First day of school!

So, school is back in session, and I'm about to experience it from the other side.

I had my first day at my school today, and it was a great experience! Really, it was a very long day, as I got up early in the morning and became an official citizen of Düsseldorf, complete with my own German bank account. In Germany, if you rent or live somewhere, you are required to register with the city as an Einwohner, or citizen. Then, every time you move or obtain another living space, you are required to reregister. When I leave, I will have to ausmelden, or essentially "log out" from the city. Unregister, if you will.

The registration process was really rather painless, though, I must say. The governmental offices were easy to find, being very near the train station (which I did not realize until I was already there), the wait was short, and the person who registered me was very friendly. I then got a little welcome box full of Düsseldorf pamphlets and info... and tea. Hmm. I'll take it!

I then went to a nearby Sparkasse, where I effectively set up my own student checking account. In Germany, checking accounts have monthly fees - unless one is a student. Luckily, the man who helped me was very kind and accepted my International Student ID card and allowed me to open a kostenloses Girokonto (free checking account). As he took me through all the paperwork, we also had an interesting conversation on the U.S. government and its role in Europe, particularly Eastern Europe and Turkey. Unfortunately, the conversation was rather one-sided, as Herr Vatim expressed his opinions, and I was not well-informed on the topic. Current foreign politics along with the population of the U.S. are two things that are now on my list to research and about which to inform myself.

I then picked up a mozzarella and tomato on ciabatta (I love the capri sandwiches here... I've been living nearly exclusively on them; hey, at least I'm getting some fruit/veggies!) and made my way to my school, which will be about a 40-minute commute for me, once I am in my new place. A bit far, yes, but I am very happy at the moment with my location in the city. Furthermore, I find public transportation interesting, and as long as I don't have to drive, I don't mind taking the train and bus to work and back each day. I am also planning on becoming a university student here in Düsseldorf, which will provide me with a 200€ Semesterticket that is good on all public transportation in the entire state of North Rhine-Westphalia until the end of next March. Rock on. Being a student in Europe has so many perks!

My school.

I arrived at the school without problem, having been met at the bus stop by Hedi, the tutor and support for all language assistants in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. We took care of some official paperwork, which will allow me to get paid as soon as possible (always good). She then introduced me to a number of teachers and showed me around the school. I was then passed on to two of the English teachers with whom I will be working, and we created a schedule for my Hospitationsphase, which will commence next week. For two weeks, I will observe classes of all levels from grades 5 to 13 and with various teachers, after which I will decide upon a fixed schedule for a certain period of time.

The front foyer, facing outward, of Dietrich-Bonhoeffer-Gymnasium.

All of this took place in the teacher's lounge, which is an interesting and wonderful place in Germany. I will tell you more about this in a future post.

The main stairwell in my school, which is organized into a square with an interior yard.

All in all, my first formal day on the job was a great experience, and I am very excited to get into the swing of things at my school.

Me, happy.