June 16

Today was a day of departures and arrivals for many of us. It was the departure from the program, as this was the first full day after the program had ended. I found myself driving through the mountains of Lebanon, Some found themselves in the train station of Amsterdam, some exploring the hill of Ireland, walking the streets of Prague, landing in Barcelona, reuniting with old friends, or finally throwing down their bags after surviving the ten hour flight back home. Regardless, we all had some hours of travel to reflect on our time in Berlin. 

This trip was about negotiating identity in communities. We had gone to explore how Germany was negotiating its national identity and what it meant to be German with the arrival of so many new people, and the existence of an already strong community different from what was considered typically German. We all saw the intricacies of this negotiation. We learned about all the different layers it involves from policy to culture to social recognition to citizenship laws, and compared how our identities are defined and ingrained in US culture. We all took something away from this trip that has peaked our interest in terms of what identity is and what it means to create and change a national identity, and how communities adjust and try to integrate or push out change (which you can read more about in our individual blogs and our upcoming publication), that, for some, will continue to drive their education and their lives in the future. 

This question of identity is not simple. The question of community is not simple, but it is one Germany, and the rest of the world must address with the new changes the refugee crisis and this new era of migration and international citizenship bring. Germany is an important case study of how one system of integration and citizenship works, one we can learn from and one that will continue to change and adjust and with each year, just as we must learn, change, and grow in our approach as well.

June 15

Today was the last day in Berlin for many of us. It started by slowly waking up and packing (last minute packing on my end). We then slowly dragged our bags down to the lobby to check out and grab a little breakfast. Ally, my lovely community partner buddy and friend, and thankfully gotten coffee for the both of us and handed it to me as I finished the checkout process.after the key was returned, and my bags were placed in luggage storage until it was my time to leave, we sat on the familiar lobby couches and waited for more of our crew to descend. Plans were light for the day, some were heading out to do a bit more exploring, others planning a last lunch with the rest of the group, I was part of the latter group. We decided on going to one of our favorite Indian places one street up from the hostel. We all had a few more euro than we would like to be left with, so we treated ourselves to some extra food and enjoyed our (well some of our) last meal Berlin. Over plenty of curry, rice, and naan, we discussed the trip, our future plans, and speculated on what the rest of the group was up to. Some of us were spending a few more days in Berlin, some were off to other countries like Spain, Ireland, Amsterdam, and me to Lebanon, and some were headed home. It was a bittersweet moment. We had gotten used to seeing each other every day and spending most of our time with each other. I think for everyone there was a part of them that was going to miss this. 

After our extravagant and very delicious lunch, we headed back to the hostel for a few precious moments of wifi and relaxation. Soon, it was time for me to be off. I said my final goodbyes to the hostel and to my wonderful Berlin travel mates, got in a taxi, and drove to the airport. On the drive there I had the time to think and reflect on the past month we had spent in this wonderful city. I think for all of us, this was an experience we won't easily forget. We forged a lot of memories in these streets. We made friends, created inside jokes, learned a lot, were forced out of our comfort zones, and had so much fun. Berlin has given all of us so much to be grateful for and so much to look back on. I know many of us plan on returning as soon as we can (hopefully with a few more German language skills in tow).