Fulbright Dispatch From Germany

As I am sitting on the train that is gradually putting distance between myself and the quaint German town I’ve called home for the past year, I am struck with the realization that I have truly lived something special. My year as a Fulbright English teaching assistant in Reichenbach, Germany has been formative in more ways than I could have ever imagined. Reichenbach is a town located in the picturesque Vogtland district in Saxony, Germany. Life happens at its own, unhurried pace there. It takes a full day and several trains to get to and from any major airport, there is a festival solely dedicated to the town’s water tower, and on Sundays, it is almost completely silent, which I learned to look forward to. Living next to a bakery situated just around the corner from the school I worked at allowed me to be fully embedded in the town’s culture, which is unlike anything I’ve experienced. I owe this entire adventure to the incredible support I received from Baylor University, particularly the professors that saw me as a potential applicant early on and encouraged me every step of the way.

It is natural to be fearful in any unknown situation, but I entered my year abroad with a determination to develop myself as an individual and to connect with new people and places. I knew that life in Reichenbach would be an open canvas, and I made conscious efforts to be approachable and friendly with people every single day. After one month, I knew the names of the people who served me cappuccinos at the cafe, Lukas and Elke. After two months, whenever I stepped foot outside, I was greeted by a chorus of “Shelby!” as the kids who lived on my street saw me walking around. I’ll forever miss pausing for a moment to watch them do wheelies on their bikes, or listening to them as they regale me with tales of their weekend exploits. After six months, I had a routine where I regularly visited local establishments and had become good friends with some of the restaurant and shop owners. The woman who owns the local meeting place, Conny’s, always welcomed me to sit with the regulars. When I was hungry, I frequented a fantastic pizza place run by a couple that I came to be friends with. They often listened as I shared with them how I was progressing through the German language certification course I was enrolled in. I never felt alone, because I knew that on every street, I was surrounded by people who were both familiar and incredibly kind. As much as I invested in the people of Reichenbach, the school, the students, the faculty, those same people invested in me tenfold.

The authenticity and charm of Reichenbach made it easy to stay there. But I also knew I wanted to use some of my free time to travel. During Europe’s iconic Christmas market season, I visited as many markets as I could across Germany. I also visited several other countries throughout the ten months of my grant. Being in the eastern part of Germany made it easy to see the Czech Republic and Poland. I also visited friends and connected with fellow Baylor alumni in both Madrid and Vienna, making many wonderful memories that will last a lifetime. But my most memorable trip was actually a class trip to the South Tyrol region of Italy with my school’s graduating class and a few of my fellow faculty members. I was so honored to be invited on their trip, and it was an amazing week in such a beautiful part of Europe. Is there a better place to enjoy the company of new friends and co-workers than the Dolomites?

For those seeking academic exchange opportunities to travel abroad, the Fulbright program has no equal. Not only does the Fulbright program select candidates to teach English, study, or conduct research abroad, but they select candidates to be good cultural ambassadors for the U.S. After my Fulbright acceptance, I was welcomed into the Fulbright network. The Fulbright program paired me with a Fulbright alumni mentor, Reiner, who ended up being one of my closest friends during the year. Reiner and his family welcomed me like I was one of their own, and they included me in some amazing outings. If you want to experience something completely new and completely out of your comfort zone, if you have a love and appreciation for your country that you want to share with others, then I would encourage you to apply. To prepare, get started early. I recommend getting in touch with the Office of Engaged Learning, seeking out opportunities to gain teaching experience in the Waco community, and beginning to create a list detailing your unique and distinctive American experience that you would like to share with others abroad.

My Fulbright term has ended. There is the pain of separation to process, but that too is part of life. I left Reichenbach with the highest level of respect and gratitude towards the town and its people, several of whom were undeniably important parts of my daily life. I will never forget this experience, which has taught me how to form relationships with people of every walk of life, to navigate unique challenges in a foreign country, and most importantly, to listen to the experiences and stories of others. I return home to the USA during the summer of America’s 250th anniversary with a deepened appreciation for both German culture and my own. I look forward to sharing my stories of successful cultural exchange between these two nations for years to come.