2: Cultural differences. Similarities and Differences

I find the further I delve into the culture, the more I find it is similar to home. As in globalisation is real, and it is all around us here. However, on the surface there are obviously great cultural differences. The things mentioned below either received the comment 'awh wish we had this in aus' or 'what the shiii is this, this would never happen in Perth'


- The crazy kids you find at the train stations dressed immaculately. In Perth we have Manga girls and boys all around the city, but they don't compare to how crazy these people look. They look scary, but they seem pretty harmless really.

- The tall historic apartments, slim with wide windows (wish we had in perth)

- Grassy hillsides (wish we had in perth)


- No fat people in Macdonalds (wish we had in perth)

- Free match boxes in Clubs (wish we had in perth)

- dogs allowed in restauraunts (nah what is with that they'll just poo and shed everywhere)

- tipping the cleaner when you go to the bathroom (nahhh)

- Nordic walking (Australians say that they're athletic but we are nothing compared to my host mum)

- The busy busy lifestyle. Working a six day week and Sunday being left for going out with friends, I hate this.

Similarities are:
- The family situations. Divorced parents, smaller families, dinners together, usually pretty close-nit. At least this is what I have found.

- The middle of the city. Our city layout at home is pretty similar (though much smaller)

- The sorts of thigns we do in the day, homework, sleep, party, go out, sleep, homework, see friends, go to the cinema, go shopping, homework, sleep.

etc. i'm sure there are many more examples and i'll pick them up along the way.

1. Learning Expectations for Germany Exchange

I expect it to be hard. Intense. Long hours. But fun at the same time. The teachers here seem to understand the language in a whole different manner, which can be confusing, but also better. The fact that they speak in German the whole time is great, I feel as though I'm learning while I'm learning.  By that I mean, when they speak, I'm learning the words for what they are explaining all at the same time. 

I expect speaking to be extremely difficult at first. Maybe after a beer or two I will get the confidence to speak more. But after 6 weeks I hope (not expect) to be able to converse adequately and at will, without sticking my nose in a dictionary at all. At the moment Google translate is my favourite website.

Sorry for the late post, I had problems the first time I posted on Wednesday. 

Postin'

Dear Readers,

You may as well rest your eyes now because this post is just to clarify that I can post things!
Huzzah for my success! I will see YOU soon, when I have arrived in the land of the Deutsch.

Wunderbar