A night out in Bamberg, Germany, for an American like myself, can vary from extremely similar to extremely different in a matter of moments. I could take the easy road and discuss the German train systems and the metaphor surrounding them but I’d like to take the unpaved path and write about a new metaphor I have discovered on my own over here. A German night out is a constant internal crisis. Now, an internal crisis could be viewed as a bad thing but from my perspective it is not as negative as it is just a learning and adjustment exercise. From all of my experiences in the U.S involving going out it consisted of: pregame, bar, home, in that order. Now in Germany the pregame consists of visiting at least 2 friend's places, maybe 3 bars, then finally arriving at a club, then going home about 5 hours later than you typically would in America.  

 

Hofstede’s view on collectivists would not pertain to the locals here as they are acting on their own accord and are continuing to view a night out as their typical night out which includes them being their own person and not caring what others around them think. One example I saw of collectivism though, is when buying drinks at a table, only one person at a time will buy a round of drinks and this will be passed person to person as the night goes on so only one person is paying per round of drinks. This is done pretty much every single time no matter what and I think it’s just ingrained in the culture that this is how drinks are obtained when going out with friends so if they were to not do it then they would not be participating in the ingroup activities. Other than this though, everyone I’ve met here has spoken freely and without caution of seeming out of the ordinary. This makes a night out in Germany very easy in a wider scope of view because you are allowed to say or discuss whatever you feel like but in a closer lens, you must pay attention to if it is your turn to pay for the group or you will be ridiculed. 

 

In Bamberg I have noticed basically a complete absence of a high power distance society. To discuss my classmates and their peers, there is not a single thing that is done differently by any of them with regards to one being superior or subordinate and from what I have learned from asking this is always the case. Even with our teachers, so far they have had us call them by their first names and in class they have asked us to speak to them as if we were long time friends. When interacting with people on the street there is a difference between “du” and “Sie” when referring to anyone significantly older than you but it’s extremely clear when this should be used but typically it won’t ever be an issue because they will know English and this courtesy won’t even have to come up because it’s not a part of the english language. I’ve also been told by my local friends here that even if I was speaking German that it is not even a huge deal unless the person has made a note of wanting you to do it previously. Overall, there are not really any power distances that I have noticed in my time here that have made me think that this is a high power distance society. This makes for a night out in Bamberg exponentially less stressful as there is no fear of offending by misinterpreting a high power situation however; if you were to run into a situation where you forgot that they mentioned you were supposed to refer to them as “Sie” I’ve heard it could become very awkward so when out with someone older than you there may be some internal struggle trying to remember if they have ever requested that from you. 

 

From what I’ve gathered in my short time here, Germany is a masculine society. They are thrust into a competitive environment very early on with their school system and continue on that course that strives for success through their entire lives. My tandem partner was telling me about how there are 3 different types of “middle schools” and basically whichever one you get into when you're a preteen decides if you’re going to college or not. There are obviously outliers but this system has been in place for years and is a solid example of how success begins to be sculpted at an early age here. There are plenty of locals driving around in expensive cars, wearing designer clothes, and bragging about their businesses. It’s across the ocean but it still feels as if I’m in America when talking to certain people in this masculine culture. The internal conflict that can be found in this society on a night out is whether or not you want to try and “show off.” This could be through clothing, jewelry, or even just what you talk about and it’s even more difficult after that because what may be “cool” in America may not hold the same weight in Bamberg so it almost feels like a game on if someone will be impressed by what you have or what you are saying. 

 

From what I’ve learned so far here, over the past decades the uncertainty avoidance has shifted from a high uncertainty avoidance to trending down towards a lower one. The generation I’m a part of and interacting with are completely different with regards to this situation as they want to make their own decisions about everything and think for themselves as opposed to their older generations who are hanging onto certain ideologies. My tandem partner is actually a part of a political party that is completely based on changing Germany’s older ways/ laws and wants to introduce more modern ideologies into the country. This is completely opposite of what I thought I’d experience out here because I was going to a very old town in Germany and figured they would be set in their ways and unwilling to change. A night out in Bamberg will not have you doing the same things every single time but rather every time will surely be different from the last and you’ll be expected to have new ideas on what to do or be willing to go along with the new plans laid out by your friend next to you. This is an extreme conflict for some people that I know because they love to have their whole day and night planned out by the minute but here, you could be at a house one minute and the next you’ll be walking down the road towards the city center and not even have an idea about what place you all will be walking into. 

 

A night out in Bamberg is almost the exact opposite of what I thought it would be. I was expecting a set routine that my peers would follow and, though they would drink a lot, it would be well thought out and almost systematic in a way. This was not the case though because a night out in Bamberg feels free, inclusive, even unraveled, but with a pinch of deep rooted culture mixed in there when it comes to “rounds.” I may be surprised by the situations that have been presented to myself out here but I can surely say I’ve been pleasantly surprised with a night out in Bamberg.

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Embarking on my study abroad experience in Bamberg, Germany, proved to be a transformative odyssey that extended beyond the confines of traditional schooling. One of the defining aspects of this experience was the profound connections established with students from diverse cultural backgrounds. Engaging with peers from different corners of the globe forged lasting friendships that transcended cultural divides. Bamberg itself served as a dynamic living classroom where history and culture converged. The iconic Altes Rathaus, situated gracefully on the Regnitz River, is a symbol of the city's rich history, while local beer gardens offered opportunities for genuine German social interactions.

Amidst these cultural explorations, the nuanced dance between collectivism and individualism within German society became apparent. Communal meals and cultural festivities highlighted the collective harmony deeply embedded in the culture. Simultaneously, personal conversations underscored the Germans' profound respect for individual identity and aspirations. Weekend excursions to nearby cities, such as Nuremberg and Berlin, added layers to the cultural adventure. Nuremberg's historical landmarks provided insights into Germany's complex past, emphasizing the responsibility to acknowledge and learn from history. 

 

In retrospect, the study abroad experience in Bamberg was not merely an academic endeavor; it was a holistic exploration of cultural intricacies. The connections with international students, the exploration of cultural landmarks, and the nuanced understanding of collectivism and individualism within German society collectively shaped a transformative chapter. This experience fostered a deep appreciation for the interconnectedness of cultures and the harmonious coexistence of collective values and individual identities in the global tapestry.