I’ve been having such an amazing time in Berlin. I’ve grown to love this city, and it feels more and more like home each day. Whenever I think I’ve run out of new things to try, I discover more fun activities and cool places to explore. Being here has been a nice change from staying in my small New Jersey hometown that I’ve lived in my whole life. Every so often I wonder what it would be like to live in Berlin permanently. If I were to live here, I believe I would want to live in an area called Charlottenburg. Charlottenburg is where I’m staying currently, but I would want to live a bit further west within the area. Charlottenburg is a large region located in the western part of Berlin. I’ve loved my time living here because it is relatively close to everything, and it has all the essentials. Grocery stores everywhere, great food options, and a ton of places to shop. Another thing I like about it is that it’s quiet compared to other parts of Berlin. It’s far from all the top bars and clubs that make Berlin nightlife famous, so it’s a great place to come home to after a long day of work. If you go even further west, it gets even quieter. I went to a Pitt alumni event about a mile west of my hotel, and I was surprised by how quickly the busy city transitions into a quiet residential area. Another great thing about Charlottenburg is that it’s close to the main business districts. If I were to make this city my full-time home, I would want to work near Potsdamer Platz or Alexanderplatz, right in the heart of Berlin. These are the parts of the city I believe feel the most fast-paced. This is the kind of environment I thrive in, and I’m confident working in either of these places would set me up for success. Plus, they’re only slightly east of Charlottenburg.

I’m not totally sure what I want to do but as of now, I think I’m going to pursue a career in consulting. I like working with people and solving complex business problems. It would also give me an opportunity to practice my German. As of now, I only know the very basics necessary for everyday life. If I were to live here full time, I would try to learn as much as possible. It’s such a cool language and knowing more than just the basics would unlock a new level of cultural understanding.