Was ist verboten.

I waded through some more of my paperwork this evening. This is what I have discovered thus far:

- I am only required to work 12 hours per week in the school.
- I am not allowed to work in the school more than four days per week. (This is to encourage participation in a university class or other further education.)
- I may not be responsible for courses.
- I may not teach other subjects.
- I may not be a regular substitute teacher.
- I may not correct and grade coursework or homework.
- I may not dole out punishments.
- I may not be responsible for students. This includes field trips.
- I will be receiving ~800€ per month for said work.

So, basically, I'm getting paid to just be there.

My life is awesome.

Homework never ends

I've decided that, by choosing to take part in the Fulbright ETA program, I have effectively created a horrible reality in which I may never be finished feeling like I have homework to complete.

The amount of paperwork, information, and brochures I have had to read so far from Fulbright and other associations with whom I am now affiliated is completely astounding. And overwhelming. Even the Germans admitted it at the end of one of their winding, three page letters. (It really does take them three times longer to say the equivalent of what we would say in English.) I am still wading through documents I received in the mail between one and three weeks ago, trying to absorb information and making giant lists of what I need to accomplish in the next few weeks.

And, still, the mail keeps arriving.

It is exciting, however, that I now know the city and school in which I will spend 10 months of my life. My next steps will be to secure housing and to learn more about my new location and place of employment. I've already been contacted by a teacher from Dietrich-Bonhoeffer, and I'm looking forward to sitting down and composing an e-mail in return, posing questions and thanking her for reaching out to me so early and so warmly.

Until then, you can find me in Minnesota, reading-weary and full of paper cuts and ink stains.

Love, Amanda

As things take shape

Things are rolling along quite smoothly.

About a week ago, I received notification that I will be placed in the Dietrich-Bonhoeffer-Gymnasium, a high school in Ratingen, which is a suburb of Düsseldorf. I've already received a hearty welcome e-mail from the French teacher at the school. (In my last year abroad, I learned not to question the random scattering of languages I find myself required to work with each day.) She gave me some tips on finding an apartment, even going so far as to recommending me to someone who would happily rent to me, no problems, no questions. Nice to have that opportunity.

I also have finally booked my flight to Germany. It came in at a mere $6 under the limit allotted me by the Fulbright Commission. Fabulous. I'll be departing MSP in the morning of September 1, 2010.

Things are really zipping along now. Wow.

Back on track

All right, guys, don't worry. Crisis averted.

Today, I received a very eloquent and kind e-mail from the Germans gently reassuring me that all is well in Fulbrightobtainingland.

"Thanks for letting us know. No, this will not be a problem, but please send it back as soon as you can."

That was the entire e-mail. How German of them. Concise and to the point.

In other news, my tasks for this week involve thoroughly reviewing the 872 days' worth of reading material that accompanied my contract and other correspondence as well as the exciting task of dealing with STA Travel to arrange my travel accommodations. Fulbright provides me with funds for round-trip travel to and from the Deutschland as well as some money for baggage fees, so this time around, my summer paychecks won't be eaten by the Airline Monster.

Hooray for small blessings. And basic monster avoidance skills.

Misadventures in mail

I had an hour of extreme worry this morning.

Upon receiving my final Grant Authorization and contract for the Fulbright, in which I sign my life over to the Fulbright-Kommission Berlin for the period between September 6, 2010 and June 30, 2011, I was horrified to note that the contract should be signed and returned... by two days ago.

Needless to say, I went into minor panic mode, hoping and praying that two days will not affect my status as a Fulbright Grantee. I called my U.S. Fulbright representative as well as called and e-mailed the German Kommission, explaining my dread.

Luckily, my U.S. representative was so kind as to call me immediately back and inform me that I should e-mail the German Kommission my concerns and put the contracts in the mail today. She did not sound overly concerned, and she also forwarded my e-mail with her own note to my Program Officers in Germany. As I scanned the accompanying terms and conditions yet another time, I noted a short paragraph explaining that written extensions could be requested. Here's hoping.

Of course, it didn't help that, upon arrival at the post office, the poor soul in front of me was attempting to send a postage-paid package. The postal worker at the counter reassured him about sending his mail: "Well, usually I just go in on the machine and pretend to do it, then give you a receipt."

Great. Now I feel looooads better.

In other news, I am required to inform you, dear Readers, of this little tidbit releasing Fulbright and the U.S. Department of State from all legal responsibility stemming from my Interweb activities. Consider yourself informed.

This blog is not an official Department of State website or blog, and the views and information presented are my own and do not represent the Fulbright Program or the U.S. Department of State.

And there you have it.