Greenheart Travel

Tag: Greenheart Travel Scholarship Winner

Falling More in Love with Ireland Each Passing Day

Oh my gosh a whole month studying in Ireland down! Time flies, as they say. My day to day interactions and schedule already feel normal. My initial awkwardness and anxiety have all but disappeared, and I fall a little more in love with Ireland with each passing day. I’ve been trying a lot of new things. Zumba, going to the gym, Irish stew, taking public transportation, spending a day in a city with only my friends – all these new things are coming together to create unforgettable experiences.

Zumba was during school Wednesday, because apparently it was active week! I wasn’t really sure what to expect having never done Zumba, but it was actually pretty fun. Although I felt a bit silly doing it! A lot of my friends who are also here studying abroad really like the gym, and go there multiple times per week. I am not such a fan, so I’m looking for some other sort of thing to keep me active.

As for taking public transportation and spending a day in a city, that was amazing! Four other foreign students and I decided to take the bus to Killarney for the day. It was incredibly fun because the city is beautiful, and it was nice to be a traditional tourist for a day! And Irish stew – well, it’s delicious.

But, it hasn’t all been sunshine and rainbows. Homesickness and culture shock are something I deal with regularly. Culture shock is put into five main stages – the honeymoon stage, irritability and hostility, gradual adjustment, adaption of biculturalism, and re-entry shock. But going through culture shock isn’t like getting older, where you can say now I’m in this stage or that stage. All the stages blend together, you can experience different stages in the same week or even the same day. You might have a good morning, but an awful afternoon and then your evening is wonderful.

Frustration is a feeling that occurs at random and with random things. I get frustrated with the way my school works, my schedule, the work load. Even though I know that, for the most part, these things aren’t that different from what I’d be doing in Indiana, I still get annoyed. No matter how much you tell yourself your reaction is irrational, it’s hard to find other ways of thinking. But, most days, I am able to find the bright side and remember how amazing and incredible it is for me to be here and that I need to make the most of it.

That about wraps it up! I feel like I’m adjusting well and I am having a great time here. This week is packed full, with school throughout the week and then going to the cliffs of Moher on Saturday! Goodbye!

Kayla Trowbridge is 16 years old and lives in Zionsville, Indiana. Her goal during her study abroad program is to “create relationships that will continue throughout my life and develop a new understanding of the Irish culture.” Follow Kayla’s adventure in Ireland on her blog post updates throughout her program.

October 9, 2016
Way Different than Expected: Studying Abroad in Spain

I am finally here and everything is wayyyyy different than I expected! I thought I was coming into this experience of attending high school in Spain super prepared and ready to go. But, nothing can prepare you to live in a foreign place where you don’t speak the language. It is very overwhelming but completely amazing if you can give into it and immerse yourself. Because my Spanish is not very good, school has been difficult. But, I actually really enjoy it. My friends are super willing to help me out, thank god.

We stay in one classroom all day with mostly the same people. If you have an art or technology class you have to go to that specific classroom, but normally the teachers go around from classroom to classroom and we stay put. School starts at 8:25am, then we have 2 classes and a 20 minute break, followed by another 2 classes and a 20 minute break before a final 2 classes. We get out of school at 2:25pm. After school, our family has lunch together, and then we relax until around 4:45 or 5pm. That’s when we study.

My host sister and I play volleyball together. It’s really fun! We practice 3 times a week from 8 to 10pm. The sports here are not connected to school which is nice because I have met people from other schools I wouldn’t have met otherwise.

The kids here love McDonald’s and Burger King. They are the hangout spots, which is kinda funny to me. On the weekends we go out from around 10pm to 1am with all of our friends. The first weekend I was here we went to Burger King and then walked around town. It was also my host sister’s birthday, so we had a giant fiesta for her. That night we hung out in the basement with all of her friends, and then walked to the park in the middle of town.

So far I am having blast! The atmosphere, especially at school, is very mellow and relaxed. Everyone I have met has been so kind. The days here are so full and fun! All in all, everything is going well, and I am adjusting to this new life.

