Looking back at all my posts, I always seem ridiculously happy. “Traveling is so much fun!” “Oh, look at this quirky cultural difference” “Wow the bread here is REALLY good.” All of that is 100% true, but study abroad is not without its challenges. I started classes in March and while I like them all very much, it’s been a very tiring first month (first with international orientation and then classes.) A lot of these challenges were expected, and some I had not anticipated. What I find most challenging is….
1) The language.
I could already speak German fairly well before I came here, but my education was more sink or swim: I’d only studied it for a year in environments where I was immersed in something several levels above where I should be. As a result, I understand quite a bit more than one should after a year but also make a lot of mistakes since I still haven’t spoken it for a very long time. Learning more is one of the greatest joys and also the greatest challenges of studying in Germany.
The language can be particularly frustrating as my knowledge of German seems to fluctuate on a daily basis. One day I can have a long conversation with someone in German at a restaurant or party, leaving very happy with myself for my continuously improving language skills, and the next day I will forget how to order dinner. It’s really strange and it is the one thing that hasn’t gone away after four months in Germany.
One thing that is fortunately better now is the stress of always hearing German. At first, I would have given anything to speak to someone from America, the UK, Canada, or Australia. Just as long as they were native English speakers, that’s all that mattered. It must have had something to do with being in a foreign environment for the first time, and regardless of how well you speak the language, it can be quite stressful hearing something that is not your first language all the time. Now I love speaking in German and I prefer it to English most of the time, simply because I want to learn. The only time I want to speak English with someone from, say, the UK is when I need to talk to someone about Doctor Who because for some reason they don’t watch that in Germany.
2) Homesickness.
As much as I love Germany, if I didn’t miss Texas a little bit then I should be a very poor example of a Texan. Homesickness is a natural part of studying abroad, one that I haven’t addressed much on this blog because it is often not very bad and definitely not a highlight when I do feel that way. Travels are much more fun to share. But I do miss a lot of things from Texas–my friends and family most of all. I’m going to have a big party when I get back! But there are only a few very important things that I miss about America and Texas other than my friends and family.
I miss the food, especially Mexican food. German food is great, and they have wonderful Asian and Italian food here too. The beer is better than in America and the Coke is too (must be the sugar). But one thing they can’t do here is Mexican food. They just can’t. In fact, they don’t even know what Tex Mex is–poor souls have never had real enchiladas. I remedy this by making Tex-Mex for the other students whenever I’m feeling particularly homesick. The latest adventure involved tacos, and because I couldn’t find tortillas I had to make my own, which is better but much more work. I couldn’t find a rolling pin so I used a beer bottle instead! They keep asking me to make tacos again so it must have been a success.
Free bathrooms. That’s one thing you don’t appreciate, ever, until you’ve had to pay in every city you’ve visited. You even have to pay in restaurants, train stations, and museums. Oh America, you’re so free, with your free water and free bathrooms and stuff. Did I mention we have to pay for water too? Instead of saving money by drinking water, you save money by drinking nothing. I sense a problem here.
Stores that are open 24/7. A lot of things close here by 8:00, or 9:00 if you’re lucky. Grocery stores are closed Sunday, along with just about everything else in Koblenz except restaurants. Berlin was incredible because they had grocery stores that were always open, something I take for granted in Texas. It’s just so weird to be in the city at night because you can walk for blocks without seeing anyone. There’s just nothing to do after a certain hour.
All in all, though, I’ve fared a lot better with homesickness than I thought I would. It’s gotten so much better that I’m beginning to think my subconscious has decided I’m staying in Germany forever and adjusted accordingly. I really don’t want to leave!
3) Sorting through a different school system.
This could be really boring for everyone so let me make this short: there’s a reason people don’t often study abroad more than once. The transfer credits are a pain to work out! Now, both International Offices have been incredibly helpful, but I’ve sent in at least 3 different learning agreements so far and I feel like. Classes aren’t currently offered, they’re half the credits I thought they were, they’re not worth credits at all and have to be challenged, course descriptions have to be translated, oh this one’s a master’s course….yeah.
In addition to the transfer credits, classes are just handled here differently. In the school of social sciences, you have to take 2 separate classes to get your 5 ECTS credits (3 US credit hours.) Homework is pretty rare, but you do have to come to class and do a big exam or presentation/paper at the end of the semester. Also, no one takes classes outside their area of study unless they’re an exchange student like me, so it’s really hard to make different schools (eg social sciences and business) work together. I made it, though! I finally have all my classes figured out and now all I need to do is focus on passing them.
4) Making Friends.
This is another one that was more of a problem in the beginning, but is still relevant. If you’re studying abroad, I can’t stress enough: try to be social. I am not the most social person. I would be quite happy to stay in my room when I get back from the Hochschule, but I do actually want to meet people. That’s important, not only because it helps me to get to know people from other cultures, but also because I do actually need friends/social interaction.
At first, people are really friendly and will invite you everywhere. It’s a common misconception about Germans that they’re always cold and won’t let you into their personal lives if you’re new. If you’re an exchange student, a lot of the other students really want to make you feel welcome. The hard part comes a few months down the road when it’s your turn to keep the new relationships going, to actually ask them to go somewhere with you for a change. Otherwise, they’ll assume that you want to be left alone. Like making friends anywhere else, it requires effort from both parties.
I do actually like traveling alone. I’ve been some places with my new friends and I had a great time! So, I try to keep a balance of which trips I make alone and which ones I do with other people, because each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. If you travel alone, you get to go where you want to at your own pace and eat what you want. You’ll see a lot more and waste a lot less time, and maybe blend in a little better because you won’t always be speaking English with your friend. But if you travel with other people, you get more pictures of yourself and your friends, plus memories that you will share together for years down the road. It’s all about keeping a healthy balance of both, and I’m glad to have made friends to travel with and to sometimes have a nice day out in Koblenz!
For the most part, studying abroad has been a lot easier than I thought it would be, in terms of adjusting to the culture and dealing with homesickness. I think a lot of people have unrealistic expectations for what will be challenging and what will be a typical day for studying abroad. For example, a lot of people feel you shouldn’t be watching movies while you’re studying abroad, but instead spending every free moment taking in the culture. That’s exhausting. Yes, you shouldn’t spend an entire day watching movies in your room, but if you need that one day while you’re there, don’t feel bad. We all need days to chill, to just “reboot” in a way, especially when staying in a country that speaks another language. Essentially, I’ve moved to Germany for seven months, and it’s been an amazing experience just feeling like this is my home for now. I have a local grocery store and I know where all my favorite food is. I like Apfelschorle (apple soda) and I know which brands I prefer. Even the challenges have been more exciting and fascinating than frustrating. As with everything, it is a learning experience, and the most enjoyable one possible!