Public transportation in Europe (or at least in Austria and Germany), relies heavily on the honor system. You may either buy a ticket from the driver at the front of the bus, or go in through the back, assuming you have a long-term ticket or have already purchased a ticket from a machine. Easy enough, right? A lot of people get on without paying....
This morning I had an appointment with a Professor. Upon rising at 8am for the third day in a row, I wanted to kill myself. I did manage, however, to get out of the building at 8:30am, as planned. I got onto the bus, put my headphones in my ears, and started jamming to Monday Morning, a song that I could listen to 30 times a day. Just before my stop I hear a man say "Fahrscheine bitte!" or "Tickets please!" I look down to grab my ticket. Oh shit. I brought the wrong purse this morning.
The man controlling the tickets stares at me, unamused. I think fast, and decide it would be best to converse with him in English, rather than German. If I had spoken with him in German, I would assume that he would've thought someone fluent in German should've known better than to forget their ticket. After explaining my situation, we have arrived at my stop, and he motions for me to get off of the train. He then demands 60 Euro from me, the penalty for "Schwarz fahren," or being caught on public transportation without a ticket. I calmly tell him that I do not have 60 Euro with me, at which point he says that I need to get the money somehow or he will call the police. And that, he told me, was going to be very expensive.
Shit. What now? I was so close by. I could walk down the street to my professor. If only I had 60 Euro with me.... But I didn't, and I told him I could get the money out of the bank with my debit card. So he motions for me to get on the next bus, and we ride over to the bank. Before we get there, he asks if I have 5 Euro. I hand it to him, and he buys me a day ticket. He hands it to me and says that it is good for the whole day, and that I had better go and get a month or semester ticket. He told me how to get back to where I was meeting my professor, and that was it. I got off of the hook in away, but the experience frightened me. In the first place, it was terribly embarrassing, and in the second place, being on the bus without a ticket could end up being terribly expensive! 60 Euro is my food money for a week! Needless to say, I will not be forgetting my bus ticket anytime soon....
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Frustration
I tend to be the type of person that likes to just include the good times, but the whole idea of studying abroad is to learn and grow, so I think I will be "typically German" by being honest here.
It is hard for me to deal with change. I had a day or two of a transition period each time I moved on to a new program (to the language course in Tübingen, for example). This time in Salzburg is no different. For the past couple of years, when I visited Germany, I could understand what was going on around me. The conversations aren't difficult to understand, and I feel, for the most part, at home. Then, low and behold, this year I end up studying abroad in Austria, where they also speak "German." I, however, have no idea in hell what they are saying.
Yesterday, for example, some of the other students and I took advantage of the cheap Bayern-Ticket and took the 2 hour train ride to Munich (although I had just left Munich yesterday to move to Salzburg, I was eager to go back). There, I had no problem with the language. On the way back to Austria, however, everyone was loud and drunk, due to having been at the Oktoberfest. These men and women made jokes in what was supposedly German, and, instead of laughing like I usually would, I just stared blankly. I couldn't understand a word they were saying! I really felt like I had been studying German for 7 weeks instead of 7 years. I just didn't get it. Austrian German is totally different.
It's definitely frustrating, but I know God sent me here for something. If He thinks I can do it, than I think I can do it. I'm going to try my hardest to understand the cultural differences. I'm going to attend classes, study hard, travel and hope for the best. And perhaps switch my master's thesis to something along the lines of "The cultural differences between Germany and Austria." That is a bit broad, but I can narrow the spectrum by the end of the year.
This is me signing out, hoping for the best.
Molly
It is hard for me to deal with change. I had a day or two of a transition period each time I moved on to a new program (to the language course in Tübingen, for example). This time in Salzburg is no different. For the past couple of years, when I visited Germany, I could understand what was going on around me. The conversations aren't difficult to understand, and I feel, for the most part, at home. Then, low and behold, this year I end up studying abroad in Austria, where they also speak "German." I, however, have no idea in hell what they are saying.
