I’m keeping this list, despite having 8 months to go before I actually leave, as an effort to take the long view of this whole study abroad thing. When I first started it about a month ago, in what I trust was the nadir of my culture shock / loneliness / outrage at how people do things here (primarily in the area of relating to others), the only thing I could think of was #1. Thankfully the list is a bit longer now, and hopefully will grow throughout the year.
- Schoko Knusper (a kind of cereal)
- German
- the sharp little hills of Baden-Württemberg
- the head of the Assyriological institute here. He’s a rock star without the overweening arrogance, capable of inspiring enthusiasm, wonder, ambition, fear (but the good kind, the kind that keeps you on your toes, rather than the kind that paralyzes), and modest pride, all in the same class period. When someone makes a stupid mistake, his attitude is “Tsk tsk, I know you can do better,” as opposed to seeming disgusted and resentful, like some people (“You should know this by now!”).
- Certain individuals that may turn into friends, but as I’m learning, friendships with most people here take a lot longer to develop. Then there are the friendships with other internationals (and other kinds of outsiders), which can wax and wane dramatically in the space of weeks.
