Thank you, Germany. Personal Report. Zhanmei Xie 2014/7/20. Home University : Zhejiang International Studies University

Transcription

1 Thank you, Germany Personal Report Zhanmei Xie 2014/7/20 Name: Xie First Name : Zhanmei Home University : Zhejiang International Studies University Host University : Pädagogische Hochschule Weingarten Address : @qq.com Field of study : Japanese Culture and Language Degree: Bachelor Semester : 2014 Summer Semester Period of Exchange Time : 6 months

2 Before my departure When I first saw the poster of this project, I didn t care about it. But the second time I saw it, I decided to go to Germany. Why you study Japanese but come to Germany and exchange in a educational university? I have answered this question for several times. The only reason I came here is that I want to experience different culture and environment. After I passed the interview and got the chance of being a exchange student, I started to imagine the life here. But gradually this series of imagination was taken place by busy works and nervous. The most important two things to prepare are visa and language. Soon after the interview, I found a language school and began the study of german language. But I can only have one class per week because my schedule cannot match the plan. So I only finished a little bit more than A1 in about one year. The process for visa is also a long time, I prepared for the visa interview and many other procedures for about 1 year. But the last exchange student and the PH international office gave me a lot of help, even after I came here. About what should we bring with us, except clothes, shoes and important documents, I also brought some living goods and Chinese condiment, some grammar books for german language. Actually we don t need to bring too many things with us, because we can buy almost all we need directly in Weingarten or Ravensburg.

3 (a sight in Weingarten) Study During this semester, I chose 7 courses in Pädagogische Hochschule Weingarten (except the german course for A2 in Hochschule Ravensburg-Weingarten). The classrooms are in Schloss Bau, a quiet, beautiful building right beside the church_basilika. Since my major is quite different, so I chose the courses which I m interested in. Current Events in English Speaking Countries This course is taught by Mrs. Mackintosh. She is a very nice and kind teacher. And I seldom see such kind of course in China. In this class, we discuss about current

4 news and we have a weekly reports for homework. I started to read more news because of this course and learned to have my own opinion. Developing Advanced Writing Skills This course is also taught by Mrs. Mackintosh. I learned to write different forms of literature that I have never tried before. It is a good practice for my writing skill and also an improvement of vocabulary. Phonetik Tutorium This course, which is taught by german student, is specially set for exchange students. I learned many useful words for daily life. And we also learned some difference between Germany and other countries. Advanced Language Competence: Literature Mr. Longman is the teacher for this course. He is very interesting and friendly. This course if about Free-Writing, which I haven t touched before. In this course, I practiced my writing, reading skills and also my imagination and creativity. German course for A2 in Hochschule Ravensburg-Weingarten I took a test before this course, and according to my grade I chose A2. We study german grammar with many foreign students in this course. And we also have a exam in the end of semester. Intercultural Competence This course is taught by Mr. Gregor. It s for exchange students and german students to learn about the difference between different countries. We had cooperation on the presentation and also discussion in this course. Canadian Culture and History Since I also study Japanese culture, so I would like to know more about other cultures. This course is also taught by Mr. Longman. He is from Canada, and he introduced us a lot of knowledge about his home country. We also had presentation, discussion and role-playing in this interesting course. Grammatik und Textkompetenz This course is taught by Mr. Thomas in german. It s about the educational methods of german grammar. I learned some difficult grammar and words here, but since my german is not good, it s a little bit hard to totally understand. But students can really learn something in this course.

5 (a sight of Schlossbau) Daily Life Scholarship I have a scholarship from DAAD for 4 months (April to July) with 500 euro per month. And it reduced a lot of economic burden, for example I can pay my house rent and health insurance with my scholarship. Food & Drink As we all know, the bread in Germany is very famous. And people always eat bread, steak, spaghetti etc. here. But we can also buy rice in the supermarket and here are several Chinese or Asian restaurant in Weingarten and Ravensburg. In addition, I love german sausage. We can drink the tap water directly here, because the quality of water in Germany is very high. Of course, Germany is also well-known by beer. German beer is much better than Chinese beer so everyone here should try. If girls who don t it, they can try Radler, a kind of beer with lemon juice. If you don t have time to go to the market, supermarket here can also satisfy our needs. Normally I cook by myself, sometimes I also eat in the Mensa, it s near the

6 international office and not expensive. Apartment I live in WG, a private room with shared bathroom and kitchen. We got the room randomly, so I got a small one. But it s clean and enough for me. If anyone wants to change a room, he can talk to the Hausmeister. I have 4 roommates, they are all friendly. And we also have a schedule for the cleaning work. Don t be lazy because it s not our own house. Entertainment Here are two bars in Weingarten, Alibi and Hocky. Sometimes I will go there and have a drink with my friends. People drink, talk and play table-soccer there. There is also a cinema in Linse, Weingarten. I haven t been there because they don t have subtitle in the film. People here like to held parties, I also attended some. They were good memories for me since we seldom have party in China. Shopping here is also convenient. Travel I traveled many places in Europe, like Freiburg, Köln, München, Wien( in Austria), Milano(in Italy), Florence(in Italy) etc. and I had excursion with other exchange students for several times. I really had a great time. I like the big, beautiful Bodensee, those imposing churches, and old buildings here. I travel with friends and sometimes also alone. I think I can learn a lot from my trips. And I still have a long trip in August. Even thought I can t remember all the things but I will never forget the feeling when I m walking in those cities. Every city is a new story.

7 Freiburg (Germany) Köln(Germany)

8 Lindau (Germany)

9 München(Germany) Stuttgart (Germany)

10 Excursion in Friedrichshafen Excursion in Salem

11 In the End Time flies. My 6 months life here is going to end. I met many difficulties here, and I also gained many happiness here. I learned to live alone, travel alone, and learned to be stronger and more independent. I made friends with many foreign students. All these things are my treasure. I still can remember the couple days I first came here, but now life is getting much better. I learned a lot from German people: their strict, orderly attitude, their kindness I love all the wonderful things I owned here. Though I will go back to China soon, the memory is for my whole life. I appreciate that I can get this chance and had a different experience I ve never had before. Leaving is not the end, but a new start, at this moment I would like to say: Thank you Germany, See you Germany. Here I give permission for this report to be published on the website of the University of Education.