Louise Plever is 15 years old and lives in Asheville, North Carolina. Her goal during her study abroad program in Spain is “to become fluent in Spanish and make friends that will last a lifetime.” Follow Louise’s adventure in Spain on her blog post updates throughout the year.

October 8, 2016
Farewell to Hello: The First Few Weeks of Studying Abroad in Germany

Leaving behind my friends and family to study abroad in Germany was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I was scared that I would be alone and wouldn’t know what to do, but I took deep breathes like my mom and grandma told me to do. After I met the other American students at the gate, breathing became easier. We were all talking about why we were going abroad and where we were from. I felt like I’d already made a couple of friends.

The orientation in Cologne was so much fun. I learned about Germany and being an exchange student, and it really took away some of my anxiety because I no longer felt like I was going in blind. My favorite part about the three days was by far meeting all of the other students. I learned about where they came from and what their lives are like. It was just a group of teenagers having fun, and it was awesome. Saying goodbye to them after such a fleeting time was also very hard. I’m really excited to see them in November.

This picture is of the castle in Karlsruhe. I went to the light show they were hosting there with my host family. By then, I had been there for almost a week and everything was starting to get less scary. In the beginning, everything was new and I didn’t know what was going on. All of this was making me homesick. I just kept thinking about how I’d never had to learn how a family did things before. I’d always just known because I was always with my family. But after we started a routine, I got more comfortable.

This photo of a river and trees was taken in a northern part of the Black Forest. My host family and I went hiking and it was beautiful. Coming from Indiana where everything is flat and covered in cornfields, hiking was still a new experience for me. Or at least, I hadn’t done it very much. Now, I’ve been with my host family for about two weeks, and we’ve gone hiking twice.

This was taken at the end of the second hiking trip. The three girls (from the left) are Maren, Judith, and Paula. All of them go to the same school as I do, and are in the same grade. At first, I was really nervous about school. I’ve always had a slight issue with “coming out of my shell.” I tend to be quiet around people I don’t know, but going to this school I knew that I would have to be the one to introduce myself to everyone else.

I was also worried that the language barrier would cause a huge problem; but so far, it hasn’t actually affected my making friends much at all. They all understand that I don’t know German. They try to translate what they can for me. Of course, I try to learn as much German as I can, and it is getting better with time. It’s quite funny sometimes because I’m really bad at pronouncing the words. Either way, the students are all really nice and the longer I’ve been there the more comfortable I feel.

Morgan Tucker is 16 years old and lives in Greenfield, Indiana. Her goal during her study abroad program is to “make friends that I will keep for the rest of my life. I also hope to learn about the Germans, and in turn, learn about my heritage.” Follow Morgan’s adventure in Germany on her blog post updates throughout her program.

October 6, 2016
What I’ve Learned So Far in Costa Rica

Before studying abroad in Costa Rica, you will hear all about culture shock and tips for getting through it. However, despite what I was told and what I read prior to my arrival, I had my own expectations for what I thought living here would be like. When I arrived, I soon realized that the experience was not going to be exactly what I thought it would. During my first few weeks here, I had a very difficult time expressing what I felt due to the language barrier, getting used to the differences between Costa Rica and the United States, and of course, trying to soothe my homesickness.

Within the first few hours of being at my host home, I realized how difficult attempting to communicate with my family was. I took two years of Spanish at school. On top of that, I practiced Spanish a lot in my free time, watched Spanish television, and read many things about Costa Rican Spanish in particular. However, nothing truly prepared me for speaking with them.

When I could not communicate what I wanted to say or how I was feeling, I was frustrated to say the least. I was very angry at myself and felt unintelligent. So if you are currently in the situation I was, remember that you aren’t stupid for not being able to communicate what you want to say. You are learning and with learning comes mistakes and hardships. For this issue, I find it helpful to do one of two things: explain what I am trying to say using circumlocution. If that doesn’t work, I use an English to Spanish dictionary.

I also had my own preconceived notions about how Costa Rica was going to be. I had heard from people that it would be different, which I of course knew, as far as climate, culture, and language. However, I somehow expected that it would have every unimportant thing that I was used to in the United States, such as a hot water tank that heats the water for steaming hot showers, or the amount of fast food restaurants. However, I soon learned that although it may be an adjustment for me, different is beautiful. I am so lucky to see another side of things. Being in Costa Rica has been so enlightening, and getting to experience something different beats going to Chick-Fil-A.

