Berlin & Wolfsburg-Days 7-9

Friday, July 30th we took a bus to Wolfsburg to the Autostadt (auto city) where the Volkswagen plant is. This is a planned city that was constructed entirely around Europe's largest automobile factory (50,000+ employees, 2nd largest in the world). They produce over 3,000 vehicles a day. We had the opportunity to go on a guided tour of the exhibit halls and pavilions, and then went on a tour of the factory itself. It was fascinating to see how technology, science, and sociology could create this magnificent city. Afterward, we hopped back on the bus and drove the final three hours to Berlin where we had dinner and the went to the top of the TV Tower (around 70 stories) to observe the lights and sights of Berlin. Simply amazing. Prof. Griese (Kai) treated me to a Turkish delight, "Chicken Doner" after our evening in Berlin. A "doner" is a grilled pita bread stuffed with shaved/sliced chicken (like lamb on gyro) and then loaded with many Turkish favorites such as lettuce, tomato, cucumber, cabbage, onion, and your favorite yogurt sauce (See the pictures).
Saturday we went on a guided tour of Berlin and saw so many of the hundreds of wonders of this old city (780 years is something compared to the USA). After a relaxing lunch and trip back to "America" at the Hard Rock Cafe, we went on another guided tour of the German Parliament (Congress) building. Again, it was amazing to see the combination of old (original building with WWII Allies writing their names on the wall in paint-still easily to see) and the modern glass/steel reconstruction and magnificent eco-friendly open dome. A sight for historians, engineers, architects, environmental scientists, and tourists alike to enjoy and wonder at. For evening we went to the progressive area of the city, which felt as diverse as any area I have seen in Europe (lots of young people enjoying their Bohemian lifestyle and progressive ideologies). Dining outside truly has its advantages for conversation and people watching.
Today, (Sunday), we go on our own by bicycle to discover and explore Berlin.

"I'm a Berliner" now.
-Brandon

Dinner from around the world-made by the students-Day 6

Today was day two of lecture and overall things are going well. Students are perhaps a bit tired, but will have some time to rest this weekend as we leave at 6:45am on Friday for Berlin. We'll stop off in Wolfsburg at the Volkswagen plant/exposition in the late morning. However, after a day of classes, students spent nearly 2 hrs preparing a variety of dishes and items from countries around the world for dinner. It was fabulous as the pictures show and I believe every enjoyed the process. I truly see many new friendships being developed among the students and generally they seem comfortable with communicating with each other if they have any issues or challenges with each other. They are truly being challenging not only by their tasks, but also by persevering through long days of activities, but they all know this is an opportunity of a lifetime (faculty realize this too :)

Enjoy the pictures and I wish you could have joined us for dinner. The first week winds down tomorrow and it feels like we have been here for a month...we've been busy.

I was reminded today, to "Enjoy myself, it's later than you think."
Gute Nacht!
-Brandon

"Who needs yoga, we've got motown!"- evening of day 5

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For the evening of day five, we had a special presentation by two faculty who have studied and taught for extensive periods of time abroad in Thailand, China, Ghana, and South Korea. Afterward, we had a cookout with German Bratwurst, bake potatoes, and lots of veggies and fun sauces. We had our evening at a wonderful restaurant on a local lake and sat on their fantastic patio area. Students enjoyed the time to see some of Germany's wonderful nature scenes and enjoy the food/drink of our fine hosts. After a long 10hr day of lectures, yoga, team coaching, and guest speakers everyone was ready to relax. My colleagues Bill and Kai had a good evening exchanging Motown favorite hits on our car ride home. Especially when "My Girl" came on, and Bill had the quote of the trip discussing relaxation..."Who needs yoga, we've got Motown!". Perhaps I will combine some Motown now in my yoga classes to get Bill to come. Regardless, it was a wonderful evening and we continue to discuss collaborations between our universities. Two students have already expressed strong interest in getting their master's degree in Germany. I also discuss the possibility of hosting some of our German colleagues in January/August for USI's MHA program or November/May during Osnabruck's block week. Future collaborations and new friendships continue to develop in "The City of Peace."

