Wander With Lindsey

There’s something that was so transformative about studying abroad in Berlin. To me, it wasn’t only about classrooms, lectures, or studio deadlines—it was about living inside a city that feels like a constantly evolving design project. Each neighborhood tells a story, each holding its own piece of history that shines through in the architecture or the atmosphere.

As an architecture student, I was constantly surrounded by contrasts: pre-war facades standing next to contemporary art, repurposed industrial spaces turned into galleries, and entire neighborhoods that reflect layers of political and cultural change. 

One of the biggest things that made my life in Berlin so seamless was the public transportation system. It was surprisingly easy and consistent; all the trains and subways almost always ran on time. The U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, and buses are all coordinated with each other, so on the screen, it would tell you when the other trains were arriving at the station, so you would know if you needed to rush or not. I would be able to cross the entire city quickly without needing to plan too much in advance, and trains run frequently enough that I was never really stuck waiting.

But what really elevated my experience is how connected Europe is. Traveling to another country can be as simple as hopping on a train or booking a short flight, or a long-distance bus. I even took a weekend trip to Salzburg, Austria, and we took an overnight train to get there. This kind of access broadened my perspective as a student. 

It’s hard not to compare this to the experience of getting around in the United States. Although many parts of the U.S., especially outside major cities, public transportation is limited or nonexistent. Getting from one place to another often requires a car, and that dependency shapes your entire lifestyle. Without a car, even basic tasks—like grocery shopping or getting to class—can become complicated and time-consuming.

Traveling between cities in the U.S. also feels fundamentally different. Distances are larger, and options like trains are often slower or less convenient compared to Europe. Flying is common, but it’s not always affordable or practical for spontaneous trips. The idea of casually visiting another state for the weekend isn’t nearly as accessible as crossing into another country in Europe.

Studying in Berlin didn’t just teach me how to design spaces. It showed me what it felt like to live in a well-connected, thoughtfully designed city—and once you experience that, it’s hard to ignore the gaps elsewhere.