Finally, another huge problem I had was homesickness. When things aren’t going your way or you’re having a tough time, it’s easy to want to take a nap in your bed, pet your cat, or hug your mom. However, I pushed through my homesickness by remembering why I wanted to study abroad and truly reflecting on how great this experience is. Chances are, I will live in the United States for the rest of my life. My time here is short, and must be enjoyed. I try to remember that my time here will end sooner than I think and focus on learning, growing, observing, and experiencing. I appreciate every moment that I have experienced thus far in Costa Rica, despite what I thought as it was happening, because although I have experienced difficulties, they have helped me to improve who I am as person and helped me to appreciate my time here.

October 1, 2016
Studying in Ireland: A Huge Leap out of My Comfort Zone

Almost two weeks of studying abroad in Ireland have gone by and yet it doesn’t feel that way. At times I feel as if I have been living here for two months, at others, as if I’ve been here two days. My host family has been wonderful. They are kind and helpful, and I felt like I belonged here almost right away. School has also been a bit of a help. It was nice to be able to settle into a routine quickly and meet the other foreign students as well as the Irish students. What with buying school supplies, meeting new people, and getting settled into school and life, it’s been a busy two weeks.

When I would talk to other Americans about Ireland before I came, I found that four things were often mentioned. The scenery, the people, the food, and of course, the rain. Everyone I talked to said something about the beautiful scenery, whether they’d been there or not. Let me tell you, the landscape has not disappointed. Ireland is just as beautiful as I’ve heard it is, and I really haven’t seen that much yet. I was able to go to a nearby beach the other day and it was stunning.

I have not seen much of my town yet, but plan to soon. Another thing constantly talked about was the friendliness of Irish people. While I cannot vouch for everyone, the Irish I’ve met have been wonderfully kind and quick to help. Irish food, at least what I’ve had so far, is not too different from American food. Of course, some foods, like bacon and cabbage or lamb, are not often to be had in Indiana. However, they were delicious, so perhaps they should be! As for the infamous Irish rain – what you’ve heard is not too far from the truth. It does rain quite often and does have a tendency to be overcast, but I’ve also had some beautiful, warm days. I love rain, actually, so everyday is a good one for me.

Now that we’ve finished with the pleasantries, a bit about the more challenging aspects of the program so far…

These past two weeks have been a challenge for me because I have to get up the courage to talk to and start to get to know new people. First, it was with the other foreign students. I am the only American, and the only native English speaker among them. So, it was difficult, in the beginning, because I felt like I had nothing in common with any of them. However, once school started I realized that we were all confused and lost and foreign, so that made it easier to start talking with them. After almost two weeks of trying to help each other find classes, I feel as if we are all a bit more comfortable with each other.

As for the Irish students, talking to them was, and still is, incredibly intimidating. They all already have their own friends here, and don’t need to be friends with me. And while it would make things easier, they have no obligation to initiate conversation. That responsibility falls on me. This is a huge leap out of my comfort zone, but if I want to make friends and become part of my host community, and I do, it’s necessary.

But, it’s already becoming easier to talk to the Irish students, all of whom have been friendly. And now I’m beginning to see good things come from stepping outside of my comfort zone. Talking to both the foreign and the Irish students has given me an opportunity to get a better understanding of how other cultures work. Mostly we’ve compared schools and education systems, and it’s fascinating to hear about how other cultures handle education. I’m so excited to learn more!

Homesickness is another challenge, but it’s one that’s hard to vocalize. It’s not only the big things I miss, like my friends and my family, but also just the familiarity of home. Some days are harder than others, and I know that as time goes on it will get harder, but also better. I knew this wasn’t going to be easy, and I know that there will be rough spots, but I’m positive that I can make this a wonderful experience.

Kayla Trowbridge is 16 years old and lives in Zionsville, Indiana. Her goal during her study abroad program is to “create relationships that will continue throughout my life and develop a new understanding of the Irish culture.” Follow Kayla’s adventure in Ireland on her blog post updates throughout her program.

