Snow at Deggendorf campus

The first time you see snow outside your window on a chilly morning is a sight you never seem to forget. The softness, the light it reflects and the white coat it puts on everything one sees makes me so happy and motivated on a winter morning.

Of course, I came to Europe hoping to see as much snow as possible. Previously, I only saw snow once and that happened when I was visiting the north-eastern part of India. And even that was for a few hours. So when I was applying to universities in Germany, this was always in the back of my mind. That I would get the snow right outside my doorstep and I would get to see the snowfall. Given that I had applied for the course that was going to start in the winter semester, you can’t really blame me for being too excited and waiting for December and January to arrive with its little flakes of snow.

However, the winter of 2019-20 was a drab one. While we had cold weather and chilly temperatures, we never got to see proper snow. I was kinda sad that this happened because I waited so long for it. But there is always the next winter and I wasn’t going anywhere. ,,We go again!” I thought.

There were good signs that this winter will be better. It started to get cold sooner than last year and for some reason, I just knew. But still, when I woke up on Christmas with the sun shining brightly, I thought ,, Come on! Not another winter without snow! I have had enough of these already.” And the fact that it seemed to snow literally everywhere in Germany except Deggendorf was not helping. (Literally everywhere I saw. Even places barely 15 minutes away from our town).

I was really yearning for the snow. I did go to Ruselabsatz twice( and almost froze to death once but that’s a story for another day) but like I said, it was just for a few hours and it didn’t have the same feel to it. You know, the one I talked about seeing snow outside your window as you wake up. However, this happened soon! One fine winter morning I woke up, opened my blinds and saw SNOW! Finally! It had happened overnight and the entire Deggendorf was covered with snow! I was so happy that I just sat at my window for an hour admiring it. Taking pictures, admiring again. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Literally every time I looked outside, I was filled with happiness. I took all kinds of chances to go out in the snow. I have never walked so much in my life as much I have since that day. Just stepping on snow makes me smile. That’s when I realised the difference between going to a place to see snow and having snow at your own doorstep. It is a surreal feeling that I am thankful for experiencing. And I can still look out my window and be happier than I usually am!

I have a dream. I want to experience the snow in every part of the world. From the heights of the Alps to the beautiful snow coupled with the Northern lights in Scandinavia. I hope your snow days were filled with cheerfulness and merry too!

Till next time,

Ajay

Ajay Raghunath is an Angewandte Informatik Masters Student (he recently learned the pronunciation) from India. He has been an ESN member ever since and keeps saying he is an Arsenal fan like it is a badge of honour. He loves to eat even though it doesn't seem like he does. He is a traveller who likes to experience new adventures.