On the first day of my adventure across the pond, I started by getting lost. I went to view the surrounding areas of the place in which I would be staying for the next three months, freshly off my first night’s sleep in my new room. I made the mistake of every fresh traveler and did not charge my phone before heading out. After being out for around four to five hours my phone finally ceased working, leaving my only choice to attempt to get home one way or another. I first attempted to retrace my steps to no avail, so after walking for 30 minutes I retreated to a pizza shop. Fully lost, confused, and with ill confidence in my ability to speak the language I was given what many people see as a miracle. The shop owner was getting ready to close up the shop for the day, saw the troubled look on my face and brought me in, charged my phone, made me two pizzas, and drove me back home without asking for a single dollar even when I attempted to pay him.

That first day alone set the tone for how the rest of the program would go for me, moving through life in an unknown environment and meeting some of the kindest individuals aiding me as I moved along. Some of those people are people I can fully acknowledge as lifelong friends, even though I am a few weeks removed from my study abroad they still contact me asking me how I am doing. Through that, I learned many things such as what’s wrong with the stereotypical ideas of the German people. Before heading to Germany, I was told that the German people were very cold, nonhelpful, and not kind to foreigners, especially African Americans. Every one of those beliefs turned out to be fallacies, never once while overseas did I experience any type of racism, bigotry, or cold demeanor towards me.

It was also a breath of fresh air to be outside of the country and see how other people live their lives in comparison to us in the USA. I never believed that I would have that opportunity based on my financial situation as a Pell Grant recipient who tries their hardest to just make ends meet. This experience has not only broadened my horizons but also shattered preconceived notions I once held. It has shown me the importance of exchanging our cultures to better understand each other. Not only have I returned to MSU with more understanding of biochemistry but also another part of the world.

Name: Clifton Sprivey IV
Status: Junior
Major: BMB-Biochemistry
Hometown: East St. Louis, Illinois
Program: Molecular Biology Research in Dusseldorf (HHUD), Germany