Finding Connections to Our World and a Train Ride to Hamburg.

The Berlin Cathedral

This morning, we rushed to the Humboldt Forum, an art museum in the East of Berlin. We were asked to reflect on the idea of how borders shape us, divide us, and sometimes protect us, and how art can help create change.

Being half awake and in a rush, we finally made it to the Humboldt Forum. Sadly, my dose of tourism was cut quick as we only had 5 minutes to take photos (but I got a few good ones!) Rarely do we actually have time to walk around, and I always feel as though I’m stuck on a schedule and constantly rushing, which undoubtedly is the case. I have to remind myself that I'm not a typical German visitor; my trip is not about the photos, regardless, every once and a while, I wish I could visit some of the larger sites. In any capacity, I am just happy to be here and experience.

Today’s focus was a combination of peace, change, protests, borders, clothing, sustainability, and common ground. In full transparency, I was half asleep during this workshop until my second cup of coffee. On this trip, I have tried Sprite, coffee, Red Bull, and a combination of all three to keep my brain awake, yet nothing is foolproof. I have yet to unlock a combination that truly works, but I have a few more days to experiment. Despite my sleepwalking form, I will try my best to recount the day.

I know our first topic centered around protesting. We visited an exhibit that included a wall filled with old newspaper and magazine clippings about protests, alongside a large mural of painted wings-symbolizing freedom. Our guide walked us through the importance of signage in protest movements. They had examples of posters and signs, some old, some newer, all delivering different messages. Signs are obvious ways to show contradiction or support.

We then discovered the museum's sticker wall, where you can bring your stickers and post them. I spent most of the time here, reading each sticker, and wishing I had brought my own (I love stickers). This shows how even small signs of support, such as stickers, can signify opinion and help push slogans and encourage support. It’s a subtle but effective nod to real activism. I noticed many stickers had a similar message, like “No AfD,” referencing the movement to oppose the AfD (Alternative for Germany) party from gaining influence in government. The party is often associated with far-right extremism, and I’ve seen similar stickers posted elsewhere around Berlin and Hamburg. Other topics represented included LGBTQIA+ rights, anti-Nazi activism, and environmental justice.

We finally reached the part of our workshop where we discussed borders. At first, I thought of the obvious ones: borders between countries, physical walls, fences. Then people in the group began to share more personal interpretations, such as emotional borders, mental walls, and social divisions. One person brought up how we often live in social bubbles, surrounded by people who think like us. Another mentioned language and how it can either connect or isolate you, especially in a foreign place. And someone mentioned the obvious example of the Berlin Wall. A piece of the wall was displayed in the museum, and it reflected how even the "strongest" ideas or borders can be broken down. Oftentimes, borders like these push communities further apart.

This exercise also made me reflect on the invisible but simple borders I carry with me, like the pressure to always stay on schedule, the mental fog that comes with trying to focus before I’m fully awake, or the barrier between being truly present and wanting to skip ahead. These borders hold me back from fully experiencing the moment, and I believe the true meaning of life is to explore and observe. Sometimes it helps to ask yourself and identify: What's your border?

We then moved to the exhibit on sustainability and clothing. Our guide showed us a display of outfits, each representing different fashion cliques in the world of Berlin, created by high-school students years before. Most notably, I liked the high-fashion clothes, with leopard patterns and black details. But I also enjoyed the more retro, thrifted looks, like the one pictured below, because of its eccentricity. I often noticed that fashion is a large characteristic of Berlin and Germany in general. Compared to the United States, fashion contains a different level of comfort and casualness. Of course, the amount of clothes bought depends on the economic level in the area and the style of the city. Many fellow participants shared that they enjoyed buying second-hand clothes from thrift stores, and the counselors agreed. I have been excited to see how thrifting can transform the way we consume. We walked further to see a display case filled to the brim with clothes, symbolizing that over 60+ clothes are bought in Berlin each year, and what over-consumerism looks like.

Display of "Vintage" Berlin clothing

In today’s world, clothing goes out of style much faster than it did in the early 2000s. Fashion companies now release far more than just the traditional seasonal collections: spring, summer, fall, and winter. Our guide asked us to reflect on our own shopping habits, and most of us agreed that we consume much less than the average Berliner. But it's not just about the consumer. These days, a single season can come with 30 or more micro-trends, creating constant pressure to stay “on trend.” Fast fashion brands like Shein, Zara, and H&M contribute heavily to this cycle. They are also frequently criticized for poor labor practices and unethical supply chains, with some even linked to modern-day slavery.

For our final activity, we were led to a drawing room. Along the way, we passed several fun-looking stations, but due to our schedule, we couldn’t stop. In the drawing room, we were each given an outline of a person and instructions to use colors to represent a message we wanted to express. It was a creative way to explore commonalities in our hopes for the future, our beliefs, and even the borders we experience.

Overall, this part of the exhibit was lighthearted and enjoyable. We ended on a positive note, with a colorful picture and a little more insight into each other.

The second half of the day was spent hungry (I forgot to pack lunch), tired, reading, watching a movie, and writing on the Intercity Express (train). Hamburg was my final destination. The ride gave me time to look out the window and say goodbye to Berlin. Firstly, A few things I noticed when comparing the cities of Hamburg and Berlin:

1. Berlin is noisier.

2. Hamburg feels a little more laid-back.

3. People seem to judge more openly on the streets in Berlin.

4. Berliners are more fashion-forward

5. Berliners often come across as both wary and oddly communicative at the same time.

6. The air in Hamburg smells and feels noticeably cleaner.

After a long day of travel and endless walking, we finally ran to our rooms. We settled in and got comfortable with our new roommates (shoutout to my lovely roommates). Staying in dorm-style rooms has been eye-opening, and honestly, I think everyone should ask themselves whether they’d be comfortable sharing a space with strangers. Thankfully, I got dealt pretty great cards.

Tomorrow, we are visiting a Waste Management Facility in Hamburg! So stay updated and excited.

Berlin Station

Bus Ride to Berlin Station