Die gemeinsame Nutzung der Ergebnisse
Olivia Wilkins
I presented a poster of my Fulbright research at the 252nd American Chemical Society National Meeting, where I also learned about recent developments in the field of astrochemistry.
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A (Ful)bright Future
Das Ende vom Ende
Olivia Wilkins
On July 5, 2016, Alex and I (with the help of my mom) brought Guenther to the United States of America for the first time. Between moving out of our home in Cologne and making our trans-Atlantic journey, we stayed in Duesseldorf, the capital of NRW which lies under an hour north up the Rhein from Cologne by train.
Dies oder das?
Olivia Wilkins
Upon returning to the USA after 11 months in Germany, I have come to appreciate things about living in both countries that, without my Fulbright, I probably would not have noticed.
Read MoreDer Anfang vom Ende
Olivia Wilkins
With the end of my life in Germany drawing near, I took a whirlwind tour of Nordrhein-Westfalen with my family, going to places in and around Cologne I've wanted to visit (or re-visit) before moving back to the States.
Read MoreDer Paß Kampf
Olivia Wilkins
Just seven days after visiting the U.S. Consulate, Günther received proof of his American citizenship. Applying for and waiting for the arrival of Güni's Consular Report of Birth Abroad and Paß was nothing short of nerve-wracking.
Read MoreDie Deutschen mögen Babys sehr gern
Olivia Wilkins
When I am in public with Guenther, people seem to forget that Germans generally don't interact with strangers. It is apparent that Germans love babies, and they are not shy to express this.
Read MoreDrück! Drück! Drück!
Olivia Wilkins
German is characterized as being a strong and harsh language. Surprisingly, while delivery a baby, it gave way to perhaps the most soothing and encouraging words I've ever heard.
Read MoreGünther ist geboren!
Olivia Wilkins
So much can change in just one year. On May 6, 2015, I was presenting my honors research in Chemistry at Dickinson College. On May 6, 2016, my husband and I brought home a baby boy from the Uniklinik Köln.
Read MoreSchwangerschaft in Deutschland
Olivia Wilkins
As I am two days away from my baby’s due date, I still cannot believe I have experienced German Kultur around pregnancy and birth first-hand. One year ago, I still insisted I wouldn’t have any children until after grad school and probably not until I had a steady job. Yet here I am, cultural ambassador aus den USA, about to help boost Germany’s declining birthrate.
Read MoreDie Bewerbung
Olivia Wilkins
A reflection on the application process, including writing essays (with my submitted drafts), filling out the application, and surviving (barely) the interview.
Read MoreDer Aufbau der transatlantischen Zukunft: Fulbright Berlin Seminar 3
Olivia Wilkins
The Fulbright Berlin Seminar is a five-day conference in the capital of Germany, bringing together about 500 Fulbrighters in Europe (both U.S. students in Europe and German students about to leave for the States) to celebrate "building the transatlantic future."
Read MoreDer Aufbau der transatlantischen Zukunft: Fulbright Berlin Seminar 2
Olivia Wilkins
The Fulbright Berlin Seminar is a five-day conference in the capital of Germany, bringing together about 500 Fulbrighters in Europe (both U.S. students in Europe and German students about to leave for the States) to celebrate "building the transatlantic future."
Read MoreDer Aufbau der transatlantischen Zukunft: Fulbright Berlin Seminar 1
Olivia Wilkins
The Fulbright Berlin Seminar is a five-day conference in the capital of Germany, bringing together about 500 Fulbrighters in Europe (both U.S. students in Europe and German students about to leave for the States) to celebrate "building the transatlantic future."
Read MoreWindmühlen, Wasser, und Waffeln: Urlaub in den Niederlanden
Olivia Wilkins
In German, "Leiden" means to suffer. Luckily the only suffering a weekend getaway to this Dutch city yielded was sore feet after touring (and climbing through) a windmill.
Read MoreInmitten der Schlösser
Olivia Wilkins
Sankt Goar is a small town along the Rhein about an hour-and-a-half south of Köln by train. Its lack of grocery store to buy refreshments for the hotel room is more than made up by its great view of three castles.
Read MoreKölle Alaaf!
Olivia Wilkins
Die fünfte Jahreszeit hat beendent! Karneval, which began on November 11 at 11:11, has finally come to a close. While I had heard that the first day of the season was nothing compared to the last week, I was not adequately prepared for the crowds, the costumes, the volume, and the fun that ensued just before the beginning of Lent.
Read MoreEin Wochenende in Düren
Olivia Wilkins
Düren is a town just 40 minutes from Köln by train. Home to the paper industry in Germany, a cozy hotel, and better clothes shopping that I've found in Köln thus far, Düren made a perfect weekend getaway (even if it was cold and rainy).
Read MoreUrlaub in Norwich: Kulturschock
Olivia Wilkins
Surprisingly, a trip to Norwich, England, afforded more culture shock than moving to Köln, Germany. Despite (almost) sharing a common language, being in the U.K. is marked by a strange blend of American and German characteristics.
Read MoreMit Ihrem eigenen Geld
Olivia Wilkins
Having my own funding through a Fulbright research grant is great insight into why academics place so much emphasis on and energy in obtaining grants. My year in Germany is not only preparing me in terms of my research, but also being an academic in a more general sense.
Read MoreDie Deutsch Winter
Olivia Wilkins
Rainy weather and a (very) small chance of flurries on the horizon makes me wish for one (just one!) snow day.
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