Throughout the past week, we have shared a great number of personal thoughts about spirituality, religion and many other very personal topics with each other.
After attending the service at a local church on Sunday, we talked about our personal values and religious beliefs. Chaplain Heinrich from Kronberg joined us for part of the discussion. One of the statements he made inspired me a lot:
It all comes down to love, faith and hope. The hope in the endless power of love is what we believe and trust in.
Chaplain Heinrich talking to the group about love, faith and hope.
An important part of the International Youth Weeks (IYW) is to talk about the worldwide distribution of different resources such as money.
When discussing that topic, we also came across the topic of not only sharing monetary resources but also those within us.
This is my small group’s finding on that:
Sign in Udaipur, India
When thinking about monetary resources, I notice that I don’t find it fair if one person has everything and another has nothing. We need to split up the resources so that everybody gets his or her fair share. Although the shares will not always be equal, I have to be somewhat satisfied with what we got at one point because goods will probably never be shared completely equally in our society.
The emotional resources we carry within us such as love and compassion whatsoever are endless. The more I give, the more I get. The more of myself I am giving to others, the more about myself I share with them, the more I receive in return. However, there is no need to estimate how much love and stories I am going to receive in return for sharing mine. Whatever I do for others will cause I feeling of joy within me and whatever I receive I will be grateful for.”
“Shouldn’t you be used to saying goodbye by now?”, a friend recently asked me. “There’s no need to cry”, another one tried to comfort me. In my mind, I added that good old saying “Don’t cry because it’s over but smile because it happened” to the latter statement. I giggled. Next, I let my tears flow.
I don’t mind crying. Not all the time, of course, but it’s a great relief once in a while. I can hardly think of a way to display my emotions more sincerely than by crying. What’s more beautiful than crying tears of joy in a moment of perfect happiness? What’s more relieving than crying when you’re feeling blue? Last but not least: What lets a bond of affection grow stronger than crying together and comforting each other?
“No tears, only smiles we will remember! See you soon. Like. Tomorrow. And then some other ‘tomorrow'” Gunda Z.
I just cried past night when I had to say goodbye to my Erasmus friends. “I’m not going to cry at my farewell”, I had told myself before. In the end I will make an effort to meet those who matter to me again very soon. Ergo: No need to cry. Those I will not keep in touch with have probably only been companions for that short period of my life. I’m thakful for the memories we share.
However, I didn’t manage not to cry. We had some drinks. The karaoke machine played a song after the next. Aidana fullfilled Iiris’ wish and performed “All of me”. My friends and me stood in a circle around her, arm in arm. Iiris and I would be leaving tomorrow, most other people within only a few weeks time. Aidana’s song got to me. I started to cry. My friends and me comforted each other.
Cause all of me loves all of you.
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections.
Give your all to me, I’ll give my all to you.
You’re my end and my beginning.
Even when I lose, I’m winning
Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you.”
Living and studying in Debrecen has been a very intense experience for me. My friends both in Germany and in Hungary have been by my side at all times. Sharing experiences and memories draws you closer together. I am very greateful for every single one of them. That’s why I can doubtlessly say: I will miss my Debrecen friends. A lot!
Although I have been abroad several times before – even to more distant places and for much longer periods of time – I don’t think I’ll ever get used to saying goodbye. And that’s a good thing! “You only realize what you had once you’ve lost it”, is a much quoted saying – because it’s true. I don’t lose my companions only because life parts us as long as we make an effort to keep in touch. New media makes it easier than ever. But still: each farewell feels like a little loss.
Treasuring memories and making new ones
You say goodbye to your dear ones and a soon to be past part of you life. At the same time, you looking forward to a new, exciting though maybe somewhat frightening future part of your life. You’re leaving behind a certain routine and dear people. You’re going to encounter either old friends or make new ones very soon. Saying goodbye is an incredibly ambivalent feeling.
That’s why I cried about it. I cried tears of thankful joy for countless moments of perfect happiness throughout the past 100 days. I cried tears of sadness for leaving my friends in Debrecen. I cried because it’s over and I cried because it happened. The tears washed away whatever pain was left and engraved marks of memorable moments in my heart. They make room for new emotional memories to make in the future – together with my dear friends all over the world.
