11/3/2008 - German experience hard to put into words
By Lauren Stabler, Marietta High School
I thought it would be clever to try and sum up each month of foreign exchange in one word.
At the end of my exchange year, I would have 11 words to compare. An 11-word summary for an entire year hardly seemed possible, but it was an interesting enough idea.
With the month ending, I racked my brain for the perfect word. Once I had my mind set on one, I realized its opposite was equally important.
For example, I wanted to use the word “busy,” but there were also days when I had nothing to do nor friends to do things with. The best way to analyze my first month is to take specific events and discover how they have influenced my perception of Germany and my exchange thus far.
With the exception of my host family, I did not spend much time with Germans, just around them. I went to a couple festivals, a bonfire and other group gatherings where I could surround myself with Germans, their language, their music and their food. Despite my efforts to discover the real Germany, it all felt so “touristy,” like watching a movie from inside the screen.
Although I could not shake feeling like a tourist, I was still excited and amused. Everything was different: Cars are smaller, roads are freakishly narrow, bicycles are completely normal to use for transportation, teenagers drink alcohol with their parents… or with their friends. There are cigarette vending machines on sidewalks, every town seems close by, toilets are different, everyone drinks carbonated water and everyone has ridden a bus, train and subway multiple times.
From a tourist’s perspective, Germany was exciting and new. There were many similarities, but everything was different in one way or another.
Although I was not done observing, I decided it was time I start participating.
I began with a dog-walking adventure. The first couple times I got lost, but eventually things became more familiar. Eventually, I felt like just another German walking her dog.
For my next excursion, I joined an adult choir at one of their rehearsals. Although I was a guest in the choir, I feel a part of the town and less like a tourist.
I also joined my AFS liaison for a Saturday in Frankfurt. On this trip, I rode my first train, shopped in German stores and ate lunch at the marketplace.
One of my favorite things about Germany is that they have real markets at least once a week with stands selling fresh bread, cheeses, vegetables and so much more.
There was still a lot of observing with my Frankfurt trip, but I was able to blend in with the other Germans instead of sticking out like a sore thumb, a.k.a. an American.
I now look forward to family vacation in Austria, and later, joining my German peers in school. I do not think this exciting feeling will wear off too soon, for I have many more things to see.
On the downside, everything is 10 times more complicated now that I am alone in another country. I have already discovered I am more naive than I thought in handling difficult situations. This worries me because I have not yet faced any serious problems, but all is well that ends well.
This article originally published here.
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