Throughout my study abroad experience, I have been staying in a facility here in Berlin called the Humboldt-Institut that houses lots of people from around the world. Whether we're from Costa Rica or China, we all live, eat and go on adventures together with the main focus of learning German, whether for school or because we can. We have two primary advisors, Julian and Christina, who organize events for us and help get around Berlin. Both are very nice, and I was even able to give both some Hot Cheetos from the U.S.as a gift!
Before I arrived, I was worried about meeting people, and although I am an amiable person who loves interacting with new people, I am also aware that social environments change from place to place, especially in different countries. My worry came from having so many expectations of greetings, social interaction and language proficiency coming from different directions all at once. But as time carried on and my stay moved forward, all my worries and concerns disappeared.
When I arrived, I was welcomed with an informal introduction about how things would work by a representative from the central institute. Once I was led to my room, I slept through the jet lag and awakened the next day to join a tour around the major historical sites of Berlin.