Today, I am going to quote myself. I wrote those words only a couple of days ago while evaluating and reflecting upon my Erasmus semester in Debrecen, Hungary. I am writing this post while I should actually be packing suitcase. I didn’t think this was ever going to happen when I first arrived here, but I am super melancholy right now. Great memories made lay behind and great adventures and challenges lay ahead of me. I am incredibly excited to be surrounded by my family and friends back home in Germany again.
However, wherever you go, you leave part of your heart. I will most certainly miss living right next to a beautiful park, studying in a pretty university building, having brunch, lunch and dinner with my friends, going to Erasmus events, traveling a lot (at least I’ll stick with that one) and spending precious moments discussing our lives. Thank you for everything, my dear friends in Debrecen. Sziasztok!
Enjoying the view and treasuring the moment in Pécs, Hungary.
Studying abroad is an experience producing relationships and memories that can last a lifetime.You might struggle to keep in touch with your friends back home. You re-evaluate your interpersonal relationships on numerous levels. You build new friendships. Some of those might last a lifetime. You learn a new language. You learn to find your way around a formerly unknown surrounding. You get a chance to grow academically. More importantly, you grow personally. You might face some obstacles – and will most certainly overcome them. And most of all, you learn to enjoy every moment of your life, remember the importance of appreciation and to treasure the memories and friendships you make for they might last a lifetime.” (Laura Konieczny)
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day have been celebrated for decades. Rather recently, more holidays such as friendship day, teacher appreciation day and national siblings day came along. I personally don’t think to much of those holidays. You’re asking why? Well, simply because I think I shouldn’t need a set date to remind me of displaying gratitude, appreciation and love to those who matter to me – I want to do so every single day.
If you haven’t done so today: Say thank you to your best friend for always having an open ear. Smile at the bus driver. Tell your parents, grandparents, relatives and friends you care about that you do. You never know what life brings along next…
I spent a weekend in Budapest with my parents – I loved it just as much as I love them!
Hi to my family and friends in Hannibal. I miss you and can’t wait to be with you again next spring! Danke Mama und Papa dafür, dass es euch gibt und danke für das schöne Familienwochenende in Budapest! Meine liebe Familie in Deutschland, ihr könnt euch gar nicht vorstellen, wie sehr ich mich darauf freue, bald wieder (zumindest für ein Weilchen) in eurer Nähe zu leben. Ciao Annagret, Gianni e Chiara: io ho amato voi. Danke Rike, Lisa, Jessi, Janni, Aileen, Lea und Kim und all ihr anderen lieben Freunde dafür, dass es euch gibt und ihr es mit mir aushaltet. Thank you to all the great people I met during my Erasmus semster in Debrecen for countless happy memories!
Scroll down to read the English version of this article.
Ich glaube, ich war heute das glücklichste Mädchen der Stadt – und das nur, weil mich der Portier meines Wohnheims bat, meine Post bei ihm abzuholen. Jackpot: Ein Brief meiner besten Freundin Lea, eine super coole Postkarte von der wundervollen Kim und ein Packet von meiner Familie.
Ohne angeben zu wollen: meine Mama ist die wahrscheinlich beste Packete-aus-der-Heimat-Packerin der Welt. Außer meinem Rucksack und einem Haufen Kram, den ich für meinen zehntägigen Trip im April brauche, hat sie mir noch eine Plüschente als Reisebegleitung, meine liebsten Ostersüßigkeiten, Zahnbürstenköpfe (meine Zahngesundheit liegt ihr doch am Herzen ;P), veganen Brotaufstrich, Mädchenmagazine und die Geburtstagsgeschenke meiner Familie geschickt (letztere habe ich gleich ganz hinten in einer meiner Schubladen versteckt, um der Versuchung des Auspackens noch bis nächste Woche Freitag zu widerstehen).
Ich bin gerade sehr, sehr glückselig. All der Kram mag für sich genommen ziemlich unbedeutend daherkommen. Ich weiß aber, dass meine Mama sich bei jedem einzelnen Teil etwas – und vor allem an mich – gedacht hat. Danke, du bist die Beste!
