Das Abenteuer des Fahrrads (The Adventure of the Bicycles): Week 3

Due to a lack of consistent Internet connectivity, I’m posting this a bit late.

This [past] week, an adventure to a familiar sight, a trek to the Romanesque town in the Rhineland and to a colonial era summer retreat palace, and the goodbye to our home for the past three weeks have been highlighted by our efficient (and personally very therapeutic) mode of transportation, our bicycles.

I have a great deal of experiencing of biking under my belt, going back to my younger days as a Boy Scout, being able to participate in the Guide Dog Foundation’s annual Bike-a-thon and riding two times in the New York City “5-Boro Bike Tour.”  From this background, the thought of traveling daily on a bicycle gives me a great deal of joy and comfort.  The bicycle is truly a wonder of human intuition and engineering, and heck, people just love them; I mean there’s a we have songs and films and organizations and events, all just for bikes! 

In our group’s stay in Heidelberg, the bicycle was your mode of transportation, and provided a wonderful chances to absorb all that is this beautiful country.  Every morning on the way to and from class, I was able to reflect on my day while enjoying the sunshine twinkling on the Neckar.  We also traveled long distances to see many other sights, such as Mannheim, Speyer, and Schwetzingen, with the view on every ride compounding in beauty.  Experiences such as these can truly open your eyes to personal truths and insights otherwise left undiscovered. This leaves a little part of yourself and a life that you could be living lost in the ether.  I know that I would not have been as acclimated and adjusted to the life I am living right now in Germany, and I believe that all that I’ve seen on my bicycle here in Deutschland has allowed me to develop my sense of belonging in the world, and this will carry into my daily living once we return to our home, and then in the future wherever my home my be.

We !

 Coming back home after my long adventure in Germany and Austria , I heard those lines repeatedly  from my parents and my  old friends : ‘’ you ‘ve lost weight! You’ve gained weight! You became taller! You became shorter! Your face have changed!
mmmm …we do not know what exactly but… you’ve changed!’’

Indeed I did !  I am not ‘Me’ anymore …

I am  ‘We’ !

I   carry what’s beyond your names, I carry  a piece of your spirits in me.

Your music, your voices, your gaze and smiles, they are now a part of me, in a way that am not the same old me.

I am  ‘We’

I carry our differences too, our long discussions, every step we took together during our journey to know each other, to know our profession, our mission & ourselves.

I am ‘We’

I carry a united similar humanity inside  every one of us, a unity that surpassed the differences in culture language and backgrounds.

I am ‘We’

I carry your smile with me, my smile have changed!  It is not that old one of me , it is surely that of we.
I carry your accent, my accent has changed now to that of We. ‘Of Y’all J’
I carry every detail in my heart, even if my mind, will not be able to remember all of that, am sure that the heart will never forget.

And flying back and forth between the grounded ‘M’ in the ‘Me’ and the Open arms to new learning experiences of the ‘W’ in the ‘We’, carrying a moment from everyday I lived and  a rose from every garden I visited . this everlasting process of change and growth, I learned and willing to learn more and more about ‘Me’  through ‘We’ !

 

P.S:  Some lines that ‘We’ wrote yesterday  J

 

·         ‘’By way of introduction...I'm Doug Keith, Professor of Music Therapy at Georgia College. I am directing a study-abroad program in Germany and Austria in June and July 2014. It's very exciting to have 12 students from many different universities attending, and I know they (and I!) will learn a lot.’’

·         ‘’Hey guys! I'm Sarah,  and I'm a music therapy major at Georgia College.  I'm very excited to start this adventure and to get to know all of you wonderful people!’’

 

·         ’ Hi everyone! My name is Max Jacobs, and I’m currently a junior at Molloy College in Rockville Centre, NY studying music therapy. Our departure day is arriving fast, and I can’t wait to begin!’’

 

·         ’’Hello everyone! My name is Emily and I am now a senior music therapy major at the University of Miami. Looking forward to making memories in Germany!’’

