Brenna Metts with the Carl Gauss monument
As an applied mathematics major, I remember feeling discouraged each summer watching my friends go on exciting adventures abroad and thinking: Why aren’t there exciting summer trips for math majors? Sure, there are semester exchange opportunities available, but taking a higher-level math course in a different country for a semester just didn’t align with my needs and if anything sounded like a great way to raise my anxiety.
By the time I had decided on my capstone – writing a book that demonstrates the intersectional relationship between mathematics and art – I had nearly given up on getting to study abroad. Thankfully, my Oxford Tutorial professor, Cindy Lea, made me realize I didn’t have to wait for a trip to be made for me; rather, I could make my own opportunity for myself.
After this realization, I began concocting a trip that aligned perfectly with my research. I began looking into Germany due to its rich math and art history. Admittedly, making an itinerary for a month-long trip in another country is not an easy task and it took a lot of research, a lot of trial and error, and a lot of consulting with close German friends for tips and suggestions. After this hard work though, I was able to get the month-long trip fully funded by a travel abroad grant.
During this month, I spent each of the four weeks in a new major German city. My first week was in Berlin, my second week was in Bonn and Cologne, my third week was in Hannover with day trips to Braunschweig and Göttingen, and my fourth week was in Munich with day trips to Ulm and Regensburg. I got to explore a selection of math museums and sites including the Arithmeum; Futurium; German Technical Museum; Neues Museum; University of Göttingen math model collection; the Deutsches Museum; and the graves, birthhomes, and memorials to Kepler, Einstein, and Gauss. Additionally, I saw 10 different art museums where I analyzed how artists subtly used mathematics within their works.
Further, I allotted culture days in my schedule where I gave myself a long list of cultural destinations in the area that I could pick and choose from spontaneously on the day. These days were especially meaningful because they allowed me more freedom on my trip. Because of these flexible days, I got to truly enjoy the culture of the area instead of being restricted to the more tourist-y destinations. During these days I was able to see landmarks, make international friends, participate in the Euro Cup 2024 live viewings, watch the Isar river surfers in Munich, enjoy the Fete de la Musique on the Summer Solstice, kayak down the Oker River, visit local markets, and much more. Allowing myself these “culture days” where I could explore the city for myself with little direction allowed me the chance to “discover” things on my own. When I would accidentally stumble across an event or a notable historical building on one of these days I found myself reminded of Walker Percy’s “Loss of the Creature”.
While this trip was not my first time abroad or to Germany (my mom is a German teacher), I feel as though I can say that this trip was the first time where I traveled and felt as though I was truly immersed in the culture. This trip gave me an appreciation of German culture deeper than I already had because I had the freedom from the restraints of a typical guided tour where you find yourself whisked from tourist site to tourist site.
This month alone in another country, while challenging, was truly a life-altering experience. This trip reignited my passion for my major by placing me in an environment where I felt my niche interests were nurtured. It also showed me that I have the capability to be independent and the strength to travel solo even though it pushed me out of my comfort zone as a perfectionist, an introvert, and a socially anxious person. My trip motto was: “If you can’t beat fear, just do it scared.” This trip forced me to be adaptable and to have a positive attitude when things were challenging or not going to plan (ie. public transportation problems, dropping a glass jar of tomato sauce in an all white airbnb, or confusing the cities Giesen and Giessen). It forced me to be okay with potentially embarrassing myself or not doing things right the first time (especially when it came to trying to speak German). It was therapeutic as a perfectionist to allow myself this version of rejection therapy and see that making mistakes is not the end of the world.
In short, I will never forget the experience I had abroad and will be eternally grateful for the trust and support the college had in me. I encourage fellow students who may be discouraged because no trip seems to fit their interests or major to not be scared to trust in themselves to design their own trip. While it may be intimidating to travel solo in a new environment and potentially make mistakes, I can assure you it will be rewarding.
Brenna Metts
Mathematics
Class of 2025
