One Last Time: Final Week in Freiburg

One Last Time: Final Week in Freiburg

This past week marked the end of my time in Freiburg, and to say I’m feeling a whirlwind of emotions would be an understatement. On one hand, I’m incredibly excited to head back home to the United States. But on the other hand, leaving behind this charming city and the life I've built here is harder than I imagined.

Don’t get me wrong, there is so much that I miss from home that I will be excited to get back to. I miss the typical things, of course, such as my family and friends, but recently it’s been the little, everyday comforts of home that have been making me homesick lately, including ice cubes in drinks, air conditioning, and the convenience of having a car. These are things I definitely took for granted before coming to Germany.

That said, there is so much I’ll miss about being here. The people in Germany have been some of the kindest, most genuine individuals I’ve ever met. Everyone has been so willing to help me, whether I’m lost on a train or just trying to order at a restaurant. Germans, specifically Freiburgians, are some of the most lovely people I’ve had the pleasure of interacting with. The thought of leaving this type of community makes me almost want to cry.

I’ll also miss how walkable everything is. Coming from a suburb back home, walking 30,000 steps isn't exactly a daily habit of mine. However, in Freiburg, it’s been my new normal, and I love it. The simple act of strolling through the city has made me feel more connected to my surroundings, and throughout my time here, it has been such a fun way to find interesting things throughout the city.

In order to make every moment count, I made it my mission this past week to soak in every last bit of Freiburg. I revisited all my favorite cafes, with a shoutout to Cafe Chloe and Bertold's. I also treated myself to one last spontaneous day trip to Strasbourg. The ease of hopping over to another country on a whim is something I’ll deeply miss.

Throughout the week, I found myself wandering into old favorite boutiques and discovering new gems. One highlight was stumbling upon a jewelry boutique in the city center, where I definitely spent way too much money on treats for myself and my friends. 

Speaking of friends, leaving them is by far the hardest part of returning home soon. Of course, I  can't wait to reunite with my hometown friends, especially since I only see them during school breaks. However, saying goodbye to the friends I’ve made here is the part I dread the most. It is crazy to think about how, after spending almost every second of every day with these people that we all now have to return to our real lives. We’ve shared so much over the past two months, and the idea of parting ways honestly makes me feel a bit sick.

Studying in Freiburg has been one of the formative times of my life. I feel like I learned so much and experienced so many new things in such a short period, but it was one of the most special experiences of my life. So really, all I have left to say is thank you, and until next time, Freiburg. ❤️