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| New Home |
Last year I
made the most important decision in my life so far. I decided to change my
career path and leave behind my country, my family, my friends, and the
lifestyle I knew. I applied for a Master in International Tourism Management at
Cologne Business School and when I received the acceptance letter I felt
excitement and fear at the same time. It was really happening, my life was
about to change.
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| Crossing Hohenzollern Bridge |
It was not
the first time I was in Germany; I came 12 years ago with an interchange
program and 3 more times after my sister moved to Munich so I was already aware
of how most things worked here, for that reason it didn’t take me long time to
get used to this new city. I dedicated the first days walking around the city
center and buying things for the apartment. For the first time in my life I was
cooking every day for myself and buying cleaning staff for the apartment.
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| Some of my International Friends |
During the
introduction week I met many of my fellow students and learned how things
worked at CBS. After some days some of
my fellow students became my friends and we started to hang out for lunch,
dinner or drinks. It feels always nice to meet new people especially when you
don’t have your family around. You don’t feel alone any more, you know there
are people you can count on and without notice you begin to form your own
little family, in my case a very varied international family. In these last
weeks I met people from more nationalities than I met in my entire life
including some I never thought I would ever meet like from Iceland or
Montenegro.
After 2 months living
in Cologne I realized I didn't do a tour so far. I knew already some parts of
the city but I did not know much about the history of Cologne which I think is
important to know considering this will be my home for at least the next 2 years.
And yes, I could easily google it but you get a special feeling when someone
tells you the story while you are actually at the place. I was glad the
International Office informed us there was going to be a walking city tour
after the Welcome Reception at the city hall on Oct 16th so I signed in for
both events.
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| The Mayor giving his speech |
Many students from
different universities and nationalities from the 5 continents were together in
one same room at the city hall. Once we took
our places the event started with a girl from other University singing 2 songs
while playing the piano. I should say she was really good talented. Then, one
of the mayors of the city gave a warm speech welcoming all the new
International Students. I never imagined I would be welcomed by the mayor so I
think is a nice gesture that the city organizes this event every semester.
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| Gifts & Info |
After the ceremony
they served us Kölsch and some food and we could also walk around different
small stands where they offered assistance for some paperwork like the
registration of the city, extension of the visa, opening a bank account, and about
activities we could join. We also received free tickets for the Philarmonic and
discounts for a few services. I was already living in the city for 2 months so
I really did not need that assistance any more but is really important and
convenient for the people that just arrived and are starting their studies this
month. I´m glad I went anyway because I received information about discounts
friends and relatives can use for public transport and museums when they come
to visit me and also I met a Latino group that organizes some activities and
give different kind of assistance in Spanish.
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| City Tour Time |
We started the city
tour aprox at 4pm despite the cold weather, it even rained a little bit but it
did not stop us. Our guide was a nice girl originally from Cologne. I’ve been
in many tours in different cities and you feel the difference when a local
person tells you the stories. Usually those people are more enthusiastic and
proud of their city and you get that positive energy too.
During the hour and a
half tour I learned and saw following things:
- Cologne was founded
2000 years ago (or more)
- There was a time that
the city was so big that more people lived here than in London or Paris
- A few medieval style
buildings can still be seen in the city center
- The story of Johann
von Werth
- Tünnes & Schäl
Statues that represent the typical original inhabitants of the city
- Hear for the 2nd time
the story about Die Heinzelmänchen (A friend from CBS told me that story weeks
ago :) )
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| Tünnes & Schäl |
But what I really
liked is how our guide told us what the cathedral represents to them. After II
War World, 80% of the city was destroyed but the Cathedral stayed intact
without any kind of damage. It was a sign of hope for the people that came back
to the city after the war and that is why they feel so proud of it. It is also
a symbol of “home” for people of Cologne, they love to see it again after they’ve
been living a while somewhere else. Our guide told us she hopes we end up
loving this city as much as they do. Perhaps some of us will :)
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| Last Stop of the Tour: The Dom |
It was a nice experience
and now I finally can say I know a little bit more about the history of this
city. If you haven’t done it so far try to do one, there are walking tours, bus
tours, boat tours, bike tours and more. The good thing of living in a big city
is that you can find different options so take the chance whenever you can.
As I am a travel
passionate I try to take all the opportunities I can to visit other places so I
am looking forward for the next I´StIP Trip the International Office organized that
is the trip to Berlin next weekend. I am sure we will have a great time there :)
See you around!
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