“Sustain”ability Trip Conclusion: Berlin
There is good reason why some say that Berlin is “not quite Germany” and Germany is “not like Berlin”. In our last stop at Berlin, I finally got a holistic view of how the trip came together. Starting in Stuttgart, traversing through Tübingen, Freiburg, Hamburg, and finally ending up in Berlin provided an interesting contrast between the cities. Though there exists a vast amount of history across all parts of Germany unique to regions and cities, our activities in Berlin tapped into more historical components of the country. For example, our tour at the Center for Displacement highlighted some of the struggles that previous people living in Berlin and Germany had to endure.
Another one of my highlights from this overall trip was the Plenary visit and having the opportunity to listen in on a debate in the German Bundestag. Their system of progressing through speakers was quite interesting when compared to Congress in America. The biggest difference being a more diverse range of political parties that weigh in on important issues, as opposed to a mere two-party system. Although the entire process was spoken in German, it was amusing to watch the different politicians’ demeanors and how they behaved in this environment. The dome tour immediately after presented a beautiful view into representative democracy from the top with its glass paned floors.
Finally, I would like to highlight some of our class’ sustainability group projects and the amazing work that was completed in such a tight timeframe. From innovative urban wall infrastructure, to electric car charging stations at farms, to a unique proposal to reduce cigarette litter, the presentations were extremely engaging and integrated well with the course theme. It was clear that the class successfully applied course content with in-country travel experiences with innovation and creative solutions to issues that persist in Germany. I believe that through projects as small as these, people will continue to talk about sustainability, leading to more future action — I encourage us all to reflect on the first seven letters of sustainability.
I am ending my blog series by thanking my classmates for their constant engagement in making this class enjoyable and thought-provoking. To Professor Wong: thank you for your tireless work, infinite patience, and tolerance for our (sometimes) rambunctious cohort of college-aged students and graduates; this course and trip would not be possible without you. I am confident that you all will do amazing things in whatever future paths you choose to embark on.
Until we meet again,
Auf Wiedersehen!
#Berlin
