Standing beside the Berlin Wall, I can’t help but stare. It’s stunning to think that, just over 20 years ago, an entire nation was divided by what is now a "piece of art". Yet this is just part of a jogging route for the morning runners. All summer, I found reminders of the history which lies behind each building and every interaction. It was eye–opening to contrast my pre–conceived notions of the culture and people with the views of my German friends from the younger generation. We swam in "verboten" waters, visited breathtaking monuments and locations, and watched Soccer while adorned with every piece of red, yellow, or black apparel we could find, cheering alongside a generation which used to frown upon openly displaying a German flag.

Germany is like a huge machine. Everything seems very structured; everything is well connected. The people are also diligent. In such a system, days can go by quickly, and little daydreams are the welcomed distractions that mark each day as memorable.

Neon Daydreams centers around people and their search for identity. As an American with Austrian heritage living in Germany, I explored this theme because I experienced a loss of and search for identity. I wanted to discover myself in the portraits.

I walked through the cities of Germany looking for instances that show something that you would otherwise not see. For faces that express how much you can forget yourself in this thoroughly organized city. The vibrance of these images truly captivated me.

The world around us is composed of various shapes and forms of perfect and imperfect proportion; together, they form the backdrop upon which we experience our lives. Both natural and man–made, they are the tangible manifestations of our memories, and the concrete elements of our new adventures and discoveries. They are the basis for the world as we know it,

What follows is my personal collection, the crazy/beautiful myriad that characterizes my European experience, and will forever remain a part of my heart.

I arrived in Spain thinking of bullfighters, red wine and flamenco and came away thinking about its beautiful beaches and captivating culture. I always wondered why Christopher Columbus was searching for paradise across the Atlantic when he could have easily gone to Mallorca. The incredibly blue sky and the Mediterranean waters combined with the fun–loving and welcoming culture makes this country my paradise; a place where everyday you can wake up to a coffee on the beach with a view that makes you appreciate everything that is beautiful. This series of photos can only scratch the surface of the true beauty in Spain.

Living in Berlin offers an insight into not only a strong historical past, but a diverse modern culture. Having studied history I am reminded of its rich historical significance. At the same time its unrestricted expression promotes an open display of contemporary German society; from the famous Prussian Quadriga on top of the Branderburger Tor to artistic graffiti exhibited in everyday life. My time in Berlin has been both a visual and cultural experience connecting me to a meaningful and vibrant capital.

"One of the many things I will take away from my experience is how much culture there is in Germany. I am not suprised that I am learning this lesson, but I am surprised about where I learned it. The train transportation system in Germany is incredibly extensive and even when just waiting around to board a train, there is so much you can learn about a city or country. Through my train travels, I have learned about social values by the way people talk to each other, about the demorgraphics of the country by seeing the different ages, races, and social classes riding with me, and people&rsquot;s self–epression through art (even if it was through the illegal medium of graffiti). Seeing train–stations and trains from a different view has taught me to see other mundane and common day practices/places with a new view."

much has changed in russia since independence. this collection of photos focuses on the many aspects of daily life that have not undergone an aesthetic transformation, and the small marks of the times that have left their footprints on these places. from a ride on a trolleybus to orthodox relics to a metro station inaugurated in 1969, many of the commonplace soviet realities still exist, but signs of upheaval are in the air.

When in a new city, one of the first things visitors often do is check out the view from above—from a hilltop, church tower, or high–rise. This gives you an interesting overview of the city and its scenery, but your understanding of a city from above can be completely detached from your more intimate experiences in the streets on the ground. Connecting a bird&rsquot;s eye view with experiences from below helps you better understand a place&rsquot;s charachter. I looked at this experiential dichotomy through five German cities, each seen both from above and close–up.

Traveling to a new country is both challenging and frightening; away from home, you are forced to build new support systems. When you go from being a big fish in a little pond to a little fish in the very big ocean, your whole perspective changes. Everything you held true comes into question, and you begin to see not only the world around you, but your very own self in a different light. Sometimes, the most important lesson learned is not about a country or its people, but about finding your place, no matter where you are.

"One sees clearly only with the heart." ˜ Antoine de Saint–Exupéry

Colorful lights transform the Brandenburg Gate as hundreds of people fill the square. My eyes capture the breathtaking majesty of this architectural wonder, as my heart embraces the charm and excitement around me.

Living abroad has taught me to see with my heart. I am filled with joy as a window opens its arms to a beautiful day and sadness as a barbed wire fence encloses solemn reminders of the Holocaust. An open heart is essential to understanding different cultures, exploring the unknown and experiencing life to its fullest.