Living here in Germany has taught me these, among many other things:
1) All international students are insane... which makes them a LOT of fun!
2) No matter what you are told, NOT all Germans speak English.
3) No matter what you are told, Germany does NOT have better weather than Minnesota.
4) No matter what you are told, not all Germans are cold-hearted.
Now, to address these assertions:
1) International students are quite a breed unto themselves. Sick? Doesn't matter. Tired? Who cares? Homesick? No money? Plow through it, brother! We don't need health, sleep, well-being, or material items to stop us from going out and having a good time! Class at 8 am tomorrow? We'll still come in at 4 am from the clubs after a long night of dancing and revelry.
Really. I kid you not. These men and women are hardcore. It's really an incredible thing to see and experience.
2) Seriously. If you are one of those people back home who told me not to worry, that a ton of people speak English, it won't be a problem... stand corrected. Most Germans DO NOT speak English. They speak phrases that they've heard through pop culture and films, or enough to make a sale. This, my friends, does NOT count as speaking English. Trust me. When you come here and try to describe contact lens solution or ask how to get to a particular bar with your lack of German and their lack of English, then come and try to tell me that everyone speaks English.
3) Ha. Ok. I might be one tough cookie from growing up in Minnesota, but really... rain every day, weird-ass changes of 30°F from noon to 6 pm, and complete weather changes every ten minutes? Germany's weather is NOT temperate. Don't even try to convince me of that.
4) Not all Germans are cold. Really. That is the biggest complaint I've heard from international students, is that it is really hard to become friends with Germans. Yeah, it might be hard to get close, but they are not all cold people. At the beginning of my orientation, a girl I did not even know came up to me and invited me to her birthday party, simply because I was from Hamline, and she had studied at St. Thomas. She was the same girl who recommended me to apply for my internship, and we are now colleagues.
Furthermore, two days ago, I was walking back to my apartment and passed a guy I only know because he works as cashier at the supermarket at which I usually shop. He asked how I was, and when I replied that I was a little sick, he said, "Oh no! Do you need anything? Tea? Honey? Orange juice? Although if you have... how do you say... a sore throat?... you should not drink anything acidic!" I replied that I was fine, but he showed up a half hour later at my house with a care package of peppermint tea, honey, eucalyptus oil, Vick's Vapo-Rub, and pineapple juice (because he thought orange juice was a little boring). He didn't even know my name! He searched the list at the door and buzzed, as he put it, "the most Anglophone-sounding name"... who happened to be my next door neighbor, another girl from Hamline. Also included in the care package was an invitation to his birthday party in a few weeks.
No, Germans are not all cold.
In other news, my course schedule is even cooler, as I was able to drop two classes that were a little beyond my level (no, I cannot give an entire final presentation in Spanish, and I really had no lust to sit through a really boring history lecture once a week), so now no classes begin before 2 p.m. except for one at noon on Wednesdays, I'm always out by 6 or 8 p.m., and I have only one class on Thursdays, none on Fridays. It's really quite beautiful. :)
4 comments:
Thank you for keeping us all updated on what is happening in Germany. It is so reassuring to read your wonderful writings that are more than just information and what you are doing. It helps us (all the people who care deeply of you) to get your feelings and perspectives of the people, places, and activities that surround you and are part of your life in Germany. It was very touching to hear of the young man's act of kindness who brought you the care package. Did you pick up any other classes after dropping them two? And I would guess the later hour classes fit in nice with you since you tend to like to stay up late! I hope you feel better soon and remember to get plenty of rest as that is the best thing to boost your immune system. Love always, Mom
P.S. The weather has been cool and damp here too. Yesterday I dug out a heavier coat because of the chill. We smile and step outside when the sun shines only to have it disappear behind the clouds. The weather man described his forcast this morning as peeks of sunshine and another station hinted on possible snow on Sunday!
Say "Hi" to Felix from me and I hope he is doing well when he comes to visit! I always enjoyed his conversation when he was here for that year in PR.
That's cool that you can get strange men to steal stuff for you from their place of employment. When they fire him maybe he can sleep on your floor. Just kidding. It is great that the weather there is no better there than here in Minnesota and all of you are broke, tired, sick and apparently being stalked by cashiers. Take care!
Dude, who is your Jewish medieval history instructor? I really hope it's the guy who taught us Yiddish literature last year, that guy is a hoot. He always borrowed a pencil from me...
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