Realizing there were a ton of things I missed about America, I decided to make a list. But then I also realized that there are a lot of things I love about Germany. So I decided to make a list for those things as well. So here are my lists (I didn’t have time to elaborate on every single point, but you can get the gist). Enjoy!
What the Germans could teach America
Efficient Transit Systems- Every city I travel to around Germany, Switzerland, and France has a highly efficient transit system. Freiburg, a city of 200,000, has the most extensive yet simple tram system that I have ever seen. Of course, it is likely very expensive to create and operate a system like this, but it’s amazing how many people use it. Because of this, there are many fewer cars on the road here, and it’s almost looked down upon to drive. Who needs a car when you can use the local tram, regional train, or an airport (Basel) that is a free 30-minute bus ride away? Because of this, Freiburg is a great walking city as well, with many roads that are designed only for pedestrians. Needless to say, I do not miss the amount of cars and the smell of smoke present in New York City and Boston.
Teenage Maturity- This fact could definitely be attributed to the European drinking ages (16 for beer/wine and 18 for liquor). Nearly every weekend meal is composed of wine, and it’s amazing how responsible people here are when they drink (compared to America). I also noticed that there is seldom a broken beer bottle on the sidewalk, or any sign of trash. The overall perception about drinking heavily is looked down upon, and seen as a much more casual social activity.
What the Americans could teach Germany
Entrepreneurship-This may just be a gut feeling, but I don’t sense a strong environment for innovation here. I think the German educational system is at least partially to blame for this climate. In Germany, a college education is free, or at most 1,000 Euros for annual tuition. Of course, the costs are paid for from taxes so it isn’t perfectly free, but there is a general agreement that all German students go to college. One of my suitemates is studying music, another is studying art, and the last is studying math. I can’t help but think to myself, what do you plan on doing with a degree in music or art? Another issue with the educational system is that since it is so cheap, it is not uncommon for people to be studying in college until they are 30, and getting their Master’s or PhD. This may be good for society, but on the other hand it might be adversely affecting people’s ability to be “work-ready” after going to college for 10 years. In conclusion, there is a certain educational path that is almost always followed by students in Germany. With this system, comes a lack of freethinking and loss of the ability to create a new destiny for oneself (think starting a new company).
Easier Recycling- This suggestion is targeted moreso to Freiburg, rather than Germany as a whole. Freiburg is considered the “Green capital of Germany”, with a huge emphasis on sustainability and a mayor who is actually a member of the Green Party. So what is Freiburg screwing up when it comes to recycling? It’s too complicated! The scariest part of arriving in Freiburg one month ago was seeing a kitchen with four different bins for waste/recycling. These include organic waste (food), plastic, glass, and paper. My first moment of confusion was when I had to throw away a metal can (this problem still hasn’t been solved). Anyways, this could easily be fixed with single-stream recycling. Thanks for listening Freiburg.
More Food Diversity
Country Music- Probably the thing I miss most next to my family.
How to Be Kind to Strangers
Contrary to what this list might perceive, I actually love Germany, and Europe as a whole. On Monday I will be leaving with my classmates to visit the European Central Bank in Frankfurt, and then we will be traveling to Brussels for 3 days to learn about the regional divide that is plaguing that country. After that, we will be traveling to Paris for 3 days (2 of which we have the entire day to roam the city and visit internationally-renowned monuments like the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower). The best part about this program is how our studies link directly to our travels. I now know more about German, Czech, Bulgarian, Belgian, and French political culture and history than I ever imagined. When I finish my studies in Europe, I will have a much more diverse knowledge of the world and how it functions.
Just another ordinary day in the life an IES-European Union student. Amazing.
No comments:
Post a Comment