Program Blog June 23

Today was setting out to be an incredibly busy and slightly hectic day. In the morning we had a discussion/lecture with Sharon Otoo, a Black British German writer about the short story she wrote that won her the Inge Bachman award as well as other topics including race and racism in Germany and the power/function of writing. After we were all free to visit Tränenpalast or the Palace of Tears as well as explore more of Berlin. Tränenpalast was a main border crossing at Fredrichstrabe Station between East and West Berlin. Being in this city and walking down streets that are in both East and West Berlin, it is really hard to imagine it separated by a wall and what that would do to the two populations. Our boat tour was canceled because of the weather but we were able to go on a tour of an old WWII Bunker that was next to a train station. In school you do not consider or really learn about the effects of war on civilian populations especially the civilian population of Nazi Germany and so this tour was particularly interesting. I was feeling claustrophobic with only 20 people in those rooms. I could not imagine having double or triple that amount and being afraid for my life. It was a jam packed day where we received a crash course on certain aspects of Germany’s history and present after which we all returned to the hostel and passed out.

 

Tränenpalast

 Program Blog June 24

After a crazy first week in Berlin, many of us chose to sleep in and do homework before our afternoon talk with Mohammad Tanko. Trailblazer Katie visited Neues Ufer, the café that was frequented by David Bowie in the 70’s.  In the afternoon we all went to Kotti to listen to a migrant from Niger about his experiences in Niger and on his migration to Germany. He had very interesting insights about democracy in Africa and US foreign policy that I think most of us had considered and thought about but never been able to put into context.  He also led a walk to Oranienplatz which was the refugee camp in Kreuzberg in 2015. It was completely empty and had no signs that it had ever been a camp. The only way you would have known is if you had been there two years ago or your professor had told you. Afterward, most of us had our afternoons free but Becca, Ying, Sophia,Laurette, Catherine, and myself all headed to their various community partners for community festivals. At die Gartnerrei, Sophia, Ying and Becca walked around the art festival and took a dance class with other members of the community.  Ally, Laurette, and Catherine functioned as the community partner leader’s assistant and helped watch the children at the festival. Thanks to the children I can now count to twelve in German and say “that is not yours” (nicht deins). Overall it was a fun way to end an already great week.

Drawings one child did on our hands