 

·         ‘’ My name is Hannah and I will be entering my senior year this fall at Baldwin Wallace University in Cleveland, OH. I am looking forward to building relationships with the other music therapy students I will be traveling with and learning all about music therapy in Germany!’’

·         ‘’ I'm Jaclyn and I am proud to say that I will be a senior at Baldwin Wallace University in Cleveland.  I've been playing the piano since I was about 6 and it has always been a positive influence in my life.  I'm ready to see the world and see it through music. Viel spaß!’’

·         ‘’ My name is Claire Schad. I am going to a junior music therapy major at Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music. I cannot wait grow more as a professional and make some amazing memories with new friends.’’

·         ‘’ Hello friends from all over! My name is Annamarie Dwozan, I attend Georgia College and State University.

P.S. I'm very excited to meet you all VERY soon!’’

 

·         ‘’ Hallo! My name is Kelsey, and I am a transfer student going into my "junior" year at the University of Georgia, where I am studying music therapy with a concentration in voice. I am so excited to meet everyone, and make lifelong friends and future colleagues. See you all very soon!’’

 

·         ‘’ Hello! My name is Virginia and I am a sophomore at GCSU. I cannot wait to meet everyone joining me on this program and I cannot wait to see all of the beautiful places!!’’

 

 

·         ‘’ If you never explore, if you never push your limits, you won't live life to your fullest potential.’’ Kelsi Williams

 

·         ‘’ You can travel the globe, visit all the top places to sight-see, and take pictures of every one. But nothing compares to finding something you really feel passionate about and taking away an experience you will keep with you for a lifetime.’’ Ruby Nowakowski

Final Post :(

     A couple nights ago, after I had finally adjusted to the time change, I invited some of my family over. My mother cooked a delicious meal (Oh how I missed her food!) and I talked everyone through a slideshow of all of my photos from my incredible study abroad trip. Going through the photos took me back to the place and time where they were taken and my thoughts at the time of the picture. During our picture viewing, I constantly found myself saying “This picture doesn’t even do this city justice.” However, these pictures evoked vivid memories for me, and I am very thankful I took so many! :)

     This study abroad experience has impacted me greatly. Being a participant at the14th World Congress of Music Therapy was an experience I will never forget. There were music therapists from 45 different countries, all attending either to share their personal experiences clinically, or to gain knowledge about the evolving, and seemingly limitless, field I am proud to be a part of. I attended a vast array of presentations, with topics ranging from music therapy with depressed mothers and babies to a guided songwriting workshop to recommendations on evidence-based practice for children with ASD and beyond. Learning about music therapy on a global scale has opened my eyes to the varying university programs, methodologies, ethics, and requirements that are present. Although different university programs or schools of thought have specific interventions or techniques, I've developed a new philosophy that isn't about the specific interventions or techniques used. For me, it's truly about meeting the needs of the client, in whatever way seems most beneficial. 

     From my home in Heidelberg, to weekends in Salzburg, Leipzig, Berlin, and Amsterdam, to the World Conference of Music Therapy in Krems, I will never forget the people I’ve met, the places I’ve seen, and the memories I’ve made. Thank you to my wonderful peers and our ringleader Dr. Keith for making this experience unforgettable. 

To find the Beauty!

How could we see Beauty?

Does it lies in the subjects that surrounds us?  Or in our own eyes and way we perceive things?

Could one find the beauty in everything or every person he/she meet?

Is beauty a place, a moment or point of view?
If beauty lies in the place, why we could visit the same place twice and come back with different experiences? Why the same experience could not be replicated?

Again, if beauty lies in the place, why we still find people suffering from depression in these beautiful places? Sometimes even a high rate of suicide attempts.

So, is Beauty perception just a moment? Does it depend completely on our state of mind or point of view in life?

On this week, we left one of the most beautiful cities in Germany, Heidelberg.
 Being immersed in such a beautiful atmosphere and scenery views made it very hard to leave & very easy to ruminate into the comparing mentality between Heidelberg and every other place. My next stop was Essen, were I had my practicum week.

