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Germany: Student Comments
“I've had lots of interesting experiences here, in relation to both studying and culture. In terms of my studies, I've had chances to work on interesting projects that are not offered at my home university, such as designing a frequency detector with Matlab and using neural networks to distinguish between vowel sounds. In the case of the frequency detector, I worked with some other Erasmus students, who told stories about their home countries and cultures, and for the vowel sound project I learned a lot from some German students while getting some good training in C++. The cultural experience has been wonderful too. Just yesterday I visited the Carnival of the Cultures in Berlin, which reminds me even more that Berlin is really like no other place. There are people from so many different countries here, and many of them are Africans who rarely immigrate to the U.S., so meeting them has been a unique treat for me. I still have a hard time getting used to the fact that they have accents. The Technical University of Berlin where I study is also especially multicultural-it is the technical university in Germany with the most foreign students, and it's certainly not hard to tell. As an example, I live in a student town around the corner from campus with about five or six hundred other students, most of whom are foreign. Besides the multicultural aspects, there is also a lot of history present in Berlin. I found the Stasi Museum particularly interesting because, as an American, I knew little about communism and its direct effects on life. The tour guide had even been formerly watched by the Stasi, so he was able to tell a lot of personal stories, which were a good test of my German language skills. I only felt sorry for the people with us who couldn't speak German, because they were so bored they fell asleep. Before I came to Germany, I could read German well, but I could not understand spoken German particularly well. Now after nine months I can use my German more practically, because I can interact directly with the Germans. Talking on the telephone isn't even difficult anymore. ” —Ed Berdahl, UC Berkeley “Making the efforts to integrate into another culture, language, and meeting other fellow backpackers really brings very different people together into a common sphere. You'll realize that the world really is so small and you make friends that will last a lifetime.” —Joanna Chao, UC Irvine “A very enriching experience! In my case, my own struggles in adapting to a foreign language and culture have greatly enhanced my success in teaching English as a foreign language.” —Richard Engels, UC Davis “What I liked about the EAP program was that I was able to attend school in another country and I didn't have to worry about the logistics of my grades transferring. The staff at the study center in Germany were helpful and made it easy to have grades transferred, even despite the paperwork. The main reason my parents let me go to Germany was because going with EAP ensured that I would be able to graduate on time. Another thing that helped my adjustment in the host country were the tutorials offered through the Study Center. I was able to take regular classes at the university, but I did not have to be completely overwhelmed if I didn't understand everything that was said. Thus, I was able to interact with native students with extra support from a tutor/teacher as well as an extra section of discussion.” —Allison Fong, UC Los Angeles “For me, as a student of languages and the modern global environment, the opportunity to study abroad meant practical application of language communication as well as access to another culture. EAP in Göttingen provides a foundation for a successful and educational year in Germany. Aside from helping with academic advising and concerns, the Study Center and staff offer culturally enriching opportunities, such as the host family program and trips to nearby places. Involvement at the university provided me with the chance to practice and improve my language ability, to meet interesting people from all over the world, and to explore new territory within the academic environment. Göttingen itself offers an international and social setting, with many student pubs, meetings, and parties. Living and functioning in another culture has provided me with insight into my own culture as well. At such a distance I have gained a new perspective and am better able to observe and understand my role within my culture and global society. The experience is invaluable and one that I strongly recommend. ” —Julie Glover, UC Berkeley “My year abroad awakened in me a passion for foreign language and foreign culture, and I ultimately completed graduate school with a proficiency in four languages. In the 'real world' it has been my language skills alone that have outshone any academic degree I could have acquired. This ability has provided me with unique career opportunities. In interviewing job applicants, those with a second or third language always rank above the rest. I believe the learning of a foreign language is also a study in basic communication and listening skills, as well as a development of understanding and patience for others-invaluable skills in the business world.” —Martha Hill, UC Berkeley “Studying in