A year ago today I was on a plane to Germany, and nervous and excited about the 13 month adventure I had ahead of me... and in 3 weeks I will be on my way back home again. I've learned so much, and most of it has nothing to do with school or German...
I've changed so much this year. I've adapted to living in a foreign country, which is not an easy task. I had to get used to the Austrian accent (they don't speak the standard German I learned in school), get used to my university classes and find a way to meet people outside of my American University program.
I learned how to confront people if they have done me wrong. I've learned how to be a mediator and try to help others that are having an argument. I've also learned to deal with my own problems. Sometimes it's useful to ask for help, but this year I have learned to deal with most issues on my own.
I used to feel guilty about things I had done or mistakes that I had made. And all of the clumsy things I do: I feel like with every family I visit, I have to break something in their house to make my mark. But I get through it: I bought one family a new set of wine glasses after breaking one of theirs, for example. If something bigger happens, I own up to it and ask the family what they want me to do. I'm really not a walking disaster, I'm just emotional and care more about disturbing anything in someone else's home than most people do. (I guess a lot of people would pretend it wasn't them)...
I've learned to stick up for myself among my peers, something that has been so difficult for me to do in the past. I've yelled at people in my program for accusing me of things I didn't do, or asked the people sleeping in the youth hostel next door to be quiet. I've learned that fighting can be productive-it's better than keeping things all bottled up inside. It's good to express what's bothering you!
I've learned how to make my own decisions. I used to feel that I should do what others wanted me to do-especially if those other people were family or good friends. Often times, when things didn't going the way I had planned, I would blame the people who pointed me in that direction for "forcing" me to make that particular decision. Now I make my own decisions and own up to my mistakes.
I've learned to accept compliments, something that has always been hard for me to do in the past. I just smile and thank the person who has complimented me, rather than putting myself down by saying, "oh I think this shirt makes me look fat, actually," or "my German is actually pretty awful, but thanks anyway. Having difficult accepting compliments also has to do with low self-esteem, and I wanted to stop putting myself down!
I'm getting better at dealing with change, BUT I STILL DONT KNOW HOW....
...to say goodbye. I hate it. People don't really understand how this affects me. Today, spending what will be my last day in a while with a German family that I am close to, I could barely eat anything. That is one of my coping mechanisms when something is going to happen that I don't like: my body shuts down and even chocolate sounds repulsive to me (those of you that know me know how much I love chocolate). Some of you may think that's a great thing to have, but believe me, it's painful. I feel sick and it takes a few weeks for my body to get on a regular eating schedule again.
I sometimes wonder if I'm doing myself any favors by always befriending foreigners, people that I only see sporadically. But I wouldn't give them up for anything in the world. They provide me with a different perspective on life than I would have if I limited myself to my own culture.
----
So there you have it. I have learned so much this year and have really "improved" myself, but there is still one thing I'll never be able to deal with well: saying goodbye to the people that I love.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Exams, Stress, Visits, Strange People, Arnold S.
A week from tomorrow I will be leaving this place. So hard to believe that I have been abroad for a year, and in Salzburg for a total of 9 months.
This past weekend was both stressful and fun. On Saturday I had to take the B2 Österreichisches Stadtdiplom. The exam was around 6 hours and had 4 different sections: Reading comprehension, listening, writing, and an oral portion. It was overwhelming but not terribly difficult.
On Sunday I went to church at St. Sebastion for the first time with my friend, Tobi. The service was very long and I had to kneel on this board only covered in felt. That was painful. The service was very different from Catholic mass in America. It was conducted mostly in Latin, and when you went up to receive the host, you had to kneel down and open your mouth.
In the afternoon I went to Steffi's place for Mexican. Her roommate, Conni, and Steffi's boyfriend, Franz, were also there. It was a good time :) After that Astrid, my future roommate, picked me up. We went to something akin to the Oktoberfest, rode a few rides, and then went up to a chapel on a hill that had a beautiful view of Salzburg. Later we went to her house for a drink and talked with her parents. Then she and I went out for ice cream before taking me home.
