I thought I was having trouble managing the publishing of my posts, but since Jenny commented, I must be doing it right. So far, I've had only two German classes, but I've learned so much already. (For clarification, this month, I'm taking classes to learn German, next month, I'll actually be taking normal classes. Providing I learn enough German, of course). I have class Monday through Friday from 9.15 to 12:30. I know that sounds really horrible, but we get a thirty minute break, long enough for the class to sit down and enjoy coffee at the German version of Java City. Also, our professor is so much fun. Its actually kind of sad when I look down at my watch and discover the class is already over. Or, well, at least it should be. Frau Nothen goes overtime a lot, but nobody minds. (See? Its not just me being totally geeky. The whole class feels this way). Anyway, the class consists of six Americans (me included), two Italians, a Norwegian, a Turk, two Koreans, and three Japanese girls. Its really cool to be around so many international students. I haven't made too many German slip ups yet. (Well, this morning I mistakenly thought the German word for mushroom was a type of beer, but hey, anyone could made that mistake, right? Pilze and Pils? My Italian friends thought it was hilarious).
Anyway, tonight, Claudie and Manuela (my aforementioned Italian friends) and I are going to go out for drinks. It feels really weird saying that. When I get back to America, I wont be able to say that again for another two years. Oh, well. Not that I really drink anyway. Speaking of drinking, I found a bar built into my dorm the other night. Too bad you all live in a Puritan society.
This weekend I get to go on one of the excursions offered by the language school. I can either go to Heidelberg or Basil. I can't decide which one. Either way, I'm really excited. Get ready for some pictures!
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Monday, March 5, 2007
Arrival and Culture Shock
Hello, everyone! I know I've now been in Germany for six days now, but due to troubles with my power converters, I haven't been able to use the Internet. (I've finally found the university's computer lab). Anyway, it took me a total of about 15 hours to travel from home to Freiburg. (Two hour flight to Washington, DC., two hour layover, seven hour flight to Frankfurt, an hour wait for a train, a two hour train ride to Freiburg, and then about half an hour of being totally lost, before I found the Foreign Student Office. At which point I was really thankful, because that meant they would give me my room key and I could sleep, sleep, sleep. Or at least that's what I thought. They told me the keys wouldn't arrive for another four hours and that I should come back then. So, I spent a long time wondering aimlessly around until I stopped at a little cafe and ordered heiß Schokolade. Then I finally got my key and directions to my dorm. Of course, I got on the tram that was going in the wrong direction, so what should have been a ten minute trip, was actually a thirty minute trip. Then, of course, with about twenty hours of zero sleep, carrying a hundred pounds of luggage, in the freezing cold downpour, I got lost again. It took me about forty minutes before I finally found the right building. And then I almost it took me another twenty before I could figure out the German key/lock mechanism. Whew!
Anyway, the next morning, I discovered I have a really cool dorm room. Its a single room complete with bathroom and kitchenette. The room has a desk with a swivel chair and desk lamp, a wardrobe with shelves and drawers, six shelves on the wall, a bed with a drawer underneath, another chair, a reading lamp, and a balcony. The kitchenette consists of a sink, two drawers, a refrigerator, and a stove top. The bathroom is really big. (We all know what's in a bathroom). In addition to all this, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, cushions, bed linens, and a portable laundry basket were included. To many, this may not sound very amazing, but those who know where I live when I'm at school in the States, can understand my enthusiasm. In fact, on my way to class this morning, two other foreign students, an Australian and a Swede, were completely astounded to learn what dorms were like back in America. Its kind of weird to hear them saying things like, ''Wow, I wonder what it would be like to share a room?'', or ''What!? Is America a Puritan society? Guys and girls live in separate buildings and have visiting hours!?''.
I've made a couple a friends so far, including an Italian named Claudie, and the cutest little Japanese girl named Maniwa, who doesn't speak English and only knows a little German. This morning, through broken German, an electronic English to Japanese translator, sign language, and drawings, she managed to communicate to me that her alarm clock was broken, and I managed to communicate back to her that I would wake her up until she could buy one.
