TODAY WE HAVE INTERVIEWED GIULIA, A STUDENT OF OUR SCHOOL WHO IS ATTENDING THE FOURTH YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL IN GERMANY
1 Why have you decided to spend a school year abroad?
I have always been attracted by experiences abroad and it was exactly during a summer program when I took the decision to spend a school year abroad. In my opinion these moments are perfect in order to grow as a person, both linguistically and humanely.
At first, I wanted to leave with a friend of mine just for a few months, like a trimester, but unfortunately that friend wasn’t accepted for the program and then I wasn’t sure myself to take that opportunity as I had passed the selections. Luckily my friend instead of being annoyed or offended by it, gave me the necessary push and I steeled myself.
2 How is living in Berlin?
I have to admit that it was a huge change at first. I was used to live in a small town of 13 thousand inhabitants and now I spend my days in the German capital city inhabited by 3,6 million people. Personally, I find it a great improvement. I can easily reach each part of the city by using public transport or just a bike. Berlin is rich in culture, monuments and people: despite the pandemic I still have plenty of opportunities.
3 Do you speak only German or also English?
Since the beginning I challenged myself into trying to only speak German. I couldn't understand a single sentence at first, but my host family and my friends always tried to explain it again in an easier way and then if necessary also in English.
Currently I speak English during my English classes or with a friend of mine who is also an exchange student, but doesn’t know enough German to have a conversation.
I reckon it is fundamental to strive to speak German. If I wanted to improve my English, I wouldn't have left for Germany.
4 Has your German level improved? What about English?
My German level has certainly improved. I remember how sad it was when in September my family and I were eating dinner together and I couldn’t understand what they were talking about so I used to remain silent. Now I’m really proud of my improvements. It isn’t complicated at all to take part in a conversation now and the fact that I can watch films in German without the need of subtitles is just satisfying.
Talking about English, I have to say that it has also improved, but in a different way than if I had studied it in Italy. The main importance during English classes in Germany is the ability of speaking and understanding. We don’t really spend whole hours doing grammar; we watch videos about recent events like the BLM movement or the elections and then comment on these themes. Reading is also important, in fact we’re currently reading the book “The Hunger Games” and after that we’ll do a project about it.
5 Have you had any problems communicating with your host family?
Communication was never a problem. We understand each other very well and when someone has a problem, they have just to tell about it and that’s all. Sometimes we misunderstand due to the language barrier, but luckily, it’s not that common anymore.
In case of need we can always use a translator or try to explain what we want to say in another language. I’m really lucky because my host family also speaks other languages like English, Spanish and Portuguese and one way or another we find the way to communicate.
6 What is your daily routine? (what time do classes start? Do you have lunch in the canteen or at home? What do you usually eat? What do you usually do in the afternoon and in the evening?)
On a typical day I wake up at around 6:45 am and after a big breakfast I take my bike and ride to school. Classes usually start at 8 am and finish at 1 pm or 3 pm, we have pauses of 15 minutes every two classes. We have a canteen and it is possible to buy something and eat there when we have classes until 3pm or also in the school yard as my friends and I prefer to do. Personally, I don’t like the food from the school, for this reason I always take with me my own box with some fruits and bread.
After school I usually go back home and have lunch with my host sister and then I do my homework. Once or twice a week I like meeting friends and spending the afternoon with them playing games or riding somewhere.
In the evening I help my host mum cook dinner, always a vegetarian one and after that we have a meal together with the whole family. Sometimes we play cards or watch films/TV series.
7 What are the main differences between the German education system and the Italian one?
The education system is pretty different in the two countries. A class lasts about 45 minutes and in my school I have a pause of 15 minutes every two classes. At 13 it’s lunch time and there is a bigger pause of 40 minutes.
I go to school from Monday to Friday and it’s awkward for them knowing that in Italy we have school on Saturday.
During common weeks we have short tests of 20 minutes and the grade of them isn’t really important. At the end of a semester we have the “Klausuren”, we have one and a half hours of time because this test is the longest and the most important.
In German schools there isn’t the idea of “oral tests” like in Italy, so the participation during classes is fundamental for a good grade in the report card.
In my opinion in Germany there is not so much pressure on the students and they don’t have as much to study as in Italy. In addition, here you can find subjects like Music and Art (they’re practical subjects), or Ethic and Politics.
The school is mandatory until 10th grade and after that students can decide what they want to study by choosing courses for the following 2 years.
The schools usually offer “AGs”, they’re like extra optional courses of sports or other things like that.
8 What do you expect at the end of this experience, do you have any special expectations about language improvement and personal experience?
In less than two months I’ll be in Italy again and I certainly expect a language improvement, but I think that this is not the only thing I’ll always remember about my experience. Being a year long far from home has changed me as a person. I think it can help someone to really understand what is important to them and what they really need. You learn how to become more open minded and proactive to new things. Personally, I also learned to appreciate my home country Italy. I’ve really missed it.
9 What is the most fascinating memory that you will always keep in your heart?
I believe that one of the most fascinating memories that could seem obvious or predictable is the first time someone asked me to hang out. It’s hard to explain it to someone who hasn’t experienced something like this, but you have to keep in mind that all these people have friends already and they have known each other for ages, so being asked out meant a lot for me because it was the proof that we are actually friends.
10 Would you recommend this kind of experience to other students? Why?
Of course I would recommend this kind of experience to other students. As I said before, it is a great opportunity to experience personal growth. You get to know new people that can turn into lifelong friends and a different culture from yours. In addition, you can develop your spirit of adaptation and tolerance.
Last but not least, during a year in a foreign country you have the time to improve your language skills becoming part of a community.