Hello and welcome to my blog! I’m Lucia Hoerr, your guide to navigating the exciting world of a gap year abroad in Berlin, Germany, thanks to the CIEE’s Global Internship program. You might be wondering, who is this blogger, why Berlin, and where will this journey take us? Well, you’ve come to the right place to find out! Although this is my first official post, I’ve already been immersed in the vibrant culture of Berlin for two incredible weeks. Time truly flies when you’re living your best life, and I’m thrilled to bring you along for the rest of my three-month adventure living and working abroad as your CIEE student blogger.
Let’s start with the introductions. Who am I? I’m Lucia Hoerr, originally from the charming college town of Charlottesville, Virginia, where I’ve spent all 18 years of my life. My family – my parents, older sister, and our two energetic dogs – holds a huge piece of my heart. The remaining space is joyfully filled with my passions: friends, diving into a good book, the problem-solving world of engineering, the underwater wonders of scuba diving, giving back through my nonprofit Backpack Buddies, and the simple pleasure of delicious gluten-free baked goods.
The photo shows Lucia Hoerr’s family, including her parents, sister, and two dogs, highlighting her close family ties and personal background.
This is a portrait of Lucia Hoerr, the author of the blog, introducing herself to the readers and giving a face to her writing.
I’m embarking on this CIEE gap year program because, even though I graduated high school and have a deep love for learning (yes, I’m a proud nerd!), I decided to defer my enrollment at the University of Virginia’s Engineering school for a year. The call of adventure was simply too strong to ignore! The idea of a year dedicated to exploring the world after high school was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.
A group photo of Lucia Hoerr with her high school friends at graduation, capturing a milestone before her gap year journey.
Image indicating Lucia Hoerr’s future plans to study engineering at UVA next fall, setting the context of her academic path after her gap year.
Now, why a gap year, and why Berlin? Choosing a gap year program felt like navigating a sea of incredible possibilities. The sheer volume of life-changing opportunities was almost overwhelming! However, CIEE immediately came to mind because of my positive experience studying abroad in Spain with them during 11th grade. I knew firsthand their reputation for safety and quality programs. Among CIEE’s diverse gap year offerings, the global internship programs resonated most with me, fueled by my passion for entrepreneurship and economics.
And where am I now? Berlin! This dynamic city specifically sparked my interest because of its renowned and energetic startup and tech scene. After delving into research about Berlin, I was completely convinced and submitted my application without hesitation.
Just two weeks into my Berlin adventure, I can confidently say that this decision is already proving to be one of the best I’ve ever made. I’m excited to share my experiences, insights, and discoveries with you as I continue to explore where this incredible journey will lead. Stay tuned to learn more about who I meet, why Berlin is such a unique destination, and where you might find yourself on your own gap year adventure!
Lucia Hoerr pictured during her previous CIEE study abroad experience in Spain in 11th grade, highlighting her positive past experience with the program provider.
Another photo from Lucia Hoerr’s semester abroad in Spain with CIEE, reinforcing her established trust and comfort with CIEE programs.
