So, as today is the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, I thought it would be appropriate to talk about my trip to Berlin. :)
Berlin was so much fun. I spent one week there with my classmates and our homeroom teacher. We had to leave the school at 11:00pm and drive for nearly 10 hours before we reached the city. After arriving, we went sight seeing around the city. Among the things I saw were the Reichstag, Brandenberg Gate, Victory Tower, Potsdamer Platz... just to name a few. Unfortunatly it was raining, and very cold, but we were able to stop for Starbucks. I was excited, i haven't seen a Starbucks shop since I left the US. All the girls in my class were excited about it too. It was interesting to cross from former East Berlin into Former West Berlin. Even today, it wasn't really difficult to tell the difference. I must say though, the pedestrian traffic lights in East Berlin were so much more entertaining than in West Berlin. To remember the Wall, a line has been drawn in place of where the Wall once stood. In the afternoon, we went to the Story of Berlin Museum and the Berlin Atomic Bomb bunker. In the Evening we went to a theature and watched an improv. show.
The museum was so interesting. There was so much information and things to see, I wish we could have stayed longer. I saw a section of the Berlin Wall that was on display there, and even got to touch it. It is one thing to read about history, and something totally indescribable to actually see it.
The Atomic Bomb bunker was pretty cool too. Personally though, I think I would rather take my chances out in the open than to suffer 2 weeks of stuffy, hot conditions with barly enough oxygen to breath.
The next day we went on a bus tour around the city. Unfortunately for me, it was all in German, so I didn't understand a lot of what the tour guide was saying. But I still got to see so many cool things. Later that day, we went to another museum that had things on display from ancient cities. It was unbelievable some of the things people were able to build centuries ago. In the evening we went to the Reichstag. I actually got to go inside the Reichstag!!! It was great. However, once again, the presentation was in German, and I didn't understand much. After the presentation, we went up to the roof of the Reichstag. The view of the city was spectacular. Unfortunately, it was freezing cold, and we weren't able to stay outside for very long.
The next day we went to the DDR museum. It was pretty cool, and most of the things had English and German explanations, (acutally, most of the museums had English, the tour guides spoke German with us though). We also climbed to the top of the Victory Tower. The view was amazing there. Many people before us though, had felt the need to befoul the beautiful building with there childish graffiti. Most of the damage was done to the staircase and not to the outside, thankfully. That night, we went to see the musical, "Dirty Dancing". It was very good, even though I didn't understand much of what was being said. The dancing and singing were very good.
The following day we went to the Holocaust memorial. It was only recently built (finished in 2005). It is composed of 2,711 concrete blocks. At first, it appears that they are all somewhat of the same hight. But as you walk through them, the ground begins to dip down, and you find yourself sourounded by the massive, towering blocks. I thought it was a very fitting memorial. There is also a museum underneath the memorial that has information about some of the victims of the Holocaust. I wish we could have spent more time there.
During our last day in Berlin, we went to the Berliner Unterwelten, which was a bunker for civilians during WWII. Inside there were also a lot of things from WWII that were found in the rubble of Berlin after the war was over. It was all very fasinating, but I was very clostrophobic and nearly had to leave. I didn't want to miss anything though, so I convinced myself to finish the tour. We aslo got to stop and look at Check Point Charlie. That was probably one of the coolest things we did. Afterwards we went to the Topographie des Terrors, which was a section of wall that had information about Hitler and the Nazis. The last thing of the day was The Blue Man Group. They were HILARIOUS!! I loved it. They didn't speak, so I didn't have to worry about not understanding, and if the anouncer said anything, it was done both in German and English. We went back to the hostle afterwards and packed our things for the morning.
The next morning we left. We drove to Potsdam, where we took a tour of the Ssanssouci Castle. It was so beautiful. One room was decorated with thousands of sea shells on the walls giving the impression that you were in some underwater palace. I would love to live in a castle.
