Orientation breakdown

Orientation

I have arrived back from Haus Altenberg, a former cloister and current youth center outside of Köln, Germany with a head full of information, a bag full of paperwork, lungs full of crud, and a bunch of new friends.

The entrance to the Hof, or yard, inside Haus Altenberg

I must admit that I hadn't very high expectations about the orientation before I left. I was not super excited to hang out with a huge group of Americans and attend sessions beginning with breakfast at 8 am. The last scheduled activities for each day began after dinner, around 7:30 each night.

And what a huge group of Americans it turned out to be. I arrived at the Kölner Hauptbahnhof around 3:00 pm, a half hour before we were supposed to meet to board buses to Haus Altenberg. As I walked toward the meeting point, all I could hear surrounding me was English. It was almost sickening to hear so many loud Americans with their piles of luggage. I stepped outside only to encounter another massive group of Americans. I'm talking groups of 60 or more. I stood by the train station entrance, observing, and happened upon a kindred spirit, a fellow English assistant from Britain. We shared our doubts and skepticism about the upcoming week before getting swept in the crowd to the buses.

As it turned out, we needed three huge coach buses, one a double-decker, to transport the 160 American Fulbrighters + about 40 Brits, Aussies, and New Zealanders to Haus Altenberg, a little gem of a 13th-century church hidden in green hills. Admittedly, it didn't take long to change my attitude about the orientation. Set in a beautiful place, it didn't seem so overwhelming.

The 13th-century cathedral from the outside of the cloister.

At our greeting session, we were told that we'd be locked in to the cloister at night (more to keep others out) and that alcohol was not allowed anywhere on the premises... except, they had made an exception for us, and there would be beer and wine for sale every night. How German. Plus, what a great way to motivate young Americans to get through the day.

Where we socialized (networked? ...and drank) each night.

Overall, it was a great experience. We truly did get up for breakfast each morning at 8 am and spent the entire day attempting to absorb oodles of official information as well as tips for teaching. Fulbrighters, as a rule, have little to no experience teaching, so it was much like a crash course in Lehramt.

On the first full day, we were divided into groups, with whom we created a simulated lesson. On the second day, we had to teach our lesson to "classes" of our peers. The lesson had to be an actual hour long and incorporate good teaching techniques. It was a challenge and scary at first, but it was honestly a blast to execute. I feel much better and more confident going into my school and teaching, and I'm excited (though still a bit scared) to create my own lessons and have people actually listening to me and engaging. (Hopefully these high schoolers will engage... or at least some of them.)

New friends who were members of my group and "class".

The one unfortunate part is that I taught a simulated lesson for Grundschüler, or elementary students. I am personally teaching at a middle/high school. Ironically, our group was the only one in our "class" to have nearly exclusively rave reviews, and many of my peers commented on how well-suited I would be teaching young students. I guess we'll see if I can up it a few levels. :/

The ride back to Köln was unfortunately a dreary, rainy busy ride starting at 7:30 am. I nearly lost my breakfast, but a short train ride back to Düsseldorf and a few hours of sleep have put me back right, I believe.

The church at Haus Altenberg.

Apartment

As for the apartment, I chose the one with three other girls. I signed the lease on Monday before taking off for Haus Altenberg, and they were kind enough to allow me to pay half the security deposit now and half when I receive my first pay. "We all have money issues sometimes," were the words of my new roommate. Amen to that, sister.

No one will be there this weekend, so I will be hopefully moving in next week. Meanwhile, I can save a little money by staying with Esther's family, so it all works out very well.

Work

I start officially at the school tomorrow. It'll be another long day, as I take off for the middle of the city early in the morning to attempt to register myself as a citizen of the city as well as open a German bank account before taking care of some paperwork at the school beginning at noon.

I hope all goes well. Until next time, dear Readers, thanks for keeping in touch.