Yesterday, for example, some of the other students and I took advantage of the cheap Bayern-Ticket and took the 2 hour train ride to Munich (although I had just left Munich yesterday to move to Salzburg, I was eager to go back). There, I had no problem with the language. On the way back to Austria, however, everyone was loud and drunk, due to having been at the Oktoberfest. These men and women made jokes in what was supposedly German, and, instead of laughing like I usually would, I just stared blankly. I couldn't understand a word they were saying! I really felt like I had been studying German for 7 weeks instead of 7 years. I just didn't get it. Austrian German is totally different.
It's definitely frustrating, but I know God sent me here for something. If He thinks I can do it, than I think I can do it. I'm going to try my hardest to understand the cultural differences. I'm going to attend classes, study hard, travel and hope for the best. And perhaps switch my master's thesis to something along the lines of "The cultural differences between Germany and Austria." That is a bit broad, but I can narrow the spectrum by the end of the year.
This is me signing out, hoping for the best.
Molly
Friday, October 1, 2010
Generosity
Before I begin the account of the last 2 weeks I spent in Munich (3 weeks total), I would lake to take this time to talk about the people here.
Back when I was 11 (oh no, not one of those stories!!!) I worked as a mother's helper for a German family down my street. I thought their house smelled different (like German waffles, not like my house, anyway), I wondered why they ate something called Kinder Schokolade, and why they always left their door open. I didn't understand them, and, at that age, frankly, I didn't care. That family came and went and I really didn't think a thing of it. Of course, I enjoyed hearing from them and vice-versa, but they hadn't inspired me or anything.
Then, along comes the day sophomore year when I decide I need to study a language other than French. I actually had a lot of those days where I decided I was going to switch out of classes and into others-my counselor rarely appreciated a visit from me. So along came that day, just like any other day, except that day, I was picking the right class to switch into. I switched into German four weeks late, something I had done with lots of other classes (Would you believe I wanted to take an anatomy class! I switched out of that quickly) I didn't expect much upon changing, was just curious.
The moment I walked into the classroom it changed my life. I liked my teacher right away, a strong, competent, kind yet stern women that I admired from the moment I saw her. I received my text book that day and went straight home to study. That was never me. I only studied for things I felt like were really worth my time. Low and behold, soon after starting to take German, I decided to e-mail that family I used to mother's helper for. I tried using some of my, at that time, very bad German, and the mother, Elke, and I e-mailed back and forth. Then came the day that I received an e-mail that would change my life. "Do you want to come and visit us in Germany?" Elke asked. Wow, Europe! I'd never really been anywhere so exotic and exciting. That summer wasn't a good time for me, but I told Elke the following summer (when I would be 17) would be perfect. And, it was. I visited them for 3 weeks in a small town in southern Germany.
Since this time I have babysat for countless Germans in the Detroit area and, thanks to their generosity, have been able to come and visit many of them in Germany. Since my first trip in 2002, I have been to Germany 4 times. Who are these families?
There is Frauke and her kids. I helped babysit for her kids, and in exchange got a plane ticket to Germany and the most amazing 2 summers of my life. Such a kind, warm, and thoughtful woman that doubles as my mom. There is Christine, who is always willing to let me stay with her and her family. She's incredibly generous, funny, kind and always good for a laugh and a smile. She's great to have around and can always make me feel good. Then there is Susanne, typically German, amazing sense of humor, and incredibly warm and kind. She has a very sympathetic ear. Then there are countless others, Anja and her family, Bettina and hers, Anke's mother--"Oma." So many. I am so lucky to have them all.
They have picked me up at airports, driven me to train stations, bought me drinks, meals, cooked for me, invited me into their home, and helped me when I had a question or an issue. They let me become like a member of their family. I care about them more than they know. I am so grateful to these generous people. These women that I admire so much. They have careers, children, very busy lives-but they let me in. They made time for me. It would've been just as easy for them to say, "Hmm. How about not? I'm busy enough as it is." I really love and care about them and their families, and I hope they know how very thankful I am to have them in my lives. They are the reason why I feel so comfortable in Europe. I might not see them all the time, but I know that they are there if I need them.