I have discovered that the Germans are lot nicer and lot more fun than Americans have given them credit for. I can't tell you how many people stopped to help me with my luggage or offered directions when I was looking at a map. Also, they have a very sarcastic sense of humor. About three quarters of the people speak English. In many cases this is annoying, because I want to practice my German. However, as soon as I open my mouth, and reveal I'm a foreigner, they switch to English. In other cases it is extremely helpful, especially if I am really confused about something.
The second night I was here, the Foreign Student Office decided to introduce the new foreign students to the town by pub crawling. Of course I know next to zilch about alcohol, and so the Germans at the office have considered it their personal mission to introduce me to beer, the wine from around the region, beer, more beer, and also beer. The next day, after our placement tests, the office had a wine party for all the foreign students. (This is really a far cry from Baylor). One of the office workers saw me going for the orange juice and immediately dragged me over to another table and poured me a glass of wine. I'm surprised he didn't give me up for a lost cause after seeing the look on my face when I sipped it. (My friends know the look I'm talking about). I also had a coughing fit. I much prefer orange juice.
Okay, I think this was definitely a long enough post. I'll see if I can upload some pictures soon.
Tschüs!
Anyway, the next morning, I discovered I have a really cool dorm room. Its a single room complete with bathroom and kitchenette. The room has a desk with a swivel chair and desk lamp, a wardrobe with shelves and drawers, six shelves on the wall, a bed with a drawer underneath, another chair, a reading lamp, and a balcony. The kitchenette consists of a sink, two drawers, a refrigerator, and a stove top. The bathroom is really big. (We all know what's in a bathroom). In addition to all this, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, cushions, bed linens, and a portable laundry basket were included. To many, this may not sound very amazing, but those who know where I live when I'm at school in the States, can understand my enthusiasm. In fact, on my way to class this morning, two other foreign students, an Australian and a Swede, were completely astounded to learn what dorms were like back in America. Its kind of weird to hear them saying things like, ''Wow, I wonder what it would be like to share a room?'', or ''What!? Is America a Puritan society? Guys and girls live in separate buildings and have visiting hours!?''.
I've made a couple a friends so far, including an Italian named Claudie, and the cutest little Japanese girl named Maniwa, who doesn't speak English and only knows a little German. This morning, through broken German, an electronic English to Japanese translator, sign language, and drawings, she managed to communicate to me that her alarm clock was broken, and I managed to communicate back to her that I would wake her up until she could buy one.
I have discovered that the Germans are lot nicer and lot more fun than Americans have given them credit for. I can't tell you how many people stopped to help me with my luggage or offered directions when I was looking at a map. Also, they have a very sarcastic sense of humor. About three quarters of the people speak English. In many cases this is annoying, because I want to practice my German. However, as soon as I open my mouth, and reveal I'm a foreigner, they switch to English. In other cases it is extremely helpful, especially if I am really confused about something.
The second night I was here, the Foreign Student Office decided to introduce the new foreign students to the town by pub crawling. Of course I know next to zilch about alcohol, and so the Germans at the office have considered it their personal mission to introduce me to beer, the wine from around the region, beer, more beer, and also beer. The next day, after our placement tests, the office had a wine party for all the foreign students. (This is really a far cry from Baylor). One of the office workers saw me going for the orange juice and immediately dragged me over to another table and poured me a glass of wine. I'm surprised he didn't give me up for a lost cause after seeing the look on my face when I sipped it. (My friends know the look I'm talking about). I also had a coughing fit. I much prefer orange juice.
Okay, I think this was definitely a long enough post. I'll see if I can upload some pictures soon.
Tschüs!
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Last Weekend in Waco!
I'm currently visiting my BFFs in Waco for the last time before I head off to Germany. This is quite sad. I wont see them again for five and a half months! I really can't believe that I'm leaving on Wednesday. I spent so much time working and planning for this trip and now its about to be a reality. This will be my first time traveling alone, visiting a foreign country, and living in a big city. (I know Freiburg isn't that big, but I live in a place where people put "Have you seen this Cow?" posters in your mailbox. I'm not kidding). Anyway, I'm pretty nervous about going, but I know its going to be the trip of a lifetime. I'm going to enjoy as much American culture as possible before I leave. Sadly, I think I'll miss Folgers coffee the most.
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