Ready For Take Off- Johnie Lynn Freiwald

May 11, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

Lassen Sie uns!

As we sit in the airport I am writing this pre trip blog post… of course it’s last minute everything I do is last minute! Though we are still in Pittsburgh this journey has already begun. We have got our boarding passes, checked our bags, went through security and now are awaiting departure. It is so exciting and difficult to sit here when Germany awaits us!

I am excited for this trip on so many levels. As a Junior Broadcasting Major at Point Park University I dream of traveling the world making documentaries and interviewing all kinds of interesting people. This is my first trip to Europe and will open my eyes to a different culture and way of media production.

On a more personal level I am excited to go to on this trip because my fathers side of the family is from Germany. I will greatly enjoy seeing where my family came from and the culture that they grew up in.

Now that the challenge of packing, getting to the airport and the security check have all successfully been completed we are ready for the fun part of the adventure to begin and off to Germany we go!

Filed Under: Blogs, Johnie Freiwald ·

Sara’s Bio

May 11, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

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

 

Filed Under: Blogs, Sara Tallerico ·

Preparing for the trip to Germany

May 11, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

553210_10151613506519575_26750314_nMy name is Andrea Karsesnick. I’m from 7 miles south of Pittsburgh, from Scott Township. I’m going to be a junior at Point Park in the fall. I’ve been speaking German for six years now and I can’t wait to use my language skills abroad! The reason I signed up for this class is not only because of my obvious love for Germany, but because I want to learn more about advertising and public relations in Germany. I would love to work for a German PR company if I ever get the chance.

This is my second time in Germany. I first traveled to Germany with three other German students from my high school  in the Summer of 2010. We stayed in Germany for ten days. In those ten days we visited: Berlin, Potsdam, Weimar, Erfurt, Eisenach, Rothenburg and Munich. I also had the chance to visit Dachau, the same concentration camp that we’re visiting this month while in Munich. The first time I was in Germany I made a lot of mistakes. One of them was not realizing that I had to pay to use the restrooms. I got glares from bathroom attendants. My debit card did not work at ATMs in Germany. Hopefully that is different this time. I learned that I was lactose intolerant on my first German trip and because of that I missed out on a lot because I became very sick. This time I hope I can do Germany right and not get sick or make cultural mistakes.
I just finished packing last night. I’m really excited about some of the things I’m bringing with me to Germany. I am actually fortunate enough to be able to bring a German cellphone! IMG_1531My sister did study abroad in Germany this semester so she is giving me her German phone to take with me. This means that I will have cellphone service with no international charges in Germany. The cell phone is a smart phone with a data plan, which I do not have to pay for because my sister already took care of that. This will make communicating with loved ones back in the states so much easier because I will not have to search for free wifi, which I heard is hard to find in Germany. I will also have a map on my German cellphone, so I do not have to worry about having trouble finding public transportation or getting lost. Having a German cellphone is going to help me out a lot and keep me safe. If I do get lost, I can always use the phone to call the hotel. In addition to my German phone, my sister also gave me a really cool charger. It’s from Germany and it can charge up to four items and it uses a regular USB port. All I need are dongles. My sister also lent me her German straightener and curling iron, so I don’t have to worry about dealing with a converter/adapter or my appliances sparking or blowing out. I got a lot of my sister’s left over Euros. My other sisters boyfriend also gave me all of his left over Euros from his time in Italy.

I’m very fortunate to have people close to me who have recently gone abroad. I’m really excited to have a phone in Germany though. That has to be the best part about preparing for my trip! I’m very excited about Germany and I can’t wait to blog about my experience. Now I just have to get on a plane, which is a big thing for me. I’m absolutely terrified of flying.

That’s all for now!
-Andrea

Filed Under: Andrea Karsesnick, Blogs ·

A post about Carson

May 11, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

Wanderlust is a strong desire for or impulse to wander or to travel and explore the world…according to Pinterest. This semester of International Media is taking us to Berlin and Munich. I can’t express how excited I am to be exploring a part of Europe for the first time. And thanks to Google Earth I have been attempting to get a glimpse of the landscape and country we will be going to tomorrow. Since finals have been over, I had to travel back to my hometown some six hours away from Pittsburgh to get my final preparations ready for tomorrow.  I can’t be believe in less than 24 hours I will be at the airport ready to leave the country.

The semester had taught me much about how the media works in Germany. I will now get to see how it happens in real life with the opportunity to ask questions and to learn more. Each country has something unique and interesting to offer and I only hope that I become a better and smarter person for it.

One of the events I’m excited for is the day in Austria.  I’m curious to see the similarities and differences between Germany and Austria and secretly I’m excited to use the train to get there! I think I’m just excited to walk down a street in Berlin or Munich to be honest: to see the streets filled with people and shops.

The past few days have been hectic with shopping, organizing, or just making sure I have everything. I’ve already had three nightmares where I lost my passport, my luggage was to big and couldn’t go, and I missed the flight. Right now I’m assuming that once I get to the airport my worries will be over, but right now I’m double checking everything to make sure nothing goes amiss before tomorrow.

So here’s to wanderlust and the promise of adventure!

Carson

Filed Under: Blogs, Carson Allwes ·

It’s finally time to go!

May 10, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

After all the planning, all the classes, all the preparation, and for me, all the correcting of papers, it’s time to travel to Germany.

This is the sixth trip for students in the School of Communication. We’ve been to London, Ireland, Toronto, Prague and Italy. The Ireland and Italy trips featured visits to a number of cities, and we’re doing the same this year, stopping in Berlin and Munich and a quick trip to Salzburg.

