Moving On

I’ve been in Fulda now for about two weeks, and thankfully the readjustment process hasn’t been too difficult.  German class is quite fun, and I’ve already found a nice group of people to play ultimate with. I actually think I’m getting quite good at adjusting to new surroundings at this point, but I’m sure I’ll get that Heimweh sooner or later!

Nonetheless, changing locations always makes me stop and think about where I am, and where I’m going in life.  Am I living abroad for too long? Do I have a workable, coherent plan? Do I really need to eat that döner? (the answer is yes, always)  So to celebrate these musings that have been on my mind, here’s a little thought that I’ve been mulling over recently.

Changing locations is always liberating and depressing in some ways.  It’s liberating in that you’re a blank slate. No one knows you, you know no one, and you’re free create a new version of yourself without any preconceptions.  Although I’d like to think that I’m always the same person no matter who I’m talking to, I’m sure all the people I’ve met around the world have a slightly different image of ‘Ryan’.

It’s also a little bit depressing in that no one knows your previous experience.  You want people to recognize where you’re coming from, know your struggles and accomplishments.  Unfortunately, most people in your new location probably don’t share your previous experience and thus have little interest in talking about it.  

And I wouldn’t expect people to feign interest in my previous experiences.  Part of life is certainly accepting when things are over and moving on from them.  Absolutely cherish the memories, but don’t be a slave to them.

So here’s to Fulda, where many more struggles and accomplishments are sure to be had!

Heute Hier, Morgen Dort

As the title of this post suggests (Today here, tomorrow there), I’ll be changing locations pretty soon. After a visit from Maw and Paw next week I’ll be boarding a plane bound for that wondrous country of döner and beer, Germany!

It is there that I’ll be starting a German Pre-Study language program in April at the Fulda University of Applied Sciences (FH Fulda). Assuming everything goes according to my ‘master’ plan (hehehe), I’ll pass the DSH* language exam in August, which would then qualify me for a two-year Master’s program in Intercultural Communication and European Studies (ICEUS).

*DSH stands for the Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (German language test for university admittance), and is kind of like a German TOEFL test for foreigners who want to study in Germany.

Although I’m already enrolled in the Pre-Study language program at FH Fulda, I haven’t yet heard back on acceptance for the Master’s degree program (ICEUS) that starts in October. The application window doesn’t close until May though, so I assume it’ll be some time before people start hearing back. Nonetheless, it’s a little nerve wracking packing up and moving my life to a foreign country without a formal university acceptance… so bitte drück mir die Daumen!

I’ve had my eye on this Master’s program pretty much since I moved to Korea two years ago, and I’ve been financially and mentally preparing for it since then. I’m also super-dooper-pooper-scooper excited to be back in Germany as a student again. So, in an attempt to get you as excited as I am for this move, enjoy this little video tour of FH Fulda that I’ve watched way too many times during my deskwarming!

P.S. Due to the way things have lined up, I unfortunately won’t be able to visit home between Korea and Germany, but I’ll hopefully be home for Christmas this year!