Schule (School)

If you know me, then you know how important I believe it is to get a good education. As an educator, I have had the opportunity to work in a variety of schools, classrooms as well as with a diversity of many different students, teachers and grades. I’ve had the privilege of growing up, watching and learning from one of the best teachers I know- my mom. She has showed me what it takes and the hard work that goes into excelling as educator. I guess one would say, teaching is in my blood. It’s something that I am so passionate about and something that comes to me as second nature. It’s what I am meant to do with my life and it’s what excites me.

When I came to Germany, I knew that one of the things I wanted to do was go to an elementary school and learn about the education system as well as compare and contrast it to the one in the US. Luckily, I had that opportunity on Friday. I joined my Cousin Leila’s 1^st grade class of 18 students and got to see a little of what it is like to go to a German School.

School in Germany, as you would probably imagine is much different. The school starts at 8:30 and runs to about 11:30. One day a week it goes an hour longer so that religion can be taught. YES religion (Christianity) is taught in a public school……..kind of a mind boggling concept for Americans.

I really don’t know how any teaching and learning gets done in such a short amount of time. Leila has two teachers. On the day I observed, Frau Lingens started with a German lesson. She told the kids about the letter A as in Apfel (apple) and then they traced the letter and drew a picture. This took about an hour. Not even exaggerating. Then the kids got into a circle, sang a couple of songs, read a book and then it was time for snack followed by recess.

It felt more like a glorified pre-kindergarten then a 1^st grade classroom. Leila hardly ever has homework. No spelling words to study or books to read. I’m kind of shocked at this system but I guess it somehow works.

Behavior wise…the class was chaotic. The kids were talking while the teacher was giving her lesson and she really didn’t do anything besides say SHH. She did however write a little boys name on the board when he tipped in his chair and fell over. These 1^st graders were pretty cute though and they all came up and talked to me in German or sang American songs to me.

Recess was really fun! The kids have the greatest equipment to play on! All my work/Lion Den kiddos at home would be so jealous. Recess is combined with all the grades /classes and the teachers don’t have to go out. All the kids came up to me and asked Leila, “Wer ist sie” (Who is she?). I would answer and ask them if they knew English. By 3^rd grade, the kids know English pretty well. They all asked me tons of questions and thought I was from London. When I told them I was from America they would tell me about a state they knew something about or a state where a friend or relative lives.

When recess was over, Frau Lingens left and Herr Kaiser came into the classroom and took the kids to Sport which I guess would be like PE. Sport, however wasn’t in a gym, it was in a regular sized classroom. Instead of playing some type of game that involves a ball like what happens in America, these kids were given a stick and they did aerobic exercises. I participated and man some of the exercises were kind of difficult. By the time Sport was over, I really think I got a good workout for the day…..lol. That was pretty much the extent of the day. Wow, no wonder Leila likes school so much…lol English and Math are taught on other days and I hope to go in another time to see how those are run. On another note, teachers are allowed to wear whatever they want. There is not really a dress code. Some were in t-shirts and jeans and others were wearing nicer clothing.

The school I was in runs 1^st through 5^th grade. When you are in 6^th grade like my cousin Alex, you attend either a Hauptschule, Realschule, Gymnasium, Intermediate School or Gesamtschule. Each one is different and depends on the marks (grades) that you earned in Elementary school. Based on which school you attend, kind of decides what you will do in the future (ie- go to college, a technical school or have a factory type of job). His school runs from 7:45 until 12. Lunch is always at home and then a couple of days a week, he has afternoon school which goes until about 4. He, too hardly has any homework or much time spent in school.

Well if you are still reading, I hope you enjoyed my little “lesson” on school in Germany. I found it very interesting to see the way school is run here and can’t get over how much extra time teachers would have to get things done. Some pictures below!

All my love.

-L

Woche zwei (Week two)

A couple of years ago, one of my best friends- Michelle and I took a trip of a lifetime and were able to travel all over Europe. In each country that we stopped in, we would describe that country with one word. I remember my word for Germany being scenic. This was because we really didn’t get to see much of Germany besides the view from our delay on the autobahn.

I’m really glad I have gotten the opportunity to come back to Germany and this time experience more than just the scenic view. Germany is just lovely! Especially in the fall! It’s like I’m living in a fairy tail! Now I just have to find my prince charming…ha! The weather has been gorgeous the first few weeks. I was a little nervous leaving Colorado's 90 degree sunshine but was pleasantly surprised. There are SO many big trees filled with beautiful shades of reds, yellows and greens. Plus crunchy leaves to step on are everywhere which is personally my favorite thing about this time of year. I like to start my day with a jog or bike ride and am just in awe of my surroundings while discovering my way throughout the town. I am surprised with how many older fit people I see, always on a bike...they amaze me!

So much has happened since my arrival two weeks ago, I don’t know where to start. My first weekend here in the ever charming Stuttgart was spent at the Oktoberfest! What a great experience that was had there! I have never drank so much beer in my life and believe it or not I actually drank it..lol and they were HUGE mugs. The festival is a very fun carnival filled with lots of rides and big tents. Inside the tents is where you go to feast on fried chicken, bread, french fries and of course drink while listening to the band play. For all 5 of us to eat and drink, it cost about 77 Euros. Many people come to the festival dressed up wearing traditional German Clothing. The dresses that girls wear are called dirndls. They also have a ton of booths set up that sell these gingerbread heart cookies. You are supposed to buy one as a sign of affection for the one you like/love. They are made to be worn around the neck and Aunt Victoria says no one really eats them. They are just for show. I think they are pretty neat (1st picture above.)

