Sunday brought us to the second country of our trip: Germany. It was my first time visiting the country, and I was excited for the opportunity to immerse myself in its history and culture. Our destination was the city of Münster, a place whose history stretches back thousands of years. Despite its long history, many of Münster’s buildings are relatively new due to the destruction caused by Allied bombing campaigns during World War II.

Before this trip, I had never even heard of Münster, but the city quickly left an impression on me. It seemed to contain countless beautiful churches, many of them hundreds of years old and incredible feats of engineering for their time. The city center was lined with wide brick streets and historic-looking architecture that made it feel as though we had stepped back in time. What made Münster especially fascinating was learning that much of the city had been carefully rebuilt after the war with the goal of preserving its original appearance. Because of this effort, we were able to experience the streets and buildings much as they may have looked centuries ago.

Although Münster embraces its history, the city also keeps its focus firmly on the future through sustainability efforts and social progress. One small example stood out during our visit to a local café, where only wooden utensils were provided instead of plastic ones. While this may seem like a minor change, small decisions like these can make a significant impact when adopted on a larger scale. Reducing plastic waste through everyday choices is one of many important steps toward creating a cleaner and more sustainable future.

Germany also demonstrated a strong commitment to peace and reflection. After the horrors associated with World War II, the country has worked to confront its past honestly while focusing on building a better future. Germany has taken firm stances against extremist ideology and has emphasized unity, peace, and responsibility in the decades since the war. Seeing how the country has chosen progress over division was both interesting and inspiring.

Münster was a beautiful and historically rich city that I am incredibly grateful to have visited. Between the perfect weather, deep history, and modern commitment to sustainability and peace, our group learned a great deal from our short time there. It is a place that gave me a deeper appreciation for Germany and left me with memories I will carry long after this trip ends.