Melissa Seuffert (archive)

7/13/08

Hello all!

The time has come for me to bid farewell to Germany. As I sit here in my apartment on this Sunday afternoon, I’m filled with mixed emotions about leaving and going home. This huge chapter of my life has no come to an end and I have to say, what a chapter it was! This year has been simply amazing ... what am I going to do now? I have this new sense of self, can speak fluent German, have seen a huge chunk of Europe and have formed an addiction to German bakeries that I sadly have to say “Auf Wiedersehen” to. I have to say goodbye to my friends and my family and head back to real life after what seems like waking up from a wonderful dream. Back to school to finish my last classes and graduate, and then we’ll see. Maybe I’ll find myself back here in a few years working on a master’s, but only time will tell I suppose.

The only advice I can give you is this: If you want to learn the language, if you want to be immersed in a culture so rich and full of life and history, and if you want to simply have a life-changing experience, then come to Germany. Study, work, do research, or just get on a plane and come over for a vacation! Take advantage of all the study abroad opportunities that are out there, because while we’re young, this is one of the best chances we have to “figure out” who we are and where we want to be. Without DAAD, there is no way I would be here, and so for one last time, I have to say a big thank you to them! I will never forget this experience and will remain eternally grateful for the chance you gave me this year.

And for all of you out there teeter-tottering and wondering if you should go for it, just do it! Apply for the scholarships and take the chance, I promise it will be worth it.

So I must be off and end this blog, feel free to contact me with any questions you might have about my experience in Germany and with DAAD! Thanks to all out there who have kept up and joined me on this journey, I wish you all the best and hope that one day, you’ll all have a German adventure of your own J

Liebe Grüße aus Mainz,

Melissa

Posted by melissa.seuffert at July 13, 2008 10:34 AM CDT

Comments on this entry:

Wie gehts, I am so....happy to go on line and read your undergraduate work in Germany. I am also proud to be half german. My father is also a german and my mother is not. His brothers were born in Koplenz but during World War II my grandparents came over here when my grandmother was pregnant with my father and he was born in California. Out of my three sisters I show the most interest in my roots. I'm very close to my father, and he will speak a little German to me. He forgot his language because during the war he and his brothers were forbidden to speak German in the home. That saddens me because he has lost his language. He will count to me and say a couple of sentences that he can remember but that is it. I so want to speak the language but I have nobody around here that speaks it. California is becoming predominantly Spanish and Vietnamese. I just met a woman who is half german and sweddish. She will write a little in German to me and then I search it on the web. Sorry if I misspelled the German at the beginning. I only hear from her once every three weeks. I was hoping for more of a correspondance from her. I think that it is so fantastic that you are pursuing your roots and getting to know the language. I embrace being a German. I used to almost be ashamed that I was only half german, but I guess that is pretty special. You don't need to be a full German to find your roots. Keep up the good studies, and if you have time I hope to hear from you in English and German! God bless, Christine

Left by guest at May 15, 2010 3:52 PM CDT