Last Thursday, a group of volunteers visited Berlin to experience the culture of a large city. The day started early with an 8 am train from Halle (Saale) and a tight connection in Wittenberg, up to Berlin. Several subway stops later, the group was able to explore the Arabic area of Berlin, including breakfast at a local Arabic restaurant. Following lunch, the group went sightseeing through many of the cultural attractions in Berlin, starting at Alexanderplatz and winding all the way to the Mall of Berlin. These cultural stops included the Fernsehturm, the Neptunbrunnen, the Berliner Dom, the Altes Museum, the Neue Wache, the Humboldt-UniversitƤt zu Berlin, the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate, and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe.

While the group braved the rain that started shortly after lunch, by the time they reached the Memorial, it had begun to pour. Seeking shelter, the group went to the largest mall in Berlin, the Mall of Berlin. Here, they finished their tour of Berlin by hanging out with each other and exploring what the mall had to offer. Their day in Berlin concluded with free time to explore sights of individual interest before meeting back up at the train station for the ride back to Halle.

Interviews with Participants

Katelyn (23), Nevada, USA

Iā€™ve been to Berlin several times before, but during this trip, I was able to walk around parts of the city that I hadnā€™t explored before and eat some Filipino food, which was the highlight of my trip. One thing that stuck with me was the number of people still out and about, even though it was raining pretty hard. It was nice to see people making the best out of bad weather. Another aspect of the trip that I liked was eating brunch with everyone, which was so much fun, and we got to eat some really good shawarma! I chose this program to learn more about refugees in Germany, and though I wish we had explored the difference between refugee experiences in Halle and Berlin, I appreciated being able to understand the small cultural differences between Halle and a bigger city like Berlin.

Valentine (20), France, Costa Rica

Though this trip was my second time in Berlin, I enjoyed it just as much as my first time. Both times involved quite a bit of hustle and bustling, rain, and a great step count. The previous weekend, I had gone to Rave the Planet with other volunteers, where I experienced a particular atmosphere associated with this event. During this visit, I was able to experience the more day-to-day Berlin environment. What stuck out to me about this second visit was the restaurants we visited; the Arabic restaurant with shawarma sandwiches and the Filipino restaurant for dinner were both delicious, and Iā€™m so glad I got to experience them with my fellow volunteers. I also really loved playing cards on the way to Berlin and the fun, occasionally deep conversations on the way back. I appreciate how willing the people at the Center are to talk and get to know each other. I chose this program because I wanted to improve my German and learn new skills. The trip to Berlin provided a great opportunity to practice the language in a busy environment and a fantastic, immersive experience. I loved it, and I hope weā€™ll meet up again for similar outings in the future!

Tahnee (20), Australia

Going to Berlin with the Excellence Center was a wonderful experience. The train rides to and from Berlin were so memorable. I enjoyed playing games with everyone and making new inside jokes and memories. This was my first time visiting Berlin, and getting to see the number of statues around us as we walked through the city, and the historical context and stories surrounding them stood out to me. One great experience from this trip that has stuck with me was getting to try the Arabic food we had at lunch. It was so delicious and unlike anything I could ever get in Australia. Iā€™m glad we visited Berlin, and I feel like we learned a lot and connected wonderfully as a group. I really loved travelling with the Center; it was the most fun Iā€™ve ever had on a day trip!

Declan (21), California, USA

This was my first trip to Berlin and I really enjoyed the experience. I came to the Excellence Center to study Arabic and see more of Europe. Ordering breakfast in Arabic and sharing a meal outside with the other volunteers was a lovely experience. The Center staff were amazing guides and a great help to lean on when my Arabic or German needed assistance. The Center made this trip unforgettable, and they made me smile the entire day!

Alex (21), Ohio, USA

Although this was not my first time in Berlin, this trip was different because I got to share it with the people at the Excellence Center. Exploring Berlin as part of that group brought a whole new energy to the city; even the places Iā€™d seen before felt fresh because of the new perspectives everyone brought. Visiting the Holocaust Memorial was an impactful moment of the trip. Walking through the stone columns with everyone was a really moving experience; it brought a sense of reflection and respect that stood out in the middle of an otherwise lively trip. Traveling with the Center made it feel less like a formal trip and more like a group of friends exploring the city together. We balanced learning moments with plenty of fun, and having everyone around made the trip much more enjoyable!

Conclusion

This trip to Berlin was a memorable and enriching experience for all the participants. Despite the rainy weather that challenged the itinerary, the group was still able to partake in cultural and culinary explorations and embrace all the city had to offer. The trip also allowed for deeper connections to be formed and incredible memories to be made among the volunteers. Overall, the visit to Berlin offered a valuable opportunity to engage with a different environment while building lasting friendships and deeper cultural understanding.

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