My first day was painted with a grey colour, but was it really the fact of leaving the beautiful Heidelberg or being apart from a place that I loved, and friends that accompanied me throughout this trip?
To me I think the beauty of Heidelberg was not just the beauty of the place, it was also the beauty of the spirit of our team, this inside spirit painting everything with the colour of joy.

So, in order for  me to find the beauty in ‘Essen’ my new city, I had to prepare my inner self to perceive beauty, surround and fit  myself with my new team  and wave my tune- in the team spirit and finally look for the physical and tangible beautiful places in the city.
But did I found the beauty of ‘Heidelberg’ in’ Essen’ following that recipe?
The answer is NO!
I found another type of beauty, special, remarkable and breathtaking!

venture out y'all!

The week of the World Conference of Music Therapy was purely incredible. I understood the idea of there being music therapists from all over the world, but it’s TOTALLY different when you actually experience it! 45 nations were represented at this congress, and I’m positive that was the most diverse space I’ve ever been a part of (except airports). The congress offered presentations over a vast span of topics, things like: GIM, Music therapy with Parkinson’s, Music therapy with trauma patients, etc...  People were speaking all types of languages, wearing different clothing, playing different instruments from what I’m used to. This experience really showed me that I am a part of something a lot bigger and musicians have to be cultural participants. Who knew there was 1000 other people out in the world just like me?

During one of our classes we were assigned to pick one article to write a response paper on. I chose an article by Katrina McFerran, a music therapist and researcher in Australia. Cool thing about the world conference is that she was there! It was so neat, I got to meet one of the great pioneers of our profession! I went to about 2 of McFerran’s presentations, she showed videos and made the presentations rather interactive! She was blonde, witty, very social, and a wonderful role model! At the end of the week one of the congress events was a wine tasting where I got to actually speak to her on very basic level.. about wine! I couldn’t have asked for more!  

              I would say my homesickness was the worst during the congress week, and when that happens my best advice is just to go talk to other people and keep busy. After congress, I visited Vienna and Dresden briefly. All in all, this was one fantastic trip, I got to see a part of the world that I’ve always wanted and it beat my expectations in every way. By the time it was time to go back, I wasn’t ready! If it wasn’t for my family and friends I probably would’ve skipped my flight. Goodbye Germany, Halo Georgia!

My Discoveries this Summer

This study abroad experience has been so incredibly beneficial to me in so many ways. Through discovering new places and having new experiences, I have come closer to discovering myself. This trip has helped me discover some more of my own preferences and it has helped me decide what direction I would like to steer my life.

I feel that I have become much more strongly acquainted with music therapy. I have learned a lot about music therapy thus far in my education, but because I have not seen many music therapists in action and do not know a lot of working music therapists, the field has seemed somewhat like a dream that I hoped I could one day have a career in. After seeing hundreds of music therapists and going to excellent workshops at the World Congress Music Therapy conference this past week, music therapy is much less distant in my mind. I now have a clearer picture of my future self as a music therapist.

After the conference, I spent a few days in Vienna with a few friends from our group. Vienna truly was a spectacular city. I enjoyed walking around and viewing the amazing statues and architecture the most. Exploring, people watching, and soaking up my surroundings has really been my favorite thing to do in every city I have visited on this trip.

The main things I have missed about home are my friends, having alone time, and having a routine. But missing these things have not even slightly taken away from my favorite things about the trip which have been getting to know the wonderful individuals in our group, being so active, and the feeling of inspiration I have gotten from the new experiences and the beautiful places I have seen. I would not trade this study abroad experience for anything.

This Land is Your Land, This Land is My Land

It has been one full week since I have returned from studying abroad in Europe. It's amazing how five weeks of my life can flash by, and in an instant I am back in the flow of my everyday life. The trip, the people, the experiences, all seem too far away. There has been more than one occasion where I have woken up smelling the fresh dough from the Italian restaurant below the second apartment in Heidelberg, or hearing the whir of my bicycle wheels racing alongside the Neckar. I miss it terribly.

