Alles klar?: Reflections

Since I'm American, other students like to ask me a lot of questions about the USA and what it's like there. They'll tell me all of their misconceptions about the States and ask me what it's actually like. One girl from South Korea said, "Everyone lives in mansions in America." Sometimes I'm just completely baffled by the opinions they have about us. Several students have expressed surprise when I tell them that I'm American AND that I speak German and French. They always tell me about how they think all Americans are uninterested in learning languages and traveling. Though most Americans are relatively uninterested in mastering another language, it's sad that this is how the world views us: uncultured. I'm trying to do my best to alter their view on Americans, and I hope it's working. Sometimes, they ask me about things that they have no experience with, like tornadoes. Something so normal to me is so exotic to them.

It's also been interesting talking to the students from England. At one point, I opened my wallet and they saw my USD. They thought the USD were the coolest things and said that they looked like "real" money, yet also monopoly money. It's fascinating how different the English language is just between England and the USA. There have been many, many moments when we've misunderstood each other because of differences in vocabulary and phrases. For instance, I was talking about how I needed to do laundry because all my pants were dirty. Apparently, "pants" is their word for "underwear," as they would call pants "trousers." Languages will forever fascinate me.

Being around all the international students is a bit discouraging most of the time. Everyone that doesn't speak English as their mother tongue began learning English around the age of ten, or sometimes much earlier. They also speak German (obviously) and sometimes a fourth language. Their English is always very good, as well as their German. Being around them has made me realize exactly how my German is lacking. I've also become a little angry towards the education system in the US. I did not even have a chance to start learning a language until I was 14, which is very late in your developmental years and makes it harder to acquire languages, much less two like I chose to do. This experience has only solidified my desire for my future children to start learning a language in Kindergarten. It has been proven that languages increase intelligence, and the earlier you start, the better.

Mainz is a large city, and most people get around by public transport. Coming from Mississippi, public transport is almost non-existent. Yes, we do have buses on campus at MSU, but they are very simple and easy to navigate. Here, everything is much more complicated. There are buses, trams, and trains. I think it will take me awhile to really learn how to navigate them. Now that I have my semester ticket, I can use all of the public transport for free. Most of the time, they don't even check for a ticket, especially during busy hours. Although it's only a 30 minute walk to campus from my dorm, I don't think I'll be wanting to walk that every day twice a day, especially considering that campus is quite large and that I'll also be walking around campus. Once it gets in the middle of the summer it'll be too hot to walk everywhere. I've considered buying a bike, but I'm a little frightened of the roads here. Their traffic rules are different and I don't know them all. There are also some laws about what equipment you need to ride your bike on the roads, and I don't have the money for that right now.

I went to the bank this morning to try and open a bank account, but there was no one available at that moment to help me. I made an appointment to go back tomorrow. I did all this in German, too!! I also went to the book store and bought a notebook and cover for my student ticket (it's simply a paper card and therefore is easy to destroy). I did all of this in German as well! At this point, I've got to get past my fear of not understanding and making a fool of myself so that I can really improve.

And finally, some pictures.