So, last Monday I began a German language course. And the same Wednesday, I began my Gymnasium! My language course is Monday through Thursday for the next four weeks. In the classes, there are a lot of other exchange students, as well as some older people who are in Germany for work, to learn language, etc. The first day I began in the most basic class of German. Having never taken a class before coming here and only studying on my own in my free time, my Rotary counselor and host parents thought it would be the best class for me to take. I quickly realized I was a bit ahead in the class :D. The first two days were spent learning how to say "Hello, Good Day, My name is..." Very VERY simple things. On the 3rd day I spoke to the woman who runs the school and asked to be moved into a higher class. In the next class it is only me and two other exchange students, along with a few other adults. The class is very difficult for me, it is taught in all German, and we are learning very confusing Grammar! German grammar is impossible for me, I have a hard time with grammar in English, which is a piece of cake compared to Deutsch. The classes is challenging for me, but I think it is better to spend 4 weeks struggling than spend 4 weeks reviewing. I'm hoping also that hearing the language more will help me be able to understand. The teacher is helpful, she speaks very slowly and animated which at first seems unrealistic, but anything less I can't understand :D. I have a lot of vocabulary to catch up on in this class though, hopefully I can pick it up quickly!
Last Wednesday, I went to my first day of Gymnasium. It was SO confusing. The school did not really know where to put me on the first day, so they put me in a hallway with about 40 other students ( I think it was part of my grade but I still don't know). They were all receiving schedules and going over school policy, none of which I could understand. After it ended, I introduced myself to the teacher who spoke English and he explained a bit of what they covered. I was not on the list for a schedule, so they escorted me to an area outside of an office. There were 3 or 4 other students waiting with me, and they all got called in before me and one other girl. Eventually, the teacher came out after an hour and a half, and explained there is a problem with the computers so we couldn't get our schedules today. He said to come back tomorrow, at 7:45. So the next morning I went back to the room and waited, but there was no one there. The other girls name is Sarah, and she was also a new student, in the same situation as me. Luckily she could explain a bit in English. We went to the main office to ask where we should go, and they sent us to the teachers room, from there we were sent to a different room, and so on for the first two classes. No one had any idea where we should actually go. We ended up sitting through all of the first 3 classes when FINALLY a teacher came, and gave us not our schedules, but the classes we were enrolled in. We then had to look at a time table to figure out when, where, and what time the classes were. By then it was time for a break, so I went to the main area, and found a few of the friends I had already met. They were able to help me out, and we talked to a teacher who was in charge of the exchange students in the school. She told me that they would end up changing my schedule completely, and that I could just go to classes with my friends. SO I spent the last 2 classes before I had to leave to language school in an English classroom with my friend Lina. Lina was an exchange student to the United States this past year, so she spoke very good English and is VERY helpful to me. The class was still taught in German and I didn't understand much, they were only going over course syllabus and such, things that weren't important to me since I'm not actually in the class :D. I haven't been to school since then, but tomorrow, I meet with a teacher and the director to finally get a real schedule. I am glad, because I will now be able to chose my classes, and hopefully pick ones I am interested in. I probably won't be able to understand anything except English regardless, but in a few months when I am able to it will be nice.
And another note, my school didn't really know my name when they enrolled me in classes, so they entered me in the system as "Miss America". No joke. On all of my agenda and class lists, I am named Miss America. So, yeah I'm hoping it doesn't stick :) I don't know how I'd feel if I were referred to as Miss America for the entire year. I do think it is pretty hilarious though.
So far, I am having a wonderful time here. Language class has helped me meet some other exchange students who I get along very well with, and I have a few friends in my other school, but when I begin classes I think I will meet more. It is kind of hard to make friends with the Germans at school, mainly because I can't really speak to them...but I think as my language improves so will my social skills. Or who knows maybe I'll just be awkward and weird the whole year( I hope not?).
These are a few pictures of the Dom Cathedral and my city, it is AMAZING.
Last Wednesday, I went to my first day of Gymnasium. It was SO confusing. The school did not really know where to put me on the first day, so they put me in a hallway with about 40 other students ( I think it was part of my grade but I still don't know). They were all receiving schedules and going over school policy, none of which I could understand. After it ended, I introduced myself to the teacher who spoke English and he explained a bit of what they covered. I was not on the list for a schedule, so they escorted me to an area outside of an office. There were 3 or 4 other students waiting with me, and they all got called in before me and one other girl. Eventually, the teacher came out after an hour and a half, and explained there is a problem with the computers so we couldn't get our schedules today. He said to come back tomorrow, at 7:45. So the next morning I went back to the room and waited, but there was no one there. The other girls name is Sarah, and she was also a new student, in the same situation as me. Luckily she could explain a bit in English. We went to the main office to ask where we should go, and they sent us to the teachers room, from there we were sent to a different room, and so on for the first two classes. No one had any idea where we should actually go. We ended up sitting through all of the first 3 classes when FINALLY a teacher came, and gave us not our schedules, but the classes we were enrolled in. We then had to look at a time table to figure out when, where, and what time the classes were. By then it was time for a break, so I went to the main area, and found a few of the friends I had already met. They were able to help me out, and we talked to a teacher who was in charge of the exchange students in the school. She told me that they would end up changing my schedule completely, and that I could just go to classes with my friends. SO I spent the last 2 classes before I had to leave to language school in an English classroom with my friend Lina. Lina was an exchange student to the United States this past year, so she spoke very good English and is VERY helpful to me. The class was still taught in German and I didn't understand much, they were only going over course syllabus and such, things that weren't important to me since I'm not actually in the class :D. I haven't been to school since then, but tomorrow, I meet with a teacher and the director to finally get a real schedule. I am glad, because I will now be able to chose my classes, and hopefully pick ones I am interested in. I probably won't be able to understand anything except English regardless, but in a few months when I am able to it will be nice.
And another note, my school didn't really know my name when they enrolled me in classes, so they entered me in the system as "Miss America". No joke. On all of my agenda and class lists, I am named Miss America. So, yeah I'm hoping it doesn't stick :) I don't know how I'd feel if I were referred to as Miss America for the entire year. I do think it is pretty hilarious though.
So far, I am having a wonderful time here. Language class has helped me meet some other exchange students who I get along very well with, and I have a few friends in my other school, but when I begin classes I think I will meet more. It is kind of hard to make friends with the Germans at school, mainly because I can't really speak to them...but I think as my language improves so will my social skills. Or who knows maybe I'll just be awkward and weird the whole year( I hope not?).
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