They are the reason why I love Germany so much. Yes, I quite fancy the ice cream, the coffee, the cobblestone streets, the museums, and of course, the language. But they are what make it so wonderful for me here. They come from a completely different cultural background that I find both fascinating, and, at times, confusing. But I love Germany, and it's people. They have all helped me understand this culture. They leave their windows open without screens, walk everywhere, talk openly about tough issues, are incredibly blunt, but, most, of all, they are generous and kind. When you befriend a German, you are friends for life. :)
Back when I was 11 (oh no, not one of those stories!!!) I worked as a mother's helper for a German family down my street. I thought their house smelled different (like German waffles, not like my house, anyway), I wondered why they ate something called Kinder Schokolade, and why they always left their door open. I didn't understand them, and, at that age, frankly, I didn't care. That family came and went and I really didn't think a thing of it. Of course, I enjoyed hearing from them and vice-versa, but they hadn't inspired me or anything.
Then, along comes the day sophomore year when I decide I need to study a language other than French. I actually had a lot of those days where I decided I was going to switch out of classes and into others-my counselor rarely appreciated a visit from me. So along came that day, just like any other day, except that day, I was picking the right class to switch into. I switched into German four weeks late, something I had done with lots of other classes (Would you believe I wanted to take an anatomy class! I switched out of that quickly) I didn't expect much upon changing, was just curious.
The moment I walked into the classroom it changed my life. I liked my teacher right away, a strong, competent, kind yet stern women that I admired from the moment I saw her. I received my text book that day and went straight home to study. That was never me. I only studied for things I felt like were really worth my time. Low and behold, soon after starting to take German, I decided to e-mail that family I used to mother's helper for. I tried using some of my, at that time, very bad German, and the mother, Elke, and I e-mailed back and forth. Then came the day that I received an e-mail that would change my life. "Do you want to come and visit us in Germany?" Elke asked. Wow, Europe! I'd never really been anywhere so exotic and exciting. That summer wasn't a good time for me, but I told Elke the following summer (when I would be 17) would be perfect. And, it was. I visited them for 3 weeks in a small town in southern Germany.
Since this time I have babysat for countless Germans in the Detroit area and, thanks to their generosity, have been able to come and visit many of them in Germany. Since my first trip in 2002, I have been to Germany 4 times. Who are these families?
There is Frauke and her kids. I helped babysit for her kids, and in exchange got a plane ticket to Germany and the most amazing 2 summers of my life. Such a kind, warm, and thoughtful woman that doubles as my mom. There is Christine, who is always willing to let me stay with her and her family. She's incredibly generous, funny, kind and always good for a laugh and a smile. She's great to have around and can always make me feel good. Then there is Susanne, typically German, amazing sense of humor, and incredibly warm and kind. She has a very sympathetic ear. Then there are countless others, Anja and her family, Bettina and hers, Anke's mother--"Oma." So many. I am so lucky to have them all.
They have picked me up at airports, driven me to train stations, bought me drinks, meals, cooked for me, invited me into their home, and helped me when I had a question or an issue. They let me become like a member of their family. I care about them more than they know. I am so grateful to these generous people. These women that I admire so much. They have careers, children, very busy lives-but they let me in. They made time for me. It would've been just as easy for them to say, "Hmm. How about not? I'm busy enough as it is." I really love and care about them and their families, and I hope they know how very thankful I am to have them in my lives. They are the reason why I feel so comfortable in Europe. I might not see them all the time, but I know that they are there if I need them.
They are the reason why I love Germany so much. Yes, I quite fancy the ice cream, the coffee, the cobblestone streets, the museums, and of course, the language. But they are what make it so wonderful for me here. They come from a completely different cultural background that I find both fascinating, and, at times, confusing. But I love Germany, and it's people. They have all helped me understand this culture. They leave their windows open without screens, walk everywhere, talk openly about tough issues, are incredibly blunt, but, most, of all, they are generous and kind. When you befriend a German, you are friends for life. :)
Monday, September 27, 2010
Munich & Salzburg
The next morning, a Monday, I began my long journey (12 hours) to Munich. First Marlies drove me to the station. From there I changed trains three times, then to a tram, and then a subway, before getting picked up from Susanne in Munich. Whew! I was exhausted. Needless to say I didn't do much the first couple of days. I had actually wanted to go out on Wednesday and look at the city, but the subway employees were on strike, so the trains weren't running that often. On Wednesday even I babysat for Susanne's kids, which was really fun, because I had missed them (I used to babysit for them a couple times a week when they lived in the states). On Thursday I finally went into downtown, where there were 4312341234 tourists because Oktoberfest was about to start. I bought a smoothie, walked around, and then went to a museum with exhibits about the Oktoberfest and the Nazis. Admission was only 2 Euro for students. That's the nice thing about Europe-travel, museums---cultural things--are all pretty affordable. On Friday I went to a memorial at the University of Munich for Sophie Scholl and the other members of the Nazi-Resistance group, the White Rose. I was in the building where she and the others had actually passed out the pamphlets speaking out against Hitler, back when they were students at the University. For those who don't know, she and the others were arrested, and eventually, beheaded for speaking out against the Third Reich.
