Category: Berlin Study Abroad

Populus Coffee: Berlin / Neukölln

Of all the coffee spots I went to during my month in Berlin, Populus Coffee was my favorite, zweifellos. They were one of the cafes on the list that I’d put together, weeks before I was even set to head to Berlin, and they did not disappoint. Since this trip was part of a study abroad […]

UW Honors Berlin Study Abroad – final reflection / project

I The Plan I went into this project wanting to study Arabic graffiti in Berlin. Having learned Arabic (MSA) for the past year, I’ve not only fallen in love with the language but, combined with my interest in the politics of public space, have also learned a great deal about Arabic graffiti in Arab countries […]

Berlin Study Abroad: Reading Reflection

Reading reflection for Arrival City and Figure of the Migrant 1. This was not very far into the first reading, but for me, this couple of sentences brought to mind many things, “In my journalistic travels, I developed the habit of introducing myself to new cities by riding subway and tram routes to the end […]

Berlin Study Abroad: Community Asset Map

Note: Our Community Service Partner asked us to try to go into a small shopping plaza to get opinions on his mobile furniture project. Justin & I attempted to maneuver with our limited German and English – we got turned down a few times. We finally were invited into the retirement home / community center […]

Berlin Honors Study Abroad – Reading Reflection #1

Reading Reflection for: Imagined Communities and Ghosts of Berlin Thoughts on Imagined Communities: This topic of “nationalism” is particularly poignant in today’s political climate especially in the United States (for me, as an American.) I have taken a few classes recently where the concept of national identity and rootedness has been a topic and I’ve […]

Berlin Study Abroad – 5 senses (in Berlin!) / Journal #1

There are many aspects – sense-wise – that have been fairly universal in my European travels over the years. There’s certain smells or sensations that have been imprinted on me that, whenever I smell them elsewhere, immediately take me back or fill me with nostalgia. When I noticed these things in Berlin, I knew I […]

Berlin Honors Study Abroad: CERP revision / final

ETA: I came across this quote, while reading Arabic Graffiti, and it felt like it summed up what I’m interested in pretty clearly, particularly in regard to reclaiming public spaces. In addition to looking specifically at the role of urban art and graffiti in issues of Arabic migration and refugees in Berlin (and the world.) When the […]

Berlin Study Abroad seminar – Abstract (first draft)

This is  a VERY rough draft – I still need to work and write out the details in the background, method, etc:   Note: (added 5/15/17) – I will revise my final draft to reflect more on the concept of Heterotopias and Panopticism (re: Foucault) and space as power. Though I am still very much […]

Berlin Study Abroad: Week 7 “research resources”

Review “Research Resources” and “Reading” resources sections on the blog and write up a short reflection on your blog about two resources that are helping you shape thinking thinking around your CERP topic. In addition, if you have additional research resources for your individual projects, please post to your blog. It is extraordinarily hard to […]

Berlin Study Abroad Seminar: Reading Reflection – week 7

While reading Educating the ‘Good’ Citizen, the middle section on the first page where the author quotes what Bill Bennet, Paulo Freire, Albert Shanker, and George Bush wrote regarding teaching ‘good citizenship’ in schools I had a somewhat visceral reaction. Not so much to Paulo Freire’s statement regarding political determination against oppression and Shanker’s statement about respect for […]

Berlin study abroad seminar – Week 6

Your blog post for the week should make connections between these three readings–are forces of gentrification similar or different than colonialism via “development”? We would also like you to generate two (or more) questions for our panelists on ethical community engagement with displaced people. Include these in your blog post, and be ready to engage […]