Know anything about Germany?

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Rick P. Head

krisstynxo - you asked the right person. I am Rick but some call me Wulf. I know Germany better than any other German native. I am totally fluent in the language and yes the people are really nice there. Especially the lady at my favorite kiosk in Eimaa where I use to eat my Bratwurst. I also had a training with Chuck Norris coz I am Karate Kid but that got nothing to do with your question. So Germans are wearing in summer dirndl and liederhasen and sabbelhood. they have only tiny tv s as far as I know but big radios.... well sorry need to go

Schitzo Scorpion Pagan fighter

Best beer best Bratwurst
oktoberfest
Zwieball market
Thuringia is the best place on earth

Lear

Germany is a modern western country. People look almost the same like in the US. Cultural differences exist but nothing impossible to adapt for a young open minded girl. The German language is closer related to English than any other (for instance French or Spanish). Try to learn some before and concentrate to pick up as much as you can when you are there.

In your age some month abroad is a chance not many will get but long for. See it as opportunity and you will come back more mature more self aware and more culturally aware than anyone around you.

Depending on the city or region were you are located there is always something to discover. Start Googling your new city and read Wikipedia. Plan to travel.

I have been 3 weeks in London for a language course when I was 18. Later I lived in New Zealand and studied in Madrid. All were experiences of a lifetime forming my knowledge and personality today.

Orla C

It's a different country, so it is a bit different. If you are friendly to the locals, they will warm to you.

Just work on a few words and phrases in German before you go, and you'll learn lots while you're there.

I wouldn't be surprised if you liked it so much, you decided to stay.

Erica

I think you'll actually like it a lot!

In general I would say that 17-year-olds in Germany have a lot more freedom than 17-year-olds in America. If you end up going to German school, the campus is open, and when you have free periods, you're allowed to leave. Kids are expected to take public transportation on their own as young as six or seven, and public transportation's pretty good, even in small towns, so it's not like you're going to be stuck at your aunt's place and have no way to go anywhere. As a young person, you're also eligible for a lot of transportation discounts, so you should have a lot of chances to inexpensively travel and meet new people. Plus, a lot of clubs are 16+ or 17+ and even relatively small towns have clubs or special cafes designed for teenagers to hang out in (Jugendzentrum), so it should be pretty easy for you to go out. The cost of traveling and going out is much lower in Europe than in the US.

If your parents aren't planning to enroll you in German school, take some language classes at the Goethe Institut (there are lots of them, all over the place: http://www.goethe.de/enindex.htm) or at the Volkshochschule (adult education center - usually intended for people 14+, and there are often lots of fun classes there too, like sports or cooking). Even the libraries in small town have English books and movies. You could even sign up for a program like Sprachduo (one of the Sprachduo sites: http://www.aegee-bamberg.de/sprachduo/), where you meet up with other young people and help each other to learn languages. Native speakers of English are always in demand, but basic German is easy to pick up. Plus, it might mean that you get to exempt out of other language classes later in your education, or even have more job possibilities, just because you went to the effort of learning another language.

I like Germany; Germans are generally nice but reserved. In general, Germans are also interested in American culture and other cultures in general (Germany is more multicultural than ever but nowhere near as multicultural as the US), and are excited about having chances to practice their English. : )

I know the idea of going abroad for a few months sounds kind of lousy, especially right now, but when your buddies are sitting in a classroom, you get to be out doing cool stuff, like visiting castles, hiking in the Alps, chilling by the Baltic Sea or even just at a cafe... Germany has a lot to offer, and you might actually find that you don't want to come home at the end of your stay. The other big thing is: once you start going to college or working, it's really hard to make time to travel, plus you have to pay for everything yourself. Take advantage of your parents' money!

silentnonrev

OK, I am much older than you, but I think their culture is a little (or maybe a lot) more formal--people talk quietly in restaurants, for example. Like Americans? Some do, some don't. Older folks will probably still have gratitude that their kids didn't grow up speaking Russian. Things in general are more expensive (don't be expecting free refills on your soda, and if you want ketchup with your Big Mac you have to pay for it!)

Lots of immigrants--but from Eastern Europe.

Their English will undoubtedly be better than your German....but see if you can improve your Deutsch before you go, keep your mind open, and I bet you will have more Spass! Viel Glueck...

Ladybird

Hi I've spent a bit of time in Germany, I guess it depends what city you are going to as I found people in certain cities were nicer than others. Don't worry too much about not speaking the language as alot of Germans speak English but if you can, try to pick up some of the language just out of politeness.
I liked it in germany, the only thing was there was nothin in English on TV other than MTV lol (I know it doesn't sound bad but there's only so many episodes of I love New York and Brooke knows best you can watch haha) Yeah so shows like Friends and The Simpsons were all dubbed in German so you might want to take plenty of DVD's.
What city will you be staying in?
:-)

Capt. JollyGood

OMG you are so lucky!! I'll trade spots with you, lol. Think of it this way, there are plenty of nightclubs and you can drink, but only beer and wine since your not 18( 18 = hard liquor ^^)...Plus, you get to see how other kids your age live and learn about their culture and see what they do for fun. You should be ecstatic! People are nice from what I heard. Look online for info, go to bookstores and look at books on Germany and look at the section in the book that has the city where you will be going and scope out the clubs, cafes, etc... Have fun you lucky devil you!!!

Johnny Tsunami JPG ANL FYLA HASF

You'll have fun, when my great grandfather Falk was 17, he was sent from his home in France to a camp in Germany he was there for a few years, He never really talked about it, I think he had fun, all he could ever say was "arbeit macht frei" which means "work makes you free"

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