Thankful Thursday (#3): Mail from my Mom
I might have been the happiest girl in town today – just because my dormitory’s receptionist told me to pick up my mail. Not only did I receive a letter and a super cool postcard from my best friends Kim and Lea, but also a long-awaited package from my family.
I don’t want to brag but my Mom might be the best care package packer ever. Not only did she send me the travel supplies I will need for my ten-day-trip in April, but also a soft-toy duck to be my travel companion, my favorite easter candy, new toothbrushes (I couldn’t find them here), vegan sandwich spread, a German magazine and birthday presents from my family (I hid them from myself in the back of my drawer so I won’t unpack them before next week’s Friday).
I’m more than excited. All of these items for might appear to be insignificant to most people. However, I know my Mom has put thought into every single one if it. Thank you!
Scrollt runter, um die deutschsprachige Version zu lesen.
I believe in love at first sight. You might have just had a glance at each other, yet you already know: I’m in love Sincerely, it has been a while since it struck me like that. It doesn’t happen very often, either. My last great love has been Barcelona. However, I fell in love with another beauty this past weekend. My new lover: Budapest. I guess, I’m polygamous now…
Budapest offers all, a city needs to make me happy on the first sight:
A rich history to learn about
Diverse beautiful architecture to gaze at
Beautiful illuminations at night to admire
Many pieces of art throughout the city to glance at
Friendly inhabitants to talk to
Good food and wine to taste
Nice pubs, bars and cafés to hang out and enjoy the night
My favorites: Art Nouveau Café: have home made Hungarian cakes in an nostalgic atmosphere / Lampas: have some drinks while listening to great jazz musicians
Numerous museums, cultural and political centers to visit
Isles of nature to enjoy the sun on
Broad pavements to walk on
Adequate means of public transportation to use if one’s feet are too tired
A pretty river to look at and cruise on
That special something, an amazing aura one simply has to love
A great thanks to ESN Debrecen for organizing this trip for Debrecen Egyetem’s international students!
Jazz Pub: Lampas
A Piece of Art
Wreck Pub
Selfie 🙂
Group Picture at Hero Square
Architecture at Miniature Hungary
St. Stephens Cathedral
Buda Castle and Bridge
Fisherman’s Bastion
Homemade Cakes
One of 29 Thermal Spas
Hungarian Music Academy
Buda, Danube and Pest
View from Fisherman’s Bastian
Buda Castle
House of Terror
Michaela and Liga
Buda, Danube and Pest
Memorial for the Hungarian Revolution of 1856
Art Nouveau Café
Hero Square
Parliament
Weitere Bildergalerien über ungarische Köstlichkeiten und Kuriositäten folgen.
Further picture galleries about the Hungarian foods and curiosities are to come.
Budapest: Liebe auf den ersten Blick
Ich glaube an die Liebe auf den ersten Blick. Schon nach einem flüchtigen Blick weißt du: ich bin verliebt. Ganz ehrlich: so richtig häufig ist mir das noch nichts passiert (dann wäre es ja auch nichts Besonderes mehr). Das letzte Mal ist auch schon ein Weilchen her. Barcelona war bis zuletzt meine Angebetete. Mein neuer Lover: Budapest. Ich bin wohl doch polygam…
Budapest besitzt in meinen Augen alles, was eine Stadt braucht, um mich auf den ersten Blick zu beglücken:
Eine lange, interessante Geschichte
Vielfältige, hübsche Architektur
Wunderschöne nächtliche Illuminationen
Kunstwerke in allen Winkeln der Stadt
Freundliche Bewohner
Leckeres Essen und guten Wein
Nette Bars und Cafés
Meine Favoriten: Art Nouveau Café: hausgemachte Ungarische Kuchen in nostalgischer Atmosphäre / Lampas: wer kann schön guten Getränken bei Live-Jazzmusik wiederstehen?
