My Summer Abroad in Leipzig, Germany – 2022

Hi, my name is Alexis Pereira and I am about to enter my senior year as a pre-med biology major. I completed my summer 2022 semester abroad in Leipzig, Germany with the Global Healthcare group. In the time I spent, I was able to make Leipzig my home. I learned a couple of words like stilles Wasser (still water), Danke (thank you), and Ich spreche kein Deutsch (I don’t speak German). I had to organize my trash into four different bins (compost, plastic, paper, and waste), was able to learn how to use a tram system, pay for restrooms, and had to walk everywhere. 

Through my classes, I was able to learn how to grow in my Christian faith in another culture, and what may seem normal for us is not the same for others. I think how we approach people as Christians are fundamental because this is how people can experience God through you and your actions. In my global healthcare class, I was able to compare and contrast different healthcare systems. Truly, none of them are perfect, but it was interesting to see how certain systems were able to implement policies that the citizens of the United States have been fighting for, for years, and have been successful.

I visited other historical places in Germany like Weimar and Buchenwald which showed and taught me a lot about the Nazi regime and how a nation like Germany learned and grew from that horrific time period. Also visiting a place like Buchenwald, a concentration camp, was eye-opening to stand in a place where so much happened. I also was able to travel to Weimar, the city in which Martin Luther, the head of the Protestant movement resided, and the door where he placed his 95 theses on. I was in awe of having the opportunity to be standing in such a historic and powerful place. The other city I visited was Berlin, which was also a moving experience to see how a wall caused so much damage, but partially still stands as a reminder of what those on either side overcame.

My favorite experience from the entire summer study abroad trip was shadowing in German hospitals. All the doctors, nurses, and hospital staff were patient and made sure to explain everything. I learned so much and felt so involved in the healthcare of each patient. I went to 5 different departments: Orthopedics, Pneumology, Gastroenterology, Vascular Surgery, and General Surgery. I even took a trip to the medical school where we rotated through different stations using their technology. Being able to simulate an ultrasound on a patient, diagnosing a patient with a heart murmur, and a patient with an ear infection was so exciting.

I have learned so much from the beautiful city of Germany, from the Bach concerts to their healthcare systems, to the interesting way Europe charges for water. I grew in my cross-cultural Christianity, became more culturally aware, and expanded so much academically and personally. It is a place I will never forget with beautiful friends and memories made. I grew so much learning how to navigate a different city and culture, find my independence, and acclimate to a foreign country. Leipzig has made its way into my heart and is an experience I will be eternally grateful for.