Brenna Baker, Moving the Cities: Germany Fall 2023
While we were in Germany, most of the students that were part of the Moving the Cities program all stayed in a hostel called H.ostel. For many of the people in the program, including myself, it was the first time we had stayed in a hostel while traveling. I have been to 9 different countries and every time I’ve traveled in the past, I have stayed in a hotel. Leading up to the trip, I was a little nervous about the idea of staying in a hostel because I didn’t know what to expect. I would arrive without knowing who I was staying with and before leaving for the trip, I didn’t even really know the other students from Pitt. I knew I would be sharing a room and bathroom with people I had never met before, which was both exciting but also nerve wracking.
When we first arrived at the hostel, we learned that our room had six beds and was all students from Pitt. We also had a bathroom that we shared with another room of four girls from other universities. Knowing that all my roommates were girls made me less nervous considering I share spaces with other girls back home on campus. The hostel was incredibly nice and very modern. The bunk beds were designed to look like shipping containers with each bed equipped with its own light, outlets, and drawer to store belongings.
As we unpacked and got settled, I quickly realized that staying in a hostel was going to be a lot of fun. And I was right! Living together with the other students from Pitt allowed us to become very close very quickly. We had a blast telling stories and learning more about each other, forming a sense of community. Our hostel was also in the city center of Munster, so it was close to many restaurants and shops while also only a short 20-minute bus ride from FH Muenster where the program was being held. It was the perfect place to stay when it comes to location because we could easily walk around and explore everything Munster has to offer. Munster, a charming city known for its historical architecture and vibrant atmosphere, becomes even more accessible and engaging when staying in a hostel.
It is scary to be surrounded by all new people in a new place, but that is also what is so fun about traveling. Staying in a hostel allowed me to create close friendships with other students from my school, but also with students from around the world. The blend of community spirit and the chance to explore Munster with new friends made it an unforgettable adventure, and I will definitely be staying in another hostel during future travels.
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