Abenteuer in Deutschland (und Oesterreich und Der Schweiz)

When I took German in school, we had a textbook entitled "Abenteuer in Deutschland" which translates to "Adventure in Germany". In one week, I will be departing on my very own adventure in Germany (and Austria and Switzerland): the American Orthopaedic Association Austrian-Swiss-German Traveling Fellowship. The ASG is an exchange in which in even years, two American, a Canadian, and a British orthopaedic surgeon travel to Europe, while in odd years two German, an Austrian, and a Swiss orthopaedist travel to North America.

This year, things are slightly different: the Canadians have elected not to send anyone, and my American counterpart, SS, will be participating in the second half of the trip only. I have not yet met the British fellow, RT. While on the month-long trip, we will visit nine cities in Germany, two in Austria, and one in Switzerland, culminating in participating in the Southern German Orthopaedic Congress Meeting in Baden Baden. At each 2-3 day stop, we will give lectures (on our own research or on selected topics in which we have expertise...my 7 talks are a combination), observe in the operating rooms and clinics, and usually, do a little bit of sightseeing and socializing.

A few people have asked me how I got selected for the trip. There is an application process, consisting of a written application, a curriculum vitae, a short essay, and two letters of recommendation. This was actually the third time I had applied for the ASG (not to mention the three times I unsuccessfully applied for its prestigious older sister, the American-British-Canadian Traveling Fellowship) so I am thrilled to be going, and grateful to my letter writers (thanks, Paul and KG!). There is also an upper age limit for fellows, so I would have had only one more shot after this year before I "aged-out".

I am planning on using this space partially as notes for the report that I will write for the AOA on returning, and partially to keep family and friends updated on my whereabouts and experiences during my "adventure". I am not, however, planning to emulate the titles of two other books we read in German class: "Geheimnisse Mission" ("Secret Mission") and "Gefaehrliche Wege" ("Dangerous Paths").