…and by Germany, I mean my home in Pennsylvania. My program doesn’t begin until March, so I am about halfway through my winter break!

My name is Ivana Matijevic, and I will be studying abroad in Berlin, Germany during the Spring 2014 semester. I am participating in IES Abroad’s Berlin, Language and Area Studies program. I am a Sophomore double majoring in Math and German.

This will be my 3rd time abroad. I was born in Munich, Germany so I already have some experience in Germany, though I was only 3 years old when we came to America and I thus have barely any memories of Germany. My 2nd time abroad was in 2007. I went to Bosnia to visit family, and got to spend time in Serbia and Croatia as well.

I am very excited to study abroad. My intention, academically at least, is to become fluent in German and fulfill the remnants of my German major. I have been studying German since 2006, and at this point I think the only way for me to improve my German skills is to immerse myself completely in the country. Reading literature and doing grammar exercises can help only so much.

I am also studying abroad because I think it is very important for people to actually get out of here, to explore and experience. America is great, but there’s more to the world than just this country. Experiencing other cultures is very important in putting our own into perspective.

What I am most nervous about is.. the German. My program is all in German, and Germany is also very German. I can imagine the fear and regret-traced anxiety when I step off the plane/bus/canoe* and find myself immersed in a rather new and unfamiliar culture. I know that once I’m there and settled, these feelings will fade and the excitement of experiencing and learning will set in. I know plenty of people who have studied abroad, and I have yet to meet a single person who regrets going abroad. I know I will have a great time, but there will naturally be difficulties to deal with.

*I am going to Bosnia to visit family before heading to Berlin, and have yet to determine how I will venture from Bosnia to Berlin.

Alas, I now conclude my first blog. I apologize for not having anything exciting; I am currently sitting at home, playing Skyrim — err, I mean, vicariously preparing myself for my German adventure by keeping up-to-date on the latest going-ons in Germany and studying popular German literature, music, and trends. Yeah. That.

Bis sp�ter!

Location: Lancaster, PA