An Infinite Horizon

Algae with friends at Micropia: A Microbiology “Zoo”

American society has many ages that signify a milestone in maturity. At 16, you can legally drive in Arizona (provided you have passed all examinations and can afford to do so). At 18, you are considered an adult in the U.S.. Drinking and renting are prohibited for years after legal adulthood. Brain maturity is rumored at 25, but some adults never grow up in the usual sense. My point is that maturity takes effort: it’s messy, it happens in fits and starts, it’s a long process, and nobody knows whether they’re doing it right. My time abroad was less than a month, but I feel I’ve tapped into an undiscovered chapter of my young adult life that began when I left America.

A quiet railway station.

Suburbia is a prime example of how poor city planning can stunt the passion and independence of youths. For 19 years I had never been on public transportation without my parents, let alone by myself, until I had reached Berlin. Good public transport was a buzzword for me, it felt electrifying as a concept as both a technology enthusiast as well as an environmentalist. What I did not expect was how freeing it was to travel across a city without needing a car or a friend with a car to do so. At home, the nearest bus stop is about a mile-and-a-half walk and the busses never run on time. Carpooling, biking, or taking a bus are all seen as acts of desperation and not an active choice, despite it being relatively affordable, environmentally conscious, and a way to be present in the community. Being on public transportation really helped me get a better sense of the types of people who lived in Berlin and Holland, and as a result gave me more confidence to be out in public and interacting with others. Good city planning helps people meet each other and consequently strengthens the local community. It forces people to come face-to-face with the issues of others and to leave their own cultural bubble, to challenge their perceptions and ultimately have a deeper connection to where they live.

The world is gigantic, so much larger than anyone can perceive at a glance.

My biggest worry coming in to this experience was that I’d be marooned in my own head: trapped by anxieties and obsessive planning for the future. Thanks to the kindness of my classmates as well as the push of necessity, I thrived in the moment and took on roles I would never see myself in. Being in a close group forces you to overcome certain social anxieties and inhibitions in order to function. I found myself wanting to be happy, not only for myself but also for the sake of others. When the horrors of the Holocaust weighed me down to the point of tears, there were friends there to pull me out and I let myself be vulnerable. They helped me turn my thoughts around and I ended up planning one of the most beautiful Jewish experiences: a dinner with friends and conversation. When my brain turned to wallow in anxiety and regret, I pushed through to seek out friendly faces, unafraid of judgement. I met some of the most passionate, funniest, and smartest people in Europe and I am proud to call them all my friends.

A favorite memory: learning to make paint at the Rembrandt House

Running this blog was never an issue of time or difficulty, but rather one of pushing past my own worries of failure. Truth be told, I was nervous to send emails, set deadlines, or admit when things became too much for me to handle. I continued pushing myself through the what-ifs on this trip and let myself prosper in an entirely new environment. I let myself be vulnerable and listened intently to the stories of others. I geeked out over microbiology, politics, and the environment, unashamed of my strong stances and interests. I took risks and came out the other side a wiser person and a better friend. I led the creation of this blog, a project that I am truly proud of and that I put time and effort into. I am a future engineer, a proud, loud Jewish woman, and I am unafraid of myself and what is unknown. To me, being abroad finally helped start a new chapter for my life filled with activism, academia, friendship, and the pursuit of a better future.

Miles of biking took us here: an endless horizon with a beautiful day.

By Julia Lisk