{"id":2943,"date":"2018-01-23T00:50:58","date_gmt":"2018-01-23T00:50:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/?p=2943"},"modified":"2022-04-13T15:42:22","modified_gmt":"2022-04-13T15:42:22","slug":"germany-memories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/germany-memories\/","title":{"rendered":"(Ger)many memories\u2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Hallo von Dortmund! Ich bin Roz und ich studiere Franz\u00f6sisch und Deutsch in Cardiff. Dieses Jahr ist sehr aufregend, weil ich neun Monate im Ausland verbringen muss. Ich w\u00fcrde mich freuen, wenn ihr meinem Abenteuer folgt. Ihr werdet vielleicht auch dazu inspiriert, mit Sprachen weiterzumachen.<\/p>\n

My first blog is all about \u201cmich\u201d and \u201cdie Beziehungen\u201d (relationships) I have made since being in Dortmund.<\/p>\n

Of course I was looking forward to living in Germany, but I arrived with no \u201chistory\u201d, no friends, knowing no one. This makes life difficult because you are anxious to settle down and make the most of things, but the only way is to throw yourself into it and be a little bit patient.<\/p>\n

My first experience of \u201cecht\u201d German people was on the plane to D\u00fcsseldorf, where I was placed on a row of German businessmen. Despite boasting strong German accents, they were, contrary to the stereotype, \u201cnicht typisch\u201c\u2026 not a Lederhosen in sight! My first conversation \u201cauf Deutsch\u201d was a success: 30mins about why I had a rucksack full of Cadburys chocolate and the history of George Cadbury (I live in Bournville and taking it was a must). Talk about being thrown in at the deep end!<\/p>\n

Arriving in Cologne to a group of 120 British Council Assistants, all destined to work in schools across Nordrhein Westfalen, was a bit like \u201csurvival of the fittest.\u201d However, you naturally gravitate towards similar types of people and although I was overwhelmed at first, 10 firm friendships grew, with people from Northern England, Scotland and even a New Zealander. Wir wohnen alle in Dortmund, deshalb machen wir viel zusammen und lachen immer. Wir sind alle sehr unternehmungslustig und wir haben St\u00e4dte wie Berlin, Hamburg und D\u00fcsseldorf besucht. Fu\u00dfball ist in Dortmund sehr beliebt und wir hatten viel Gl\u00fcck, denn unser Freund Kai arbeitet im Fu\u00dfballstadion und konnte uns Karten f\u00fcr ein BVB-Spiel (Dortmund-Manschaft) gegen Bayern besorgen. Das war echt klasse! Zuletzt sind wir zum “Karneval” in K\u00f6ln gefahren.<\/p>\n

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Meine Freunde in Dortmund<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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K\u00f6nnt ihr sehen, wie besch\u00e4ftigt K\u00f6ln war?!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Unser Kost\u00fcm f\u00fcr K\u00f6ln Karneval- “sehr originell”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Hamburg, Berlin und D\u00fcsseldorf waren erstaunlich!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n

The most important relationship I have had to form since being in Germany, is that at my work place. I work as an English assistant in a \u201cRealschule\u201d and have about 8 different classes, aged from 10-16. When asked my first impression of working at a Realschule, my thoughts were, \u201cdiese Kinder sind ein bisschen wie Affen (monkeys).\u201d I was hit by the sheer difference in education\/behaviour\/ uniform than what we\u2019re used to in England. Now I realise just how endearing children are and how rewarding it is to explain something in another language, and for them to understand. I am quite a phenomenon; walking down the corridors between lessons, I am greeted with atleast 4 \u201cHalooooo Frau Farrrrr\u201d, \u201cGuten Morgennnn Frau Farr\u201d, \u201cSch\u00f6nes Wochenende Frau Farr.\u201d I don\u2019t mind because \u201cFrau Farr\u201d has quite a ring to it. Equally important was forming a good relationship with the staff. After sharing some of my limited supplies of Cadbury Dairy Milk bars, I\u2019d say I was integrated. These are probably the most different, but rewarding, relationships ever.<\/p>\n

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Meine Schule: Johann Gutenberg Realschule in Dortmund<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The most appealing aspect of doing a Year Abroad, is the chance to be totally immersed in the target language, through meeting natives. Meine Mitbewohnerin, Ina, kommt aus Paderborn, daher k\u00f6nnen wir oft deutsch miteinander sprechen. Ich bin dem Dortmunder Universit\u00e4tsorchester beigetreten, wo alles deutsch ist, sogar die Musiknoten! Hockey in Deutsch ist auch sehr interessant, fast genauso interessant wie meine Freundin mit blauen Haaren! Yes, it\u2019s true, German people can come across quite \u201cstreng\u201d, as I learnt when trying to \u201canmeldung.\u201d (register) I misunderstood something and the receptionist made me cry- it was 6am. On the plus side, when I broke the waffle machine at a hotel in D\u00fcsseldorf, the waitress was sooo understanding! Think we put it down to \u201cEnglish incompetence.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n

