Interview 3- Germany

Maddy Thoele

Eng 191 f09 s21
Laura
Germany
Interview date: October 30, 2009




What made you come to America to study?
Because I wanted to learn about the language and about the culture. It is not for school, I will not get credit for school that I take here when I go home this summer.

Do most people study aboard?
Yes, a lot of my friends go, my cousin says I had to come after she did.

What is the biggest difference in school?
We do not have A,B,C grades like here, we have 1,2,3. The school days are much longer, and there is a lot more homework. At home we do not spend all day at school, we spend more time doing other things.

Do a lot of people go to college?
It is not like here, in Germany you can have a job without going to college, my sister is a nurse and did not go to college, and she goes not because she wants to be a doctor. Older people go to college. You have to take three exams to get into college.

What is the biggest change?
I am always alone, my host family is just a mom, it is weird being a lone so much, and not eating as a family. Here people are much more scared, the girls are not open at all, in Germany everyone gets along and is very open. I also like how here people do not care what you wear. In Germany people judge a lot about a person based off of what they are wearing. We use Euros in Germany, it is a lot more expensive.

What is the drinking age?
It is 16 for Wine, but 18 for all other, but no one cares in Germany, the police walk by and just don’t care.

When did you first start to learn English?
For me it was 4th grade, I did a project, but everyone starts learning in fifth grade. In our school, we stay with the same kids and classroom. It is the teachers who move from class to class.

What is the biggest sport?
Soccer and handball, that is what I play, it’s like soccer but is more aggressive. We only have club sports not school sports. They go year around, people pick one sport and do not switch very often because it is a year around sport.

What is the hardest thing for you being in America?
Math, I am getting an F I do not understand the world problems my teacher gives me, my host mom yells at me and says I am not trying but, I really don’t get it.

Do you talk to your family a lot?
Yes, I call them once a week. I do not get home sick very often, I just wish my host mom would hug me sometimes.