Katia and Tom Exchange Countries

Our DFSR students Katia and Tom

A few weeks ago Katia started her High School Year in Moers, Germany. For her it is a very special student exchange as our DFSR Outbound student Tom is living with her family in Montréal at the same time. We are very interested in finding out what they both experienced during their first weeks in their "new" homes. Here you can read Katias first report:

It's been more than a week and I like it here! For sure it's different to beautiful Heppenheim, but my family is so nice and warm with me! I miss the DfSR group, but we all keep in tough, which is great! They are doing their best so that my stay in their house is the best! I started school last Tuesday! I'm not going to lie I was pretty nervous! I had a warm welcome at the school from the director and the school teachers! I got to choose the courses I wanted, which is good! The schedule here is different from Canada, but I can deal with that! So my first day of school was not bad, I didn't understand a lot, obviously because it was in German! But kein Problem, the students where there to help me! And so far now, I understand a lot more than I did before and even speak it well from time to time.

And I always go by bike which is 8 km, so about 25 minutes! And all the family always eats together! My host parents also found a local soccer team of women so that I can play because they knew how much I loved that sport! I had two pratices so far and at the first practice I said: "Yes I want to be on the team!", and as a welcome surprise on the second practice there was a photographer who came to take a picture of the team handing me the number 5 t-shirt and he said that it was going to be on the Zeitung of the area! 

So, that is it for now!

Katia receiving her soccer jersey with the No. 5 (Foto: Appler)

Tschüss

Katia Medina

If you want to know how Tom experienced his first days with Katia's family in Montréal, please have a look at our DFSR Outbound Blog

Following is the article about Katia's soccer team - in German, though (if you want to practice your language skills already a bit):

KALDENHAUSEN - Ein warmer Abend. Feiner Staub weht über den Sportplatz des TVK. Lachen. Gibbeln. Aber auch konzentrierte Trainingsarbeit. Der Turnverein Kaldenhausen hat erstmals in seiner Geschichte eine weibliche Fußball-Mannschaft.

Trainiert und betreut werden die A-Juniorinnen von Michael Förster, Udo Moldenhauer und Tom Appler. Kaum in der Liga am Start gibt es etwas Besonderes zu vermelden: Die kanadische Austauschschülerin Katia Medina fand über den befreundeten FSV Kapellen den Weg zum TVK. Nach dem ersten Training sagte die junge Dame aus Nordamerika kurz und knapp „Yes“ - die TVK-Verantwortlichen antworteten ebenso knapp „We can!“ - und los ging’s. Die ausgezeichnete Mädchen- und Frauenfußball-Atmosphäre auf der Anlage Am Westrich hat Tradition. Nicht nur, dass hier häufiger der ruhmreiche FCR 2001 trainierte, mit TVK-Vorstand Heinz Geilen und Trainer Michael Förster hat der Klub auch ausgewiesene Frauenfußball-Fans (und -Experten) in seinen Reihen.

So war es selbstverständlich, dass Geilen dem kanadischen Mädchen, dessen Austausch-Bruder und Gastgeber-Eltern vier Tribünenkarten für das Länderspiel der deutschen Nationalmannschaft gegen die Türkei (Mittwoch, 19. September, 17 Uhr, MSV-Arena) überreichte. Spielführerin Marcella Picozzi übergab Katja das Trikot mit der Nr. 5 in der Hoffnung, dass sich der spektakuläre Neuzugang aus Übersee schnell in die niederrheinische (und mittlerweile verschworene) Pferdeschwanz-Crew einfindet. Das Team hat übrigens gut vorgelegt. Nach zwei Spielen führt „frau“ die Tabelle verlustpunktfrei und mit 21:1 Toren an.

Fußballbegeisterte Mädchen und Frauen können gerne ein Probetraining beim TVK absolvieren. Anfragen bitte über den Trainer (0177/3566190) oder einfach zum Training kommen (mo, do, 18.30 bis 20.30 Uhr, Anlage TVK, Am Westrich 27).

Unser Bild zeigt Begrüßung auf TV Kaldenhausen-Art: Vorstand Heinz Geilen (links) und Spielführerin Marcella Picozzi (mittlere Reihe 3. vl) übergeben Katia Medina (gestreiftes Trikot) Tribünen-Tickets für das EM-Quali-Länderspiel gegen die Türkei und ihr TVK-Trikot mit der Nr. 5. Rechts zu sehen der Aufsichtsratsvorsitzende des FCR 2001 Duisburg, Ferdi Seidelt, der dem TVK anlässlich seines Starts in den Mädchen- und Frauenfußball alles Gute wünschte.

German Traditions: Studying Abroad is More Than Just Studying!

When students come to Germany to attend high school, they are not only integrating into the German culture at school and in classes, but also in the family life, community and way of life. Like many countries, Germany is rich in tradition and customs and our inbound students have ample opportunities to experience these while living and studying in Germany with DFSR.

Here's a look at just a few traditions and customs: 

A German Tradition: Kaffee und Kuchen

1. Kaffee und Kuchen- What's more pleasant than a relaxing afternoon of drinking coffee and eating cake? Both cafes and private homes provide an atmosphere for this indulgence. In addition to mouth-watering pastries, German cafes provide large assortments of cake - Käsekuchen (cheesecake), Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte, (Black Forest Cake) and Butterkuchen (Butter Cake) to name a few. Around 3pm or 4pm, it is very common to find many Germans indulging in a cup of hot coffee or cappuccino and a large slice of heavenly kuchen. Students, enjoy your host family's cooking of these delectable treats!

2. Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Markets) - German Christmas markets are famous around the world. In most towns in Germany, whether small or large, Christmas markets are annual traditions that start at the beginning of Advent. Vendors set up stalls and sell homemade ornaments, gingerbread and many, many other treats. If you are visiting Germany during late November and early December, make sure to find your way to this German tradition.

3. Christmas Eve- In Germany, it is custom to share gifts with family members on Christmas Eve and not Christmas morning. Of course, each family may be different, but for most German households, Christkind, an angelic child, delivers gifts to children on Christmas Eve. For most families, the Christmas Tree, or Tannenbaum, is put up and decorated on or near Christmas Eve and not weeks before.

4. Tracht (Traditional Dress)- When a foreigner thinks of Germany, traditional dress often comes to mind, namely the Dirndl and Lederhosen. Many small villages and regions have traditional dress that is worn for festivals, holidays and other special events. Many Germans are proud of their heritage and some Bavarians even wear their Lederhosen for Sunday lunch. Mainly, however, you can spot this tracht at Oktoberfest in Munich!

Traditional Trachten: Dirndl and Lederhosen

5. Birthday- Did you know that in Germany it is bad luck to wish somebody happy birthday before the actual day? In North America, it is very common to say "Happy Early Birthday" if you are not going to see someone on their actual birthday. In Germany, this is bad luck! Birthdays are never celebrated early.


6. New Year's Eve- An interesting New Year's Eve tradition is the "Bleigießen" or "Lead Pouring" where a lead figure is melted over a candle and then  poured into a bowl of water. A new figure or shape is seen in the water and predicts what the coming year will bring. For instance, the shape of a ball may represent good luck rolling your way.

Have you experienced other German customs and traditions? Please share them with us in the comment section below!