Why travel? It makes history come alive, for one, and it broadens students’ (and this faculty member’s) world knowledge. I’ve enjoyed every single trip and the company of my students and fellow faculty. Germany has been at or near the top of my travel bucket list for years. We’ve had great previews through visitors to our classes, the students’ research and a tour of Pittsburgh’s German neighborhood, Troy Hill, led by the wonderful Helen Sobehart, this spring term. Plus the  trip to Teutonia Mannerchor, a vibrant and longtime German society on Pittsburgh’s North Side, gave us a great preview of German food and culture. We want to go back for Oktoberfest there to tell them our stories.

And we hope to tell our trip’s stories through these blogs and the stories on our website. Kudos to our 11 students making the trip and my two fellow faculty members, David Fabilli and Aimee-Marie Dorsten, for coming along. I love to travel and and passionate about ensuring our students have that chance, too.  Watch for our work … and for any Point Park students reading these blogs out there, think about joining us next year!

Auf wiedersehen, Pittsburgh!

Filed Under: Blogs, Helen Fallon ·

A Bit About Katie

May 8, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

 

me

In three days we will be in Germany!  That is pretty hard to believe since I am currently laying on my back porch tanning, I haven’t started the balk of my packing, and I still have another day to work.  But, none of that matters because I am almost Germany bound.  I am beyond excited to take this trip and to explore Germany.

I came to Point Park expecting a wealth of opportunity since it is located in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh.  Little did I know I would get to talk a class that includes a trip to Germany!  I am (or going to be this next semester) a Junior Advertising and Public Relations major.

I have always loved traveling.  The first time I went to Europe I knew I wanted to go back the first opportunity I received.  I love exploring new things, meeting new people, and learning about a culture that is different to us.  This trip is going to be so full of adventure and learning experiences that we will all remember for a life time.

I am beyond excited to see the castle that we are going to.  I have been looking up pictures online and it just looks enchanting.  Going to a place like that will make me believe that fairy tales to exist.  I am also excited to go to Salzburg for our day trip.  It will be neat to explore another city in a totally different country.  All in all, I am just really excited for the whole entire trip (minus the coming home part).

 

Happy packing!

xoxo katie

Filed Under: Blogs, Katie Pflug ·

What to know about Marina

May 8, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
Neuschwanstein castle

Neuschwanstein castle on a foggy day

This trip has been a long time coming.

Growing up in the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania, I’m itching to explore the world outside of camping, elk-watching, kayaking and hiking.

It’s time for some culture.

Coming to Point Park University in downton Pittsburgh for journalism and multimedia was my first step. I will graduate next spring.

Now I can spread my wings, not only outside of my city, but also outside of the U.S.A. Shout out to the John E. Fallon Jr. travel fund for making it happen.

Germany is a great choice because – as many of us are – I am a little German. My dad is all about it. He has been researching late into the night places we can see if we have time and showering me with stories about sneaking into castles without a tour guide when he was a lad studying abroad those many, many years ago.

 

I have to admit, I am ecstatic to visit Neuschwanstein castle. Not only because I am already a fairytale/fantasy buff to begin with, but because I just think it’s down right fascinating. But I don’t think there will be any sneaking around for me.

But I’m also pumped to put my research into action when we visit all of these media organizations. I’ve been reading up on some of the places we are going, and I am pretty impressed. I know I am going to come out of this a cultured individual and confident journalist.

I still have to take a trip to the St. Marys pit stop (Walmart) and plan out everything I am going to wear each day – because I am a meticulous list maker – and if I don’t, I will end up bringing way more than the 50 lb limit. (I still have no idea how I am going to make that!) Who knows if the bugs bite in Germany? Maybe I will need that bug spray!

We aren’t traveling as much as the Italy trip last year, but I think that’s OK, because there might be more time to take-in everything that there is to see around us. And it’s a lot. Berlin and Munich are fabulous places to be, especially as a young person.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I am going to make these two weeks last forever by making marvelous memories.

Filed Under: Blogs, Marina Weis · Tagged: , , ,

Alexa’s Bio

May 8, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

IMG_1229Hello, dear readers!

My name is Alexa Blanchard and I am a rising junior at Point Park University where I major in multimedia and minor in marketing. I am so excited to blog about our once in a lifetime trip to Germany!

It’s hard to believe that in a few short days we will be boarding our plane at the Pittsburgh International Airport and headed overseas. I came from college a few days ago and between working, unpacking, and a collection of other responsibilities, I’ve hardly had time to relax. I can’t wait to get to Germany take a break from life for a while, even though we will still be plenty busy with our dizzying amount of media and cultural visits.

What am I excited the most about? I feel like there’s too much to list: tours of Berlin and Munich, a side trip to Dachau Concentration Camp (honestly I’m just going to cry the whole time), visiting Neuschwanstein Castle, taking in the nightlife, sampling the food, and exploring the country, just to name a few. I’m hoping to make it to a sports bar or two – who knows, maybe they’ll even be nice enough to put the Pens game on for me. It’s not like I can take a break from the playoffs.

That being said, I still have to pack, get some money changed, and just take care of business overall. I can’t wait to head back to Pittsburgh on Friday. Then on Saturday I’ll be ready to brave the Port Authority buses and hope they get me to the airport on time. Here’s to strategic planning!

Bis demnächst – until next time,

Alexa

Filed Under: Alexa Blanchard, Blogs · Tagged: , , , ,
« Previous Page