It's reached the point where I'm beginning to wonder what I've let myself in for.
Tomorrow evening I will board a flight from Stansted to Berlin (less glamorous than the Franco-German expedition immortalised in song by Infernal) for a work experience placement with eBook publishers City Travel Review. The choice to spend a month abroad in a country I'd never imagined visiting is a triumph of career choice over geographical and linguistic prejudices. As a budding travel journalist, the appearance of this particular placement among the other internships and graduate job offers that regularly descend upon my inbox was something akin to a miracle. Vague hope when I applied gave way to elation when I was accepted.
After being stung by a poor Euro exchange rate in the Post Office, frustrated by Ryanair's impenetrable online check-in, and confused by a multitude of travel insurance quotes, I've arrived at the eve of departure. Dormant stomach butterflies are stirring, and the nagging fear that I've forgotten some vital piece of electrical equipment is starting to kick in. My Germanophilic boyfriend has been thrilled about the placement from the word go. He and a close friend from university, who has just completed a year of study at a Berlin university, are primarily responsible for the excitement I'm starting to feel.
Although my own experience of German culture is almost non-existent (apart from a weekend in Vienna earlier this year, if Austria can be counted), this placement is a learning curve I'm eager to tackle. I'm excited by the prospect of learning another language and practicing it in the real world. According to those I've spoken to about the trip, everyone in Berlin speaks at least a little English; however, I'm keen to dispel the image of the ignorant British tourist and try speaking the local language instead of relying on mad gesticulations and shouting. The diversity and richness of European culture and heritage have fascinated me for years, and consequently I'm thrilled at the chance to explore a capital with such a chequered past.
The rave reviews I've heard about the beer, the food and the nightlife have also had their fair share of influence on my current state of excitement.
As a Germany virgin, this blog is intended to chart my discoveries, revelations and anecdotes over the next four weeks (and the disenchantment with my home country which is bound to follow). I'm a country girl, born and bred, so there will probably be a certain amount of fascination at the pace and liveliness of the big city.
But for now, I have mundane packing duties to attend to. There are pairs of socks and chargers to be counted.
