Hallo! I am finally in Germany! It is actually my third day here but only my first day with wifi... so what better way to spend my time while it rains than by typing a 'not-so-quick' update! So here is the run-down:
After a great orientation in DC over the weekend, we arrived at the Frankfurt Airport on Sunday at around 8:00 AM. I sat next to some really nice, authentic Germans on the plane ride and they told me that I was going to catch onto the language really fast and absolutely fall in love with Germany (only the latter is true so far...). The man to my right taught me a phrase "Wo kommst du hier" which means "Where do you come from?" I think I should get used to giving the answer. The woman on my left told me that in Koln (Cologne) I need to try the Koelsch beer and in Dusseldorf, after I take my ACT, I should give the Altbier a taste. She also told me that I should NOT order a Koelsch beer in Dusseldorf or vice versa because it is a serious cultural no-no.
After leaving the airport with 49 other exchange students wearing the same shirt as me, we boarded a bus to Bad Laasphe. It was a two hour bus ride that was both exhausting and beautiful (my playlist consisted of Rather Be by Clean Bandit and Boom Clap by Charlie XCX... if you ever want to be pumped about leaving your home I highly recommend each). Somehow, on this two hour ride, my luggage unfortunately lost its metal handle to the elements and now I have to find a luggage store at some point.
Okay, so fast forward to the immersion camp- school started today and I am in the beginner class. So far I really like my teacher and other classmates, we wrote German songs today and learned verb conjugations along with the alphabet. After I upload this I will be studying my Learning German book and going to bed (Germany is 6 hours ahead after all). The castle and dorms are gorgeous and the views from all around are fantastic- we are on top of the biggest hill in the city and can look over everything. So far my favorite view is from behind the castle where we can look over the city and see all the houses- its great! The houses are so cute, the architecture is super unique.
Stay posted for more pictures and maybe a comparison of German and American culture that I've observed in the first week. Tschuss!
After a great orientation in DC over the weekend, we arrived at the Frankfurt Airport on Sunday at around 8:00 AM. I sat next to some really nice, authentic Germans on the plane ride and they told me that I was going to catch onto the language really fast and absolutely fall in love with Germany (only the latter is true so far...). The man to my right taught me a phrase "Wo kommst du hier" which means "Where do you come from?" I think I should get used to giving the answer. The woman on my left told me that in Koln (Cologne) I need to try the Koelsch beer and in Dusseldorf, after I take my ACT, I should give the Altbier a taste. She also told me that I should NOT order a Koelsch beer in Dusseldorf or vice versa because it is a serious cultural no-no.
After leaving the airport with 49 other exchange students wearing the same shirt as me, we boarded a bus to Bad Laasphe. It was a two hour bus ride that was both exhausting and beautiful (my playlist consisted of Rather Be by Clean Bandit and Boom Clap by Charlie XCX... if you ever want to be pumped about leaving your home I highly recommend each). Somehow, on this two hour ride, my luggage unfortunately lost its metal handle to the elements and now I have to find a luggage store at some point.
Okay, so fast forward to the immersion camp- school started today and I am in the beginner class. So far I really like my teacher and other classmates, we wrote German songs today and learned verb conjugations along with the alphabet. After I upload this I will be studying my Learning German book and going to bed (Germany is 6 hours ahead after all). The castle and dorms are gorgeous and the views from all around are fantastic- we are on top of the biggest hill in the city and can look over everything. So far my favorite view is from behind the castle where we can look over the city and see all the houses- its great! The houses are so cute, the architecture is super unique.
Stay posted for more pictures and maybe a comparison of German and American culture that I've observed in the first week. Tschuss!