September 30, 2016
Now that I’m Home, I’m Missing the Little Things about France

“We travel because we need to, because distance and difference are the secret tonic of creativity. When we get home, home is still the same. But something in our mind has been changed, and that changes everything.” -Jonah Lehrer

Traveling abroad with Greenheart Travel was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The two weeks abroad in France were both incredible and I had a blast completely immersing myself in a different language and culture. I feel like I changed so much mentally and physically (definitely more buff from all the walking) from my time in France. It’s such a rewarding feeling taking the skills we learn in textbooks and utilizing them in the real world. It feels surreal. From purchasing a train ticket à la gare de La Hume to asking about the oldest church in La Teste, my French skills came to life and gave all those verb conjugations and French vocabulary cards meaning.

My prediction on my previous blog came true. I do miss my host mom, Valérie, more than anyone else because she’s the one I felt most comfortable around. I miss her light beige house with the beautiful garden and the clothesline in the backyard. I miss hearing the song “Manic” by Caravan Palace every night when she prepared dinner. I miss the salami and arugula and cheese sandwiches. I miss the pink-orange sunsets with the most wondrous clouds she took Hannes and I to see over oysters. I miss the bay she took me to where the water was way too cold to get into and swim in. That’s the funny thing about traveling. When you leave the country and are back to the reality at home, you notice more and more differences and start to miss the little things.

Surprisingly, adapting back to life at home was a lot harder for me than getting used to everyday life in France. My culture shock was much more intense returning home by a landslide. When I arrived in France, it was a Sunday and the very next day I went to school and was completely used to the 9 hour time difference. However, upon returning back to the US, it took me well over a week to adjust to Pacific Standard time. I would be exhausted throughout the day and wake up at 3 or 4 in the morning. Maybe I subconsciously knew in the heart of hearts that I really belonged in France.

As for schooling back in the States goes, I feel a lot more comfortable speaking French in my AP French class, and I am sure that my comprehension has definitely improved. Some days in France, my friends and I would only speak French with each other, where I could use the informal “tu” form, which was helpful because I would exclusively use the formal “vous” form at school and at home. At school in America, my exposure to the French language has been whittled down from 24/7 in France to 1 hour a day Monday through Friday. No doubt in my mind that the highlight of my day is going to that class because I love the language so much and my professor is extremely hard-working and enthusiastic. I really hope that in my lifetime, I will be able to visit France again, and maybe even live there. In these 2 weeks I have learned more about myself, and had the chance to experience the unpredictable every single day, which delineates a good adventure.

Autumn Lee is 16 years old and lives in Alameda, California. Her goal during her language program in France is to “improve my French vocabulary and understand in more depth the French culture and people.” Follow Autumn’s adventures in France on her weekly blog post updates.

August 30, 2016
Five Ways My Costa Rican High School Differs from My American High School

Every country has things that make it unique and set it apart from other countries. This can include everything from languages and dialect, food eaten, holidays celebrated, scenery, things that are socially acceptable within the society of the country, and the way businesses, such as offices and schools, are set up.

The mix of social acceptability and the way businesses are set up within a foreign country can definitely make a workplace or school have a much different environment than what you are used to. I am experiencing this in school right now, as my Costa Rican high school definitely has a much different environment than my high school back home. In this post, I am going to be sharing five differences between the two.

1.)    The Schedule

At my school in the US, you arrive at 7:25 a.m. and have homeroom. Classes begin at 7:40 a.m., you have nine periods, the classes are the same each day and depend on what you signed up for, there aren’t many (if any) people with the same exact schedule as you. Then, you go back to homeroom in the afternoon and are dismissed from there at 2:40 p.m.. On Fridays, you arrive at 7:40, have nine periods, slightly shorter, and are dismissed from homeroom at 12:10 p.m..

However, at my school in Costa Rica, you arrive at 7:00 a.m. and report to your first period. You can have up to twelve periods, sharing the exact same schedule as the people in your group, and then leave directly from your last class at 4:10. However, the classes vary by day, and you may be able to arrive later than 7:00 or go home before 4:10.