Berlin was an extrordinary place, but I was happy to come home to Austria.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
First Three Weeks
My first three weeks in Austria have been amazing! I have seen and done so many things I never thought I would get to do. During my first week, my host sisters took me to Passau, Germany, to go shopping. In Passau, I also got to see the biggest organ in the world. It was huge! And the church it was in was magnificent. I also got to see a typical Austrian wedding in the church next to our house. My host Father, Hansi, conducted the choir and my host brother, Johannes, and sister, Maria, played the violin and organ.
School began during my second week. I am in a class with all girls. They are all very nice and interested in talking with me. School here is different from the US. I stay in one class all day and the teachers move around. The only time we move is when we split up for Latin or French. We also go to the gym for PE, and sometimes to the science rooms for Chemistry and Physics. My teachers are all nice, but I don't really understand much of what is said during class. There are a few teachers who say a few things to me in English to make sure I understand, and the girl I sit next to translates for me sometimes. She is very nice and I think we will become good friends. English class is one of my favorites because I can understand what is being said. The entire lesson is taught in English. PE is fun too, and I really like the teacher. She is going with my class for our trip to Berlin. I can't wait for the trip, it will be so AWESOME! Also in my second week, Hnasi and Johannes took me to Salzburg where I saw the house where Mozart lived, and I also got to go into the house he was born in. It was so cool! Inside there were a lot of pictures and things that had belonged to Mozart. His first violin was there and the Klavichord he composed Die Zauberflöte and the Requiem on. While we were leaving Salzburg, I also saw the church that was in "The Sound of Music" during the Wedding scene. That was really cool, we drove right past it and I recognized it. My host family has never seen "The Sound of Music."
Last weekend was the official day that the church was finished being restored on the outside. It was repainted and a new roof was put on. Hansi told me that the church is over 1,000 years old! I think it is a very big church, but everyone tells me it is a small one. There was a celebration during mass on Sunday and one of Mozart's masses was played for the music. It was incredible, I have always wanted to hear one of his masses played during mass. Hansi conducted the choir and the orchestra; and Johannes played the violin in the orchestra.
In my third week we got our schedules for school, and that also means we have more homework. My host siblings often ask me if I can help them with their English homework. Maria got 100% on the vocab test I helped her study for. She was very happy. I am still waiting for some of my books, so I am unable to do some of the homework I am assigned. Most of it is math homework, and I have done what they are currently studying before. Math is one of the few classes I am able to understand the majority of what is going on. Whoot for knowing numbers in German! My math teacher is very nice, and sometimes speaks English with me. He is also our homeroom and history teacher. This week in history he assigned a project with assigned topics. My topic was "US in Berlin," and I am excited,(I also get to do it in Enlgish). I really wish I had my history notes though. I remember most everything in them, but it would be nice to have as a reference. Unfortunately, they are still in my box waiting to be sent. I guess what I found on the internet will have to do. Johannes and I went on a bike ride this week through the forest. It was fun. He and my host sister, Christina, have also been teaching me to roller skate. Christina, Johannes, and I play a lot of games together in our free time. It is a lot of fun. Christina and I also like to watch movies or TV shows together.
Sometime this week I will be going to get my Visa, and I am also planning on going to a friend's house.
School began during my second week. I am in a class with all girls. They are all very nice and interested in talking with me. School here is different from the US. I stay in one class all day and the teachers move around. The only time we move is when we split up for Latin or French. We also go to the gym for PE, and sometimes to the science rooms for Chemistry and Physics. My teachers are all nice, but I don't really understand much of what is said during class. There are a few teachers who say a few things to me in English to make sure I understand, and the girl I sit next to translates for me sometimes. She is very nice and I think we will become good friends. English class is one of my favorites because I can understand what is being said. The entire lesson is taught in English. PE is fun too, and I really like the teacher. She is going with my class for our trip to Berlin. I can't wait for the trip, it will be so AWESOME! Also in my second week, Hnasi and Johannes took me to Salzburg where I saw the house where Mozart lived, and I also got to go into the house he was born in. It was so cool! Inside there were a lot of pictures and things that had belonged to Mozart. His first violin was there and the Klavichord he composed Die Zauberflöte and the Requiem on. While we were leaving Salzburg, I also saw the church that was in "The Sound of Music" during the Wedding scene. That was really cool, we drove right past it and I recognized it. My host family has never seen "The Sound of Music."
