Change of Pace

Post by: Lizzy Sloan
Location: Berlin Day 4

Today was slower pace then the previous days here in Berlin but we got to experience something very rare. First off, we toured a company that specializes in prosthetics called Ottobock. We got to see the different technology they use in order to create the best prosthetics possible for the person in need. The building was very modern and the systems they used were absolutely amazing.

After this we split up and half of us went to a local college and the other half (my half) went and had a discussion with Tatjana König who is the manager of the Falling Walls Foundation. This foundation is a nonprofit organization in Berlin that seems to be comparable to TED talks. They invite people to speak about their upcoming findings and experiments. These topics can range from the human body to archaeological findings. The organization is only five years old and seems to be moving in the right direction. We also discussed topics such as birth rate differences between our countries and health insurance differences as well. Having this discussion taught me a lot about the German economy and ways of life that I was unaware of.

To close the night, some of us took a boat tour in the river around Berlin. This was very fun and entertaining because we got to see the city from a different perspective and see all of the amazing architecture and the modernization of some buildings. This city has been very good to us. For me, I love to experience the different culture. It is very interesting to see similarities and difference in things such as food, night life, restaurants and so forth compared to what we experience everyday back home.

Tomorrow morning we head to Prague and I am so excited to see what that city has to offer and I am ready it be emerged into another culture!

That's all for today!

Photo 1: Interactive exhibit at Ottobock Science Center

Photo: The Berlin School of Economics and Law speaking with representatives from the Harriet Taylor Mill-Institut

Photo 3: The Spree River

The Backyards of Berlin

Post by: Anthony Brask
Location: Berlin Day 3

Lutheran service at 9am. The service was held right downtown at the old church that was bombed in WWII. The mass seemed much simpler than catholic masses but very similar in ways too. My big take away was the "Madonna" piece done by a German soldier at the battle of Stalingrad in WWII. It was a touching piece of art that was done by a German priest for the soldiers on Xmas. The battle was ultimately a huge loss for the Germans and a turning point in the war. After mass we took a bus to another part of Berlin.

After The two story bus ride to Alexander plaz we
The plaz, had a real German sausage, people watched and learned about the history of the plaz. From there we went to the memorial for German women with Jewish husbands. The women were able to get their husbands released from nazi control through protest and some insider connections. The memorial was quite moving. We then went around to the backyards in Berlin and talked history/sitesaw. These "backyards" were areas for people to run little businesses and hangout. They are quiet retreats away from the loud, chaotic city streets. One thing I noticed today were the amount of little kids on bikes.

Little kids learn to bike everywhere, so when they grow up they are use to biking on those crazy busy streets of Berlin. After touring around the city some more we made out way over to the subway. We took a Long S ban ride to have dinner Irmhild Bärend, an amazing German woman who invited out group into her home for conversation and refreshments. Irmhild is a very strong, independent woman who made a name for herself as a writer and editor for Decision magazine in Berlin. She also started Operation Christmas Child in Berlin. A social charity campaign that was a huge success both in the US and Germany. I really enjoyed hearing what Irmhild had to share with us. She was one of those people with such a loving heart, it would be impossible to miss. We learned a lot about history, women's roles, and religion in Germany. Overall I had another great day in Berlin. We capped our night off at a local pub called HeckMeck. The pubs atmosphere was very relaxed and warm. People went there to wind down after a long day to catch up with friends and have a beer. They played a lot of American 80's music which I found to be interesting. Great place with great friends. 

Photo 1: Trying sausage at Alexander plaz

Photo 2:  Rosenstrasse Protest, the memorial showing women who peacefully fought for their husbands 

Photo 3: At the home of Irmhild Bärend