by Emily Fulton | Summer 2023 |
This summer, I spent a month studying music in Leipzig, Germany. Leipzig was an obvious choice for me because of the extensive music history that took place there. When I first applied to the study abroad program, my goal was to get an opportunity to experience and learn more about music and culture. This goal was undoubtedly accomplished; however, I wound up accomplishing much more. I finished my study abroad trip with a new appreciation for music, art, nature, and life.
Within just days of arriving, I began to discover this newfound appreciation of music and art, particularly in Berlin. While in Berlin, a group of us decided to visit the Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery), which houses art of the 19th century. I was expecting to look at some pretty paintings and move on. It ended up being much more than that, to say the least. I found myself captivated by the art, wanting to learn more about its artist and context. A new friend and I spent hours absorbing the details. Paintings like Frederick the Great Playing the Flute at Sanssouci, which I only ever expected to witness as images in textbooks, came to life. As a flute player, I can only describe it as epic. The same night, we got the privilege of hearing one of the greatest ensembles in the world: The Berliner Philharmoniker. My ears will probably never hear something so incredible again.
After arriving back in Leipzig, we hit the ground running with back-to-back nights of Bachfest concerts. I personally was not a fan of Bach or Baroque-era music in general before my study abroad trip. However, the St. Matthew Passion at Nikolaikirche (St. Nicholas Church) was simply life-changing. Previously, I had never been interested in vocal repertoire either, but the simply breathtaking nature of this performance kept me engaged every second. I was so pleased with the performance that I even took notes in my program of my favorite parts. Not only was the execution stunning, but the emotion that the music brought to The Passion story was incredibly moving. This concert alone changed my perspective on Bach, vocal repertoire, and music as a whole.
Toward the end of my study abroad journey, a group of my friends and I went to Salzburg, Austria. We are all very interested in outdoor activities and decided to plan a hike to a waterfall in the mountains. Our trek to the waterfall was not uncomplicated in the slightest. The trail was severely undermarked and under-traveled. The muddy and narrow path blocked by thorny brush caused me to fall not once but twice, which left me with thorns embedded in my finger. The open field of tall, wet grass made my shoes a swamp. We debated turning around multiple times and were honestly not sure if we would ever make it. But as we started the steep descent downhill, finally, the waterfall appeared. Even though the journey should not have been enjoyable, this hike was one of my favorite adventures of my time abroad. Even with the unpleasantries, the beauty of the mountains, fields, streams, and the waterfall could not be tainted. That day, I learned that even within inconvenient circumstances, there is still undeniable beauty in nature and the world around me.
Along with this greater appreciation for art, music, and nature, I also found a new appreciation for life over the course of my trip. I learned so much about myself through communal living but also through spending time exploring Leipzig on my own. As self-discovery occurred, I reflected on how blessed I truly am and the things that really matter in life. The Bible course I took, Christianity in Culture, also helped promote this reflection on living meaningfully. Because of my time spent abroad, I believe my outlook on life has changed for the better. I believe I have become a better person. Going into my study abroad trip, I knew I would have great experiences and learn new things. I never expected that just one month abroad would change my life.
