Today started off extremely early.  We ventured off to ZDF which is Germany’s public television network.  We had the amazing opportunity to sit in on their morning talk show.  First thing that I noticed was how relaxed the environment was.  The anchor walked out in jeans and tennis shoes.  The audience sat in their seats calm and collected.  The anchors were so close to the audience, it really gave it that personalized feeling.  This media visit was definitely my favorite one thus far.

After the morning show was over, we sat down with one of the anchors, Wulf Schmiese.  He was brilliant.  I found it amazing that he took the time out of his day to talk to us about ZDF and his own personal life.  His story was extremely interesting.  He began his career as a journalist and eventually became an anchor for the morning show.  His perspective about journalism was flawless.  He described journalists as know-it-alls.  He stated, “You take one shower and then you are an expert on water.”  I found this very accurate and amusing.

We had a little bit of free time after ZDF.  We explored a chocolate store that left me speechless.  They had small replicas of famous monuments made out of chocolate throughout the store.  After our visit to the chocolate store, we had lunch at a German restaurant.  Our waiter and the food was amazing.

Before we knew it we were on our way to our second media visit of the day: Deutsche Presse-Agentur.  DPA focused mostly on print journalism.  The set up of the office is what struck me most about this headquarter.  All of the computers and work stations were set up in one large, open area.  It was sectored off into different areas.  One corner was for sports editors, one was for business editors, one was for political editors, and so on.  It was a brilliant idea.  It seemed as if this set up worked out tremendously for DPA.  After our tour we spoke with the chief photographer Michael Kappeler.  He was such an intelligent man and had a lot to say about photography.  I throughly enjoyed speaking to him.

After our media visit we went to Reichstag.  Here we were able to experience breathtaking views of Berlin.  It is amazing how large and beautiful this city is.  I am sad that tomorrow is our last full day here.  However, I am very excited and ready to see everything Munich has to offer.

After some much needed sleep, I awoke in a beautiful hotel room in Berlin and ready to start the day. We ate some breakfast courtesy of the hotel, met up with our awesome tour guide and started our day.

We experienced our first German public transportation. It was much better than Pittsburgh to say the least. We made our way to Freie University with Dr. Elfriede Fursich. Freie University is the largest university in Berlin and that was very apparently during our small campus tour. To put it simply, the university was absolutely beautiful. We ate lunch in their cafeteria, which was a bit overwhelming. Students flocked the area, which made it hard to navigate. The signs were all in German so we were not able to understand what anything was. However, we braved through it and figured it out with the help of one another. After lunch we had the opportunity to listen to a lecture by Dr. Elfriede Fursich. She is such an intelligent woman and it was a joy to listen to her. She talked about the media in Germany and how it varies from the United States. I found it very interesting that Germans would rather listen to the radio versus explore the internet. It made me think deeply about how much Americans rely on the internet and social media. It struck me that it is very rare to see a German walking down the street, staring intensely at their cell phone. They just seem much more conversational with one another. They enjoy their time with their family and friends. When they are with someone, they are actually with someone. They do not need their cell phone sitting on the table next to them. I find this very inspiring.

Once the lecture was over, we were able to explore Berlin on our own. A portion of our group went to this tiny, authentic German pub. The tables were very small and narrow and the waiter spoke almost no English. With the help of Andrea, we were able to successfully order our dinner (which was absolutely delicious). After dinner we decided to get a better grip on German public transportation and explore the Brandenburg Gate. Later on, we ventured off to a night club called Tresor. It was so different from clubs in the United States. The Germans have a very interesting way of dancing. We all joined in with them and had a really great time. Our first day in Germany was definitely a success!

I am very proud to say that I have survived my first plane ride and have safely arrived in Berlin. It was a very long, emotionally and physically draining day. However, I am in Germany and am about to experience a once in a lifetime trip so I refuse to allow any of today’s events to bring me down.

It seemed as if we were never going to arrive in Berlin. Our first plane out of Pittsburgh had gotten delayed after being stuck by lightening. The captain assured us it would be okay after he “threw” on some aluminum tape. Me, the paranoid freak that I am, naturally wanted to cry and refuse to ride the plane. I talked myself out of the paranoia and decided I would be okay. After finally boarding our flight and getting settled into our seats, we were ready for take off. I am so surprised as to how well I handled the flight. I was not the least bit scared. However, next time I will remember to bring ear plugs. Screaming babies are no fun to sit next to for 7 hours.

After our connecting flight to Paris took off, we were finally on our way to our final destination: Berlin. We arrived in Berlin, excited and ready to explore. Naturally, we discover that most of our group had lost their luggage. My worst fears had come true. Many people had assured me it would be okay and I tried really hard not to think about it. We had a full and fun evening ahead of us and I could not let lost luggage get in my way of enjoying Berlin.

All of my worries had vanished as soon as we began our bus tour of Berlin. Although short and fairly brief, we were able to see many vital German buildings and monuments from the bus. We also got out for a small amount of time and explored a very interesting Holocaust memorial. We also got to experience our first coffee shop visit. After a little bit of caffeine, I felt awake and ready for our first German dinner.

We ventured off to Sony Center as a group and ate dinner at a German restaurant. I am an extremely picky eater, however, I truly enjoyed the meal we were given. With a full stomach and heavy eyes, we all went back to our hotel (our very, very nice hotel) and fell fast asleep, dreaming of all the things we would be able to do the next day.

Guten tag!

Eek! There are so many emotions running through me currently, I do not even know where to begin.  It baffles me that in 6 short hours, we will be on our way to Germany.

I cannot wait to leave my very small town North of Pittsburgh and travel to a different country and experience a different culture and different customs.  I hate to admit that I have never been on an airplane before.  I may seem calm and collected on the outside, but am having mini panic attacks on the inside.  As a child, I always refused to go anywhere on vacation that required an airplane trip because I was always so afraid of them.  However, I find that it is finally time to let go of all of my fears and grow up!

I am so overwhelmed with excitement for this entire trip.  I am most excited for our trip to Neuschwanstein Castle.  I think my dad is most excited for me to go there as well (he has asked me at least 9 times if we were going to see a castle).  I’ve been researching pictures of it nonstop, so I can’t wait to see it in person.

I’m an upcoming senior at Point Park University studying Advertising and Public Relations.  I can’t wait to visit some German agencies and see how they operate as opposed to agencies here in Pittsburgh.  We’ve had the opportunity already to research various agencies, so it will be really awesome to finally see them in the flesh!

As for now, I’m going to go through my suitcase and carry on at least 4 more times before leaving for the airport.  I am such a freak when it comes to packing, I’m always afraid I’ll forget something (and usually, I do). Let’s hope for the best!

Sara