DD unexpectedly home after "Semester Abroad", Travel within EU very difficult

[Lanny]

DD unexpectedly arrived home from Berlin, Germany today at 2 A.M.  She did a “Semester Abroad” program there, which was actually less $ than her being in her school. The COVID restrictions are so tough in the EU now that she might as well enjoy the warm weather and long hours of daylight here.

She was able to travel for about 9 days in October, when they had a Break in the program, to 2 other countries, but then in November it became extremely difficult to travel to other EU countries and possibly risk getting stuck, because of the COVID regulations.  The original plan was for her to have another 3.5 weeks to explore more of the EU, and then for her to return to NC early in January for the Spring 2022 semester.

In October, she visited Bruges, Belgium and Innsbruck, Austria, each for several nights during the one week break from the "Semester Abroad" program. She would like to return to Innsbruck.

At Breakfast, I asked DD how she would rate the "Semester Abroad" program, on a scale of 1 to 10, considering that I don't rate anything as a 10, which would be perfect. She said it would be a "9" so I want to include the name of the school in Berlin, Germany, which is Freie Univeristat Berlin.  The URL is https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/index.html That program was suggested to her by the "Semester Abroad" office at UNC. They have hundreds or thousands of programs one can choose from.

The flight reservation was made on 03 December for the 3 flights on 10 December. Normally we make reservations 1 to 3 months in advance when possible.   Prior to that, she was holding a reservation to go from Berlin to NC, early in January and she would have had 3.5 weeks more to explore some of the EU.  The best bang for the buck that I found on Google Flights on 03 December was on American Airlines, which isn't normally on the list of airlines I have in my head, but she said the flight from London to New York had very good food and she had 3 seats to herself, because other passengers moved. That flight was of course slow, because Westbound flights have strong Headwinds slowing them down.   The flight from New York to Cali was in one of those 737 MAX aircraft and had NO entertainment and she won't be going in an AA Nonstop from New York to Cali or Cali to New York in one of those again.

Her 3 flights yesterday were all delayed leaving, but for a strange combination of reasons, she arrived in Cali on schedule, just before Midnight last night, on the 3 flights she had Boarding Passes for.

I thank God for watching over her and for the help she received from a British Airways Ticket Agent yesterday. S/he helped DD finish the Online check in and get fully checked in yesterday in the Berlin airport. The 2 long flights were on American Airlines and the first flight, from Berlin to London was a "Code Share" with American Airlines operated by British Airways.  And most importantly, obviously, I thank God that her flights were safe.

[JenneinCA]

My oldest did a ‘study abroad’ that included an internship that was almost totally over Zoom.  There was some sight seeing within Germany but except for a few days at the end, nothing else.  It was not the great year that was supposed to happen.  Oldest does have a vaccine card totally in German, though.  (Moderna). What a weird souvenir!

 

[MEmama]

I’m glad she had the experience, Lanny!

DS loves living overseas. He’s had a few adventures cancelled due to Covid, but he has lots of time to travel when this stupid virus gets under control. He is likely to stay in the EU permanently.

I highly recommend that high school students consider university in a different country. The application process is often more straightforward and less crazy making than in North America (DS was accepted to his number one choice 6 days after he applied last October—really took the pressure off senior year knowing he had it in his back pocket), the schools are often less expensive, and the experiences and opportunities as an international student just can’t be replicated at home.

It's a weird time to make the transition for sure, and flexibility  is crucial, but he wouldn’t trade taking this opportunity for anything.

[BusyMom5]

I'm sorry she didn't get to travel as much as she wanted!  The kids doing SA right now really have a lesser experience.   Glad she still got to go a few places!

[Lanny]

18 hours ago, JenneinCA said:

My oldest did a ‘study abroad’ that included an internship that was almost totally over Zoom.  There was some sight seeing within Germany but except for a few days at the end, nothing else.  It was not the great year that was supposed to happen.  Oldest does have a vaccine card totally in German, though.  (Moderna). What a weird souvenir!

What a sad experience for your oldest.    I remember looking on the UNC Semester Abroad web pages, months ago, after DD was signed up for Berlin. I didn't locate her program, but I would have found it very bewildering, to have so many programs to choose from.

There are lots of places in/near Berlin and they did go sightseeing there and in October her cohort went to Hamburg for about 8 days and did a lot of sightseeing there.  DD received the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in Germany.  I will  ask her if her vaccination certificate is in German...

[Lanny]

14 hours ago, MEmama said:

I’m glad she had the experience, Lanny!

DS loves living overseas. He’s had a few adventures cancelled due to Covid, but he has lots of time to travel when this stupid virus gets under control. He is likely to stay in the EU permanently.

I highly recommend that high school students consider university in a different country. The application process is often more straightforward and less crazy making than in North America (DS was accepted to his number one choice 6 days after he applied last October—really took the pressure off senior year knowing he had it in his back pocket), the schools are often less expensive, and the experiences and opportunities as an international student just can’t be replicated at home.

It's a weird time to make the transition for sure, and flexibility  is crucial, but he wouldn’t trade taking this opportunity for anything.

I believe that after my  DD graduates from UNC that she will be extremely interested in the possibility of working and living in Germany. Especially in Berlin.  As her father I worry about her safety and it seems that she is much safer in Berlin than she would be in a large city in the USA.  

[Lanny]

7 hours ago, BusyMom5 said:

I'm sorry she didn't get to travel as much as she wanted!  The kids doing SA right now really have a lesser experience.   Glad she still got to go a few places!

Despite all the COVID restrictions, my DD had a wonderful experience on her Semester Abroad program. When I asked her yesterday, how she would rate the program and she responded, I was thrilled, that she thought the program was so good.  And to be in Berlin is very special, for many reasons.

[MEmama]

 

2 hours ago, Lanny said:

And to be in Berlin is very special, for many reasons.

Both of my German grandparents are from (formerly) prominent Berlin families. I look forward to visiting some day soon to see their statue and and a former home that was miraculously not bombed and is now a fancy hotel. 
 

Berlin seems so dynamic and modern— no wonder she loved it! 🙂 

[Roadrunner]

My nephew is a full time student at Free University in Berlin. He is now fully online. 

[Lanny]

Follow-on from OP on 15 January 2022:

DD went to the USA 5 days later than had been planned, due to American Airlines canceling her flight from CLO to JFK on the 8th of January which was Saturday, one week ago today. I think that was because of a snowstorm at JFK, but AA didn't say why the flight was canceled,

She rebooked on AA again and went on a route that is shorter,  on Thursday.  THE most important thing, always, is that she is safe and she was safe. She knows to eat before flying on AA, so she was OK. Both of her flights were on-time. Nothing is ever more important than her health and safety.

She is in a dorm at UNC although it is not the one she lived in before and they are getting ready to be hit by the Winter storm in a day or 2, but, we are always thankful that she is in a UNC dorm and if there is an issue, they will get help to the dorm, ASAP. She is waitlisted for the other dorm where she lived before.

We live in a Tropical Valley and now she is where they have a Winter Storm Warning, but hopefully she will be warm and safe during the blast of Cold weather.

Due to COVID-19 and the "Semester Abroad" program she hasn't been at UNC for a long time, so this is a welcome change for her.

[Kassia]

Wow, what an adventure!  Glad she made it and hope the storm doesn't affect them too much.  

[Zoo Keeper]

Glad to hear she is where she needs to be and is safe. 🍵-- That's a hot beverage for her. 😉