Stepping foot in Augsburg for the first time, I was immediately filled with a sense of curiosity about just how different these next two weeks would feel for me. From the openness of the fields, seemingly never touched by humans, to the small, clustered communities across the country, all looking roughly the same, I knew that I would not feel at home for quite some time. I was particularly taken aback, however, by just how calm everything seemed. The lack of noise, the lack of trees, and the lack of wildlife are all just so much different than home.

Coming from Oakland, I am used to the hustle and bustle of the city. The honking of horns, the hum of the helicopters, and people being generally loud. To me, all of this was normal, and in part, it was why I chose Pitt. I always told myself that I loved the city and the noise – that I really liked the “calm” it provided to be caught up in the chaos – but seeing just how quiet and pleasant everyone here has been makes me realize that maybe Oakland doesn’t have quite the level of calm I chalked it up to have.

In part, this calm is due to the rich history of Augsburg and some of its more famous inhabitants. Having been home to the richest man in the world at one point, Jakob Fugger, you can immediately tell that there is a huge sense of pride among all of the people here. And that pride is not only evident in the way that the residents of Augsburg carry themselves, but also in the designs and cultures of the buildings. The sharp juxtaposition of the Gothic architecture from the buildings that survived WWII and the newer, softer buildings that replaced those that didn’t make it shows just how present the wealthy history of the city is while allowing for growth and change over time.