My last weekend in Berlin was bittersweet. I was not even sure if I would stay in Berlin or travel to another country during the last weekend of the program, but I decided to stay and enjoy the city I am studying abroad in one last time. I even got tickets to go to Lollapalooza Berlin on Saturday and see Gracie Abrams, one of my favorite artists of all time, perform live. That was a bucket list item I got to cross off, and I feel lucky to have had that experience in the city I am studying abroad in. Because no one else from Pitt was keen on going to the festival, I coordinated with some girls that are in Berlin through a different school but completing the same program. We met up on the S-bahn and enjoyed the festival together. Even though it was cold and rainy the entire day, it did not take away from the experience of getting to see one of my top artists perform the songs I had been listening to since I was in early high school. To see how far she has come and the fame and following she has now compared to when I first started listening to her music was so cool and made me feel a sense of pride for someone I do not even know! This was also my first ever music festival. Although I have been to many concerts, I never got to experience an event with so many different artists, different stages, and other activities as well. There were many food stands and things to do in addition to watching the artists perform, and the vibe was just so different from any concert I had ever been to.
Over my last week in Berlin, I tried to make sure I saw everything before leaving. I walked along the east side gallery, went to many more cafes, saw some museums, and went to flea markets. In addition to the Turkish market, I also went to the Mauerpark flea market with Alina on Sunday. This one was just different from the rest somehow. It was huge, with lots of options for food and drinks, sweet treats, and shopping. There were stalls carrying so many different things, from practically usable appliances to jewelry to customizable souvenirs. The vibe of the park itself was also so cool, as there was live music and in the large greenspaces in the park people were playing games and dancing and enjoying picnics. It was a lively, bustling area.
My summer in Berlin was one of the most enriching experiences of my life. Although it came with a lot of difficulties and challenges, learning to adapt to changes in personal and professional situations is an invaluable lesson I am grateful to have learned. In the beginning, I was homesick and the adjustment period was quite difficult. But as I spent more time in Berlin, the city began to feel familiar and like a second home. By the time my flight home came around, I honestly did not want to leave. The amount of independence I felt and the growth I saw in myself during this time made me want to stay longer. One of the biggest changes I noticed was the confidence in myself. Whether in the workplace when I had to problem solve on my own without guidance or personally in terms of solo traveling and exploring, I became a lot more confident in my ability to take care of myself and get things done without anyone else’s help. I also made some amazing friends during my time in Berlin, and some of them do not go to Pitt because they were part of different programs. Those goodbyes were the hardest, but we intend to visit each other’s schools and stay in touch.
In a professional sense, I have learned a lot. While I acquired some technical skills such as coding in python and manipulating dataframes, I also gained many soft skills such as problem solving, communication, and working in a team environment. These skills will all be useful when I return to Pitt in the fall and continue my academic career. Many of my classes require proficiency in python and git, and the soft skills are transferable not only in my academics but also in any future internships or jobs. In addition to the professional world, these soft skills are important to have in social settings as well.
As I left Berlin and many of my new friends, the goodbyes felt bittersweet. Although I was excited to go home and see all of my friends and family whom I missed so much, I also now was leaving behind new friends and a new home/community I built in an entirely different part of the world. I found comfort, however, in knowing that this is not the last time I will see this place or these people. I know I will be back, and I plan on keeping in touch with all of my new friends, and right now I just feel grateful for the experience and everything I have gained from it.
