Seanai's journal, living and going to school in Germany, gaining confidence
Having been here now with over three weeks I have reached the stage where the novelty of new surroundings and new people ceased, but not in a negative way. I am fully settled here in this quaint German town and have a routine, reliable friends and my hobbies and also now have reached a stage were I can interact with people who I meet and can have full functional conversations with these people in German, at one stage I found myself discussing economics, being satisfied that I have learned more German in the last three weeks than the last three years I embrace the next five weeks.
On the cultural perspective I see the German people as very formal and trustworthy people for example when you enter a room or when I go to soccer training I must shake hands with everyone there, even if there is over thirty people present, I think this is great as it shows trust and good friendship. I find the students in my class friendly and they really look out for me, they offer to bring me here or there or I am invited to this party or that party. Its reached the stage where I politely just say no, because I understand my host-family have taken me in voluntarily and out of courtesy to them I find it nice sometimes to just stay at home and interact with them, and they benefit and learn all I know about Irish culture and history and I find this is how I learn my best German.
My host-family include me in all their various activities and excursions which I find great, yesterday my host father had a birthday party which I was invited to and this was very good as I was able to interact and speak German to all the guests. My host families religion is Anglican and my religion is Roman Catholic, but this is not an issue, my host family tell me I don't have to attend mass with them but I do anyway as it as an experience and i think if your going to be part of a family it is best to do what your family is doing and get an inside perspective of the culture, through religion, school and home living - I think these three aspects are what intercultural living is all about.
I have traveled to Hamburg on two occasions with my host family and with a friend and I am planning on traveling to Berlin next weekend this has given me great independence. I am really looking forward to seeing Berlin because I believe to understand the hardship, heartbreak and mistrust that Germany and its people endured you must see the beacon of hope and freedom that is the Brandenburg Gate.