T minus one month and one day

One month and a day. That is all the time I have left in California before I leave for my six month excursion to the German state of Bavaria.

I'll introduce myself first. I am a junior at a college in Boston, but I live south of San Francisco. I have been lucky enough to be born into a family that values experience, especially travel, above almost anything. I've been to many US destinations including Alaska and Hawaii, both twice. I've also visited our neighbors to the north and south. Going to school in Boston opened up all those small, but unique Northeastern states up to me. When I was 9 we made a push to Europe where we covered Ireland, England, and Italy.

A great thing about these family vacations is that they were not very planned. We rarely took huge tours and did all the touristy things. It was more of an adventure than a vacation. I think that is where the value of experience comes in. It's easier to learn a place by getting lost than by memorizing a map (although not always safer) .

I have been to Germany once before. I flew with my singing group, the University Chorale of Boston College, to Deutschland for spring break 2010. We ventured to Berlin and Munich. Day trips to Dresden and Hohenschwangau were also included. With only a few days at each location, it left much to be desired.

What will I do there?

I've only taken 3 semesters of German language classes, so I first stop by the Goethe Institute, a language school! I will be located a few blocks away from Marienplatz, which is right under that central spire in the background picture. I've never been so close to being fluent in a language before, so this is very exciting for me. I then have the month of April off except for a week or two of orientation at my school north of Munich.

Then, I study at the Catholic University Eichstätt-Igngolstadt in the town of Eichstätt itself. According to Wikipedia, it has a population of about 14,000. 

This is new to me. 

My city south of San Francisco has 90,000 people. I went to high school in the city, which has 700,000 people. I now go to school in Boston. I have never been in a rural setting for more than a week or two...and this is more than three months in a Bavarian river valley village. That is where the experience comes in. I will be fully immersed in Eichstätt - much more than in Munich.

How long?

I fly home at the beginning of August. That means I am away from California for 6 months and a week. That will be the longest time I have been settled in one location for 3 years, save the hour train ride from Munich to Eichstätt. I am looking forward to this very much and will be posting regularly. 


This site will not only act as an impromptu travel guide but as a journal of what I did. I hope to post most of my European goals in the next few weeks before I go. 


Danke für das Ablesen meiner Webseite!

Mit freundlichen Grüßen,

Peter