2.)    The Freedom

In the US, there are no students roaming the hallways in their free time. Mainly because there is none. If you do not have a core class during a given period and are also not interested in any electives, you will be placed in a study hall where attendance is taken and you usually have to sit in a silent classroom. You are also restricted on the number of study halls you can take, so you may have to spend a year in art class when you definitely aren’t an artist.

In Costa Rica when you don’t have a class, you are free to relax and roam the school, or, as mentioned above, go home or arrive late depending on your schedule for the day.

3.)    The Lunch

While I am aware that some American schools offer off-campus lunch, mine does not! We are required to report to the cafeteria at our designated lunch time, and we can bring a packed lunch, eat the school cafeteria food, or of course, not eat if that’s what we want.

In Costa Rica, you can eat food from the cafeteria, bring a packed lunch, or leave and go home (or to the store) to get some food. Also, this is a bit random, but in the United States, you have to sign out to go to the bathroom if you want to brush your teeth after you eat. Here, it is weird to not brush your teeth after you eat: everyone does it.

4.)    The Rules

At my home high school, there are strict rules in place about cell phone use, behavior, computer use, and more. You are expected to be respectful and not talk while the teacher is teaching, raise your hand, and complete work silently (or quietly if it is group work.) Cell phones are not permitted; you can even get in trouble for having it in your pocket! Additionally, social media websites are blocked on school computers and there are certain rules about what sites you can use. Also, animals (other than fish) are not permitted in my American school.

In Costa Rica, it is a whole different story. The teachers are more relaxed with rules and offer students flexibility. There are also dogs that roam the school!

5.)    The Workload

At home, I was constantly busy with work in class. There is not much free time, you are usually listening to a lecture or completing worksheets and projects from the start of class until the end. On top of that, there was always a test to study for, an essay to write, or homework to do after school. I was usually quite stressed out and definitely busy with schoolwork.

Here, there is not an awful lot of work to be done. The homework is sparse and sometimes, classes are either cancelled or not much work has to be done. It is a lot more of a relaxed environment.

Cassidy Bopp is 16 years old and lives in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania . Her goal during her study abroad program is to “gain a better understanding of the culture in Costa Rica and to see more of the world, and really take it in and appreciate it to the fullest.” Follow Cassidy’s adventure in Costa Rica on her blog post updates throughout her program.

August 29, 2016
After Berlin, Everything is Different
I counted down the seconds until the clock struck 3:02PM, a cold, metallic shrill cried out three times to grant my freedom, and I was released from what had been an abstract concept to me as little as week ago. It was the second day of school and I already had my routine down. In stark contrast to three years ago, I didn’t get lost looking for my classes anymore. I knew where to sit at lunch, working my way up to having the dubious privilege of sitting under the robust oak tree exclusively reserved for the senior class.

I don’t feel like a senior though. I feel neither younger nor older, just out of place in a world that used to be my own. My boarding pass is still tucked inside my passport holder. It’s less a passport holder than a memory in its own right, its eclectic possessions mirroring a scrambled mind still trying to make sense of its last adventure.

Inside my passport holder:
- One passport
- One Paris metro ticket
- Two medals of St. Christopher (the patron saint of travel)
- One Panda Express fortune cookie reading. Panda Express tells me that I “have the urge and ability for major accomplishments.” I hope they’re right.
The first day of school (only a day after returning from Berlin) was difficult. The jetlag may have played a role, considering I went to sleep at 6PM that day. More telling was how I went from being one of three Americans at my school to one of two thousand nine hundred. No one asked me about Los Angeles anymore, or how many movie stars I had met that week, or even if it was really possible that Trump could win the election. I just went back to being normal, but feeling far from it.

It was bizarre to go from a German speaking land back to one completely devoid of the language. I miss German. More importantly, I miss the community that made German what it was for me, a fast paced novel rollercoaster and an overall good time. Back in Los Angeles, looks of admiration have turned into looks of confusion when I tell people I’m teaching myself the language. Oftentimes, I’m simply asked why I’m doing it in the first place. It’s a valid question, one I’ve asked myself at length too.

