The trip to Europe drew to a close today for Elviona and I as we return to the United Sates tomorrow. Yesterday we were asked by the Osnabruck team to write down the 3 most important things that we learn during this trip; however it was very difficult for me to only pick 3 experiences out of the entire 2 weeks to write down.

                I feel that the most important thing that I learned was to recognize that Germany is not just the country that started World War II. When most of the people in the United States speak of Germany, they speak of the Holocaust or the Nazis. After traveling to this incredible country I realize how ignorant many people in the United States are when it concerns the true beauty of the Germany culture. I realize that the history of Germany goes so far beyond the Second World War and that it is full of beauty and resiliency. It is incredible to me that the devastated cities in the pictures that we see from World War II have grown into such prosperous and competitive cities in such a short period of time.

                Another important thing that I learned during this trip was to not be afraid to leave the United States behind. During the school year Dr. Kleine stressed the idea of not being attached to our cell phones or our computers and I never really considered how much of an impact that being away from the United States would have on my trip. I missed my family and the people from the United States very much; however I feel that I would not have received as much from the trip if I would have been attached to my connection with Tampa.

                I feel that my knowledge of Germany and my appreciation of the beautiful country have grown so much over the past 2 weeks and I thank Mr. Lucien and Dr. Kleine so very much for the opportunity to come with this program.