On Monday morning I had an exam at 8:45am. So there I was, standing in front of the bus stop at 8:15am, half asleep, and this Austrian woman comes up and starts talking to me. She said she found it sad that no one talks to anyone else anymore, and I didn't know what to say, nor did I care about what she was talking about. I just said I agreed and that in America we talk to each other more. Not really true, but hey, it was 8:15 am. I wasn't awake yet. She goes on to say, really, your American? 50 times, and then goes on to say she has no job, and that life is hard. Then she mentioned that she lived in Freilassing with her husband, and that she hated Freilassing and her husband, and that life was hard (30x). I was happy when the bus arrived and I could just wish her well and get on my merry old way. Some people are just so strange....
On Monday I finally met up with Tina for coffee and Verena for lunch. On Tuesday Angi Lemke came to visit for the day. It was so great, finally being able to show her around Salzburg. We drank coffee at my church, went up to Kapuzinerberg, and then had coffee and cake on Steinterasse. After that we went to Nonnberg Abby, where Maria Von Trapp was a nun, and where they filmed part of the Sound of Music. While we were there a nun appeared. It was just so cool and surreal. She was locking the doors for the night and led us out. We went from there to the center of the city and sat along the Salzach before taking a walk to Mirabell Garten. Later we ate sandwiches in front of a lovely (UGLY) piece of art before walking back to the train station. It was a really nice day and I am so glad that she came to visit.
Today I found out that Arnold Schwarzenegger was in Salzburg yesterday and today. So weird.
Today I went to coffee hour and talked with a few acquaintances before going to teach the two little Wagner girls English for the last time. I hate goodbyes, and this one was just as difficult as all of the rest. Before I left the girls presented me with Ferrero Rocher chocolate, a paper flower and a nice, homemade card with pictures of them. We took a farewell picture before saying our final goodbyes. I will miss them ;)
This past weekend was both stressful and fun. On Saturday I had to take the B2 Österreichisches Stadtdiplom. The exam was around 6 hours and had 4 different sections: Reading comprehension, listening, writing, and an oral portion. It was overwhelming but not terribly difficult.
On Sunday I went to church at St. Sebastion for the first time with my friend, Tobi. The service was very long and I had to kneel on this board only covered in felt. That was painful. The service was very different from Catholic mass in America. It was conducted mostly in Latin, and when you went up to receive the host, you had to kneel down and open your mouth.
In the afternoon I went to Steffi's place for Mexican. Her roommate, Conni, and Steffi's boyfriend, Franz, were also there. It was a good time :) After that Astrid, my future roommate, picked me up. We went to something akin to the Oktoberfest, rode a few rides, and then went up to a chapel on a hill that had a beautiful view of Salzburg. Later we went to her house for a drink and talked with her parents. Then she and I went out for ice cream before taking me home.
On Monday morning I had an exam at 8:45am. So there I was, standing in front of the bus stop at 8:15am, half asleep, and this Austrian woman comes up and starts talking to me. She said she found it sad that no one talks to anyone else anymore, and I didn't know what to say, nor did I care about what she was talking about. I just said I agreed and that in America we talk to each other more. Not really true, but hey, it was 8:15 am. I wasn't awake yet. She goes on to say, really, your American? 50 times, and then goes on to say she has no job, and that life is hard. Then she mentioned that she lived in Freilassing with her husband, and that she hated Freilassing and her husband, and that life was hard (30x). I was happy when the bus arrived and I could just wish her well and get on my merry old way. Some people are just so strange....
On Monday I finally met up with Tina for coffee and Verena for lunch. On Tuesday Angi Lemke came to visit for the day. It was so great, finally being able to show her around Salzburg. We drank coffee at my church, went up to Kapuzinerberg, and then had coffee and cake on Steinterasse. After that we went to Nonnberg Abby, where Maria Von Trapp was a nun, and where they filmed part of the Sound of Music. While we were there a nun appeared. It was just so cool and surreal. She was locking the doors for the night and led us out. We went from there to the center of the city and sat along the Salzach before taking a walk to Mirabell Garten. Later we ate sandwiches in front of a lovely (UGLY) piece of art before walking back to the train station. It was a really nice day and I am so glad that she came to visit.
Today I found out that Arnold Schwarzenegger was in Salzburg yesterday and today. So weird.
