Liebe Readers,
We learned how to write German letters at the language camp so I will write you all a quick letter on my travels up to now!
So first and foremost- this country is gorgeous. Everything and everyone is green. This means I see turbines, solar panels, and recycling bins wherever I go. They actually have different colored recycling bins for specific materials so that it is easily separated. The environment seems a lot more appreciated and there is green space everywhere (of course, I have yet to see a big city so my perspective could change soon). I have been really enjoying the nature in Deutschland though, either by my early morning runs through trails or just walking to town. There hasn't been an ugly sight!
I take that back- there has been one ugly sight! My language skills (or lack thereof). As most of you know I came to Germany with no knowledge of the language, this has proven to be a very difficult task. Luckily my host family speaks some English so I am not totally out of it but at least 80% of the time I have little to no idea what is happening around me. I leave for a school Mitturnetag (camp for the new students) tomorrow (20.08.14) and the language barrier has been looming over my head for the past few days. I don't know how or if I will make friends.
I just recently signed up for classes and I am excited to get my schedule set on Monday. I will be taking the lowest grade of German at the school (8th grade) and then the highest level of English. Alongside those languages I was also put in the highest Latin class (a mere 6 students!), Biology, Chemistry, Math, Evangelic Religion, History (trying to switch to Politics), and Art. The classes switch every day so some days I go to school until 12 while others it could go as late as 5. I must take the bus to school at 6:50 every morning.
Today is my 4th day with my Host Family and I have to say- I couldn't be happier! I get along very well with everyone and find myself laughing often. We live near the forest so I can't wait to start running here and the public transport to the other areas is really helpful. The German village I am in is very small- I have walked the city twice already with each host sister. The sights are great though! We live along the Rhine river. I think I will have a very happy year here!
We learned how to write German letters at the language camp so I will write you all a quick letter on my travels up to now!
So first and foremost- this country is gorgeous. Everything and everyone is green. This means I see turbines, solar panels, and recycling bins wherever I go. They actually have different colored recycling bins for specific materials so that it is easily separated. The environment seems a lot more appreciated and there is green space everywhere (of course, I have yet to see a big city so my perspective could change soon). I have been really enjoying the nature in Deutschland though, either by my early morning runs through trails or just walking to town. There hasn't been an ugly sight!
I take that back- there has been one ugly sight! My language skills (or lack thereof). As most of you know I came to Germany with no knowledge of the language, this has proven to be a very difficult task. Luckily my host family speaks some English so I am not totally out of it but at least 80% of the time I have little to no idea what is happening around me. I leave for a school Mitturnetag (camp for the new students) tomorrow (20.08.14) and the language barrier has been looming over my head for the past few days. I don't know how or if I will make friends.
I just recently signed up for classes and I am excited to get my schedule set on Monday. I will be taking the lowest grade of German at the school (8th grade) and then the highest level of English. Alongside those languages I was also put in the highest Latin class (a mere 6 students!), Biology, Chemistry, Math, Evangelic Religion, History (trying to switch to Politics), and Art. The classes switch every day so some days I go to school until 12 while others it could go as late as 5. I must take the bus to school at 6:50 every morning.
Today is my 4th day with my Host Family and I have to say- I couldn't be happier! I get along very well with everyone and find myself laughing often. We live near the forest so I can't wait to start running here and the public transport to the other areas is really helpful. The German village I am in is very small- I have walked the city twice already with each host sister. The sights are great though! We live along the Rhine river. I think I will have a very happy year here!