Reasons for studying in Germany

When I was in jr high my teacher told me that my last name was German, and though I had always known that I had German heritage it spark an interest in me about Germany and its culture.  Since then I have wanted to visit the two major sides of my heritage, Irish and German.  The summer before my senior year of high school I had the chance to be in Ireland and experience their culture.  It was a great experience, and I have wanted to go Germany ever since I got back.  However, knowing that travel is expensive and after I am married this coming spring I will not likely have the chance to see a piece of my heritage for myself ever again.  Therefore, not only will this experience fulfill a general education requirement, but a dream which without this trip may have never been able to see reality.  

(though not book I am talking about, I watched this movie about the same time in my life and learned a lot about what that story really was about)

Besides that Germany is part my heritage, I want to see it for the history which I have learned about it school and books. When I was little my dad used to read me a book about a little girl in World War II whose family hid Jews in their home.  Though the story made most Germans look like "bad guys," it also showed how there were still Germans at that time who held the sanctity of life above the unjust laws of the government.  Though I cannot find the book or remember its name. I remember that story as one of my favorites and would make dad read it to me almost every night for a year.

(this image of the Berlin wall reminds me of my paper I wrote and the freedom I understand that many people felt at the end)

Knowing my interest in Germany, especially the World War II era, in Jr High I wrote about the Berlin Wall and the how it effect the relationships of families and friends.  To this day, I remember writing that paper and deeply enjoying reading and learning about the Berlin wall and the struggles people endured living with it up.  Now, I will be able to see the remaining pieces of the wall for myself.

Overall, I want to see places which I have only imagined and scene in pictures.  This experience is truly a dream coming to life for me. 


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