Peek -a- boo: A snapshot of life in Germany for 28 days
Breath in, breath out. You’ve got this! See you in a bit, Germany.
As I peer out the windows of this plane, I’m filled with dread. It’s my first time riding a plane. Amazingly, I’ll be going to Europe! Looking over at my clinical instructors, I’m beaming from ear to ear with joy and contentment. I can tell they’re just as excited as I am about this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
It is still vivid to me how they were chosen to be part of this “Train the Trainer Exchange Program.” I heard that it is because of their concept expertise. Nursing leadership and management are Prof. Charliemane A. Bullalayo’s areas of expertise. On the other hand, Dr. Roseli T. Aurelio is well-known for her expertise in nursing research. Prof. Wiljohn Dela Cruz specializes in Medical-Surgical Nursing, while Prof. Romelee Calili specializes in Maternal and Child Nursing. Isn’t it just really fascinating? I want to be like them, too.
Going back, I grabbed my luggage while glancing at the airport once more as I was amazed at how wide and beautiful their airport was. I really can’t imagine that I am now here in Germany!
I mindlessly let myself be swayed by my instructors while they were walking towards the arrival area. I saw that there were a lot of German nationalities among those who welcomed us. When they were introduced to us, I was shocked as I learned that they were German dignitaries. They were not representatives; they were the higher-ups of Bonn, Germany. Isn’t it a wonderful gesture? At that moment, I betrayed my country because I always thought Filipinos were best known for their gestures of hospitality, but this one beats them with this grand gesture of welcome.
Despite my exhaustion from the flight, my eyes were wide open because I wanted to take in the beauty of Germany. The ride from Frankfurt Airport to Bonn seemed like a breeze to me, so I assumed it would be too. To my dismay, it took us around two hours to get to the hotel that was arranged for us.
During our first meal, I couldn’t understand why I was feeling this way because they didn’t serve rice at all! Rice is a staple food for Filipinos. I believe this will be one of our biggest challenges in Germany because rice is such an integral part of our daily diet. Nonetheless, I just told myself that this is a new experience that I can treasure throughout my lifetime. Anyway, I’m not really a rice person, so I guess Germany is for me!
I joined my clinical instructors throughout their training. I am pretty confused about why they didn’t include me in the headcount, but I just shrugged it away because this is a Train the Trainer Exchange Program. Maybe I am just here to speculate and observe, especially since I am still a student.
They were trained by the University of Chihuahua in Mexico and Baliuag University in Bulacan. Automatically, I know that language will be their barrier to communicating with each other during this exchange program, especially between the Filipinos and Mexicans.
The struggle is real! The training that they have undergone is extensive. I can see in their faces that even if they are already instructors, they are learning something new. Learning is a never-ending process indeed.
During their training, they regrouped. They have experience of being paired with instructors from Baliuag University and the University of Chihuahua. When they were paired with the Mexicans, they used Google Translate to help them understand each other. When given two hours to complete a task, they will need to spend at least an hour brainstorming and communicating since they are unable to express their thoughts and feelings openly.
On the other hand, I can’t help but compare myself to them as I’m watching them here in a chair in the corner of the room. They looked like students who were eager to learn more to enable them to do better, especially in their chosen field.
I unconsciously smiled when they were asked to express their opinions and thoughts regarding a particular discussion. I can feel that they were nervous, but they still did a great job presenting in front of everyone.
As Prof. Calili said, she has become more confident because of this Train the Trainer Exchange Program.
During our 4th day stay here in Germany, we were warmly welcomed by German dignitaries and aristocrats when we arrived at the kick-off and welcome program. Attendees at the event included the Mayor of Bonn, Universitätsklinikum Bonn (UKB) Hospital Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) or German Corporation for International Cooperation personalities, as well as the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt, Consul Rogelio E. Villanueva Jr. To sum it up, we feel like we are VIPs because of their gestures. They also talked about the partnership and many more topics that I couldn’t comprehend, so I just wandered around outside the conference hall. Wishing and hoping that my classmates from the Deutsch class are with me right now.
Feeling homesick, I went to Prof. Calili’s room and had a simple conversation with her. She said that the German partners were very accommodating and did not show any aloofness. They let us feel like we were a member of their family, a warm welcome that gave us a good feeling.
I watched them being trained while exchanging their thoughts and views. They were presenting their own curriculums and learning from others as well. I feel that I am getting bored with this setup because I am just sitting in the corner every time they have training. I am doing nothing.
As Prof. Bullalayao stated, this is a combination of educational exchange and seeing Germany’s beauty. Everyone needs to unwind, right? With that, during their day-offs, we roam around this beautiful country.
