Though the music ends, the people remain.

As the UEFA Euro 2024 draws to a close, so does my academic journey in Munich. I am about to bid farewell to this city rich in history and culture. Living in Europe has been a true blessing, especially for someone from a small island. The convenience of being able to take a train and cross borders in just a few hours is incredible. Europe has given me a broader perspective and a sense of freedom. This reminds me that the early definition of ‘communication’ also included transportation—the movement of goods, people, and the resulting exchange of ideas and information. Here, the ease of cross-border mobility and the multi-cultural interactions have enriched my life as well as my studies.

Apart from my personal trips, the “Media Institution in Munich” course has given me the opportunity to engage with a diverse group of classmates and learn from each other. I appreciate this course for being specifically tailored to exchange students, with the teacher also coming from outside Germany, making it highly international. The course is very well-structured and enlightening. Throughout the semester, we went on excursions to several local media institutions, including a newspaper, a media school, and a public broadcasting corporation, and wrote reports on them. This dynamic way of learning combined theoretical knowledge with practical experience. Group presentations allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the German media landscape and learn about media cultures from other countries as well by comparing them with Germany. Additionally, getting to know my group members better and building friendships through teamwork was a significant and rewarding part of the experience.

I would like to conclude by expressing my heartfelt thanks to Dr. Nicoletti for her guidance and cordiality throughout the course. It takes great courage to transition from a journalist to academia, move from Brazil to Germany, and learn a new language and culture. Her journey has inspired me to pursue further personal growth and academic achievements, and has encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone.

I am also grateful to my classmates for their talent, clear thinking, and excellent English skills, which have inspired me to strive for improvement. While in Taiwan, we often equate being international with speaking English, but our understanding of the international community is often limited to the English-speaking world, specifically the UK and the USA. Europe, however, is a multilingual and diverse society where people can view things from multiple perspectives. This environment has made me more open-minded and inclusive.

As we look forward to the future, I am reminded of a quote: “The only journey is the one within.” Let us continue to explore and grow, knowing that the knowledge and friendships we have gained will always be with us.

As a Chinese proverb says: “Though the music ends, the people remain.” I believe that our shared experiences and memories will keep us connected, and I look forward to our next meeting.