One Last Sunrise in Germany
- iylahernden
- Aug 24
- 6 min read
Today is my last full day in Germany. It feels like the days have flown by. I was told that two weeks would pass in the blink of an eye-but now, it truly feels real. Part of me wishes I could go back and savor it all a little more. But at the same time, I can’t imagine changing anything about this experience. So today, I chose to simply be present, to enjoy another day in Germany without looking ahead, surrounded by wonderful people and the meaningful projects we pursued.
To commemorate our last day, the counsellors brought food (featuring a Minion ice cream cake) and coffee to the hostel balcony. We watched the Hamburg sunrise together, huddled in blankets, in our pajamas, with slippers on our feet. I may have had to physically drag myself-and others-out of bed, but the sunrise was very much worth the early morning. I have experienced New Mexico sunrises, but Hamburg’s beats them.
Every time I look past that balcony, I’m reminded of how grateful I am to be here. Especially since it feels like I’m on this trip by wonderful chance. I often think about how wonderful it is that I get to see a different city, in a whole different country, with people who are just as driven and passionate as I am, and who, over only two weeks, have become great friends.
This kind of closeness is something you could not even begin to simulate. When you're living, speaking, and moving with the same people for hours and hours a day without end, you're bound to get to know them. It doesn't feel like a high school relationship or a friendship with a co-worker. We are bound by the same experiences here, but outside, we are totally different people. I think that's the best part. These are the kinds of international relationships I hope to keep for years to come. Now I understand what it's like to be a changed person coming back from an exchange program, even if it was only 2 weeks.
One of the ways I hope to carry that change forward is through my Personal Action Plan.
Today was the big day, and it was finally time to present our ideas. After brainstorming and discussing as a class, I decided that I would create an international blog. It will be called “Blogging Without Borders” and it will be a space where writers that I’ve recruited from my school and around the world share their stories on sustainability and social justice. Whether that be sharing protest experiences, or sharing how your country/state/city deals with sustainable practices or social justice issues.
My first contact would be international writers who would come from exchange programs like these. The posts will be scheduled weekly, in the layout of a newsletter. These blog posts would include visual storytelling, maybe creative writing (centered on the topics above), pictures, and videos. I want to make blogging easy, without the need for large paragraphs. In some cases, pictures can create a complete story.
Why did I choose this? Well, while I have been here, I have discovered how truly limited cultural exchange is in America in comparison. Nobody knows how a different country uses plastic, or if they are taking more steps to be sustainable, until you're immersed. For example, I found out that Germany has bottle exchange machines. These bottles are usually left around trash cans or in public so the homeless or people looking for spare change can return the bottle and get 1 to 2 euros back. I wouldn't have known this if I were not part of a cultural exchange like this one. Additionally, blogging is an easy way to get information out, while in the comfort of home. No expensive travel necessary. I also noticed how much intercultural learning has impacted me and how truly interested I am in knowing how other cultures think and perceive each other. Aren't you?
How am I going to make this happen? Well, my timeline starts next month with making my website and gathering local writers. I am also looking for new writers who want to improve their skills. Blogging is an easy way to do that. I also want to incorporate weekly optional editing sessions, in which we meet over Zoom or another platform to discuss editing questions or read the week's newsletter. If you're interested in being a writer, or simply in taking photos, you can contact me.
My first step of the day was to give the counsellors a shorter version of my proposal (an elevator pitch) and get their approval. This part went smoothly, and as always, the counsellors were supportive and helpful. Next, it was time to pair the presentation with a colorful, informative poster and prepare to give the elevator pitch again, this time in front of the whole "class," with an AFS partner present. Although it sounded overwhelming and a little frightening, I was excited to see what everyone else had to offer.
When it was time to give our official presentations, I watched person after person share their wonderful and creative ideas for a Personal Action Plan. Nothing fell short. Everyone was engaged and ready to bring the lessons we learned here back home. This reminded me once again how lucky I was to be surrounded by such passionate and driven people.
Now, without further ado-in no particular order-are the projects from our group. It would be unfair not to share, and I did promise to promote them using my platform. Reminder: Most of these are still in the process of being created.
"The Less Carbon the Better" is a website that helps you quickly see your carbon footprint and shares projects from the group to raise awareness and encourage action in the community.
"Trash to Travel" is a school competition between two partner schools, where the top five students from the winning school, who collect the most trash, are awarded a short exchange trip to the partner (losing) school’s country.
"The Blacklist" is an Instagram page that highlights companies with questionable ethics and helps you avoid them, so you can make more sustainable buying choices.
"Voices Unheard" is a podcast and video series that will be dedicated to giving young international guests a voice to share stories on social justice and the climate crisis.
"Boom over Doom" is an Instagram page created to raise awareness about marine ecosystems and emphasize that even if you don’t live near the ocean, you can still help!
"Forward" is a plan to find like-minded individuals in Philadelphia who want to help make public transportation more accessible through group protests, public speaking, and policy work.
"Eco-Monthly" is a website that provides easy-to-understand summaries of current environmental issues, without all the technical jargon, to help people stay informed.
"A Plan for a Resilient Future" outlines how communities can share ideas on sustainability, educate themselves and others, and participate in local outdoor and conservation programs.
"Saving Saturdays" is a volunteer program that dedicates one Saturday at a time to clean up local preserves and raise awareness about the impact of litter.
"DonOcean" is an Etsy shop that sells handmade crochet stuffed animals made from donated yarn. Proceeds will go to Deutsche Stiftung Meeresschutz (a German marine conservation organization) and other environmental programs.
"Green Corners" is a program that looks for small unused spots in communities to plant climate-friendly plants. This helps cool down cities and supports bees and butterflies.
"Through My Eyes" is a website that uses photography and writing to explore climate change, sustainability, pollution, and culture, highlighting their interconnected impact on our larger world.
"1001 Tips to Make a More Sustainable World" is exactly what it sounds like: a book full of practical ideas made to raise awareness and encourage sustainable habits in everyday life.
Overall, I’m so very proud of everyone's Personal Action Plan and how supportive we all are of each other. This process came to a close most perfectly, a fulfilling end to this program.
Another day of learning, another day of uncovering everyone’s passion. I plan on getting in contact with the participants after the program to check in on their PAPs. Is it still happening? What boundaries did you come across? Etc. So look out for posts in the far future!
The day ended with a walk, which I had wanted to take since I first saw the stunning view below the hostel. My friends and I started our walk around the derby track, which was tucked behind the hostel building. I mean it when I say it was ethereal. I know I’ll miss the deep greens of the grass and trees, and the feeling of being so connected to nature, without even trying.
The sunset was bathing us in golden light, and we ran, in a game of tag, across the "park" tucked in a corner behind the derby. It was nice to feel accomplished after a long day of presentations, and in a way, I started the day watching the beautiful sunrise and ended my time in Germany with a perfect sunset, surrounded by the people who made this program special. This remains one of my favorite memories.
Tomorrow morning, I am hopping on an excruciatingly long flight. After I’m home, I plan on giving an overview of how I’ve changed, the importance of intercultural learning, and what I’m doing next. I’ve learned so much about Germany, the United States, and so much more about myself. Until next time!
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