1. How is your German doing? It's improving so that's encouraging but German is still a hard language to learn. It's made even more difficult for me because of how excessible Germany is to an English speaker. You could live here very comfortably knowing only English and the most basic German so I have to force myself to use my bumbling German, but I'm getting better about it and everyone is always encouraging.
2. Do you like your host family? My host family is very kind and helpful and they have made me feel right at home. I'm especially happy that I fit here well because they are my only family, I won't be switching like most rotary students. And yes, I miss having my host sister around now that she has left for Chile but that was always expected and I know she will be having a great exchange year over in South America.
3. Are German boys hotter than American boys? (I told you I was using the most commonly asked questions, not the most relevent) German boys on average are much better groomed with more attention given to clothes and hair but this is not an absolute rule. I find this to be a plus but for those American girls who swoon over sweat pants (I never understood that one...) you will be dissapointed here. But rotary doesn't allow dating anyways so really its a moot point all around.
4. Do you like it here in Bremerhaven? I love it!
5. Wait... really? Yeah! Everyone has been so friendly and I think the city is really cool. I love living by the water and eating brötchen after school and having barbeques with friends. I like how it's completely normal to see dogs everywhere, like in shopping malls, buses, restraunts etc. It's also so exciting when I understand German, even if it's just a lady on the bus talking about her day shopping.
6. Does everyone in America own a gun? No. I've never shot a gun or seen one shot, though yes my dad does own a gun but it is only good for hunting birds. There are people who are gun crazy but that isn't the majority of people. Personally, I support much stricter gun laws, especially when it comes to assault weapons. Why does anyone need something that can shoot automatically?
7. What's different about the schools here versus in the US? Well the scheduling of classes is very different, and there isn't as much homework assigned here. Though when it is assigned, it's usually more thought provoking than just practicing. (I'll have a longer post on school soon!) Content wise it is hard for me to compare just because I understand so little of the German.
8. Things are more expensive in Europe, right? On average clothing seems more expensive but there are also places here like H&M where you can buy cheap clothes. I find the food here to be cheaper, both eating out and just from the store. It's also really nice not having to tip at the end of a meal! Though remember that I'm not going out to nice restraunts here, its usually a €3 Döner or asian inspired noodles. The fanciest meal I've had so far was a plate of nachos so don't try asking me for the prices of couture food.
9. What do you miss most from home? People. Duh. But beyond missing the amazing people I left back in the states, it's hard to pick. I miss the ease of being able to drive anywhere anytime but the buses and trains are very useful so it's not too big a deal. I also miss good asian food. There's asian food here but it doesn't compare. People seem to talk about a lack of Mexican food a lot but that was never a huge part of my life before so I don't mind. But I do miss pad thai and sushi that doesn't look like it was shipped in that plastic box all the way from a factory in Japan. Then again I have German chocolate and Brötchen so I guess that's the exchange I'm making.
10. Were you a cheer leader? Nope, I have never had any desire to be a cheer leader. I was always a fan of sports that required you to break a sweat.
So ranging from silly to serious, those are my top 10 German FAQs. I'll try to get a post up soon that covers the exciting things I've been up to for the last month, but that's a rather daunting task because there have been so many great experiences!
Grüße aus Deutschland
~M
4. Do you like it here in Bremerhaven? I love it!
5. Wait... really? Yeah! Everyone has been so friendly and I think the city is really cool. I love living by the water and eating brötchen after school and having barbeques with friends. I like how it's completely normal to see dogs everywhere, like in shopping malls, buses, restraunts etc. It's also so exciting when I understand German, even if it's just a lady on the bus talking about her day shopping.
6. Does everyone in America own a gun? No. I've never shot a gun or seen one shot, though yes my dad does own a gun but it is only good for hunting birds. There are people who are gun crazy but that isn't the majority of people. Personally, I support much stricter gun laws, especially when it comes to assault weapons. Why does anyone need something that can shoot automatically?
7. What's different about the schools here versus in the US? Well the scheduling of classes is very different, and there isn't as much homework assigned here. Though when it is assigned, it's usually more thought provoking than just practicing. (I'll have a longer post on school soon!) Content wise it is hard for me to compare just because I understand so little of the German.
8. Things are more expensive in Europe, right? On average clothing seems more expensive but there are also places here like H&M where you can buy cheap clothes. I find the food here to be cheaper, both eating out and just from the store. It's also really nice not having to tip at the end of a meal! Though remember that I'm not going out to nice restraunts here, its usually a €3 Döner or asian inspired noodles. The fanciest meal I've had so far was a plate of nachos so don't try asking me for the prices of couture food.
9. What do you miss most from home? People. Duh. But beyond missing the amazing people I left back in the states, it's hard to pick. I miss the ease of being able to drive anywhere anytime but the buses and trains are very useful so it's not too big a deal. I also miss good asian food. There's asian food here but it doesn't compare. People seem to talk about a lack of Mexican food a lot but that was never a huge part of my life before so I don't mind. But I do miss pad thai and sushi that doesn't look like it was shipped in that plastic box all the way from a factory in Japan. Then again I have German chocolate and Brötchen so I guess that's the exchange I'm making.
10. Were you a cheer leader? Nope, I have never had any desire to be a cheer leader. I was always a fan of sports that required you to break a sweat.
So ranging from silly to serious, those are my top 10 German FAQs. I'll try to get a post up soon that covers the exciting things I've been up to for the last month, but that's a rather daunting task because there have been so many great experiences!
Grüße aus Deutschland
~M
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