Today we arrived in Augsburg following a 10+ hour travel day! I was so glad to be off the plane and settled in. After taking a bus from Munich to Augsburg, we were warmly greeted at the hotel by our program coordinator, Elisabeth. After eating a small lunch and regrouping, we ventured out as a group for a city tour. This tour was 2 hours long and quite detailed! Though our Plus 3 classes were informative, it was helpful to walk around the city while learning about its history and landmarks. After checking into our hotel we got ready for the welcome dinner. The welcome dinner at a traditional German restaurant called Zeughaus Stuben. During this dinner we met several students from the University of Augsburg. The students I sat with are all going to Pitt this upcoming fall, so I look forward to getting to know them during this program! The food was so delicious and definitely new to me, I tried vegan maultaschen, dumplings that are traditionally stuffed with meat. It was so helpful to have the German students explain the menu to us as it was all written in German. I really enjoyed learning more about the history of Augsburg, trying new food, and meeting new people! I’m looking forward to continue exploring the city and Germany in general as we have a few day trips planned!

Looking back on my first day in Germany, I was surprised by how quickly Augsburg began to feel welcoming despite the exhaustion I felt from traveling. Before arriving, I expected a busy city similar to Munich, but Augsburg felt much calmer and more close-knit. Walking through the historic streets and seeing the canals throughout the city gave it a unique character that immediately stood out to me. I also enjoyed hearing from local students and comparing our experiences, which reminded me that the value of going abroad is just as much about the people you meet as the places you visit. The city tour, welcome dinner, and conversations with the University of Augsburg students left me feeling excited for the weeks ahead!