That weekend involved me feeling not too great, so I didn't do a whole lot. On Saturday I did go with Susanne and her family to a Trachten outlet (an outlet for traditional Bavarian clothes) where I bought my pink Dirndl. On Sunday I was feeling better, so Susanne, her son, Frederic, and I went on a 10 km bike ride through the famous English Gardens. It was a beautiful day and it felt so good to exercise. We, of course, stopped somewhere in town and rewarded ourselves with ice cream.
To be continued tomorrow.
<3 Molly
UPDATE:
Wish I really had continued writing about this, because, although you always think you'll remember exactly what happened: you don't...
What I can tell you is the following:
That next week, on Thursday the 23rd, I ended up going to the Oktoberfest (200th Annual!) and meeting Kristen for the first time. She is another girl in my German Master's program. She and I starting talking on Facebook and then decided to get together after we bot found out we were in Munich at the same time. So we both put on our dirndls, and I added one of those gingerbread hearts to my outfit, and we met at the train station. We went to a beer tent first, where I ordered a beer and lemonade. It was so ridiculously expensive-about 15 Euros total-for my drinks. I couldn't even finish them because they were so large! After she and I got acquainted we decided to go on a few rides, including the ferris wheel, where we enjoyed a beautiful view of the city. When we were done with that we decided to go out for ice cream. Having lived in Munich she had friends who owned a shop, and they hooked us up with some delicious free sundaes :-). Another night that week Kristen and I went to visit her friends that she had met when she worked as a missionary in Munich, and on another night we went to the movies to see: Groupies Bleiben nicht zum Frühstück.
On Sunday the 26th Uwe took the kids and me to Schloss Nymphenburg, where we took a walk and enjoyed the scenery. It was a truly beautiful place to be. :-)
On Wednesday the 29th I went to the top of the Olympic Tower to see a view of the stadium and the rest of the city. I also enjoyed a crepe at a nearby crepe stand, an then went ahead and splurged on a Hop on Hop Off tour of the city.
On the 30th, my last day in Munich, Susanne and I organized a girls night that also included Christine and Nancy. Christine and I met up early for dinner and then met the others at the movies. There we had a few drinks before going in to see Eat Pray Love. The movie was okay but wasn't as good as we had hoped-and a bit too long for my taste. However, I enjoyed the evening very much and was happy to see everyone.
On October 1 Susanne kindly drove me to the train station, and I headed into what I felt like was the unknown. Luckily my friend Kerstin, who studies nearby, picked me up at the train station in Salzburg. She helped me check into my room and find the restaurant where I was to meet the rest of the group. I am forever grateful to her for that. I would've gotten so lost without her.
That weekend involved me feeling not too great, so I didn't do a whole lot. On Saturday I did go with Susanne and her family to a Trachten outlet (an outlet for traditional Bavarian clothes) where I bought my pink Dirndl. On Sunday I was feeling better, so Susanne, her son, Frederic, and I went on a 10 km bike ride through the famous English Gardens. It was a beautiful day and it felt so good to exercise. We, of course, stopped somewhere in town and rewarded ourselves with ice cream.
To be continued tomorrow.
<3 Molly
UPDATE:
Wish I really had continued writing about this, because, although you always think you'll remember exactly what happened: you don't...