Today I went to coffee hour and talked with a few acquaintances before going to teach the two little Wagner girls English for the last time. I hate goodbyes, and this one was just as difficult as all of the rest. Before I left the girls presented me with Ferrero Rocher chocolate, a paper flower and a nice, homemade card with pictures of them. We took a farewell picture before saying our final goodbyes. I will miss them ;)
Friday, June 17, 2011
Just a few more months and I'll be fine...
Last night was the last ladies' night at the cineplexx before I leave. Steffi, Verena, and a few friends from my German as a foreign language class and I attended. It costs 6 Euro for the movie ticket, chocolate, and a glass of champagne. Now that's my kind of girl's night! The movie was pretty good. It's called Fremd Fischen in German, not sure what it's called in English (it's an American film dubbed into German), and I really enjoyed spending time with Steffi and Verena. I love those girls and I'll really miss them when I leave.
On the way back home Steffi, Verena, and I talked about how weird it was that I was going to be leaving. "Why do you have to be so nice?" Steffi asked playfully in German. "I know I'm going to ask someone if you're coming too the next time we go out." I really thought that was sweet. I'm so glad I joined KHG and met so many nice people, including Steffi and Verena.
Last night I slept at Verena's. The plan was to get up early and have breakfast together this morning, but we both ended up getting up at 8:45 and not having time for it. It's just as well-I'm not really awake that early in the morning anyway.
After a make-up lit class today our class took a "field trip" to the Festspielhäuser, where we got a grand tour of the different theaters and learned the basics of the history behind this theater festival. The coolest thing for me, however, was seeing the room where the singing contest took place in the Sound of Music. Now every time I watch that movie I can say, "I've been there!'
Less than 2 more weeks left, and oh so much to do.
TTYL!
Love, Molly
On the way back home Steffi, Verena, and I talked about how weird it was that I was going to be leaving. "Why do you have to be so nice?" Steffi asked playfully in German. "I know I'm going to ask someone if you're coming too the next time we go out." I really thought that was sweet. I'm so glad I joined KHG and met so many nice people, including Steffi and Verena.
Last night I slept at Verena's. The plan was to get up early and have breakfast together this morning, but we both ended up getting up at 8:45 and not having time for it. It's just as well-I'm not really awake that early in the morning anyway.
After a make-up lit class today our class took a "field trip" to the Festspielhäuser, where we got a grand tour of the different theaters and learned the basics of the history behind this theater festival. The coolest thing for me, however, was seeing the room where the singing contest took place in the Sound of Music. Now every time I watch that movie I can say, "I've been there!'
Less than 2 more weeks left, and oh so much to do.
TTYL!
Love, Molly
Thursday, June 16, 2011
another holiday weekend
On Saturday I went to Munich with Brittany, Chuck, and Megan, 3 people from my program. They went Tracht shopping (Lederhose, Dirndl) while I went site-seeing, gift shopping for one of my host families, and finally, out to coffee with Angi! She is living in Munich at the moment. I hadn't seen her since I studied abroad in Tübingen in August. It was great seeing here again and hearing about her semester abroad in Scotland.
on Sunday I worked on a paper for my lit. class and then took the train to Kuchl, a small town nearby. My friend Kerstin lives there so I went to visit her. We ate dinner at her place and then went out for drinks at a biker fest. I tried this trick someone taught me with my corona to get the lime all the way down to the bottom of the bottle, and ended up spraying beer all over myself and some guy behind me. Not exactly my finest hour. LOL. After that she and I went to one of the dorms and played foosball with some of her guy friends. It was really fun :-)
On Monday she and I went for a walk and then she brought me back to the station. On Sunday evening I didn't do much of anything, so by the time Tuesday rolled around (long weekend due to yet another Catholic holiday), I was ready to do something. It was scheduled to rain, but I decided to go to Chiemsee, Germany, anyway. The weather ended up being gorgeous! It took about an hour by train to get to Prien a Chiemsee. Then I took a little local train to the dock, and then took a ferry to one of the little islands: Herrenchiemsee.There I took about a 20 minute walk to a beautiful palace that is located on the island. It is supposed to be a replica of Versailles. Although I have been to Paris 2 times, I have never seen Versailles, so I was happy with the replica :)
Yesterday school started back up again. I had class, then went out for coffee at the Arge with Steffi, my Austrian buddy, and then babysat in the evening. Today I had class, work, appointment regarding my master's exams, and now I am off to the last ladies night at the cineplexx.
