Submitted by Alexis Chilton on the 2019 winter session study abroad program in Heidelberg, Germany sponsored by the Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology…
After one week of being overseas, I have noticed similarities and differences between here and UD. There are many forms of public transportation, and some are fast and slow compared to the pace we live in back in the United States. A huge surprise for me was the amount of Germans who smoke throughout the country, and even the airport still had smoking areas. Germans are also not as conscientious as we are when it comes to personal space, but if you invade their space almost falling on the train, then they are not very happy. This past week, we also went to Switzerland, which was amazing! Lots of similarities with public transportation and the way the people carry themselves similar to the Germans, but the cities seem to be overall cleaner in Switzerland. Another thing that both countries had, which was the most surprising to me, was in public transportation stations you have to pay to enter the bathroom and there is an automatic cleaner for the toilet seat after each individual. Germany is very similar to the United States with minor details between each country, but overall there are new and similar experiences while being over here so far.