Right before I left America, I scheduled one last haircut with the same hairdresser that has been cutting my hair since I was five years old. Upon wishing me safe travels, my hairdresser carefully stepped back, looked at me, and said reflectively, "You aren't going to be the same person when you come back". I agreed, but her words did not sink in. Not until over a month and a half later, when I woke up in my own bed for the first time since returning to The States.

I can't quite put my finger on it, but she was absolutely right. Aside from the occasional language slip up when thanking various cashiers and the never-ending craving for Nutella filled crescents, my time in Europe really has changed me. I find myself longing for long walks in the fresh air, and missing using nothing but bicycles, public buses, and trains to get me wherever I need. I have somehow acquired the desire to take a step back and look at the things I surround myself with, and ask myself is this really necessary?

 I was able to live out of a single suitcase for five weeks, and still did not use everything I packed. I was able to use my own body as a means of transportation, instead of relying on my car. I was even able to separate myself, albeit forcefully, from constant access to technology, and found myself enjoying the little things that much more. I think that American culture attempts to do things in the fastest, most efficient way possible. But that is not what life is about. We aren't always meant to be busy bodies. It's okay to relax along the Neckar every so often, and to grocery shop once a week so as to eat fresher food. And to hang clothes up outside instead of wasting energy using a dryer. Little things like that go a long way for the mind, body, and spirit, even though it may require a little extra time and effort. I was absolutely content with the mere fact that the fastest way isn't always the best way.

Even though I am very thankful that I received an excellent education, my study abroad trip was so much more than learning about music therapy. I learned how to be happy, in the most simplest terms. I cannot wait to go back.

Was it only a Dream?

     I'm now sitting at home and feeling as if I never left.  It's funny how you can go on such a long journey, come back, and everything feels just the same.  You can start right back where you left off, and that journey you took feels just like a long dream. This dream was a great one, and I never wanted to wake up from it.  I'm so glad that I decided to go on this adventure this summer.  It has truly made a great impact on me, and I will never be the same.    
     The trip has caused so many changes in me, both big and small.  For one, I will wear dresses much more often now, because I now realize how comfortable and easy they are! I've also become more liberal-minded as I had conversations with people and really began asking myself why I believe some things that I believe.  I have also become much more independent.  Having to navigate and plans trips in a foreign country will make trip planning in the states seem like a piece of cake!
     Thanks to the World Congress, and being around so many people who share my major in Music Therapy, my passion for this field has been fully awakened.  I'm so ready to engage in my Music Therapy classes, and to learn more about this incredible career.  I also plan to be more involved in our chapter of the Music Therapy Society.
     I know some people came on this trip expecting their attitudes to change, but I was not one of those people.  However, I think I made a wonderful transformation this summer, and it would not have happened had it not been for my trip to Europe! I only hope that one day I will be able to venture back to have another grand adventure.

I Gave a Piece of My Heart to You and Was Amazed at What I Got in Return

 I read a story once about a young man standing in the middle of a crowd boasting that his heart was the most beautiful of all because it was flawless.  An old man approached him and told him that his was more beautiful, with scars and missing pieces and all.  The young man scoffed and the old man retorted with this explanation.  His heart was beautiful because of the scars.  He had given pieces of his heart to others and some returned pieces of theirs to him while others didn’t.  That is why some pieces don’t look like they fit quite right.  And other places are empty.  He continues to wait until one day they return a piece of their heart to him.  The young man was so touched that he took a piece of his heart and gave it to the old man.  This is how I have felt about this whole journey that I had this summer.  I gave a piece of my heart certainly in Heidelberg – in the city and with the amazing students I met.  Serey, Wendy, Barbara, Anna, Roland, Sven, Bastian, Anke, Betti, and countless others.  I also gave my heart to the American students on this trip that I was blessed with meeting and learning with: Claire, Ruby, Hannah, Mina, Max, Annamarie, Emily, Sarah, Kelsey, Kelsi, Virginia, and Dr. Keith.  You have all made my experiences that much greater by being a part of them.  There was never a dull moment, which made it even harder to say goodbye, especially to my European friends.  The Atlantic Ocean is such a huge bridge to cross to see you again, but definitely not impossible.  So if any of you are reading this, thank you for being such incredible and spectacular people with such an amazing outlook on life.  I hope I get to see you all again!  I will always have a place for you to stay when you come visit.