Before my trip three weeks ago, I would have told them that I started learning because when I went to Switzerland last year, I simply couldn’t understand anything the locals said and I wanted to understand. After going to Berlin, that’s changed. My rationale for learning the language has been strengthened by the fact that I now see a concrete reason to continue, a linguistic light at the end of the tunnel that justifies the past ten months of self study.

Simply put, the Germans I’ve met have fueled my desire to improve. It’s been the brief conversations on the trolley, the intense pick up soccer games and the fiery political discussions on long walks that have personalized this beautiful language for me. I realized that a classroom can’t teach these moments, or the individual meaning behind them. I’m sure I learned more practical information this summer than I will this school year. Physics and Calculus are necessary, but not noteworthy. I don’t have the same passion for limits and derivatives as I do for languages, and that’s ok.

That’s why on my wall, printed and neatly taped in each corner, is an email from the program director explaining why I didn’t receive the certificate for the language level I wanted. Ich habe noch Luecken in Bezug auf Grammatik. I still have gaps in terms of grammar.

I have no shame about this. It is displayed on my bedroom wall for all to see, a trophy for the conquering language warrior back from a foreign land. This email tells me two paramount truths. The first is that I’ve reached a high level of German by myself. The second is that there’s still plenty of work to be done, starting with those fateful words on the page.

So, I continue to learn German because I must. No matter how much I may want to at times, I can’t leave a project unfinished or a goal forgotten. I need to make my Panda Express fortune mean something.

In my first article for Greenheart Travel, I wrote that my goal was to make as many international friends as I could and to speak as much German as humanly possible.

Saying good bye to so many friends was difficult.

Mission accomplished.

But my journey is far from over. In fact, it’s just begun. Los Angeles isn’t the same anymore, nor is my school. They’re just dots on a wider map, specks in a bigger world I’ve only just started to explore.

Sam Gorman is 17 years old and lives in Los Angeles, California. His goal during his language program in Berlin, Germany is to “make as many international friends as I can and to speak as much German as humanly possible! The only way to really improve in a language is by speaking it, and I plan to put that into practice by using the city as my classroom and by getting out of my comfort zone to improve my language skills. ” Follow Sam’s adventures in Germany.
August 23, 2016
Student Spotlight on Kayla Trowbridge, Greenheart Travel Correspondent in Ireland

Greenheart Travel is excited to send a group of amazing high school students to study abroad as part of our 2016 Travel Correspondent Scholarship awards. To help introduce our inspiring writers, we are doing a series of spotlight interviews to help you get to know a little more about who they are, where they will be headed and what inspired them to study abroad.

Read on to meet 16-year-old, Kayla Trowbridge, our Greenheart Travel Correspondent from Zionsville, Indiana who’ll be traveling abroad to study in Ireland!

Favorite thing to do in your free time?

I really like to read, but I also enjoy cooking, singing, writing and acting.

Have you traveled abroad before?

No, this is my first time out of the U.S.

What got you interested in studying abroad?

I started looking into studying abroad because I wanted something different from the traditional high school experience. This seemed like the perfect choice for me.

What are you most excited about experiencing or seeing during your high school abroad program in Ireland?

I’m most excited about being immersed in my host community.

Excited to meet a new host family but enjoying spending time with family and friends before I leave.

Why do you feel it’s important to travel to a new place and experience a different culture?

I think that it is important to travel and experience different cultures because doing this can help you connect with people and places that you otherwise would not, and you can build you confidence and become more knowledgeable about the world. Traveling can also allow you to develop new ideas and passions.

What are you nervous about?

I’m nervous about starting school in my host community because school itself can be rather stressful and dealing with that, along with culture shock and homesickness, will most certainly be a challenge.

How have you prepared for your time living and studying abroad?

I have been preparing to study abroad by talking to my host family, researching Ireland’s culture and history, and reading the blogs of previous exchange students.

How do you think you will change the most during your time abroad?

I don’t know how I will change, however, I am hoping to become more confident, independent and open minded.

Kayla Trowbridge is 16 years old and lives in Zionsville, Indiana. Her goal during her study abroad program is to “create relationships that will continue throughout my life and develop a new understanding of the Irish culture.” Follow Kayla’s adventure in Ireland on her blog post updates throughout her program.

