This post has been a VERY long time in coming...
I am now living in the land of pretzels, beer, and the former DDR. So far, I have really only experienced the latter. I am currently a teaching assistent at a high school in Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany. (look it up on google maps if you like)
This is above and beyond any study abroad that has ever existed. Or at least I feel it is. This is the first time to live completely on my own in my own apartment. This is the first time to be in a place where it's kinda sink or swim on the language game. The first time to teach, the first to not have some sort of built in social network, the first to live in a former Soviet country (!), and so so many other firsts. It's a major culture shock and many of the people here really only have that American movie stereotype I think. There have been some who were exchange students to either the US or Britain, and they obviously get it, but it's going to be an interesting road.
The Fulbright orientation was good though. It was good to meet other people and know they're in the same situation. Also, they've really been my support group since I don't have regular internet access yet. We are all feeling pretty overwhelmed, and those of us in smaller towns are feeling pretty isolated. There aren't a lot of young and intelligent people left in these small towns, especially in the former east.
My whole goal here was to break down cultural stereotypes. I hope I actually get to do this. In some ways, I feel like the teachers see me as either a threat or an invasion. But maybe things will change a lot soon. And I can actually start teaching some classes and material instead of just being a conversation person who corrects pronunciation and asks 10 year olds 'what is your name' 'how old are you' 'where are you from' over and over and corrects the pronunciation of 'Three' and grammar etc. However, my German is going to get a lot better since it's pretty much the main route of communication.
I have already learned a lot of valuable lessons and have even started keeping a list.
I don't have internet in my apartment yet, but once I do, you'll get better updates than this one. Right now I'm at a library battling time for internet access. Please write to me so I remember my English! Pictures also to come hopefully soon.
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3 comments:
Katie, Did you get Ian's message about what he found about internet? There seems to be a good deal that he found that will work in your area for not too much money...
Katie, nobody can see you as a threat for very long . . . before you know it, you'll have the teachers clamoring for the best roles in the next Katie Pfohl production. We're proud to have the US represented by someone like you!
It's been very exciting to catch you online an few times the past two weeks. I can't get over that fact that you're actually over there, and doing all sorts of crazy awesome things. Hang in there dear, because it will get better as time goes on. I can't wait to hear more about all of your wild adventures! Miss you crazy! Pinkies!
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