T-minus Two Weeks

The start of March is a good time for a brief post seeing as two weeks from today, I will be on a plane to my new 5-month home, Munich. I'm finishing up all the last minute preparations (like applying for an International Driving Permit so I can get behind the wheel on the Autobahn a few times) and making sure I have a semi-developed plan for my arrival. At this point, I'd say my "bag" of emotions are much more than mixed, but nevertheless, time will bring me towards my departure just as well. The last month has raced by and I can only expect the same from my trip abroad, so I'll really focus on enjoying every single second. My final hangouts and goodbyes are just beginning, and my next two weeks will only get busier and more sappy. Tonight I had the pleasure of visiting the Sullivan famfam and had a really relaxing night watching American Idol-- so relaxing that a couple Sam Adams got me yawning up a... storm (I guess). I was happy to see Lisa feeling quite a bit better as well! Anyways, they mentioned that the German girl they will be hosting arrives right after I depart. Isn't that how it always works? Maybe I'll meet her when I visit the Woodstock exchange students during their summer trip to Bavaria. Well, I think I'll cut myself off before I start rambling and say goodnight!

Freimann Student Village

So, after receiving initial (and very limited) information on the Studentenwerk dorms in Munich on February 2nd including an estimated cost of up to 380 euros per month, I was asked if I'd be interested in the offer. In Champaign this price would be very typical, but after sifting through some apartment search results, I came to find that their were apartments for far cheaper. Now, mind you, this was 1.5 months before my departure to Germany, so considering I had received this offer so late after applying for student housing (and even told not to e-mail back asking for details, because they wouldn't have time to respond), I became slightly distressed. My e-mails to various apartment lessors were answered in 1 of 3 ways: 1. No response whatsoever. 2. Sorry, that room is already leased. 3. I'm glad that you responded to my e-mail. I hope we all can create a very friendly living environment and enjoy movie nights together and so forth. Oh, and by the way, I wouldn't mind if any of you use the sauna naked. I love saunas. (Translated from German; edited and shortened for entertainment's sake).

Needless to say, my apartment search produced limited results. Disheartened, I decided to reply back to the student housing offer as my backup. Luckily, I wouldn't be locked in by doing so, because after accepting the offer, the next step was to receive and sign the lease. That was a little worrisome though considering their track record for timely responses (which I still find a bit odd in light of German's stereotypical punctuality). I guess I'm just very used to getting prime treatment by our American universities, seeing as they act more like businesses, and we pay ridiculously frightening amounts of money for such service.

Well... last week I did receive the official offer, and this time they specified which building and the cost. And... the offer immediately won me over!! I was so happy and surprised. 270 euros a month (all utilities provided as part of this price) at the largest dorm facility in Germany, Freimann Student Village, a mere 5 km away from the Technical University of Munich (TUM). I then followed the link to this dorm's webpage and was even more excited to live there!

Above, there is an example of one of the rooms at this dorm, but they do list many different types of rooms and the offer said I wouldn't know exactly what room I'd be staying in until my arrival. It also mentioned my arrival would be April 2nd, which slightly conflicts with my actual arrival date of March 15th. But, my former host-sister and her parents have graciously (or as far as I know) said they would gladly take me back in for a couple weeks. I'm not sure how they are brave enough to do so...

Anyways, here are some insanely awesome highlights of this dorm. Much of Freimann is ran by the students themselves. They have a gym, sports club, sports hall, tennis courts, football pitches, and a sauna (I'm not sure if going naked is promoted here). Not only is it located adjacent to the ENGLISCHER GARTEN, but it also includes Munich's highest beer garden, student-run pubs, an art-cafe, shops that provide the essentials, various restaurants, and the highest cocktail bar in Munich (apparently they have a thing for elevation here). There are common rooms with TVs, party rooms, dark rooms, laundry rooms, tea rooms (many, many rooms), and there's a library. If all that isn't enough, they even have two discos!! I think I'll enjoy it there... just a little. If you read all this and are still content with how much you pay to live on any American campus, then you must have a lot of pocket change...

Englischer Garten (only a small section). And be cautious if you search for more pictures. You may notice some free spirits.

I can't wait to show you guys actual videos/pictures of all this! Only a few weeks left on the countdown.

Tschau!

Willkommen auf meinem Blog!

Greetings! Well, with my countdown to departure reduced to mere weeks, my constant thoughts of preparation have coerced me into finally beginning my blog. As some of you may or may not know, I was officially accepted as a Gilman scholar; so not only is this blog here to keep you updated on my travels and to provide me with an outlet during my time in Munich, it is also a requirement I have promised to meet in order to receive my scholarship. Part of the scholarship application asked me to propose a project, which I will need to complete within 6 months of my return to the States in August. My project will include a YouTube channel and this blog; both offering other students a view of what it's like to study abroad, what one may gain from it, how to survive in a new culture, etc... I also hope to ensure them that studying abroad is very attainable for most students-- not just restricted to those who can afford such travel on their own expense-- especially with the help of scholarships such as the Gilman International Scholarship.

This is an experience that I think everyone should consider, especially with how networked the globe is nowadays. With such a transparent society, we cannot expect to succeed with blinders on. I don't propose that you forget your pride and love for your country/heritage, but I do suggest that you step away from yourselves every now and then and survey the differences/similarities that do exist. You may learn and grow from it more than you suspect. A simple understanding of other cultures can go a long way in promoting a wider peace. New ideas and concepts are also great for influencing positive change.

Personally, I know how much I will miss my family, friends, and again Kelley, but in the grand scheme of things I know how much I will benefit from this experience. I can only hope you all understand such benefits as well, and if not, then hopefully this blog will be a helpful window for creating that understanding. I also think my trip will go a long way in strengthening and maturing my relationships with all of you. Feel free to comment back in whatever way you see fit to this or any of my future posts. I am very open to discussion and also to suggestions of places/things that you think I should see or show you. If you'd like to get in touch with me while in Germany (beginning March 16th), you can search my screen-name JDrawz on Skype to video chat, find me on Facebook, check my Twitter for more brief updates, or if you're more a fan of classic post then I will soon provide you with my German address.

I hope you all enjoy my sharing of the adventures that I will inevitably enjoy, and I'd love to spend some time with you in the coming weeks before I depart! Tschüss!