Blog Postcard – Frankfurt, Germany
Hello from Frankfurt!
My exchange semester in Frankfurt, Germany, passed so quickly. I was there from March and stayed there until the spring and the summer. It was enjoyable living in Frankfurt, at times a challenge, but overall very worthwhile.
Dorm and new friends
I shared a dormitory with communal kitchens and bathrooms. Initially, it was somewhat unusual, but it was one of the best experiences of the exchange. Sharing cooking with other students was never boring and frequently turned into an exchange of cultures, we exchanged recipes, tried each other’s cuisine, and spent hours chit-chatting. It was an actual international community in the dormitory, and I made lots of friends there.
daily activity and shopping
I shopped for most of the food in a regular Rewe shop close to me, becoming a part of my weekly routine. It was entertaining seeing the subtle details of cultural variations from Finland, such as bottle returns in a Pfand machine and lots of varieties of sausages and bread. Even the daily routines made me familiar with the culture of the city.
travel and events
One of the best experiences of living in Germany was traveling so easily and reasonably. With reduced prices and discounted train and bus travel with a student card, I was able to go and visit numerous German cities and other European nations over weekends. Each journey exposed me to a new perspective and added value to my intercultural experience.
Frankfurt city never was dull either. The city and the university arranged numerous events where international students could get in touch with one another. It was either a party, a cultural night, or an open get-together at the river Main; there was never a dull moment. These settings let me get in touch with Germans as much as with students from everywhere in the world.
Reflection
Retrospectively, what I brought back from Frankfurt was so much more than intellectual understanding. It was about friendships, self-sufficiency, and learning to go with the flow. I discovered the value of community while living away from home and how living day-to-day with people with different cultures makes you grow as a person. Frankfurt became a home away from home, and the experience will stay with me forever.
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