The river is clean, and the grass is green with beautiful flowers all around. Riding a boat as we cross the Rhine River. It is such a spectacular experience that I can’t wait to share it with my classmates back in the Philippines.
On our 10th day, we also had a tour around the city of Bonn and were able to go to the birthplace of Ludwig Van Beethoven. I cannot fathom the joy in my heart as I spread my gaze over this beautiful scenery. I keep asking myself if I will be lucky enough to live here and practice my profession.
Words cannot express how much I salute my instructors for absorbing all the new learning from their trainers. There is a big difference between the practices of Filipino nurses and the ways and practices of German nurses in providing care to their patients.
They also had first-hand experience with Nurse Anne (the simulator). They were given a situation and were able to simulate the tasks of novice and advanced beginners. During their clinicals at UKB, wherein they were assigned to different areas, they were under the care of Filipino nurses. These Filipino nurses shared their experiences and explained the context of nursing practice here in Germany.
Have I already told you that the technology here is superb? I am so amazed as I pick up my scrub suit size from the machine. They’ve explained to us that you can just get your scrub suit size and just put it in the laundry after using it! I was like, really? I was stunned. Is it even possible that this is real? Who cares if you think I’m a prankster because of this? It had never happened to me before!
When these Filipino nurses in UKB invited us for dinner, I was taken back to reality. My heart is full as I realize how welcoming they were to us that they invited us to dinner despite the fact that we had only met a few minutes before. Surely, if you are in another country, you’ll find comfort when you have a “kababayan” to talk to.
Mouthwatering foods on the table, Filipino dishes that I long for. Without further ado, I grabbed a plate and started getting food. They are busy exchanging conversations while I am in the corner, sitting and eating to my heart’s content.
The morning after our dinner with the Filipino nurses, we went to the city of Cologne and visited the Cologne Cathedral. I looked up at the sky and started tracing its structure. It occurred to me that because this cathedral is so tall, my prayers and wishes might be heard first. I just laughed at myself, knowing that no matter where I am, I believe he is listening.
I watched my instructors as they strolled around on a scooter. Would you believe me if I said that you don’t need to return it to where you got it from? It automatically stops, and when it does, you can leave it in that place. Isn’t it incredible?
We ate bananas, bread, and foods that we could get at a convenience store because of the “kuripot” stigma that Ilocans were known for. I guess it is because we are still trying to figure things out.
Do you know the videos from TikTok wherein people in Germany can exchange their bottles for cash or be used as a discount? It’s real! I can see how Prof. Dela Cruz and Dr. Aurelio enjoy placing the bottle into the machine and waiting for the receipt to come out.
My phone was ringing, and this took me back to reality. Oh no! I was not with them in Germany. I was never part of the Train the Trainer Exchange Program, but as I listened to their stories during our interview, I felt like I was with them.
It was encouraging how they were able to express themselves and their experiences during the interview. The enthusiasm of Dr. Aurelio when I interviewed her made me want to go to Germany instantly. Though it was not her first time going to Europe, she had a different experience this time because this tour was for an educational exchange. She also told me her appreciation for their technology and nurse-patient ratio.
Prof. Calili, on the other hand, gave her personal growth, such as gaining confidence from what she had learned and experienced during their training. She was also feeling happy and lucky that she had become a part of this exchange program.
Prof. Bullalayao delved deeper into the technical aspects of the discussion. As he was known to be the head of the department, he patiently explained to me what happened during their stay in Germany. He shared their struggles in Germany in terms of language and, of course, not to forget the food. It must have been a culture shock for them.
Prof. Dela Cruz’s talk was just like a podcast that I could listen to all day as he shared their experiences in Germany, from the time that they were in the airport going to Germany until the day they came back.
Feeling accomplished, I then asked them the final question I had in mind, which was, “Are you certain that the first batch produced by this partnership will be able to fly to Germany by 2023?”
They all have the same answer, which makes me feel that they rehearsed this, but as I think of it, they just have the same perspective regarding this matter. They were indeed certain that the first batch would be able to fly to Germany on the target date, because who wouldn’t be the proudest if not them?
Though they added that the first batch should dedicate and commit themselves to this project, they should not be discouraged. They should work really hard for this because, during their stay there for just 28 days, they have seen that they will have a bright future ahead of them.
“To succeed, you should have a strong determination, courage, commitment, faith, and vision in fulfilling your goals and aspirations in life. Once you start something, you must finish them,” Prof. Dela Cruz stated.
Indeed, there is a great future ahead of you, future nurses. So don’t be discouraged, Banndorf Class; you’ve got this! Viel Glück!
