... And Eternity in a Grain of Sand

As of recently, I get this uncomfortable feeling that somehow, I wasted too much of my year in Regensburg. I don't mean that it was a waste to go. Rather, that I had this fantastic opportunity, and though I certainly utilized it, I did not come close to doing even more than that and expanding my world just that much more. I could have traveled more. I could have spent more time knowing even more people who would bring me just that many more new perspectives. There is enlightenment and inspiration and beauty that I missed, and I don't know why or what would have happened. There was just more there that, while one will never get everything, I missed out on too much simply because I didn't try hard enough to get it. I could have had more. I'm not greedy, but it's a confusing and uncertain feeling that I may have pathetically wasted more than I ever should have.

Well, maybe all this comes out of spending only a year there (or 11 months). It really is a very short time, once you come out of it. Those of you considering study abroad, as I have always said... Don't ever give up a full year for a half-year if you have any choice. There is only always more gain than loss.

Der Schraubenzieher

If you're going abroad, one item that I recommend, which you might or might not think of, is a (flathead) screwdriver. At some point in your year or semester abroad, you will very likely think, "A screwdriver would be really handy right now." I know that I have.

It screws or unscrews things, it pries things open, it pries things off, the blunt end can be used to mash something in, and the pointy end can be used to stab offenders in unkind places. Please do not use your screwdriver to vandalize public property or stab non-offenders in unkind places.

Full-Year, Half-Year and Summer Programs

While we were visiting Buchenwald a few weeks ago, I was talking to one of the professors/directors from another exchange program from Murray State University. Murray and Vanderbilt used to have some sort of partnership with their Regensburg programs. He's been working with the Murray program for ages now, and he was telling me how there used to be tons more full-year students from Vanderbilt -- whereas now, there has only been ONE full-year student per year for the past 4+ years.

What it boils down to is that the one-semester program is the death of the full-year program, as he put it so well. Vanderbilt also has a Maymester in Germany (Berlin) program.... which, in turn, murders the one-semester program, and all but obliterates the full-year program.

What I just want to say is that if you are truly serious about stepping into the wider world and opening your eyes and experiencing what wonder earth's people and cultures really are, then you had better have a VERY good reason not to study abroad for a full year.

I know and have always heard of people being apprehensive about studying abroad for "so long." You're afraid you'll miss the right home university courses. You're afraid you'll miss the social scene. You're afraid you'll miss friends too much. You don't want to be so far from your family for that long. You have no money. You are afraid that you need home, and you cannot part from it.

So here's what I think of that:

University courses -- SCREW THAT! Okay, I do know how heavily some of you sacrifice your life, health and sanity for place emphasis on your classes and grades. That's fine, and indeed, some of you are pursuing insane reputable careers that require much of you. However, if know that you can study abroad and are going to, do the full year!

Social scene -- Give me a break... What your year would be if you stayed at home so you didn't miss all the frat parties is nothing compared to the year you'll have abroad. Plus, other countries have tons of parties, believe me ;) .

Your friends and family -- If they love you, they will get over it. If you love them, you will get over it, too. Plus, in this modern age, there is Skype and cheaper phone cards and e-mail and everything. Staying in touch is virtually... not a problem at all.

(Your boy/girlfried) -- See above. If it's real, things will work out. Really, they will. If it doesn't work out, it wasn't meant to.

Money -- All I can say is that you have to work for it. I realize that this is often the biggest factor holding a lot of people back. But I am a strong believer of, If there's a Will, there's a Way. Nobody can stop you. I know you might be skeptical, but it is really true and I mean it. Also, in the end, I will guarantee that your full year will be worth it. Every little bit.

I don't even find my one year enough. (If you made me stay two years, I'd do it in a heartbeat!) There is always a way. You'll also be surprised how quickly one year actually goes by. It is nothing.

I know that it is unfortunately too late in college for many of you. But if any of you young'uns are out there reading this, and you are trying to decide on a study abroad program (or to study abroad at all!), you know exactly what I recommend! If you still aren't convinced, listen to this. When I was trying to decide between full- and half-year in Regensburg, every student I asked who had done the half-year before urged me to do the full-year. Nearly every one of them said that if they could have the choice to do it again, they would pick the full-year. Hands down. One of the most common phrases I heard was, "I only wish that I could have spent more time there." If you have the means, by all means, do it!

Now then! I'm going to make some breakfast.

(PS -- *ahem* Summer programs abroad are convenient excuses to have a holiday in another country and barely learn nothing but a scratch on the tip of the iceberg. *ahem*.)