What I can tell you is the following:
That next week, on Thursday the 23rd, I ended up going to the Oktoberfest (200th Annual!) and meeting Kristen for the first time. She is another girl in my German Master's program. She and I starting talking on Facebook and then decided to get together after we bot found out we were in Munich at the same time. So we both put on our dirndls, and I added one of those gingerbread hearts to my outfit, and we met at the train station. We went to a beer tent first, where I ordered a beer and lemonade. It was so ridiculously expensive-about 15 Euros total-for my drinks. I couldn't even finish them because they were so large! After she and I got acquainted we decided to go on a few rides, including the ferris wheel, where we enjoyed a beautiful view of the city. When we were done with that we decided to go out for ice cream. Having lived in Munich she had friends who owned a shop, and they hooked us up with some delicious free sundaes :-). Another night that week Kristen and I went to visit her friends that she had met when she worked as a missionary in Munich, and on another night we went to the movies to see: Groupies Bleiben nicht zum Frühstück.
On Sunday the 26th Uwe took the kids and me to Schloss Nymphenburg, where we took a walk and enjoyed the scenery. It was a truly beautiful place to be. :-)
On Wednesday the 29th I went to the top of the Olympic Tower to see a view of the stadium and the rest of the city. I also enjoyed a crepe at a nearby crepe stand, an then went ahead and splurged on a Hop on Hop Off tour of the city.
On the 30th, my last day in Munich, Susanne and I organized a girls night that also included Christine and Nancy. Christine and I met up early for dinner and then met the others at the movies. There we had a few drinks before going in to see Eat Pray Love. The movie was okay but wasn't as good as we had hoped-and a bit too long for my taste. However, I enjoyed the evening very much and was happy to see everyone.
On October 1 Susanne kindly drove me to the train station, and I headed into what I felt like was the unknown. Luckily my friend Kerstin, who studies nearby, picked me up at the train station in Salzburg. She helped me check into my room and find the restaurant where I was to meet the rest of the group. I am forever grateful to her for that. I would've gotten so lost without her.
the Netherlands
**That's Korfball, a Dutch game using a ball that looks like a soccer ball, but is actually a bit lighter. It also is played like basketball, but on grass.**
After leaving Christine and her family behind, I headed to the Netherlands for a long weekend at Marlies' place. She picked me up at the train station and brought me to her home that she shares with her boyfriend, Robbie. It was a very relaxing weekend and very enjoyable. The first evening we watch 2 and 1/2 Men (which we watched every night, actually). My first full day in the Netherlands we headed to Utrecht, which is in the center of the Netherlands, with Marlies' mother. We spent the day shopping, eating and drinking at cafes, and catching up (I had stayed with Marlies for 2 weeks in August 2009, back when Marlies lived with her parents).
The next day we woke up early because Marlies was coaching a kids Korfball game. So, I ordered a toastie (toasted ham and cheese) and watched this very weird, foreign looking game. That afternoon the weather was beautiful so we went to downtown Dordrecht (the town where Marlies' parents live), to go shopping. I bought some adorable brown boots, that I look at proudly and think about how cool it is that they are from the Netherlands. On Sunday, my final full day in the Netherlands, Marlies and I went to an indoor pool. It was small and not very deep, so we left early and baked the American brownies (imported, and expensive) that I bought at the local supermarket. We didn't pay attention and they ended up burning, but dammit, for the 10 dollars I paid I ate them anyway. In the evening we went to Rotterdam and to the top of the tallest building there, the Euromast. We took cute pictures (even made a personalized postcard to send to my parents), and then left, satisfied that we had seen a nice view of the city. We then headed to Marlies' parents house. Her mom made us hamburgers and fries, and together, with Marlies' mom, dad, and brother, we all watched soccer. It was so funny to see how serious Europeans are about soccer. Her mom was for one team and the rest of the family was for the other, so there was a lot of taunting going on, all in good fun.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Life After the Summer Course
The summer course I attended in Tübingen ended on August 28, at which point I packed my bags and was picked up by Oma (Anke's mom). I spent 4 nights at her place, where I ate, ate, and ate. Lots of delicious Swabian food like Maultaschen and Spätzle, for example. We also spent time with Karin, Oma's daughter (Anke's sister) and her husband when we went to downtown Stuttgart together. 2 days before I left her place I met up with Nicole and her son Finley. I babysat for him when Nicole and her family lived in Royal Oak. It was great seeing them again. Her son is now 4, and totally adorable! :-) After leaving Oma's I went on to Anja and her family. I babysat for her daughter, Ronja, when they lived in West Bloomfield. I spent lots of time relaxing, shopping in Esslingen, and reading books to Ronja. We also met up with lots of their ex-pat friends that had also lived in Detroit. It was so fun to be in Germany talking about things like Great Lakes Crossing. It makes me feel less homesick.
