memorable vibes

This week I felt very comfortable and at home and Heidelberg. The group learned to ride bikes without wrecking into one another, I can navigate using a map, and I feel confident saying I understand the rail system here now! And of course right as we all get comfortable we have to move to our homestay. This week has been bittersweet and I am sad to be leaving this beautiful city!

             Our classes focused on music and emotion and music in the brain. Both topics are fascinating and contain a lot of contrasting perspectives. Music and emotion are 2 things that are hard to keep separate of each other, I feel that you have to have emotion for music, weather the music is used for improvisation, composition, re-creation, or receptive purposes.  My idea as to why people are so attracted to music is because music stimulates every part of the brain at once, unlike any other subject. We hear it, and then sometimes feel it throughout our body. Music can motive and relax, at the same time it can alter your mood or stabilize it. Music has many functions through human emotions starting from the brain, and I feel as though no one will ever pin down everything music can offer.

              We got to observe the percussion teacher (not a music therapist) in the morning class and I learned a lot of cool new techniques from him. Things like imitating the sounds of the drum with your mouth, coming up with sounds using your mouth and then matching it on the drum, and both of these things ended up being very hard. It really worked on my self-confidence and frustration that I had that morning. The teacher had a lot of positive energy and kept up a relatively fast pace in the 40 minute class. My faith for this profession grows every day, and watching other professionals always inspires me just a little bit more!

              Socially, the gang got to hang out with the German students a few more times. We did a pick nick on the Neckar which included jam session! Making a new musical connection is always exhilarating! There’s no better feeling than simply smiling and making eye contact with someone when you understand their groove through the rhythm of the music.  Overall, it was really fun getting to know these students and hearing why they chose music therapy, and what they plan to do with it!

As the World Cup goes on this summer some friendly rivalry continues between the countries. USA vs. Germany was a big one! I simply rooted for the winning team (Germany). We were located at a festive outdoor setting in Alstadt with a crowd of at least 400. I believe everyone enjoyed the atmosphere! J

            Five of us girls ended our week traveling to Berlin, we got upgraded to a 1^st class train on the way in… and I slept like a baby. We visited Germany’s tallest building, the T.V. tower, and saw the Great Wall of Berlin at the east side gallery. We ate very well and the famous currywurst was spectacular! We saw the popular monuments and spent a lot of time at the Jewish museum which is an incredible place with a tour lasting at least 2 hours if you take it easy (the student cost is only 3 euros). This city takes a lot of walking and energy, for those planning on going, bring good walking shoes!

Tschüss!