 I really couldn’t summarize this trip into just one blogpost, or even one book.  I learned so much about music therapy, about other people, about myself, about life.  It’s crazy to think that in 5 and a half weeks I could find out so much about everything.  Putting this all into words is very difficult right now.  Our last night in Germany, Ruby and I reflected on our favorites of the trip and even that was hard.  To pick just one moment or to pick something that could have been a favorite, although food was a pretty easy category.  Coming home, it doesn’t even feel real – that all of these experiences actually happened.  I went from biking and hiking through Heidelberg, picnicking on the Neckar, walking (and shopping) down the Hauptstraße, eating gelato or Milka chocolate almost every day, riding trains, observing German music therapists, staying in Hostels, seeing Bach Festival concerts in Leipzig, standing on top of the world in Baden-Baden, attending the WORLD Congress of Music Therapy, visiting old churches and castles, celebrating Germany’s World Cup win, saying our last goodbyes with tears in our eyes – I go from all of  these outstanding experiences to home.  Who could have ever guessed that I could have done all of this in just 5 and a half weeks.  Heidelberg and Germany and Austria put something in my heart – an attitude of carpe diem.  I already had a love for adventure, but now I will actively seek it every opportunity I get.  I swear that this trip will be what I continue to think about and tell people about when I’m that old lady sitting at a piano trying to find middle C.  With every scar and hole in my heart, new life pumps continuously.  So now that I’m home, I’m bringing new joy and energy to my life.  I have incredible people right here with me that I can make more incredible memories with.  So thank you Dr. Keith for being an inspiration to us all and for showing us how great adventures foster unimaginable knowledge.  Auf Wiedersehen!

The Price(lessness) of Our Generation: Week 4 Reflection

     Pricelessness has been a theme in commercials for the creation of memories and I really do think they hit the nail on the head.  One month in Germany is something that could never have a price put onto it.  This entire experience has been so unbelievably rewarding.  I continued to mold and value everything I believe in while still respecting everyone for having their own view of life.  But I do miss home and understandably so.  Can you tell I'm homesick yet?  Home is not defined necessarily by country, physical house, or cultural unit.  Home is formed by the people who have been a huge part of my life.  Most importantly, my family.  I miss seeing my mom and my brothers.  This trip helped me realize how much I value having them in my life, even if we don’t get along every time we see each other.  My mom has such an openheartedness that she spreads to other people.  She would give the shirt off her back even it was the last thing she had that she could call her own.  My brother has such a curiosity about life and understanding various complexities.  And he has the biggest heart for being with people and having fun no matter what they’re doing.  He knows how to make memories out of any type of situation and always respects where he’s come from to guide him.  My other brother has an amazing talent in memory.  He can spew out any fact about anything he’s interested in.  And he loves just letting go and laughing.  You can tell how genuinely interested he is because of how fast he can talk.  Then I miss all of my friends for their ability to help me create joy in life.  But most importantly, they accept me for who I am and allow me to continue to grow on my own.  I value everything they have taught me, but the most priceless moments are when we are laughing together.  I couldn’t ask for any greater happiness in life.  So I do miss everything about them.  

     As my generation would have it, I also miss having better access to technology – not to keep in contact with people while I’m sitting with others – that’s ridiculous.  But I miss having technology to find my way or to let people know when I will be traveling and when to expect me.  But then it makes it a lot easier to value to experiences you have with the people you are with.  I rarely saw Germans using their phones while they were with others.  Emily and I had a blast bonding during our week together.  We missed American food so much that we had to go to a restaurant and get food with Caesar dressing and BBQ sauce.  She’s an amazing person with a great sense of humor and a true beauty in her heart.  I probably wouldn’t have noticed as much of that if I had been on my phone the whole time, not that I really am to begin with.  But you really are respectfully in the moment with people when you don’t even think to look at your phone.  She’ll be a great music therapist.  This week has really taught me about valuing everything I have and letting others know how special and important they are.