My time in Germany has given me a new level of independence. Having the support of many friends has given me the confidence to throw myself at every opportunity. However, everyone experiences times of loneliness, it\u2019s natural. I have 3 dogs at home who are going months without pats from me, and I remember this! There has to be time without being surrounded by people. But \u201calone times\u201d are the perfect occasions to explore. This is where \u201cRoz Adventures\u201d were created. Who would have known that not only is the German Language and Culture amazing, but the countryside, too? A particular favourite was my solo trip to Zurich in Switzerland. There, I decided to climb a mountain.<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\" \"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a common belief that \u201cyour year abroad is the best year of your life.\u201d Thanks to the people I have met, the relationships I have made and the range of experiences I have enjoyed, I can confirm that, so far, it is the absolute \u201cZeit meines Lebens!\u201d<\/p>\n

Bis zum n\u00e4chsten Mal… \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Wortsammlung: <\/strong><\/p>\n

Here are some nice words that I have picked up over the past few months. You may be able to use them when talking about self and relationships in German, too!<\/p>\n

    \n
  • unverantwortlich- irresponsible<\/li>\n
  • Erwartung- expectation<\/li>\n
  • reif- mature<\/li>\n
  • abenture- adventure<\/li>\n
  • umwandlung- transformation<\/li>\n
  • unterschied- difference<\/li>\n
  • zufrieden- satisfied<\/li>\n
  • neugierig- curious<\/li>\n
  • erz\u00e4hlen- to tell<\/li>\n
  • ziel- target<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

     <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"                                                                                                                                                                 Hallo von Dortmund! Ich bin Roz und ich studiere Franz\u00f6sisch und Deutsch in Cardiff. Dieses Jahr ist sehr aufregend, weil ich neun Monate im Ausland verbringen muss. Ich […]","protected":false},"author":1481,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[268],"tags":[330,42,73,221,222,224,381,114,142,58],"class_list":["post-2943","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-europe","tag-dortmund","tag-erasmus","tag-germany","tag-lingomap","tag-routes-into-languages","tag-self-and-relationships","tag-teach","tag-teaching","tag-teaching-abroad","tag-travel"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4QQbz-Lt","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1318,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/5-ways-to-get-the-most-out-of-a-british-council-teaching-assistanship\/","url_meta":{"origin":2943,"position":0},"title":"5 Ways to get the most out of a British council teaching assistanship","author":"Sarah Gregory","date":"October 26, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"As I walked up to the school gates on my first day as a teaching assistant, I truly felt like it was my first day at school again. 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I volunteered with the SAFE Foundation charity in Cambodia What motivated you to take up a Global Opportunity? I have always wanted to visit South East Asia and I have always wanted to gain teaching experience. Global\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "GO Student Ambassadors"","block_context":{"text":"GO Student Ambassadors","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/category\/go-student-ambassadors\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2020\/01\/IMG_1109-e1579081669656.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2020\/01\/IMG_1109-e1579081669656.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2020\/01\/IMG_1109-e1579081669656.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2020\/01\/IMG_1109-e1579081669656.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2020\/01\/IMG_1109-e1579081669656.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2020\/01\/IMG_1109-e1579081669656.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":921,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/primary-school\/","url_meta":{"origin":2943,"position":3},"title":"Primary School","author":"Samantha Edgson","date":"August 1, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Today marks the official half way through point of the teaching programme. Doesn\u2019t mean we are more adapted to teaching or to the environment. Unfortunately after a weekend of little sleep, we were all a bit under the weather this morning, definitely some more than others. It meant that Kate\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "International Summer Programmes"","block_context":{"text":"International Summer Programmes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/category\/summer-programmes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":5873,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/incoming-exchange-nicolas-from-sydney-university-australia\/","url_meta":{"origin":2943,"position":4},"title":"Incoming Exchange \u2013 Nicolas from University of Sydney, Australia","author":"Global Opportunities","date":"March 20, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Nicolas: Incoming Exchange Student Home institution: University of Sydney, Australia Subjects studied: Philosophy What motivated you to study abroad at Cardiff University? Wales, although seeming small and quiet, looked gorgeous and full of opportunity. Cardiff University was highly rated as both an academic and social university placed in the United\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Incoming Students at Cardiff"","block_context":{"text":"Incoming Students at Cardiff","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/category\/incoming-students-at-cardiff\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/03\/Snapchat-1782466811_Nicolas-Robertson.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/03\/Snapchat-1782466811_Nicolas-Robertson.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/03\/Snapchat-1782466811_Nicolas-Robertson.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/03\/Snapchat-1782466811_Nicolas-Robertson.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5914,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/incoming-exchange-kira-from-queens-university-canada\/","url_meta":{"origin":2943,"position":5},"title":"Incoming Exchange \u2013 Kira from Queen’s University, Canada","author":"Global Opportunities","date":"March 14, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Kira: International Exchange Student Home institution: Queen's University, Canada Subjects studied: Social sciences What are your highlights from your time in Cardiff so far? My highlights in Cardiff have been game days of the 6 Nations Rugby tournament. I find the team spirit and national pride of the Welsh to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Incoming Students at Cardiff"","block_context":{"text":"Incoming Students at Cardiff","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/category\/incoming-students-at-cardiff\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/IMG_6530_Kira-Verschoor-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/IMG_6530_Kira-Verschoor-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/IMG_6530_Kira-Verschoor-scaled.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/IMG_6530_Kira-Verschoor-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/IMG_6530_Kira-Verschoor-scaled.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/281\/2025\/04\/IMG_6530_Kira-Verschoor-scaled.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]}],"meta_box":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2943","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1481"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2943"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2943\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3602,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2943\/revisions\/3602"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2943"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2943"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/globetrotters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2943"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}