My Germany Plus 3 program was everything I expected it to be and so much more. Initially, I had my doubts as I am not the biggest fan of traveling or even automobiles. But I applied for the Plus 3 Germany program because I wanted to push myself. And, I am very glad I did! Not only did I get to have real world business experience by touring five prominent companies in the automobile industry, but I also made lifelong connections/friends.
A few aspects that I had to adjust to while in Germany included paying for water and the restroom, adaptation of the English language, and the fact that American sports were on at 2 o’clock in the morning. While I came to Germany being a very picky eater, I tried hard and think I succeeded in becoming more open in my food selections. I learned to absolutely love schnitzel and bratwurst. I also became a more independent person. Never before had I traveled to a foreign country without my parents. Even though we were supervised, I had a lot of free time and space to explore. Additionally, I had to make thoughtful choices regarding time. We had to wake up early for site visits, be prepared for the day and had to allocate time for presentation practices .
I will never forget my times visiting the cities of Regensburg, Ulm, Oberammergau, and others. In Regensburg I had the best Schnitzel of my life; in Ulm, I climbed the tallest church in the world, and In Oberammergau, I saw one of the most breathtaking views of my life. These are just some of the many experiences I will forever remember.
The business experience and collaborating with our German friends was invaluable. Even though the company I was assigned did not have a terrific site visit, it taught me that not everything in business is fair and that I had to work hard to achieve what I wanted.My group worked very hard on our presentation because we did not have a great deal of information to start with. In addition to learning how to create a PEST analysis, I also gained experience presenting in front of knowledgeable business men and women. I did not have a lot of experience presenting before this trip. Now, I feel a lot more comfortable.
Besides the field trips and the business aspects, I am most grateful for the friendships. Not only did I bond with our Pitt group,I also feel that I created friendships with my fellow German students. I really hope that someday they will come visit me in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.I also hope to come back to Germany to visit again.
After looking back at all the fun times I had, it is really sad for me to be writing this last blog as it means my Plus 3 experience is officially over. I can never thank the people who chose me for this program enough. Anyone who is considering applying for Plus 3 Germany next year, you must do it! Trust me it’s definitely worth it.