With just two days left here in Mannheim, it is hard to believe that my internship is over, and that in just a couple of short weeks I will be back in the United States. My experience here was nothing less than great. There is a commonly held misconception of Germans in the U.S.-- the strictness, harshness, and rigidity. This stereotype is extremely inaccurate and wrongly held. Sure, you can find people with those characteristics here in Germany, but you can also find that personality in any person in any country. Okay, I understand that that perception is based on the majority, but through my experience here, I found something completely different. Perhaps my experience was extremely special, but during my time here, the majority of the people who I encountered on a daily basis were nothing less than welcoming, friendly, and open. However, I also think that I was very lucky in where I found myself-- both in terms of living and working and the people who were in my life every day. Not everybody who goes abroad, or even who moves in the United States, is so lucky to have such an experience as I did, and for that I am so grateful. As a result though, it has been even harder to say goodbye, but I think everybody can agree that a wonderful experience is worth the heartache that comes at the conclusion. There is a saying here in Germany: "Man sieht sich immer zweimal im Leben"-- You always meet twice in a lifetime. This proverb provides something to look forward to. It is not goodbye, but rather so long for now.

To end my time here in Germany around Christmas is such a wonderful treat. The country is so beautiful during this time of the year, and everybody seems to be filled with the jolly, festive spirit. It is so interesting to experience the different traditions and customs that exist for the same holiday in another country. The Germans take Christmas very seriously-- starting in the beginning of December, the trees are trimmed, and the first cups of Glühwein are consumed at the Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmärkte). Little smoking men fill the air with incense, and candles burn away on the Christmas wreaths. The month of December begins with St. Nikolaus on the 6th. One rises in the morning to find their shoes filled with chocolates and other goodies, and contrary to the common perception, this holiday is not solely for children. The month continues with various Christmas celebrations-- every club, working group, circle of friends has a Weihnachtsfeier (Christmas party). One of my first Weihnachtsfeier was a dinner with my work department. A group of about 25 came together at a BASF party building to eat dinner, drink wine, and play a common Christmas game here in Germany. Everybody at the party brings a gift from their home that they no longer have interest in, wrap it, and place it in a pile. A few die are passed around the table, and when a person rolls a 6 they travel to the pile of gifts and take one back to their place at the table. Once everybody has a gift, the wrapping paper is torn off, and the gifts are revealed. The second round of the game involves a time period of 20 minutes, in which once again the die are passed around the table, but this time when a 6 is rolled, that person exchanges their gift with the gift of another at the table. This round goes on until the 20 minutes is complete, and at the end, everybody has a gift. At the game's conclusion, I found myself with a very lovely tea cup from Moscow, Russia. Some of the other gifts included a singing fish that hangs on the wall, a very beautiful sparkly pink handbag, and a couple of bottles of wine as well, which were highly sought after.

So, on the 30th of December I will make my way back to the United States, and although I am very much looking forward to seeing so many people from home, and biting into a few good ol' American specialities, both literally-- a cheesesteak-- and figuratively, I am truly going to miss many aspects of the German culture and life. It was such a wonderful experience to work abroad for six months, and something that I will never forget.

My lab team at BASF.

My roommates in Mannheim.