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While we work on some upgrades to our website, login will be unavailable for about a full day this Friday night through Saturday, September 30th. You will still be able to peruse the IES Abroad website, but will not be able to access your MyIESabroad account during that window. You should be able to get back into your account by Sunday, October 1st. 

See you later, Berlin

Zoe Honigberg
January 5, 2020

Since being home, I have been overwhelmed with holiday celebrations: wrapping presents, decorating the house, baking cookies, meeting up with family and friends, etc. I felt like I have not had a moment to sit still. Which is good, I think––being busy prevents me from missing what I have left behind.

Last spring, I was feeling an itch to get away. I had an academically and emotionally challenging semester, so I knew taking a break from Connecticut College would be good for me. IES Abroad proved to be the right change of pace. These last four months have been a blur of meeting new people, learning German, exploring Berlin, and traveling. I have learned so much more than I expected and seen growth in myself that makes me really excited to go back to Conn. Being away from family and friends gave me space to appreciate all that I have to come back to.

Getting home was not the easiest, though. I had some troubles with my flights (do not use discount airlines for long flights and lots of luggage, it’s not worth it!!!), so when I finally landed in Boston, I was so exhausted and relieved. It has been refreshing to be in my own space, hanging with my parents and siblings. My parents also got a dog while I was away––a sweet little labradoodle that I have loved getting to know. I have also enjoyed driving again because public transportation was starting to wear me out (but I do love the BVG: the public transportation system in Berlin). 

Although I have been home for a few weeks, I am still surprised to hear English around me. I also forget that I do not need to speak German when I go to stores and restaurants, so I get to the counter and go into auto-pilot in German (whoops). My brain is used to Denglish (the combination of German and English) so I have also found that sometimes a word comes to me in German before it comes to me in English. It’s a bit embarrassing, but the longer I am home, the less I notice myself thinking in German/Denglish.

One of my friends said, before leaving Berlin, that this semester is the opening of a door, not a closing of a chapter. I loved living in Berlin, practicing my German skills and making new friends. I am looking forward to going back, either this summer for an internship or sometime in the near future. I couldn’t be more excited! Thanks for following me this semester, it has been a blast sharing my experiences with IES Abroad!

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Zoe Honigberg

<p>I am a rising junior at Connecticut College majoring in Architectural Studies. When I am not studying or constructing three-dimensional architecture models, I can be found playing ultimate frisbee or helping run the Womxn's Empowerment Initiative at Conn. After graduating from high school, I took a gap year to work as an au pair near Hamburg, Germany, so I could not be more excited to return to the country and share with you my adventures!</p>

Destination:
Term:
2019 Fall
Home University:
Connecticut College
Hometown:
Concord, NH
Major:
Architecture
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