it鈥檚 okay when things go wrong! If you mess up a German word, people will correct you so that you know better in the future, or if a train gets cancelled, there will be another train coming somewhere along the line. These setbacks aren鈥檛 ideal, but it鈥檚 a part of becoming comfortable with a new culture and way of life. Nothing is the end of the world, and staying calm can only help your situation. It鈥檚 also okay to ask for help! I don鈥檛 think I could count the number of times that I鈥檝e turned to others for advice or assistance since I鈥檝e been here. Whether it鈥檚 my professors, friends, parents, or a stranger in the train station, someone will be there to point you in the right direction!
鈥淗ow do you think your experience will help you in the future?"
鈥淪tudying abroad will definitely help me in the future, because it has taught me to be more self-reliant about planning and organizing, and it has pushed the limits of my comfort zone. Before I came to Germany, I was terrified to even try to speak German, but now, I know that I have to in order to communicate with others - it might not be perfect, but people will get the gist of what I鈥檓 trying to say or ask. Studying abroad has made me more aware of other cultures and world events, too. I think we can be a little self-involved as Americans, and being able to see other parts of the world has helped me to break myself out of the bubble of the U.S.鈥�
鈥淗ow did you make yourself prepared for this opportunity?"
鈥淚 was in constant contact with people, such as my advisor and campus services staff. However, communication really is key. If I had questions about the application or the trip in general, I could turn to any of these people for a helpful response. I worked with the Office of International Education to make sure that all parts of my application were filled out correctly, and I worked with Career Services to make sure that my resume showcased my strengths and experiences for the internship here in Germany. It鈥檚 hard to prepare yourself for living in another country, but things eventually fall into place as long as you have good resources leading up to the trip! Also, it鈥檚 thanks to all of these different people and offices that I鈥檓 here in Germany at all.鈥�
鈥淒o you have any advice for students who might want to study abroad in the future?鈥�
鈥淵es, I would definitely say, PLEASE study abroad! You won鈥檛 regret any part of it, and it鈥檚 such a once in a lifetime opportunity. After college, the timing for months-long trips to Europe can be difficult, so why not spend a semester abroad while you鈥檙e still in school? It can feel pretty intimidating, but now that I鈥檓 here in Germany, I鈥檓 not worried at all 鈥� the 鈥渟cariest鈥� part of the whole trip was simply leaving America! Personally, I think it鈥檚 too hard to pass up the chance to improve your language abilities, the chance to see bits and pieces of multiple European countries, or the chance to stretch your personal limits. Everything will still be there in the U.S. after these 3.5 months, and there鈥檚 no reason to be afraid to study abroad. Take advantage of the opportunity!鈥�
Compiled By: Mizuho Harada '18