Author Archives: sa124353

Now that the first semester at Baruch is almost over, I can say that it was though, but it also went by very fast. Not knowing what its gonna be like to be in college was a bit scary at first, but then you eventually adapt quickly and the sleepless nights, the tons of material to read, the exams and the endless amount of assignments, all that almost becomes normal. Even though it feels as if there are not enough hours in a day, not enough days in a week or not enough weeks in a month anymore, you will be able to manage, sometimes not knowing how to, but you will manage. I can say that I enjoy going to college, because it is something that I am doing for myself, something that I want to do and have chosen to do. The matter of fact is that I have now a totally different point of view then I would have had a couple of years ago, which makes me realize how beneficial on one side and how unnecessary on the other side certain things or situations appear. A good experience is that I met lots of really nice and interesting people during my time here at Baruch. People from all over the world who come to study in one of the most multi cultural cities in the world and everyone of  them has an amazing and unique life story to tell. Now that I am looking back at the last three months, I honestly don’t think I would do much different. Accept the fact that I tend to put the difficult thing towards last minute, which is kind of bad, but I think almost everybody does it. It’s hard sometimes to get into a routine of doing complex things first and easy things last. Now with the day of registration for classes coming up, I am actually looking forward to the next semester, because we are now at the point where we can make our own schedule. The freedom of doing so will give me the opportunity to make the whole combination of working full time and attending college work for me. I also don’t think that I have changed, all I can say is that my life has changed in every aspect. In regards to my private life, school or work, its not the same and it won’t be the same ever again. I am looking at a very busy and adventurous time ahead of me, involving lots of studying, working and traveling. Even though there were times when I hardly got any sleep, I still enjoyed it very much and I think if you are willing to put in the extra effort, it will definitely make a big difference and pay out. In the end it will all be worth it.

Well, I personally consider myself as a young outgoing and independent women, who enjoys life and all the incredible things that come with it and, very important, I love New York. To live in one of the greatest cities in the world, is one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

I grew up in a very small town in former East Germany, in the middle of nowhere and I just left everything behind and came here, which is, now that I think about it, CRAZY. Nobody would do such a thing. But I wasn’t even planning on staying, when I first came to the United States, I only wanted to travel and explore the country. Never pictured myself still being here today, or even more unreal, attending college.

Also things were a little different before I started college. I was just living the life and did whatever I felt like doing. My work schedule also gave me the opportunity to do so and that gave me the freedom to practice all kinds of sports. My huge passion are especially surfing and wake-surfing, snowboarding, running and kickboxing. Love it, just love it. If I wouldn’t be so “german” then I would just hang on the beach all day and surf surf surf….

On my journey I met so many great people and some of them have become really good and close friends of mine, I wouldn’t have wanted to miss that for the world. Most of them are immigrants just like me and we kind of have that special connection, I guess because there are so many similarities in our background stories.

I am so happy to be able to go to school, yeah its great crack. Even though sometimes it seems hard to find the balance between school, work and life, but you just have to suck it up and move forward. In the end it will all be worth it…

“Who Do You Think You Are?”

 I was born and raised in former East Germany in a small town called Saalfeld. You could say, I am a German in New York. The Big Apple, as many refer to it, one of the greatest cities in the world. And here I am, thousands and thousands miles away from home. I was only 23, when I left everything behind and first came here on my own, I didn’t know what to expect. I was scared, insecure, homesick, lonely, confused and first and for most I had huge doubts in myself. I would always question myself, if this was a step in the right direction. But you will never know what the right step is, unless you actually make the decision to take that step. And what is actually the “right step”, the “right decision”?!

Now when i m looking back at the time when I first came to this country, attending Baruch College is an even bigger challenge for me, probably one of the biggest in my life. It has been 11 years since I graduated from high school. After high school I did an apprenticeship to become a certified paralegal. Which meant, I attended a specialized school and would work in a lawyers office for three years. Because I haven’t been to any school in the last 8 years it sometimes seems hard for me to get back into the pattern or you could say more get back into a routine of actually going to school. The language barrier is also one of my concerns here at Baruch College since English is not my first language, I have to pay even more attention to not miss out on any given information. Misunderstandings or interpreting things differently could also be an issue I hope to manage well. Another one is finding the balance between attending school during the day and going to work at night. Which is just one of the big challenges. But its just part of getting myself through school. Striving towards an education and a degree keeps me going.

My perspective on certain things, especially school has extremely changed over the years. Back in high school I would have never thought about attending college or high school, especially not in a foreign country. That would have never even crossed my mind. I think now, that I have worked a couple of years and lived and enjoyed my life by doing all kinds of sports and travels, I am at a much more experienced point in my life where I feel ready to take on this challenge.

Today I can say about myself that I am an independent, outgoing, hard working, responsible, trustworthy, reliable, honest, very organized, industrious, respectful and funny (at least I think so) individual.

 I am really looking forward to improve myself, to learn and to study. My horizon will be extended to a different level and I will always strive for more. I am capable of achieving higher goals in my life.