I’ve officially been in Germany for a little over a month. It is still unreal. This opportunity has been amazing but definitely not easy. I just wrapped up my first week of classes and wow, just wow. One thing I probably won’t get used to is how many classes I actually have to attend. I’m enrolled in 6 courses but some are split into two modules or sub-topics, so I actually go to 10. Also, I knew classes would be difficult because I haven’t mastered the language yet but they are borderline insane. Luckily, some of the professors speak a little slower for the non-native students in class, and all of them give you their lecture notes in advance. My pocket dictionary is honestly my most valuable possession at the moment. Well for class anyway. Having conversations in German with fellow students or just people you come across on a daily basis is getting much easier and natural which I know will happen in class soon enough.
Besides stressing over classes I have found the time to do and plan exciting things. There is a smaller version of Oktoberfest in Stuttgart called “Canstatter Volksfest” coming up and I even bought a dirndl (traditional German dress) in preparation. The school apparently has their own tent there, and there are also carnival rides there. I’m also really happy that they offer alcohol-free beer (yeah, I know, I’m probably the only 21-year-old who doesn’t like drinking) so I won’t feel too left out while everyone else has their glass liter steins full of real beer. I’ll at least have a glass filled with something that looks like the real thing.
This weekend is a 4-day weekend for me because I don’t have classes on Fridays (a dream come true) and Monday, October 3rd is a national holiday here. It’s also my birthday! It’ll be the first birthday I spend away from home, but I’ve planned a trip to Prague with some new friends I’ve made since being here. We’ve booked a really cheap, but nice looking hostel, and found cheap round-trip bus passes as well. I absolutely love how easy and affordable it is to travel here. Also, I’ve never been to the Czech Republic before or even stayed in a hostel, so that should be fun. I was told to get most of my traveling done before classes start to get too intense and too really experience traveling as a European student would, so I’m definitely taking their advice to heart. Needless to say I am extremely excited to spend my birthday weekend a little differently this year, and hopefully, it all goes well. Until next time~