Hello Everyone! Guten Tag! I am at the beginning of my second week of school in Germany and I am happy to report that everything is going well (besides having to wake up at 6 each morning). After the Methodentage with my new class, I was definitely a bit nervous to dive head first into the Deutsch speaking world. It's very overwhelming to be surrounded by people and have no way of communicating with them. I have already experienced a handful of misunderstandings and awkward pauses and I even catch myself saying "uhh" for unnecessarily long periods of time as I try to piece together my thoughts. For instance- today I realized as I walked home from the bus with one of the neighbors that I was answering her questions in English even though she was asking in German. I have got to work on that! My friend Shawna, from language camp, said on the last day, "It is going to be so hard to try to not translate from German to English when I'm talking!" That statement has been haunting me these past two weeks as I try to think of how I, too, might get out of that habit. But alas, I can't expect to be fluent by the third week, can I?
Still on the topic of school, I really like the Gymnasium I am in! The German education system has 3 schools; so unlike in America where each student follows the same path, in around the 5th grade here, students are split and can either attend the Hauptschule, the Realschule, or the Gymnasium. The Gymnasium path usually takes 2 more years of education alongside a major test at the end called the Abitur in order for students to then attend university. The Realschule and Hauptschule are more similar to trade schools in America, where students leave with a specialty in some sort of skill/business. My gymnasium is gorgeous too, there is a castle in the front called the FeuerSchlossen where I take my Math lessons and artwork from all the past classes decorates the steps, arches, and pillars. The classes are small, about 15 people in each and the teachers are all very helpful! I have each lesson twice a week (except Deutsch which I have 5 lessons in) and am on the bus by 3:15 and home by 4:15 each day. Sometimes there is a break in my schedule where a teacher is absent and class is cancelled where we have free time to study in the Pavillion or go to town to the cutest bakery called Welsch (guess which one I do!). On Fridays I have a free period for the first lesson and the third lesson, hopefully I can use that time to explore a little more of Bad Honnef!
My host family has been a great experience as well- I find myself laughing constantly and always enjoy their company! Last weekend we took a trip to Cologne (only 30 minutes away on the Autobahn- I am so lucky!) and yesterday we explored Marxburg Castle near Koblenz. I attended a sort of 'block party turned fair' called the Kirmes in Windhagen with my host sister. There was live music and games and a tent selling some delicious smelling wurst.
Everything is gorgeous here! When I'm not asleep, I love looking out the window during car rides because once in a while there will be the shortest break in the treeline where you get this view of a valley with hundreds of little houses and a mountain backdrop and its honestly just breathtaking! I'll put a picture below of what I mean! We also live at the edge of the village so there is a path right outside the door that goes through the forest for jogging- I haven't been as dedicated with my runs as I was at the SchlossWitti but it is still a fun thing to go out! I probably should be running more though- the food here is lecker (delicious)!! My host mom makes some of the most amazing meals and I can't help but try it all! Plus, Germany is known for Haribo (for a good reason I might add) so the sweets drawer is always stocked. I even introduced my family to PB&J, they're amazed by the American obsession with peanut butter (we really do use it for everything). Hopefully I can make some chocolate chip cookies soon!
Well, I have come to the realization that I should post maybe once a week because I have too much to say and don't want this to be long! So, until next time! Tschuss!
Still on the topic of school, I really like the Gymnasium I am in! The German education system has 3 schools; so unlike in America where each student follows the same path, in around the 5th grade here, students are split and can either attend the Hauptschule, the Realschule, or the Gymnasium. The Gymnasium path usually takes 2 more years of education alongside a major test at the end called the Abitur in order for students to then attend university. The Realschule and Hauptschule are more similar to trade schools in America, where students leave with a specialty in some sort of skill/business. My gymnasium is gorgeous too, there is a castle in the front called the FeuerSchlossen where I take my Math lessons and artwork from all the past classes decorates the steps, arches, and pillars. The classes are small, about 15 people in each and the teachers are all very helpful! I have each lesson twice a week (except Deutsch which I have 5 lessons in) and am on the bus by 3:15 and home by 4:15 each day. Sometimes there is a break in my schedule where a teacher is absent and class is cancelled where we have free time to study in the Pavillion or go to town to the cutest bakery called Welsch (guess which one I do!). On Fridays I have a free period for the first lesson and the third lesson, hopefully I can use that time to explore a little more of Bad Honnef!
My host family has been a great experience as well- I find myself laughing constantly and always enjoy their company! Last weekend we took a trip to Cologne (only 30 minutes away on the Autobahn- I am so lucky!) and yesterday we explored Marxburg Castle near Koblenz. I attended a sort of 'block party turned fair' called the Kirmes in Windhagen with my host sister. There was live music and games and a tent selling some delicious smelling wurst.
Everything is gorgeous here! When I'm not asleep, I love looking out the window during car rides because once in a while there will be the shortest break in the treeline where you get this view of a valley with hundreds of little houses and a mountain backdrop and its honestly just breathtaking! I'll put a picture below of what I mean! We also live at the edge of the village so there is a path right outside the door that goes through the forest for jogging- I haven't been as dedicated with my runs as I was at the SchlossWitti but it is still a fun thing to go out! I probably should be running more though- the food here is lecker (delicious)!! My host mom makes some of the most amazing meals and I can't help but try it all! Plus, Germany is known for Haribo (for a good reason I might add) so the sweets drawer is always stocked. I even introduced my family to PB&J, they're amazed by the American obsession with peanut butter (we really do use it for everything). Hopefully I can make some chocolate chip cookies soon!
Well, I have come to the realization that I should post maybe once a week because I have too much to say and don't want this to be long! So, until next time! Tschuss!