Last weekend was the official day that the church was finished being restored on the outside. It was repainted and a new roof was put on. Hansi told me that the church is over 1,000 years old! I think it is a very big church, but everyone tells me it is a small one. There was a celebration during mass on Sunday and one of Mozart's masses was played for the music. It was incredible, I have always wanted to hear one of his masses played during mass. Hansi conducted the choir and the orchestra; and Johannes played the violin in the orchestra.
In my third week we got our schedules for school, and that also means we have more homework. My host siblings often ask me if I can help them with their English homework. Maria got 100% on the vocab test I helped her study for. She was very happy. I am still waiting for some of my books, so I am unable to do some of the homework I am assigned. Most of it is math homework, and I have done what they are currently studying before. Math is one of the few classes I am able to understand the majority of what is going on. Whoot for knowing numbers in German! My math teacher is very nice, and sometimes speaks English with me. He is also our homeroom and history teacher. This week in history he assigned a project with assigned topics. My topic was "US in Berlin," and I am excited,(I also get to do it in Enlgish). I really wish I had my history notes though. I remember most everything in them, but it would be nice to have as a reference. Unfortunately, they are still in my box waiting to be sent. I guess what I found on the internet will have to do. Johannes and I went on a bike ride this week through the forest. It was fun. He and my host sister, Christina, have also been teaching me to roller skate. Christina, Johannes, and I play a lot of games together in our free time. It is a lot of fun. Christina and I also like to watch movies or TV shows together.
Sometime this week I will be going to get my Visa, and I am also planning on going to a friend's house.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Hi! My name is Emily and I am trying to go to Austria next year through the AFS program.
For the past few years, I have become really interested in European History. I think it would be so cool to be able to go to one of the countries I have been studying about. I am Mozart's #1 fan, so that also helped me determine that Austria was the place for me to go. I also am really interested in learning the German language. It would be amazing to be able to someday teach either German or History at the high school level.
This past year, I have met many current exchange students who are staying in the US. I believe that making friends from different countries helps promote better relationships between other nations. I hope that by living in Austria for a year I can help make a difference in our world.
In order to pay for my tuition for my exchange trip, I have applied and won a scholarship from AFS. I am also planning on getting a part time job and hosting a few fundraisers to help cover the costs. I know economic times are hard, but any donations that you could contribute towards my trip would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to sponsor my AFS program now, please click the Chip In button. I plan to continue writing blogs throughout my stay in Austria next year to let everyone know how I am doing. Please feel free to email my blog page to anyone you know.
Thanks!
Emily
For the past few years, I have become really interested in European History. I think it would be so cool to be able to go to one of the countries I have been studying about. I am Mozart's #1 fan, so that also helped me determine that Austria was the place for me to go. I also am really interested in learning the German language. It would be amazing to be able to someday teach either German or History at the high school level.
This past year, I have met many current exchange students who are staying in the US. I believe that making friends from different countries helps promote better relationships between other nations. I hope that by living in Austria for a year I can help make a difference in our world.
In order to pay for my tuition for my exchange trip, I have applied and won a scholarship from AFS. I am also planning on getting a part time job and hosting a few fundraisers to help cover the costs. I know economic times are hard, but any donations that you could contribute towards my trip would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to sponsor my AFS program now, please click the Chip In button. I plan to continue writing blogs throughout my stay in Austria next year to let everyone know how I am doing. Please feel free to email my blog page to anyone you know.
Thanks!
Emily
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