1. Windows and doors:
When I first tried to open the porch door at Manfred and Signe’s, I thought that I had broken it; instead of swinging open, the top tipped inwards a few centimetres. Luckily, I was wrong - this is a common function of almost all porch doors and windows. The secret is in the handle: when turned up, the frame will tip and stay at an angle, when turned to the side, it will open like a regular door, and when turned down it will stay firmly closed. This is ingenious: because the top tips in and the bottom out, airflow is allowed but rain cannot come in and wind cannot cause it to slam open or shut. The only downside that I’ve seen so far is that it doesn’t accommodate a screen door (and it scares foreigners). 2. Bedding: On my bed, I have three important pieces of bedding. First, a fitted sheet - just like in Canada. The next two look like pillowcases that close on one end with buttons. This is namely because one is a pillowcase (what a surprise), and the other is a larger version that contains my comforter. This means no getting tangled up in sheets for those who squirm a lot at night, and also makes it very quick and easy to make one’s bed. Which I of course do religiously ;) 3. Tintenkillers: By the time people students reach grade ten, most use a regular ball-point or fountain pen. Beloved by the younger grades, however, is the wonderful Tintenkiller. This is a blue pen (like a felt pen) with a chemical eraser (that looks like a white felt tip) on the opposite end. And unlike erasing pens that I’ve tried in Canada, it actually works.
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1. Eggs: A dime a .... group of 10?
In the stores, you can find cartons of three, six, or ten eggs, but never twelve! Perhaps useless information, but interesting to note nonetheless. 2. Deutschlandlied Before coming to Germany, I made sure to learn the national anthem. However, I haven't heard it once since I arrived - even at Rotary meetings, where I had expected it to be sung regularly. Several weeks ago, Emils came home from school and told us that the teacher had taught them a new song, which he recognized from soccer games on TV. Yes, he was talking about the Deutschlandlied - what a difference from Canada, where the national anthem is the most-sung song in elementary school! 3. Red sky at night, children's delight A winter's sunset is said to be caused by the Christkind (the bringer of gifts on Christmas night) baking cookies. What a lovely image! 4. Old-school Chalkboards and clunky buzzing projectors like the ones I remember from grade 3 math class (where the light burns out or the fan malfunctions approximately once a month) are the standard learning tools at school. Few classrooms have a computer for the teacher, and even fewer are equipped with ceiling projectors or smartboards. This means less time in class spent fiddling with annoying technology, but I have certainly heard my share of awful chalkboard squeaks over the last few months. 5. Exams Instead of having an exam week at the end of the semester, German schools build the exam schedule into the school year. No student has more then 2 exams a week, but the language and math classes have two exams per semester instead of one. This means that beginning in late October, everyone has had one to two exams per week. They are usually held in the normal classroom for that subject and (for grades six to ten) last two blocks. So far, I've written Spanish, Math, Physics, French, German, and Geography exams - and wimped out on a few others. To my delight, taking exams is a completely voluntary (and therefore mainly stress-free) activity on my part :) 6. Hug, Handshake, or High-Five? When I arrived in Germany, I noticed that everyone shook hands - nieghbors greeting each other in the street, friends meeting to chat, and even kids at school being introduced to one another. The first time we had another family over for coffee, I was astounded that the children lined up to shake hands with each of us as they came in the door and again before leaving. Hugs are also more common when greeting and saying goodbye to friends then in Canada, which I find suprising but nice. 7. Religion - a present reality Even though the Gymnasium (high school) that I attend is secular, religion is much more present in the lives of the students and teachers then in Canada. Students must take either philosophy or a religion class (Catholic or Protestant), and this week, we sang christmas carols in French class and did a christmas vocabulary worksheet that included words like "la bébé Jésus". The most noticable difference, however, is that we have had masses twice during school - during these times, the school is closed for the block and the Catholic and Protestant students and teachers are expected to attend the masses in their respective churches (although attendance is not enforced). 8. Global Citizens It is amazing how many students in my grade have already done a year or half-year exchange abroad (I can think of seven off the top of my head, but I know there are more) - the most popular countries are the US, Great Britain, Australia, and France, although I have a friend who spent all of last year (grade 9!) in Japan. Many of the others who haven't yet gone abroad plan to do a gap year with Work and Travel - a feasible option considering that University is so affordable and cross-cultural communication skills are hilghly valued in the German workplace. Cool! 1. When raising your hand in class, you point your index finger toward the ceiling rather then having all your fingers outstretched and your palm flat.
2. If a student presents something to the class (or, in the case of a rather sarcastic group of boys in my German course, every time someone reads a passage out loud), students show their appreciation by rapping their knuckles on their desks - similar to a round of applause. Why? I have no idea. 1. When I first arrived, I kept hearing "Handy". Did I have a Handy? No - what the heck is that? Did I want a Handy? No, not particularly. Do you not have Handys in Canada? Not that I know of. Oh wait, they're talking about cellphones! Yes to everything.
In my school, Handys are now allowed to be used in the cafeteria during breaks among the older students - an announcement that caused much joy at the start of the year. However, just like in Canada, everyone has one at school, whether they are being used or not. It is common to see people texting/on phones in public places, while crossing the street, etc. - although not when driving (thank goodness!). WhatsApp is very popular. 2. With my only reference point being our trip to Holland, where everything was eaten with a knife and fork including bagels, pizza, and sandwiches, I came to Germany prepared to forgo finger-food for a year. To my surprise, however, all the aforementioned foods are eaten just like in Canada. Sandwiches in particular are very common at school and never eaten with utensils. I got some pretty funny looks when I tried! 1. On the first day of grade one, German children receive a Schultütte - a beautifully decorated plastic cone (the size of a large bouquet of flowers) filled with sweets. Walking through town on Thursday, I saw families carrying these (with themes such as "Lego" and "Frozen") toward the elementary school.
2. There is no chewing gum. No talking when the teacher is talking. No complaining about assignments. No cellphones in class. No answering questions without being called on. No other obnoxious behaviour. It's lovely. (And also a little intimidating) 3. In grades ten and up (I'm unclear how this functions in the lower grades), there are no substitute teachers. If the teacher is sick or on vacation (whether for a day or a week), this is posted on a board near the front of the school and students have that block free. 4. Because there are no school libraries, the cafeteria is the place to go to catch up on homework or hang out with friends during a free block. And it always smells so nice :) 1. In Latvia (Signe’s native country), last names are gender-specific - ending with “s” for boys and “e” for girls. This means that Justus and Emils have a slightly different last name then Marta, Signe, and Emma.
2. Carnivores rejoice! In Germany, “Meat Salad” is a thing - and it is eaten on bread/toast at breakfast. (Check out the photo Gallery to see what I have been eating for the most important meal of the day) |
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