Self Assessment
I was awfully wrong when I thought my journey to Europe will not be that much harder than my trip in South Korea. Needless to say, from the language barriers to the lack of knowledge about each country’s culture, I was well challenged by this project. But despite the countless times I got on the wrong trains or turned the wrong direction, I have completed my Magellan project successfully.
Before I left for Paris, I contacted an exchanged student, Maurane, whom I had a business class with for a semester and asked if she could host me for a few days. I was nervous because the two of us were not that close to begin with. However, to my surprise, she kindly said yes! I was extremely excited because that meant I get to spend time as a local. I embarked on my European journey and flew to Paris: my first stop. Spending time with Maurane was truly unforgettable. Not only did she show me around Paris, she brought me back to her house which was an hour and a half away from the city. I checked with Maurane on whether I must greet her mother the French way: kissing her on the cheeks. She laughed and said I can do whatever I am comfortable with. During the four days I stayed with her, she taught me how to utilize Paris’s public transportation system, show me which place is the best to eat at, and everything that I need to know about Parisians. I also picked up a few French phrases, enough to order myself a croissant and a cup of coffee. I never knew I could fall in love so quickly with a city that I have never been to before.
The flight from CDG to SFX in Berlin was not too long. I was utterly shocked because there was no immigration line. No one stamped my passport. I just picked up my bag and walked straight out the door. As I followed my host’s direction to get to the Airbnb, I got on the wrong train. Good thing I asked another passenger and she kindly redirected me. Another problem that I ran into: houses in Germany are numbered in a different system. The houses are numbered continuously – 12 would be standing next to 13 - instead of having an odd and an even side. Needless to say, it took me a while to find the Airbnb since I could not figure out the system at first. It turned out that the host gave me the right direction, just that he was not aware of the recent changes in the route due to construction. To me, Berlin was a magnanimous construction site. The new buildings pop up against the old ones, turning the entire city into a contemporary art museum. I never got bored walking around the city since the sceneries vary from place to place.
When another W&J student, Alex saw the picture of Berlin that I posted on my social media, she reached out and offered to advise me on where I should go and what I should do in Berlin. Needless to say, I got so excited knowing that I have friends from W&J here with me in Berlin! Alex, Brooke met up with me for a nice dinner in their favorite restaurant in the city. Fun facts that I learned from the two ‘locals’: Fanta and ice cream bars taste much better in Germany. It was incredible how all three of us could meet up in a foreign country! Once again, I can proudly confirm that us Presidents are world travelers.
Denmark left a deep impression on me because someone in that country still has my wallet. I vividly recalled when I sat on the stone steps outside of a building that I could not remember, my head buried in between my knees, grieving for my stolen wallet. I scolded myself for being so ignorant with my surrounding. In my defense, I have always kept my wallet in my backpack, and it was with me through Paris and Berlin. The only day when I walked around with two of my friends, my wallet got picked in Nyhavn, Copenhagen. I was scared. Scared because I still have another country to go to, a journey to complete. Even more scared because I was all by myself in a strange city. Luckily, I still had my passport and some money set aside. From that point on, I learned that important documents must either be on me or in the hidden compartment on the back of my backpack. Another lesson that I jotted down in my traveling notes is that I must split my money into different portions and keep them in different places, just in case if my wallet is stolen again, I will still have money with me.
I left Denmark with a heavy heart. However, I could not stay upset when I knew that my dream of meeting Travelling Kat will come true after the flight from CPH to ARN. During the time I stayed at her house, I listened to many stories from not only Kat, but also from her parents. I now fully understand how Kat can pack her words with inspiration, with positivity – she has a loving family who always support her unconditionally. Those moments when I visited the places that she mentioned in her book will remain in my heart. In Stockholm, I randomly found a good friend, Rebecca, through the free city tour. She was very impressed when I talked in Chinese to her. Us two girls ended up exploring different aspects of the city together. Before, I thought making friend is a challenge since it always seems like I am bothering others. Now, I can comfortably strike a conversation with a stranger. I strongly believe that each person has a story to tell, and all of those stories should be heard.
Simply put, the best lesson that I learned from this Magellan is if I do not know about something, ASK. I ran into problems now and then so people’s help was what helped me go through the journey. I now appreciate questions, whether they are for someone else or for me. Through series of questions, I gain a better understanding on a tourist attraction, a city, or even a person. I also never knew how studying in W&J could prepare me so well for the real world. All of the connections that I made here through classes, clubs, and organizations benefit me in so many different ways. I now have connections with students and alumni who come from different part of the world. With that being said, from now on, I will reach out to our student and alumni network before I plan for my next adventure.