TTYL! Love, Molly
on Sunday I worked on a paper for my lit. class and then took the train to Kuchl, a small town nearby. My friend Kerstin lives there so I went to visit her. We ate dinner at her place and then went out for drinks at a biker fest. I tried this trick someone taught me with my corona to get the lime all the way down to the bottom of the bottle, and ended up spraying beer all over myself and some guy behind me. Not exactly my finest hour. LOL. After that she and I went to one of the dorms and played foosball with some of her guy friends. It was really fun :-)
On Monday she and I went for a walk and then she brought me back to the station. On Sunday evening I didn't do much of anything, so by the time Tuesday rolled around (long weekend due to yet another Catholic holiday), I was ready to do something. It was scheduled to rain, but I decided to go to Chiemsee, Germany, anyway. The weather ended up being gorgeous! It took about an hour by train to get to Prien a Chiemsee. Then I took a little local train to the dock, and then took a ferry to one of the little islands: Herrenchiemsee.There I took about a 20 minute walk to a beautiful palace that is located on the island. It is supposed to be a replica of Versailles. Although I have been to Paris 2 times, I have never seen Versailles, so I was happy with the replica :)
Yesterday school started back up again. I had class, then went out for coffee at the Arge with Steffi, my Austrian buddy, and then babysat in the evening. Today I had class, work, appointment regarding my master's exams, and now I am off to the last ladies night at the cineplexx.
TTYL! Love, Molly
Friday, June 10, 2011
Time is Running Out :(
I arrived back from Berlin at about 1am early Monday morning. I slept until the afternoon and went to my favorite class, transcultural communication. In the evening I had literature history, and that night I decided not to do much. I was pretty exhausted from the long trip.
On Tuesday I had lit. again, and then I went out to lunch with an Austrian friend of mine, Verena. We ate at Universum, as usual. I will miss it there. It's a restaurant with a student friendly priced lunch.
On Wednesday I had German class, then met with my Austrian buddy Steffi for coffee. She loves America as much as I love Germany, so it's fun to talk to her about travel and culture. After that I taught the two little girls English that I meet with every week.
On Thursday I had class and then I went to Verena's apartment and watched the end of Germany's Next Top Model with her. I'd never seen it before. I had to laugh-Heidi Klum is a bit over the top....
Today I had to work. I am really enjoying my internship with the Büro für Internationale Beziehungen (Study Abroad Office). I enjoy reading the applications from students. I love reading about their motivation for study abroad and where they want to go. It makes me think of my own future travel plans. In the afternoon I decided to take a walk. It had occurred to me that I had never walked any further than the grocery store on my street. So I took an hour and walked as far as I wanted to. Originally the goal was to get to this beautiful hill full of greenery and beautiful, Austrian style houses on it. It reminds me of Heidi and grandfather's mountain. Well, after walking for about 45 minutes I was disappointed to discover that the hill was still far far away. Too bad :(
Before I leave I would still like to:
-go to the Salzburg Zoo
-walk around Salzburg and take pictures
-go to Innsbruck
-go to Chiemsee
-swim in a lake near Salzburg
Only 3 more weeks here :(
Love, Molly
On Tuesday I had lit. again, and then I went out to lunch with an Austrian friend of mine, Verena. We ate at Universum, as usual. I will miss it there. It's a restaurant with a student friendly priced lunch.
On Wednesday I had German class, then met with my Austrian buddy Steffi for coffee. She loves America as much as I love Germany, so it's fun to talk to her about travel and culture. After that I taught the two little girls English that I meet with every week.
On Thursday I had class and then I went to Verena's apartment and watched the end of Germany's Next Top Model with her. I'd never seen it before. I had to laugh-Heidi Klum is a bit over the top....