On Monday I left Ronja and her family and headed to Bavaria to visit Christine and her family. Again, I know them from Detroit, where I babysat for their kids (are we seeing a pattern here?). On Monday we went to the playground with the kids and out for ice cream. Yesterday Christine and I went shopping with the kids, and then we saw a movie. At first we were in the Drew Barrymore movie, but it sucked so we switched to the action movie with Sylvester Stallone instead. Again, that sucked. But we had some good laughs, and I don't think the other people in the theater appreciated that, haha.
The night before last I got over 12 hours of sleep-luxury. Today their 2 kittens (10 weeks old), woke me up at 6am!!! They are cute, but I despised them at that moment....
Bye, Molly
On Monday I left Ronja and her family and headed to Bavaria to visit Christine and her family. Again, I know them from Detroit, where I babysat for their kids (are we seeing a pattern here?). On Monday we went to the playground with the kids and out for ice cream. Yesterday Christine and I went shopping with the kids, and then we saw a movie. At first we were in the Drew Barrymore movie, but it sucked so we switched to the action movie with Sylvester Stallone instead. Again, that sucked. But we had some good laughs, and I don't think the other people in the theater appreciated that, haha.
The night before last I got over 12 hours of sleep-luxury. Today their 2 kittens (10 weeks old), woke me up at 6am!!! They are cute, but I despised them at that moment....
Bye, Molly
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Sommerkurs, wird sind von Dir begeistert ;)
Hi All,
The summer course was absolutely amazing, something that I have never experienced before. Think summer camp for German language students, but with better accommodations, amazing Professors, fun activities, and freedom.
On the first day of classes we all met in the same room for the placement exam. I arrived early, and, seeing as we had 10 minutes to go, I felt stupid sitting alone. So I turned to the girl behind me and asked if I could sit with her. The rest is history. Tanja, a 20-year-old from Russia and I ended up in the same class. We also, coinicdentally, lived in the same building, despite the fact that the 180 students in the program were spread out throughout the city. Another friendship that was meant to be.
I can't tell you how amazing it was to be around students from all over the world who have the same interests as me. They love German music, food, culture...It was so easy to make friends and start up conversations. There wasn't that "Why are you studying German?" question, the one I get back home.
During the day, we had 3 hours of class with a half an hour break after the first 1 1/2 hour segment. After a 1 1/2 hour break for lunch, during which Tanja and I would go shopping and end up a few minutes late to the last half of the day, we ended the academic part of the day in tutorium, where our student teacher would lead us in fun activities, some of the most memorable being Jeapardy, a game that the Icelandic couple were amazing at, and Taboo in German.
The evenings included lectures that were not required, but were well-attended. I attended what was most interesting to me, including: German Music, German for Native Speakers of English, Germany after the Fall of the Wall, Studying in Germany, German Pronunciation, etc. These were 1 1/2 lectures lead by professors that had been invited by the program.
There were also field trips. I participated in a hike to a local Closter and in our class trip to the Ritter Sport Museum & also to the Alltagsmuseum (like a mini Henry Ford Museum). The Alltagsmuseum was having an apron exhibit. It was really cool to see aprons throughout the ages. They even displayed one for children from the late 30s that had "Heil Hitler" on it. It is a part of history, and we need to be reminded of that. Although history is repeating itself. War in Iraq? But I digress...
In the evenings there was always something to do. I was able to go to the local beer garden overlooking the Neckar river with friends and drink wine mixed with soda water, or beer mixed with lemonade. I saw Toy Story 3d, went to a local disco, drank wine on the church steps. I drank cocktails during happy hour with Angi or with Tanja, I ate at cafes, ate ice cream on the bank overlooking the Neckar, I walked along cobblestone streets and bought postcards to send back home. Just.plain.amazing.
