The End of my NGSE in Nuremberg, Germany
 

My Time Abroad


Our group at the Cologne Pride Parade!
 
This week marked the return to university for me, and that also came with a lot of reflection, reminiscing, and, honestly, quite a bit of time mourning the end of my fantastic summer.
My second host family and I at Playmobil FunPark :)
 
Doing a New Generations Service Exchange (NGSE) this June and July in Nuremberg, Germany, was one of the greatest opportunities I've ever partaken in. Not only did my internship at Buhler give me incredibly valuable skills, tools and insight into the automotive industry, but it also cleared up many questions about what career I wanted to go into, and I learned the pros and cons of the numerous departments I had the chance to work in. While I was in Nuremberg, I also visited countless museums, attended numerous festivals on the weekends, and had a great time at many concerts. I tried various types of German sausage and Bavarian beer, learned new German phrases and words every day, and had a blast taking the trains to travel throughout Germany on my days off from work.
Some of my coworkers and I at the 100th anniversary
company party at Buhler.
However, what was most valuable to me during my entire stay in Germany was the people I met. My host parents, host siblings, coworkers, exchange organizers, Rotarian friends, and strangers I met at the bar, cafe, or train - they were what made this experience the greatest. I only stayed in Nuremberg for two months, but the relationships I made will stay with me for a lifetime. I got back to Calgary not even a week ago, but I'm already looking forward to the next time I can visit my new family in Nuremberg, or find ways to bring them here to Calgary for a visit :)
 
Thank you, Rotary (District 1880 and 5360), for allowing me to partake in this life-changing NGSE. Forever grateful for this program and this experience.
 
 
 
Table full of Rotarians at a neighbourhood party I attended.
My first amazing host family (+ my parents who came to visit).
My second amazing host family (+ my parents who came to visit).