First Impressions of Berlin Berlin is a European city that, in many ways, stands apart from any other. With its long and complicated history, it is a place that attracts people from all over the world who want to experience what they have never experienced before. As a Chinese student, my first impression of the city was that it was very diverse, something that I did not expect. Because Berlin is fairly cheap in comparison with other European cities, and because it provides opportunities when it comes to work and living, many come here for a better and more interesting life. I felt welcomed and secure around the people living in the city; because of the great diversity, even within the European citizens’ community, I did not feel any discrimination or alienation. Some common misconceptions I had originally believed, that Berlin may be racist and discriminates against foreigners, have faded during my time in the city. One of the impressions is also associated with a lot of construction and renovation work around the city. Although to some this detail may seem insignificant, it says a lot about the character of the city’s citizens. People here like order and discipline, so they are very fond of their surrounding environment is as pristine and as flawless as possible. However, despite the love for order and renovation, people’s personalities are warm and friendly, and they are glad to offer help if you need it. Despite the widespread opinion that a city makes an impression on you through the architecture and sights, to me, people are what can make you love or hate a particular place. The Grey City of Contrasts As I was walking through Berlin, I noticed that the city was full of gray colors, especially when it was rainy or cloudy. The grays and the blacks are juxtaposed with the bright colors of graffiti art that cover the walls of many buildings. To me, the brightest place in the entire city was the Wall. In The Wall Jumper: A Berlin Story , Peter Schneider wrote that “what on the far side meant an end to freedom of movement, on the near side came to symbolize a detested social order” (12). Now, the wall does not divide the city, and the remainders of it are covered with art, representing a reminder of the city’s history and the freedom that seemed unattainable four decades ago. The gray hues of the pre-war buildings stand in contrast with the modern architectural sights that signify the goal of the city to change and overcome its historical past. The destruction that came with World War II left very few historical sites intact, and the division of the city influenced the emergence of different architectural styles and social ideologies. The modern and bright architecture of the city greatly contrasts with the old styles that have been preserved to show respect for classical design. Even the Reichstag building that was constructed at the end of the nineteenth century has a modern addition to it—a glass and steel cupola, renovated fairly recently. The heaviness of the grandiose building contrasts with a glass ceiling, creating a perfect, in my opinion, juxtaposition. Oxymoronic as it sounds, Berlin is a gray city of contrasts because it combines old and modern, color and monochrome, respe