In addition to all of these things I participated in the Summer Choir, which was really fun. I was able to combine my 2 loves: German and Singing! We met once a week for a couple of hours and sang, and then performed at our Summer Course party the week before the course ended.
Oh yes, the Summer Course Party. There was a huge raffle, and I won a scholarship to attend the Summer Course next year! I am so thankful, so excited. I don't know if I'll ever want to leave here. I really do hope I can live in Germany!!!!
On Friday, August 28, my class met for breakfast to mark the end of the summer course. In the afternoon, after having packed up my things, all 180 students met in one room for the goodbye speeches, after which we all received a balloon and an address card. We were to write our addresses on the cards and attach them to the balloons, and then we all walked out into the field and let them all go at the same time. I was nervous at the beginning of this experience. I needn't have been. I loved it. It was magical, a dream world where all of the people around me share my interests in German, travel, and a love of culture.
<3 Molly
The summer course was absolutely amazing, something that I have never experienced before. Think summer camp for German language students, but with better accommodations, amazing Professors, fun activities, and freedom.
On the first day of classes we all met in the same room for the placement exam. I arrived early, and, seeing as we had 10 minutes to go, I felt stupid sitting alone. So I turned to the girl behind me and asked if I could sit with her. The rest is history. Tanja, a 20-year-old from Russia and I ended up in the same class. We also, coinicdentally, lived in the same building, despite the fact that the 180 students in the program were spread out throughout the city. Another friendship that was meant to be.
I can't tell you how amazing it was to be around students from all over the world who have the same interests as me. They love German music, food, culture...It was so easy to make friends and start up conversations. There wasn't that "Why are you studying German?" question, the one I get back home.
During the day, we had 3 hours of class with a half an hour break after the first 1 1/2 hour segment. After a 1 1/2 hour break for lunch, during which Tanja and I would go shopping and end up a few minutes late to the last half of the day, we ended the academic part of the day in tutorium, where our student teacher would lead us in fun activities, some of the most memorable being Jeapardy, a game that the Icelandic couple were amazing at, and Taboo in German.
The evenings included lectures that were not required, but were well-attended. I attended what was most interesting to me, including: German Music, German for Native Speakers of English, Germany after the Fall of the Wall, Studying in Germany, German Pronunciation, etc. These were 1 1/2 lectures lead by professors that had been invited by the program.
There were also field trips. I participated in a hike to a local Closter and in our class trip to the Ritter Sport Museum & also to the Alltagsmuseum (like a mini Henry Ford Museum). The Alltagsmuseum was having an apron exhibit. It was really cool to see aprons throughout the ages. They even displayed one for children from the late 30s that had "Heil Hitler" on it. It is a part of history, and we need to be reminded of that. Although history is repeating itself. War in Iraq? But I digress...
In the evenings there was always something to do. I was able to go to the local beer garden overlooking the Neckar river with friends and drink wine mixed with soda water, or beer mixed with lemonade. I saw Toy Story 3d, went to a local disco, drank wine on the church steps. I drank cocktails during happy hour with Angi or with Tanja, I ate at cafes, ate ice cream on the bank overlooking the Neckar, I walked along cobblestone streets and bought postcards to send back home. Just.plain.amazing.
In addition to all of these things I participated in the Summer Choir, which was really fun. I was able to combine my 2 loves: German and Singing! We met once a week for a couple of hours and sang, and then performed at our Summer Course party the week before the course ended.
Oh yes, the Summer Course Party. There was a huge raffle, and I won a scholarship to attend the Summer Course next year! I am so thankful, so excited. I don't know if I'll ever want to leave here. I really do hope I can live in Germany!!!!
On Friday, August 28, my class met for breakfast to mark the end of the summer course. In the afternoon, after having packed up my things, all 180 students met in one room for the goodbye speeches, after which we all received a balloon and an address card. We were to write our addresses on the cards and attach them to the balloons, and then we all walked out into the field and let them all go at the same time. I was nervous at the beginning of this experience. I needn't have been. I loved it. It was magical, a dream world where all of the people around me share my interests in German, travel, and a love of culture.
<3 Molly
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