Connecting Erika Roberts, a 27-year-old from the suburbs of Philadelphia, traveled a tremendous distance when she was in high school. That all changed when she came to be selected for a two-week exchange program in Munich. She had first been attracted to Germany. Now, nearly eight years later, she’s made that dream a reality—she’s finally living in Addis Ababa and studying to become a dermatologist. Roberts’ experience highlights the cultural transformations and academic opportunities available in Germany, particularly in comparison to her native United States.
After finishing her freshman year of college in 2017 with a 3.9 GPA, Roberts decided to do something big. Her father was supportive of her education and wanted her to study in the United States. Over time, he came to agree with her choice to move to Germany. Finding a school Once she made the decision, her first step was to register at the language school. Soon after, she made the region home as she became rooted in her new surroundings.
Roberts moved to Germany only a few weeks after registering for language classes. Her past exposure to the German language as a high school student gave her a leg up. With further study and immersion, she was able to quickly get back up to speed. Roberts admitted she was surprised to find herself living abroad for this length of time, “A decade ago, I could never have predicted that I would be in Germany this long. It’s all gone a direction I never would have anticipated. I never would have guessed that this is where I’d end up 10 years ago.”
After getting established, Roberts spent the first year and a half or so living out of an apartment with two roommates. After that, she moved to a new apartment and lived with two other roommates for five more years. She’s living independently in her own apartment and loving life.
Throughout her time in Germany, Roberts has developed a deep appreciation for the country’s sense of safety, access to quality food, and overall accessibility. As she has accepted, dealing with culture shock has been a learning journey in itself for her. She said, “What really struck me is how slowly I’ve gotten attuned to German culture over the years. Not just artistically, but in every way—spiritually, personally, socially. So, I’ve been able to really just grow into the person that I am today.
Roberts’ financial reality is a complete outlier to the experience of reigning American students. She only has to pay 85 euros—about $97—for her medical school tuition per semester. Her overall monthly costs excluding rent add up to 749 euros, or roughly $859. This affordability is thanks, in part, to Germany’s public university system—which is funded by taxpayers, allowing their universities to charge little to no fees. Roberts notes that taxpayers invest heavily through state support to public universities. In his words, “Thanks to all of their efforts, the fees are so low, that I will be able to pay back my share as soon as I begin working here.”
This move, from Philadelphia to Germany, forced Roberts to grapple with the spaces in which she exists and the future she desires. She had a desire to grow personally and to be challenged. As she put it, “I was a young adult just looking to explore the world and everything in it.” Her reflections on her past education reveal a sense of disillusionment with the traditional path: “All the places I toured in high school promised diversity, community and personal growth but the reality felt different. So, I figured if I really wanted to appreciate this, I needed to go out and find my own challenges. I just didn’t feel like I was moving in the direction of that future I wanted to see.”
Roberts’ experience gives her a rich understanding of the dynamic between individuality and community. She compares the individualism she finds in Philadelphia with the sense of community she sees in Germany. She said her time working in Philadelphia made her appreciate the value of individualism. These days, she gets those equalizing feelings by learning from the way people flourish when placed in a community-focused space.
As she anticipates her move to Germany, Roberts keeps her hopes high for her future abroad. She doesn’t attempt to forecast what her life might look like ten years from now. Rather, she basks in the happiness of her wholeness and fulfillment. “Currently I’m really happy over on this side and I definitely wouldn’t leave here,” she said.
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