Like most doe-eyed college students visiting Europe for the first time, I stepped off my KLM flight with preconceived notions of rustic European buildings and streets of designer boutiques. Admittedly, I was pleasantly surprised when offered the near opposite, courtesy of Berlin...

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Edgy & a Whole Lot Of History

Whether it was cool, grimy, or strange, most college students who visit Berlin can agree that Berlin is the "mecca of edgy." A word commonly used in millennial vocabulary, edgy defines a behavior or vibe that is alternative and unconventional, yet cool.

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Oddly enough, I enjoyed submerging myself into this edgy, alternative world view of Berlin. One of the most striking physical traits of the was its communist charm. I was captivated by its discord and the remnants of World War II that still permeate the city today. In fact, I loved how the eastern side was not ashamed of preserving some of the more industrial aesthetics of a historic divide.

 

"There was an unmistakable beauty in graffiti and age because those visuals sparked conversation."

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Perceptions of Comfort and Reality

Throughout the trip, I wondered how my perceptions might have changed if our University stayed in boutique hotels glazed in chrome. Perhaps my perception would have been cheap satisfaction because modern luxury conditions us to escape the harsher side of actual reality.

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A Different Kind of Beauty

Berlin is a difficult city to explain because it truly is a beautiful anomaly. From trademark scents to anarchist vibes, Berlin offers so much to tease the brain. One of the more obvious first impressions about Berlin is the ambiance. There is an unexpected harmony between old industrial architecture and gloomy skies. The avant-garde aesthetic embraces anarchy and a fearless energy of the 1900s.

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"Berlin isn't afraid to showcase its genuine culture. The city is adamant about portraying its angsty, unconventional attitude through art and social norms."

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I think one of the most endearing facts I learned during my excursion was the fact that graffiti represents the power of the people. In a way, the art represents the people owning the institutions, reflecting heavily on the disastrous conflicts between government and the people in the late 40s.

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Edgy, unexpected, and influential

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