BERLIN

            On the way to Berlin, the group had a layover in Amsterdam.  This airport featured standing bikes to re-charge devices from power created from biking, relaxing massage chairs, a flower shop, a play area, and reclining chairs in artificial grass  to pass the time. Even though we only were in Amsterdam for a short layover, it was really cool to see how there are different priorities of different cultures even in things as small as airport design.  Thinking back to OECD and their Better Life Index report, I remember the Netherlands being a top result when valuing life satisfaction, safety, and work-life balance.  In just a short period of time, it was great to see how OECD’s data report was accurately displayed in Amsterdam’s interior design of their airport priorities. 

            Moving on to Berlin, it is fairly easy to recall its history during the World Wars and the Cold War.  Even before arriving I had thought I had idea of what Berlin would be like based on the textbooks I had read during school. I was irrationally worried that since these were negative events in history for Berlin that they would try to forget about it by not being open about these subjects.  However, I was completely wrong. Maximillian Popp, a Der Speigel correspondent, discussed those events and the fact that many Berliners are open to talking about the subject in our first company meeting.  Even though they are not proud, they have an understanding that it should not be repeated again.  They put their past on display as a reminder of what not to do.  If anything, after seeing Berlin, the US seems like the one trying to “hide” flaws.  This would make sense because even though we cover our history in school; I never felt it was dealt with the same amount of weight as it should have.  While in Berlin, comments were made about the time period in which the Berlin Wall came down and that we didn’t feature our history as well as we should because “it happened so long ago.”  However, I don’t see that as an excuse.  We should be doing the same in allowing ourselves to truly evaluate the country in what has previously happened.  I am not trying to say that the US is all-evil but I believe that by not talking about our regrets has helped influence our most recent election.  A final note I would like to make about the museums is that I did notice some people attending memorials and museums would make a “photo-shoot” out of the occasion or jump from block to block at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe.  I found this offensive because I felt like the city is trying to present what happened to learn from it and instead some who attend these places are using it a backdrop. I am still not sure what to think of this observation, but it certainly bothered me as it reminded me of an article drawing awareness to this problem. 

            Another important but difficult topic discussed in the various countries was about the refugee crisis.  This controversial topic has a lot of rules and regulations around it that make it a complex issue as well. Popp talked about how it is problematic that Germany only accepts political issues as a valid reason for an asylum process and not religion, gender, etc.  While the refugees are in need of help and the country is trying to maintain nationalism and economic status it seems as if there isn’t a clear decision.  Countries are currently making a decision based on if they value one more than the other.  Germany deciding to take some reasons and not others for the asylum process is discriminatory and proves that the world still has a long way to go.  Later visiting Refugee Radio on the Fourth of July, nationalism for my own country was absent.  Hearing a few stories of what people have to overcome to survive are incredibly humbling.  It is so motivational to see Refugee Radio working on their mission to “teach the world right” based on the fact that “everyone is born free.”