Right now, I have about two days before I leave for Heidelberg, Germany. Classes ended a couple weeks ago; my German is starting to feel rather rusty. But, my future fellow travelers and I took a European Studies class designed to prepare us for Germany, taught by one of our German language professors (the one coming on the trip with us). In this class we discussed what we might experience in Germany, heard from a couple students who went on this trip two years ago, and worked away at the ridiculous amount of paperwork we had to fill out prior to our departure.
Some of the things we've learned about Germany (and Germans):
Some of the things we've learned about Germany (and Germans):
- We might be stared at. In the words of my professor, "You might look across the aisle on a bus and see a guy just staring at you. It’s pretty normal. You can stare back, or look the other way and pretend you don't see him..."
- Recycling is required by law in Germany! Apparently, there is actually someone that goes through people’s trash, and if there is glass in the same container as paper or something, the guilty one has to pay a fine. It seems I’ll learn a thing or two about serious recycling; I’m not complaining!
- Germans don't have the same concept of personal space as Americans do. They jostle you around in line, and stand uncomfortably close. I don’t think I’ll particularly enjoy this, but I can deal with it.
- Heidelberg is very bike-friendly, and has an extensive network of bike paths and bike lanes. The people who use these bike paths/lanes are very protective of their right to use them; it sounds like being yelled at for being in a bike lane is not an uncommon occurrence. There might even be some cases of pedestrians being run down by bicyclists? I’m not sure about that, though.
- On the third or so day of our trip, we will cry and possibly even pack our bags and beg to go home. A combination of jet lag and a couple days of constant concentration on understanding and speaking German will cause us to be mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted and therefore susceptible to emotional breakdown. I'm already preparing myself for this, for I have no doubt that I will be among those who suffer from the third day blues.
- Most Germans know more about American politics than most Americans. I shall need to be prepared to discuss, and even potentially argue politics with some of the people I meet in Germany. I think I can handle that. :)
While I don't look forward to being uncomfortable, nervous, and emotionally unstable...I’m definitely mostly just excited that I get to go on this trip!
If your curious as to the details of the study abroad trip (what I'll be doing, where I'll be going, etc.) check out the About page!
