I have been having some trouble posting to the blog, so this post is a little out-dated. Nevertheless, here is my post (from day 4 of the trip), the next one will be up shortly.
Guten Morgen, The short time I have spent in Germany has already been full of so many experiences. However, I’ve been told to keep this message short, so I will do my best to express what has made the greatest impact so far by focusing on one topic: language barriers. Prior to this trip, we all knew the obvious fact that Germans spoke a different language and many people we met would probably not be able to communicate much with us. It was not until we got here that this fact revealed itself to its full extent. Things like ordering food and finding directions were obvious obstacles we would face. What was most troubling was that the language barrier hindered us from interacting and therefore learning about the people of Germany. Of course our first day here was exhausting (over 30 hours of travel!), but it was not nearly as discouraging as the feeling of isolation and confusion which built the barrier between our class and the German people. Fortunately, our German language classes began the very next day, and hopefulness was restored as we devoured every word our teacher taught us. As soon as we began class, we relentlessly bombarded our patient German language teacher, Elke Birkenhagen, with questions about pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. After class, everywhere we went we perfected pronunciations with each other and attempted conversations with the locals. Each day, we come closer to understanding and communicating with the Osnabruck locals. Even if our pronunciations are not perfect and our vocabulary is severely limited, they have met our attempts with respect and gracious assistance (and at times, even with humor). I hope that in the coming weeks myself and my classmates gain a stronger hold on this intriguing language so that we are able to communicate and implement our passion to create a more global society. Auf Wiedersehen, Eilis McGranaghan
Guten Tag, We are nearing the end of our stay in Osnabruck, and everyone is packing for Frankfurt to begin the long journey back home. For a few of us (including myself), the adventure is only halfway through. A smaller group of us will be traveling for another two weeks through southern Germany, Switzerland, France, and Italy. While everyone gathers their belongings and shares what they look forward to back home, I confirm hostel reservations and check train schedules. Of course I miss sunny Florida and being home with family like the rest of the class, but the excitement and adventure that awaits outweighs my homesickness. I feel prepared and eager for the adventure ahead. Over the next few weeks, I hope to use what I have learned in the past few weeks about diverse cultures and traveling to make this journey successful. I now understand how to communicate patiently with store clerks and waiters, or how to find my way around without looking oblivious (even if I might be completely lost). Most importantly, I have learned to balance my own way of life with other cultures and customs. Even though things are much different here, we have learned to reach out and connect with people from so many backgrounds and cultures. This is what I look forward to the most in the coming weeks. Overall this two week experience has been extraordinary and has far exceeded my expectations. I am so grateful that I am now facing the opportunity to lead myself in my own direction and explore Europe using the insights I have been introduced to by the Honors College at USF. Auf Wiedersehen, Eilis McGranaghan
I have been having some trouble posting to the blog, so this post is a little out-dated. Nevertheless, here is my post (from day 4 of the trip), the next one will be up shortly.
ReplyDeleteGuten Morgen,
The short time I have spent in Germany has already been full of so many experiences. However, I’ve been told to keep this message short, so I will do my best to express what has made the greatest impact so far by focusing on one topic: language barriers.
Prior to this trip, we all knew the obvious fact that Germans spoke a different language and many people we met would probably not be able to communicate much with us. It was not until we got here that this fact revealed itself to its full extent. Things like ordering food and finding directions were obvious obstacles we would face. What was most troubling was that the language barrier hindered us from interacting and therefore learning about the people of Germany. Of course our first day here was exhausting (over 30 hours of travel!), but it was not nearly as discouraging as the feeling of isolation and confusion which built the barrier between our class and the German people.
Fortunately, our German language classes began the very next day, and hopefulness was restored as we devoured every word our teacher taught us. As soon as we began class, we relentlessly bombarded our patient German language teacher, Elke Birkenhagen, with questions about pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. After class, everywhere we went we perfected pronunciations with each other and attempted conversations with the locals. Each day, we come closer to understanding and communicating with the Osnabruck locals. Even if our pronunciations are not perfect and our vocabulary is severely limited, they have met our attempts with respect and gracious assistance (and at times, even with humor).
I hope that in the coming weeks myself and my classmates gain a stronger hold on this intriguing language so that we are able to communicate and implement our passion to create a more global society.
Auf Wiedersehen,
Eilis McGranaghan
Guten Tag,
ReplyDeleteWe are nearing the end of our stay in Osnabruck, and everyone is packing for Frankfurt to begin the long journey back home. For a few of us (including myself), the adventure is only halfway through.
A smaller group of us will be traveling for another two weeks through southern Germany, Switzerland, France, and Italy. While everyone gathers their belongings and shares what they look forward to back home, I confirm hostel reservations and check train schedules. Of course I miss sunny Florida and being home with family like the rest of the class, but the excitement and adventure that awaits outweighs my homesickness. I feel prepared and eager for the adventure ahead. Over the next few weeks, I hope to use what I have learned in the past few weeks about diverse cultures and traveling to make this journey successful. I now understand how to communicate patiently with store clerks and waiters, or how to find my way around without looking oblivious (even if I might be completely lost). Most importantly, I have learned to balance my own way of life with other cultures and customs. Even though things are much different here, we have learned to reach out and connect with people from so many backgrounds and cultures. This is what I look forward to the most in the coming weeks.
Overall this two week experience has been extraordinary and has far exceeded my expectations. I am so grateful that I am now facing the opportunity to lead myself in my own direction and explore Europe using the insights I have been introduced to by the Honors College at USF.
Auf Wiedersehen,
Eilis McGranaghan