Zahlreiche Museen, politische und kulturelle Zentren
Naturinseln, um die Sonne zu genießen
Breite Gehwege
Ein gutes ÖPNV-Netz
Einen netten Fluss mit Touri-Schiffchen
Dieses besondere Etwas, einen Flair, den man einfach lieben muss
Vielen Dank an ESN Debrecen für die Organisation dieses tollen Ausflugs für uns Austauschstudenten!
This is to you. To all the mothers, sisters, aunts, cousins, friends, girlfriends, wives, … To all those loving, caring, hard-working, passionate, funny, amazing, successful, hopeful, optimistic, … women out there and to those who still have way to go to claim their justice. Keep it up!
I recently found this heartwarming video and Quote on Diply. And it’s so true: Love has no gender, age, race, religion, disabilities, … – love is pure, love is kind, love is wonderful. Spread the love!
The truth is this…when it all boils down to it, we’re meant to love one another, not judge one another. We’re quick to cast judgments on people based on the color of their skin, their age, their physical abilities…but love overcomes all of that. Love doesn’t know prejudice. Love conquers all.
When you take away all of the outer appearance, it becomes much easier to accept people for who they are, doesn’t it?
As much as I love being abroad – there always are some things/ people/ circumstances I miss while being away from home. However, as always there are two sides to each medal:
What I often miss while being abroad
Being able to call my Mom and friends whenever I want
Having a fully equipped kitchen to cook and bake healthy food in
Having a fully equipped flat with anything I need to cook/ clean/ keep myself busy
Knowing my way around
Speaking the commonly spoken language
Having a certain routine
My jobs
My old friends
It’s always a pleasure to go for a walk with a friend. (c) Jonas Zerweck
What I like about being abroad
Remembering things way better than I usually would in order to be able to tell my family and friends about it next time I get a chance
Becoming creative due to little equipment in my temporary kitchen/ flat
Tasting local foods and drinks
Learning to find my way around
Learning a new language
Experiencing sometimes challenging but fun encounters due to the language barrier
Exploring new places and spaces
Finding cool things to do, nice places to eat, drink, or hang out
Stepping out of my comfort zone, facing challenges
Getting rid of my routine and changing perspectives
Being a bit more open-minded and easy-going than at home
Making new friends
Knowing my way around, having adjusted to the once new und unknown circumstances and feeling at home by the time I’m departing to go back home to Germany
Was ich fernab der Heimat vermisse
So sehr ich es liebe, fremde Länder zu bereisen – einige Dinge/ Menschen/ Gewohnheiten vermisse ich doch ab und zu. Wie so häufig im Leben hat aber jede Medaille mehr al seine Seite:
Was ich während meiner Auslandsaufenthalte oft vermisse
Meine Mama und Freunde anrufen können, wann immer ich möchte
Eine voll ausgestattete Küche haben, in der ich gesunde Leckereien backen und kochen kann
Putzsachen, Kochutensilien und alles, was das Herz zum Leben begehrt in meiner Wohnung finden können
Mich auskennen
Die Landessprache sprechen
Meinen Alltag
Meine Jobs
Meine alten Freunde
Was ich daran liebe, fernab der Heimat zu leben
Mir vieles deutlich besser merken, um meinen Lieben bei nächster Gelegenheit ausführlich davon berichten zu können
In der Küche auch mit begrenzten Möglichkeiten kreativ werden
Lokale Spezialitäten probieren
Lernen, mich an fremden Orten zurechtzufinden
Eine neue Sprache lernen
Manchmal etwas anstrengend, aber meist lustige, Begegnungen erleben, wenn ich mich trotz Sprachbarriere versuche zu verständigen.
Neue Orte erkunden
Ständig auf der Suche nach schönen Orten zum ruhängen und leckerem Essen sein
Meine Komfortzone verlassen und mich neuen Herausforderungen stellen
Mich von alten Alltagsroutinen befreien und neue Perspektiven einnehmen
Ein bisschen offener und lockerer drauf sein als sonst
Neue Freundschaften schließen.
Mich nach einer Weile in der neuen Heimat auskennen, mich an die einst ungewohnten Lebensumstände gewöhnt haben und mich zuhause fühlen – genau dann, wenn die deutsche Heimat wieder ruft.
Smile Each Moment 