August 18, 2016
Why I Never Say Goodbye When I Travel

There’s two things I hate very much in this world, and today I’ve experienced two of them in mass quantity.

The first on my list in long plane rides. The second is wanting to cry. A ten hour plane ride to Los Angeles took care of the first criteria, but I didn’t have much of a choice in that matter. The second was different.

I rarely cry. I’ve never thought it was proper to display strong emotion in public, perhaps inadvertently subscribing to the cold German ideology I heard so much about before coming to Berlin, but was hard pressed to encounter in reality. As I looked at my friend from Switzerland in the hotel cantine as she said goodbye, I understood what it meant to watch someone you care about disappear from your life as you know it. I should be used to it, but I’m not. I’ve done this sort of goodbye before, from the end of my time in Europe last year to when I left a Yale summer program just a month ago. I still can’t say goodbye to save my life. I give an empty smile and tell my closest friends to come to Los Angeles, both of us knowing full well that day may never come but both of us refusing to acknowledge it.

It’s disconcerting to have a group of friends spread across countries you can’t reach. In the very beginning, these individuals represented their country in a whirl of multicultural excitement. I wasn’t Sam Gorman but Sam from Los Angeles, almost becoming my city in a smaller version of my world today.

As I got to know these students better, they became much more than just a flag or a city name, He wasn’t just from Switzerland, he was Marc. Marc taught the entire history of World War Two in thirty minutes to my friend group. I’m sure he’ll make a great history professor one day, even if I’m not there to see him do it.

Because at the end of the day, when I’m lying in my bed in Los Angeles after a long journey, all I’m left with are my memories; ephemeral snapshots of a better time I can never recreate. And I don’t even want to try to redo these moments, that would cheapen the incredibly unique experience I’ve just undertaken.

Sure, the classes were informative and the excursions interesting, but what makes a program like this special is the people who go to it. I would have never in in my wildest dreams expected to be only one of three Americans out of seventy participants, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience than that.

I understood a different type of diversity in Berlin, one that transcends racial boundaries to bring together individuals from a host of different countries towards a common purpose. Los Angeles is an international city, but in my language class I have students from five nationalities, far from the thirteen separate nationalities I encountered in Berlin. It’s a place where a Slovenian, an Estonian, a Ukrainian, and an overly enthusiastic American from Los Angeles can room together for two weeks and become not just a group of friends, but a team. A network, that while yes, far strung, still remains strong and ready to react to what life hits it with.

So yes, I hate to cry. But after I spoke to my friend from the last time, I couldn’t stop myself from shedding a few tears in the elevator. A silent tear for the words I couldn’t bring myself to say. Another for the inadequate words I did.

But, I never say the word goodbye to my true friends for a reason. That implies that I won’t be able to speak with them anymore, when the opposite is true. Meeting again in person is clearly difficult, but staying in touch through technology is easier than it ever has been. Thanks to Whatsapp, I can talk with my friend in France almost every day, and I still attend Google Hangouts with my Europe trip buddies from last year. I already have a group chat with the friends I’ve made from Berlin, and while that isn’t the same as a face to face meetup, I’ll gladly take it while I can.

I’m still processing what happened these past two weeks during my language camp. Last time, I wrote that it was the little things that made my trip worthwhile, the admirable idiosyncrasies I can’t find at home that define the adventure. Now, I’m not so sure I can define my adventure for anything less than what it is, a wild two weeks comprised of unforgettable experiences and incredible friends.

I’m proud to have cared enough for these people to express it in such a way, even if crying happens to be a rare occurrence for me. It should just make it all the better when I get to return to Europe again in the future. I’ll be ready, and I know my newfound friends will be too.

Sam Gorman is 17 years old and lives in Los Angeles, California. His goal during his language program in Berlin, Germany is to “make as many international friends as I can and to speak as much German as humanly possible! The only way to really improve in a language is by speaking it, and I plan to put that into practice by using the city as my classroom and by getting out of my comfort zone to improve my language skills. ” Follow Sam’s adventures in Germany on his weekly blog post updates.

August 17, 2016