For a week I was able to experience the wonders of a place that's not inside the United States, and at first I didn't know what to expect. I knew the time change would make a difference, but I didn't know how security would be or even how the interactions would be different. We were informed of some of what we were going to experience, but it wasn't until we landed that things began to sink in and seem so real. Over my spring break I went to Germany with the Ashland University choir, and I'll tell you what... it is far from anything like America.

1. Cuisine

German cuisine is definitely different from the US, especially since they are mostly known for anything bratwurst and at a lot of places curry wurst (which is bratwurst with curry sauce which is really good and spicy for those who are into these types of meals).

But, even for the meals that aren't curry wurst I can guarantee you get more for what you pay for other there than you do here. For the baconator combo at Wendy's you can by a drink and this BBQ burger at one of the restaurants in Wittenberg alone. I couldn't even finish this! I could barely bite into it; it was larger than my mouth. It was really good like other German cuisine's I've tried such as schnitzel and gelato (yes I know it's in America, but it's definitely cheaper in Germany and I've never had it before). The only things that sucks are refills are not free and pop is not cheap like it would be here in the US.

2. Beautiful Sights

Germany is no New York City, but some cities are about as large and as beautiful, and then there are cities like Wittenberg up here. If you're like me, the old fashioned architecture will just amaze you and you'll just fall in love with the city itself (If you haven't guessed my favorite city in Germany happens to be Wittenberg). But there's so much to look at from a place of unfamiliarity and it's just an eye opener each time you go somewhere new. Everywhere has something to offer whether it's Ocean City Maryland...

or a breathe taking view from a top one of the many chapels in Berlin...

I guess any view is a beautiful view depending on your taste.

3. Airport Security

This...this does not need a photo but someone please explain to me how Germany is not as up tight as America? I mean, at an American airport we have to remove our shoes but in Germany it's alright if we leave them on. When flying into Germany we don't have to do anything but relax, but if we're flying into America we need to fill out some sort of paper saying what we're doing in America, where we're from, and what we brought with us. Excuse me USA... I understand we have had attacks before, but my German chocolates are harmless, and why the heck would I know exactly how much money I spent on them?

4. Restrooms

This is all I have to say: When in Germany have change because there are quite a bit of public restrooms that cost anywhere between 50 cents to one Euro.

5. Chapels and Churches

We have many fine Churches in America, but in Germany many of the chapels are old and some are even only used as museums such as this Chapel here. Many of the older chapels actually are used as museums, and one of them only open once a year except for this year which is the reason why we came to Germany, but that's for another article for another day. But the chapels that are still standing from long ago are just beautiful. Some are still standing from before the 16th century.

6. Multiple Languages

Unlike in the US where barely half of us can seem to speak another language, many Germans are fluent in multiple languages, one in which is English. In school Germans have to learn English (even though many choose not to continue with it and are not very fluent in it), and they learn other languages too such as French and Dutch. Germans are a step a head in translation, and too bad we can't start learning in the elementary school another language (I mean yeah we can do private language sessions online and stuff, but it's not the same).

7. Currency

As many have probably noticed before I said that a price of public restroom use can lead to one Euro and not one dollar. Many of us already know this, but others don't that Euro is the currency used in Europe (except England which uses the English Pound). One US dollar is equivalent to a ninth of a Euro. Also, everyone up to five Euros are in coins so there's one, two, five, 10, 20, 50 cents and 1 and 2 Euro coins. And if you chose to go to Europe without Euros but with a card, make sure it's valid outside of the states and that it has a chip reader on it, or else it may not work. Recommendation is to get a world Visa travel card; it works anywhere.

Anyways, experiencing another culture is something I feel everyone should get the chance to try. I'm glad I was given this opportunity to explore Germany and all the knowledge I have brought back with me.