Potsdam, Germany, has been a highlight of my college years! Not only was it the real-life application of German language classes, but it was full of exciting experiences as well. We went on constant excursions into surrounding areas, always digging deeper into the greater Berlin area and Germany. The University of Potsdam staff is amazingly helpful and they are great hosts to a place so full of history.” —Adrienne Jubb, UC Santa Barbara “As for highlights and experiences while here. I have to say that I have really enjoyed and appreciated living in a different culture, where customs, traditions, ways of dress, rules of etiquette, and even hours of store openings were different from what I lived with for 20 years-essentially all of my life. Germany is not drastically different from the U.S., but no one would say they are the same. These differences were fun to notice, think about, compare, and adjust to. I know that when I go home, I will be both glad to have some things back that I missed in Germany and eager to perhaps implement some of the new ideas I learned while living here for a year. One of the best parts about studying abroad is the ability to travel rather extensively. Germany is in the heart of Europe and it made travel adventures more than possible. After this year, I feel totally confident in my ability to travel in groups or alone in any country in Europe. Traveling is a great way to experience new cultures too-albeit for a short period of time-and see some beautiful sehenswürdigkeiten (sights). One last thing. I will always treasure the friendships I have made. I now have friends in Poland, Prague, Italy, Spain, and England with whom I will keep in contact for years to come, not to mention the close friendships I've developed with Americans on the program with me, who I am glad all live in California too. Living so far away from home with other Americans doing the same thing certainly makes for a good bonding environment. Going through the same adjustments and exciting experiences helps strong friendships grow quickly. ” —Laura Petersen, UC Los Angeles “The highlight of the year was running in the 2005 Paris marathon. I had never participated in a marathon before so it was a big event for me. The fact that it was in Paris made it especially significant. I'd never been to France before, let alone Paris!! I'll never forget it.” —Peter Rankenburg, UC Davis “EAP enabled me to realize a childhood dream-to become fluent in a foreign language: German. That experience gave me the confidence to try something really exotic: Japanese. I now speak, read, and write it every day as an employee in the development department of a Japanese software company based in Osaka, Japan, where I've lived for the last nine years.” —David Reynolds, UC Santa Barbara “Whether or not times are uncertain does not affect the reality that international experience is necessary for success in most fields, and an advantage in every career field. In fact, the 'uncertainty' of these times has been created in large part by cultural prejudice and misunderstanding, and the increase of students who study abroad may be generated by a desire to understand and combat such prejudices. We are after all in the idealistic phase of our lives. During my time abroad I received cautions and warnings from the EAC regarding the Iraq war and massive protests against it; however, at no time did I feel in danger while abroad. My year abroad in Germany was incredibly advantageous. My intellectual growth increased and my academic goals grew from sprouts to trees. I bought so many books on so many subjects, and I now read German comfortably. Learning a language opens you up to all kinds of people-friendly faces on the street and great thinkers on the page-in their own language. ” —Marilyn Stotts, UC Davis “My EAP experience was pivotal for me in many ways. It impacted my life, both subtly and profoundly. Much of who I am today began to develop because of the self-reflection and knowledge gained by being immersed in another culture.” —Natalie Vorste, UC Los Angeles “EAP was the best experience of my life! I traveled extensively before EAP (I have lived in Russia, Israel, and Sweden), but have never had the satisfaction of learning while abroad. Not only did I learn basic German and can now (even a year later) understand the language and communicate using it, but I got the opportunity to live, travel, and explore Germany and other countries in Europe. The Language and Culture program is great and it would be wonderful if more students utilized it, because for the first time in my life I applied the knowledge that I received in the classrooms the same day on the street. I was excited when I learned something new, because I used it as soon as I stepped out of that classroom. One Saturday, the whole American group went on a field trip to Eisenach (a small city where Beethoven was born) and to the Wartburg castle nearby where Martin Luther translated the Bible into German. Since he was the first person to ever do that, it was inspiring to go into the room where he worked and realize that the Protestant movement was started there! Germany is the leader of the European Union, therefore knowledge of the German language will be an irreplaceable skill in my job search. ” —Anna Zevelyov, UC Berkeley
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