Today I had to work. I am really enjoying my internship with the Büro für Internationale Beziehungen (Study Abroad Office). I enjoy reading the applications from students. I love reading about their motivation for study abroad and where they want to go. It makes me think of my own future travel plans. In the afternoon I decided to take a walk. It had occurred to me that I had never walked any further than the grocery store on my street. So I took an hour and walked as far as I wanted to. Originally the goal was to get to this beautiful hill full of greenery and beautiful, Austrian style houses on it. It reminds me of Heidi and grandfather's mountain. Well, after walking for about 45 minutes I was disappointed to discover that the hill was still far far away. Too bad :(
Before I leave I would still like to:
-go to the Salzburg Zoo
-walk around Salzburg and take pictures
-go to Innsbruck
-go to Chiemsee
-swim in a lake near Salzburg
Only 3 more weeks here :(
Love, Molly
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Öko Test
So while I, along with my fellow Bowling Green State University study abroaders took a 3 hour boat tour in Berlin, I observed the Germans around me. Across from me, a German woman was telling all of the people at her table that they just had to try her new sunblock. It got a 1 (best grade you can get) on the eco-test, which is proudly displayed on the label of the product. I wanted to laugh so hard. That is so typically German. What American would care that a product got a 1 on an Eco-friendly test? I will be the first one to admit that I wouldn't give a flying ****.
Germans never seize to make me laugh :)
**Molly**
Germans never seize to make me laugh :)
**Molly**
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Berlin
While I have enjoyed my stint in Berlin and have had the opportunity to visit 2 good friends of mine while being here, I don't feel as if I could ever live in this city. I feel as if the people as well as the environment is so incredibly alternative, and here I am, something akind to Allie Lowell of Kate and Allie. The naive one. The one who studied art history and married the first man she ever dated. Ok, so my situation is not as extreme, but still.
So picture me, this 23 year old who has traveled but still has some of those conservative values her good ol parents taught her, walking into a building covered in grafitti, where alternative artists of all ages sell their stuff. Each floor brings something new; everything from earrings and bracelets to pictures of people on the toilet to bondage scenes. The artists are in the corner, either working on their craft or smoking pot, hoping perhaps that you will buy their product. I looked around, perplexed, taking everything in, and then walked out. It somehow reminded me of Ann Arbor, where the peace, love, recycling, and living in filth (as in co-ops where there are bugs in the food) seem to be the norm. Guess there are people like that everywhere.
In stark contrast to that, I saw many other things; Checkpoint Charlie, the DDR Museum, the Kennedy Museum, an Anne Frank exhibit, and many beautiful buildings and other monuments.
My time here has been well spent. I will, however, be coming back to Salzburg exhausted, hopefully ready to tackle my last month here. On June 30 I will be done and off to Goslar, Germany. And you know what? I AM SO READY!
Love, Molly
So picture me, this 23 year old who has traveled but still has some of those conservative values her good ol parents taught her, walking into a building covered in grafitti, where alternative artists of all ages sell their stuff. Each floor brings something new; everything from earrings and bracelets to pictures of people on the toilet to bondage scenes. The artists are in the corner, either working on their craft or smoking pot, hoping perhaps that you will buy their product. I looked around, perplexed, taking everything in, and then walked out. It somehow reminded me of Ann Arbor, where the peace, love, recycling, and living in filth (as in co-ops where there are bugs in the food) seem to be the norm. Guess there are people like that everywhere.
In stark contrast to that, I saw many other things; Checkpoint Charlie, the DDR Museum, the Kennedy Museum, an Anne Frank exhibit, and many beautiful buildings and other monuments.
My time here has been well spent. I will, however, be coming back to Salzburg exhausted, hopefully ready to tackle my last month here. On June 30 I will be done and off to Goslar, Germany. And you know what? I AM SO READY!
Love, Molly
Change
Everybody is changing. My friends and I just graduated, and I am living in Salzburg, while some of my friends are living in Cali, at home working, or God knows what. I hate change and it is all so scary. I wish I knew exactly where my life was going. I'd be afraid to stay here, and at the same time I'm afraid to go home. I don't feel like I know where my home is anymore.
I just wish things could stay the same, the way they were when I was in college, and that everyone I love could always be near me. I wish I wish I wish. I know life has to go on, but somehow I am so scared sometimes that I don't even want it to.
I just wish things could stay the same, the way they were when I was in college, and that everyone I love could always be near me. I wish I wish I wish. I know life has to go on, but somehow I am so scared sometimes that I don't even want it to.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)