*** Tips: Supermarket Lines ***

Here is another useful point of note for those of you who are considering coming to Germany for any amount of time long enough to require buying groceries.

In most Supermarkte here, the conveyor belt and racks of gum and candy will usually look familiar enough to, say, American grocery stores. What you might not see coming is that there will not be anybody there to pack your groceries for you. Do not, by any means, expect it as it happens in America (and in Great Britain, as I hear).

This will be your grocery checkout protocol:

1) HAVE YOUR WALLET/MONEY READY TO PAY.
2) Place everything on conveyor belt, as usual.
3) Wait for your turn at the cashier, as usual.
4) Option A: Grab as many €0.50 plastic grocery bags under the conveyor belt counter as you think you will need, and place on conveyor belt to be included in payment.
   - Option B: Have your backpack open and ready (option preferred by Yours Truly).
5) As soon as the cashier starts scanning, PACK LIKE THERE IS NO TOMORROW.
6) Continuing packing Like There Is No Tomorrow.

If you have successfully packed nearly everything by the time she tells you your sum, well done.

7) Pay and accept the change promptly, cleanly and efficiently -- which is much easier said than done.
8) Bid good day and be on your way, groceries in hand.

If you have NOT successfully packed nearly everything by the time she tells you your sum, you might be wondering why there is a need for all this hurry.

For the answer, all you need to do is glance behind you at two things: The long line of unamused German shoppers who already have the system down to an art and are now watching you fumble everything in a messy toss into your bags, and the rapidly-growing pile of the next person's groceries on your side of the scanner.

However, all of this stress and hassle can be easily avoided with the pre-arranged growth of two extra arms.

Vielen Glück!/Good Luck!

(On a more serious note, don't let all of this intimidate you. I'm just giving you a heads-up. If you're really living here, you will get used to it, and you'll get it with practice. But do keep this in mind once you start going out and shopping.)

*** Tips: Traffic ***

Here's how it goes with crossing the street:

America:

• You are a pedestrian.
• You have the right of way.
• Cars will stop for you.
• Carry on.

Germany:

• You are a pedestrian.
• You do not have the right of way.
• Cars will not stop for you.
• You better darn well move out of the way unless you want the street sweepers to be peeling you off the road like a pancake.

Oh, yeah. And that bus is on a schedule. It's not stopping for you to cross the street, either.

Overall, everybody here gets the program and knows how it all works, though you might see some crossings that make most Americans gasp and twitch. But you should just keep in mind that while it's less organized than in the States, it still works. You'll have to get over the fact that jay-walking is often normal walking here.

Please, people. Just be safe and smart when you're crossing the street in other countries, and do very much look both ways (twice).

*** Tips: Tipping ***

Here in Germany, there isn't always a usual percentage for tipping, per se. But it goes something like this, from what I gather. If you order, say, just a drink at a restaurant for €2.60, you would probably round it up to €3.00, hand it to the waiter/ess, and tell them, "Das ist gut." (Translated: "That's good/fine.") And it will mean they can keep the change as tip. (Fun side note: If you're in Bavaria, "Passt scho'!" works too! Okay, I know most of you wouldn't care, but I happen to love German dialects.)

Another example. If you order a meal at a restaurant that comes out to about €18.30, you would probably round the total up to €20.00 for the tipping, and do the same, "Das ist gut," procedure.

Basically, think of a very fuzzy 15% or so of the total, round up to the nearest Euro or half Euro (half Euro sometimes for those smaller sums where it wouldn't make sense to pay all the way to the next Euro, like a coffee or something), and tell the waiter/ess to keep the change. And don't leave without tipping at restaurants. In Germany, at least, you would leave a tip just as you would in the U.S. Equally so, leaving no tip means you were completely unsatisfied with the service.

Savvy on restaurant tipping now?

(Side note: Is it weird/strange that when I briefly proofread back over this post, all of it came out precisely in the German accent of one of our tutors/guides in my head??? I have been listening to the tutors and their welcome instructions for far too much today... It sounds EXACTLY like a broken English German accent and nothing else.)

*** Tip: Regensburg Shuttle ***

*** Tip for future Vandy-in-Germany students ***:
Regensburg has no airport. If you come through Munich, the absolute easiest way to get to Regensburg is through the www.airportliner.com service. Just book your shuttle online at least 3 days in advance. You pay the driver once you get there, and he takes you directly to your dorm address (SUPER CONVENIENT). If your flight's late, they see it on the computer, and you'll always still be able to get a ride. It's slightly more expensive than the train, but it's only a fraction of the hassle of the train + stations + luggage + schedules + tickets + exhaustion + Ican'tevenimaginewhat. It's well worth the extra Euros.