Yehalah Fernando

An interesting experience I had last week was cooking with everyone in the program! One of the student's host mother is a chef and she guided us through a 5-hour cooking class. The objective of the class was to cook an entire meal with zero waste and no meat items. We were divided into six groups, each group making one component of the meal. I was in the group that made a dip for dinner. We chopped up bell peppers, onions and garlic, then blended them with soy sauce, sesame oil, salt and pepper. Other components were fried mushrooms, pulled mushrooms, potatoes and onion patties, pesto and dip. It was a great meal, and it was interesting to learn how to minimise waste. 

Last Friday, our group decided to go to a Berlin vs Hannover (Hannover, Germany, not Hanover, NH!) football game at the Berlin Olympic Stadium. Tickets were 31.50 EUR for students! As a part of cultural immersion, each student is given 80 EUR to spend on cultural activities in Germany. We met so many supporters on the train ride to the stadium who were wearing all the merch you can imagine. Hats, scarves, jerseys and even leather jackets with the team logo embroidered. We were inspired to purchase our own scarves too. One interesting part of the experience was that all cups used for drinks include a deposit of 2 euros which you get back if you return the cup! The game ended up being a tie between the two teams, and it was a great experience overall. 

This Saturday, we had the chance to visit the Berliner Philharmonie, a world-renowned orchestra. This was fully sponsored by the program! Everyone dressed up really well for the occasion, as most Berliners do. The affair was two hours long, which I anticipated may turn boring at some point. I am happy to say that I was completely wrong. The conductor and performers kept up a great energy and rhythm that had me captivated the entire time! The 10-minute standing ovations after each set were definitely well-deserved. 

I fear ordering in queues, especially when there is a long line of people behind me. However, when my friend introduced me to eggs at Collis Cafe, there was no going back. The Collis building is a student center that includes Collis Cafe, which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They sell a great variety of food, but most importantly, they make eggs. You can order any amount or type of eggs you want. My morning routine improved after I started getting eggs and yogurt from Collis for breakfast!

Some of my friends live at Summit, an off-campus housing complex where each room includes a full kitchen unit. Sometime during the term, I decided to make some spicy Sri Lankan chicken curry for them. I brought the spices from Sri Lanka, and my creation tasted almost as good as my mother's recipe. I did not realize how much I missed food from home until this day. I rarely cook, but this experience made me realize that I should do it more often as a way to connect myself to home. 

Taking breaks is so important while working, and I found a way to make time for a productive break. The massage chairs in the Student Wellness Center are great for relaxing the muscles and the mind. Students can sign up for 15-minute massages on a board outside the room, and I have made frequent visits throughout the term. The wellness center is an excellent place to refocus in between study sessions. I am so glad I decided to actively use their facilities this term; it helped me relax and destress!