Namaste...and goodnight.
-Brandon

Days 4 & 5-Yoganna Love the International Summer University

Day four began with the first optional yoga class. I'm not sure how this got added to a program geared toward intercultural competence and one course in a student's major area of study, but alas now most mornings at 8am I find myself teaching yoga to faculty, staff, and students from around the world and today specifically, how to get their back flat in a downward facing dog (thanks to Chris Crews) (See photos for pictures of baby/little children yoga). The first two days of yoga have went well and everyone who participates says it is a great way to start the day before a long day of lectures, special projects, team coaching (intercultural group work), and evenings spent learning about German businesses and food/music. Students also got a taste of German culture, history, and its present standing in Europe today. I worked on my lectures and met with German staff members to discuss a few minor details.
Day five was wonderful with yoga class today (Wednesday) and my first of three lectures in international public health. Our class size for public health is small (7), which allows us to more have a discussion or dialogue in class rather than a monologue-styled lecture. This afternoon Johannes Grundman gave an outstanding presentation on the German Healthcare System, which spurred a wonderful date that boiled down to the conclusion "What are individuals willing to give (or pay) to be a part of a country or society?". Whether it be time spent in military, social services, or taxes or other forms of sacrifice and service. I'm hoping Johannes can join us sometime in 2011 to teach USI's graduate students in health administration and perhaps lecture to advanced undergraduate students in the College of Nursing and Health Professions. This evening we have a BBQ at a local restaurant on a local lake ). Can you barbecue schnitzel and saur kraut?

It is sunny and 73F in Osnabruck and we are trying to enjoy every second of this wonderful city. I hope many more students, faculty, and my friends and family will be able to visit here soon.
We have so much to learn from each other including Jack Johnson songs as Kai has allowed me to borrow his live Jack Johnson record. Nice.

Bye for now,
Off to a Volkswagen Plant on Friday and then to Berlin for the weekend.
-Dr. Brandon

Day 3

As the days go by, the jet lag is getting better. However, I spent 1-3 am at my laptop unable to sleep. After a great run early this morning and a nice, yoga practice, Kai picked up myself, Bill (Business professor), and Susanne in his BMW crossover (like a big subaru outback). We met the students 30 minutes outside of Osnabruck at a retreat center where they stayed the night before. After coffee, we observed the students engaging in a variety of group physical challenges and tasks. Each task required the students to work together and everyone had to communicate with each other. Students also learned how to be leaders in group settings and get everyone to work together (Darius Rowser and Michelle Tibbs are enjoying the challenge). Darius did a great job in leading them with a 1-2 count to lower the stick to the ground while all students had one finger on each hand touching the stick. These team building exercises along with the intercultural competency (a focus of this 3 week program) meetings will allow the students the opportunity to learn how to meet new people who are have had somewhat different life experiences/cultures and still be successful in a brief period of time.
Lunch was a nice selection of meats (including the vegetarian loaf), cheeses breads, condiments, and veggies for sandwiches with a variety of fruity sodas and juices. We ate off of some wooden rectangles that looked like thick cutting boards with heavy traditional iron flatware. I felt like I was eating mid-evil times. This afternoon, I went for my daily stroll through the city center to purchase a mobile (cell phone) to use while I am here and one that other USI faculty/staff can use when they come to work in Osnabruck. And I bought some pastries to enjoy with my nutella at my apartment (I love the croissants with raisins...and a generous slap of nutella). More pics are posted and youtube videos are in the future.

Chews!!! (bye in German and spoken with a lot energy).
-Dr. Brandon

Day 1 & 2

Yesterday (Saturday July 24th, 2010) we arrived in Osnabruck, Germany. We all checked into our residences for the three week program. My apartment is wonderful and only five minutes from where I'll be teaching public health and yoga. I'm also only 5-10 minutes from three grocery stores and 10-15 minutes from the city center where most of the shops, restaurants, and pubs are. I met with Susanne from the University of Applied Sciences-Osnabruck and we had a good long talk over coffee and a tour of the facilities.

For the evening of Day 1 (Sat 7/24), we had an welcoming reception with wonderful German finger foods (awesome schitzel, potato salad, chicken skewers, fresh veggies, and lots of sparkling water over hours of conversation). Afterward, we went to a wine festival in the city center. The pictures above are of me (on the left) and of my German faculty colleague, Kai, and Marion (on the right). Kai is from Northern Germany and their beers are small whereas Marianne is from Southern Germany where the beers are Weissen and large. I met some wonderful new people and exchanged travel/life experiences. A highlight was learning of travels to Maui and how 50 people saw Jack Johnson at a small beach bar. I am enjoying my time with my colleagues (faculty/staff) in Germany and so thankful for the wonderful accommodations and support.

Today (Sunday/Day 2), we were able to take a tour of the campus and the city of the Osnabruck. The students all sounded like they enjoyed their first day and especially some, their night. The city is beautiful and I learned why it is called "The City of Peace." For dinner, I enjoyed one of my strange European favorite dishes of Hawaiian pizza (fresh pineapple, wonderful natural cheese (does not take like American mozarella) , and a sweet tomato sauce & crust that is similar to fresh pastry). Once again, I'm falling in love...with Europe.