Zoe S.

It has now been ten months since I and so many others stepped on the plane headed to Germany. As the days pass by in the blink of an eye, I can only think of one German phrase that seems to capture the feeling of it all: Jetzt geht's richtig los.

Of all the places in Germany I’ve visited, I’ve never felt so immediately drawn to a city. As silly as it sounds, I’m certain it was love at first sight. The second my train pulled up to the platform and I stepped out, I just knew. It’s like finding someone you’ve longed for your whole life, where everything is somehow familiar and falls into place. As if Leipzig was made for you and no one else.

Bonn will always have a special place in my heart. Known for its famous Beethoven-Haus and history as the old capital of West Germany, there is so much to see and do. You can spend hours just wandering aimlessly through the cobblestone streets, no destination in mind.

One of the most festive times of the year in Germany is Karneval. The highlight of Karneval, Rosenmontag, is a day filled with dancers, marching bands, and float parades. My host sister were able to go together and take part in the festivities!

Last month, fifty Americans from Experiment traveled to the charming town of Oberwesel for our midyear seminar. Amidst the chaos of fifty American teenagers in one youth hostel, we played a short game of hide-and-seek.

During the Christmas season in Germany, it is a tradition for Christmas markets all around Germany to open for one month. I was able to explore the Christmas market in Münster and try a few traditional German foods!

The three months I’ve spent in Germany have given me all kinds of unexpected circumstances. However, never in my life did I think I would find myself on a full train being squashed to bits by every BVB fan in the entire country.

Last weekend, I spent a rainy day exploring the city of Aachen. It was a dreamlike experience, and it reminded me that no matter how hard it rains, I will always adore exploring, traveling, and learning. A few raindrops are hardly enough to stop me from doing so.

Although this post is a little late, I found looking back on my trip to Köln last month as a good way to encapsulate the gratefulness I feel for the new knowledge and beauty I've experienced so far in my exchange year!

I have now been in Germany for nearly two whole months. Two, exquisite months full of new experiences, friends, and most importantly; snacks. This post contains (in my opinion) a definitive guide to some of the best German snacks!