The food here is pretty good. For the most part they have everything we have in America but it just has a different taste or zip to it. Much time is spent around the dining table- eating, conversing and then after everyone is finished eating- tea or coffee is served. My Aunt makes great German meals of fresh fish or soups or salads. Her foods always look like a picture from a magazine and is very tasty. Although the other day she put too much salt in the potatoes and there is this German legend that says if your cook your food with too much salt, it means you’re in love.

Also, my Aunt and cousins have been teaching me German table manners and quite frankly it drives me crazy. I have to eat with a knife in my right hand and a fork in my left- at all times. My hands also always have to be on the table which is so hard to do when I am use to my American ways.I dare you to try it sometime and tell me what you think.

Language wise- my German ist nicht so gut (not so good). What a complicated language that is supposed to be so similar to ours. Most of the people I encounter know English and like to practice with me. They all tell me that German is more complicated to learn then English but maybe they are just saying that to make me feel better. Sometimes I feel like I walked into the wrong film with no English subtitles to help me translate. I've picked up on key words and phrases but other than that I smile and nod to get by. My cousins and there English are coming along nicely. When I pick up Leila from school she tells all her friends that she is my German teacher and I am her English and Spanish teacher..it’s too cute.

It's been a week filled with Geburtstags(birthdays) here...3 total. and after a dance party with 7 year olds this weekend, I am kaputt. Goodness to be 7 again.....my cousin Leila is just so full of life, it's great! Alexander is now 12 and my Aunt Victoria is well….I’m not sure if she wants me to share ;). I made enchiladas for Alex’s birthday and helped plan a fun party for Leila and her friends (pictures below)!

Bike riding happens everywhere so I joined the band wagon and went real mountain biking on Saturday. Hans (Aunts friend) gave me a lesson and took me riding on a single trail. I have never been so scared in my life but it was blast and I can't wait to do it again! I just have to remember not to look down at all those bumpy rocks.

Well, I better go help Alex with his math which one would think is the same across all languages but they use different signs for different things :/

I hope you all are doing wonderful! Let me know how life is in your little neck of the woods.

All my love.

-L

Mein Haus (my house)!

What the places/apartments look like in Stuttgart.

Inside the kitchen,,,,yum!

The little kitchen.

The dinning/living room area. Very modern.

Bathroom.

Alex's room.

This is my room that I share with Leila. She is the best roomie ever and yes I should have made the bed before I took the pic but oh well. She likes to sleep with me every night even though we have our own beds. I feel like I’m in the dorms again.

Another angle of the living/dinning room.

View from the balcony.

Germany is just gorgeous in the fall!

Auf Wiedersehen Amerika!

Life doesn’t always go as planned but sometimes it’s 1,000 times more exciting! Currently that’s my life and I am so very blessed to be able to have this once in a lifetime experience of living in Germany and being able to share my adventure with all of you!

My flight into Germany was far better than expected. I flew via buddy pass and ended up in first class. Sweet! I was served a 5 course meal (soup, salad, shrimp, salmon, chocolate cheesecake with wine….yum) got a comfy blanket and pillow, sat next to a nice gentleman, free drinks, recliner chair, my own personal mini-tv….can life get any better?!?!?

When I arrived in Stuttgart my Aunt Victoria and her friend Hans were waiting to greet me. They were so happy I made it in safe. It only took 10 minutes to get to their house.

Hans made a delicious breakfast (picture on top) and we spent a couple hours conversing about life.

Life in Germany is much different. Kids are sadly considered a nuisance. My cousins are so very precious though. They are sweet sweet children. So nice and respectful. Unlike the high-maintenance spoiled little diablos I watched this summer but that’s another story.

I love Alex and Leila so much. Ich liebe kinders.

Alexander is 11 and in the 6th grade. He is a Star Wars fanatic. Also loves playing Wii and reading Harry Potter. He is defiantly German. His facial expressions are very serious but he is very loving. He really wants to go to America to visit Opa, Oma and Aunt Odi.

Leila is a Murillo – head to toe. It’s so crazy how she looks exactly like my cousin Mia even though they live across the sea from each other and are

a couple of years apart. Seriously it’s

like a spitting image. She even sounds like her. Sometimes I find myself doing a double take. It’s so crazy lazy (that’s what she says all the time). Leila is a very lively, bubbly, giggly and a fun 6 year old. She teaches me lots and forgets that I can’t speak deutsch.

My Aunt Victoria is a mix of a lot of my Aunts. Sometimes she will say something and sound like my Aunt Lucinda and other times the way she looks and her hand gestures remind me of Aunt Venita. She is currently employed as an accountant but doesn’t like to crunch numbers ever day. She laughs a lot and likes doing yoga and jogging. She also misses family and only planned to stay in Germany for a couple years though that turned into 15. lol. It’s been fun getting to know her and to hang out.

During this adventure I hope to learn some German, travel lots, learn about the culture, spend a ton of time with my family, try new things, read, relax, enjoy life, teach the children more English and some Spanish, take more pictures then necessary, volunteer in a school and last but not least live in every minute!

A big shout out to all my friends and family that took the time to call/skype/fb goodbye. You all mean so much to me and I appreciate it a great deal. Keep in touch. I would always love to hear about your lovely life. I will try to update about various travels and different topics so enjoy!

All my love.

-L

PS….Mail is probably my favorite thing ever! And I would love to write you as well!

My address is:

Hahn (co Lauren Hutton)
Fred-Uhlman-Str. 7
70619 Stuttgart
Germany