From Colombia to Berlin: Finding My Way in a New World
My first days in Germany marked the beginning of an unforgettable adventure as an HZB Summer Student. © Julian Gil
Everyday moments, like learning how to use Berlin's public transportation, became opportunities to discover a different culture. © Julian Gil
At HZB, I discovered that careful planning, teamwork, and curiosity are just as important as the scientific equipment. © Julian Gil
It was almost 11 p.m. when I arrived in Berlin. After a long journey from Colombia, all I wanted was to get to my accommodation, take a shower, and finally sleep.
Instead, I missed my train. Thinking it would follow the same route as the previous one as it would in my hometown of Medellín I confidently boarded the next train. About twenty minutes later, I realized something was wrong. I was heading in the wrong direction.
As if that was not enough, my phone battery was almost empty. Suddenly, I found myself alone in a city I had never visited before, late at night, speaking a language I did not understand, with no idea how to get back.
This was not how I had imagined the beginning of my first international trip....
Every journey begins with a dream
A few days earlier, I had left Colombia to begin the HZB Summer Student Program. Receiving the acceptance letter had been one of the happiest moments of my academic journey. I was excited not only because I would be working at one of Europe's leading research centers, but also because it would be my first time leaving my country.
Everything felt new: the airports, the language, the culture, and the idea of travelling alone for the first time. Like many people preparing for an important experience, I spent months planning every detail. I thought I was ready for everything.
Berlin quickly showed me that no amount of planning can prepare you for every surprise. Fortunately, the owner of the apartment where I am staying was incredibly kind. Before leaving the airport, I sent her a picture of the train platform, and she confirmed which train I should take. Unfortunately, while I was buying my ticket, that train departed. Without thinking too much, I boarded the next one, assuming it would follow the same route. That small assumption became my first lesson about living in a different country.
After several attempts to turn my phone back on and retrace my route, I finally reached the apartment around 3:30 a.m. I had survived my first night in Berlin.
Discovering a different way of living
Once the stressful arrival was behind me, I finally had time to explore Berlin and experience everyday life in Germany.
One of the things that surprised me most was the level of trust people place in one another. Public transportation was the first example I noticed. There is not always someone checking tickets before passengers enter the station, yet people buy them anyway.
Coming from Colombia, I found this fascinating. The system depends not only on rules but also on personal responsibility. It made me reflect on how trust can become part of everyday life. I also felt something that was new to me: a strong sense of safety. Walking through the city, using public transportation, and exploring unfamiliar places gave me confidence to discover Berlin little by little.
Finding my place at HZB
When I finally started working at HZB, another kind of learning began. Of course, I was impressed by the laboratories and the scientific equipment, but what caught my attention most was something much simpler: the way people work together.
Researchers carefully plan their experiments, meetings, and daily activities, and they are committed to carrying out those plans. This level of organization creates an environment where everyone can rely on each other, allowing research to move forward efficiently.
Naturally, I began comparing this experience with my previous work in Colombia. I realized that both research environments have valuable strengths. In Colombia, researchers often become highly creative and adaptable, finding solutions even when resources are limited. At HZB, I have experienced how planning, collaboration, and well-organized infrastructure help transform ideas into reality.
More than a research experience
Looking back, I smile when I think about that first night. At the time, getting lost in Berlin felt like a disaster. Today, it feels like the perfect beginning.
That experience taught me independence before I even entered the laboratory. Sometimes becoming a scientist is not only about learning new techniques or using advanced instruments.
Sometimes it begins by missing the right train, finding your way home at three in the morning, and discovering that every unexpected challenge has something valuable to teach you.
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