On Being an American in Magdeburg
Celebrating the Fourth of July
By Soyoung Kang
July 8 2012
The Fourth of July came and went without much of a bang in Magdeburg, but who says Americans can’t celebrate their national independence day in their home away from home? With the few other United States Americans I have met in Magdeburg I had the pleasure of sharing one of my favorite U.S. holidays with fellow Magdeburgers and international students. Befitting the ‘melting-pot’ population of the U.S., a diverse mixture of individuals came to Nordpark to share the wonderful July 4th tradition of grilling and playing with fireworks, including students from Germany, Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and the U.S.
The Independence Day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. It is a uniquely American holiday that not only celebrates the history, government, and traditions of the United States, but also brings together the community through parades and firework shows. As a national holiday, work and school are cancelled so families can come together for a long weekend of festivities.
As an American in Magdeburg, it has been a pleasure to share a little piece of American culture with those around me. Aside from the Fourth of July BBQ, I had the pleasure of representing the USA booth at the Fest der Kulturen at Festung Mark on June 7 with two other Americans. “There was so much friendliness and togetherness that day. It was a really great feeling,” says Jesse Kosobucki, an exchange student from Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Indeed, it was really great to share our knowledge of the U.S. and be able to view the U.S. from the German perspective via their questions and interests. “I had no idea how many people were viewing the U.S. as a tourist destination, and I loved seeing people enjoy our culinary masterpieces,” says Evan Hanley, an exchange student from Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Magdeburg is a very international city, and I have had the opportunity to learn much about many different cultures, and especially about German culture. As I am only in the first semester of my Medical Systems Master’s program at the Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg, I am looking forward to learning more about different cultures and sharing some American traditions as well, such as the Fourth of July.
Photograph by Christian Unger
Photograph by Soyoung Kang