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!

Orientation 2012: Photo Adventures

Students walk up the steep hill to Starkenburg Castle.

In the last month here at DFSR, our courtyard has been full of eager German learners, our teachers are cheerfully preparing new lessons and assignments and our offices are filled with laughter from the students during their lunch break. August always proves to be a busy time here at DFSR, and we wouldn't have it any other way!

We've collected a few photos of our inbound high school students from the last few days here in Heppenheim. The students are in their second week of intensive language courses and orientation at the DFSR headquarters before meeting their host families throughout Germany next week. You can read more about our high school program here.

Make sure to check back often to this blog or to our Facebook page for updated photos!

Heppenheim Starkenburg Castle, near the DFSR office

Beginning the journey to Starkenburg

Students explore the castle walls.

Students learn and work together in the intensive German class.

Learning how to give directions in German

Inbound Students gather for an outing!

Students relax after lunch.

Students line up for lunch in the DFSR garden!

Teamwork: Students help each other with a German assignment.

A beautiful day in Heppenheim. Students enjoy lunch in the garden.

Students gather for lunch in the DFSR garden.

Students gather for lunch in the DFSR garden.

 

Enjoying lunch in the garden.

Traveling Abroad: 3 Ways to Combat Culture Shock

Many times when students travel abroad for either a short or extended period of time, they experience some sort of culture shock. The feelings of culture shock can either be barely noticeable, or hardly tolerable, but the most important thing to remember is that the feelings of culture shock are completely normal! We have compiled a list of common feelings that students often express when traveling abroad and how those students dealt with the shock. Do you have some additional experiences? Feel free to share them in the comment section with us!

1. You become frustrated with new or different foods.

• Offer to cook a meal from your home country for your host family. This gesture will allow you to experience a bit of your home culture while also sharing it with your host family. Every country has a unique array of foods, but it is comforting when you can taste something from home every now and then!

2. You become discouraged when trying to speak German.

• Carry a dictionary with you and don't be afraid to use it when you don't know a word or are confused in conversation. This effort shows that you are trying to learn the language and do not want to depend on your English. Another way to overcome the language barrier is to practice! Make a deal with a German friend that you will only speak German to him or her. Let your friend practice English with you and then it's a win-win situation!

3. The smallest differences start to bother you. You overreact and don't understand why.

• Start a journal and write your feelings down every day. Perhaps this will help you understand your frustrations and work through them. It's OK to talk about your feelings with others and remember that differences are not good or bad - they are just different than your norm.

We encourage our students to integrate fully into the German life when they come to high school in Germany. By providing them avenues of support through the DFSR office, coordinators in their region throughout the country, and other students studying abroad, we hope that all students have a positive experience and cultural immersion into the day-to-day life of a German.

Have you had an experience with culture shock? Feel free to share it with us!

High School Germany: 30 Students Arrive for Orientation!

Inbound students pose for a photo with their new shirts!

The DFSR headquarters is lively as ever today as we welcome thirty inbound students from all over the world. The students have traveled from Canada, Ecuador, Japan, the USA, Brazil, Mexico, Macedonia, and Italy, and are living at the DFSR headquarters here in Heppenheim, Germany for two weeks while attending intensive German courses and orientation. After the two weeks, the students will travel throughout the country to meet their host families and start high school. The orientation period gives the students time to develop a support network, in addition to the one that they already have from DFSR. The students will live in different cities throughout the country, but will always have connections and friendships that they make through this two week orientation program.

For the next two weeks, the DFSR coordinators have planned exciting outings for the students. In addition to German lessons every day, the students will be able to go swimming, shopping, to the zoo and visit nearby cities such as Heidelberg and Frankfurt.  Here are a few photos from the first days of orientation!

The group gathers for a photo in front of DFSR

Frankie the owl adorns all shirts!

With the temperature at a toasty 34° C  (94° F), students enjoyed cooling off by the fountain.

Trying to beat the heat with some fountain splashing!

Using new German skills to order ice cream

Enjoying some Eis (Ice cream) in the Heppenheim Marktplatz

Students enjoying lunch in the DFSR garden

Students borrow these DFSR bikes to explore Heppenheim.

Welcome BBQ: Host Families and Exchange Students Gather for Dinner

American Scholarship winners meet for the first time!

On Saturday evening, we welcomed ten inbound students and their host families, including four American scholarship winners and six Canadian participants of the European Classroom. The welcome party was held at the DFSR headquarters in Heppenheim, Germany and provided an opportunity for the students to meet each other and for the host families to interact.

The weather was perfect for the evening festivities that started with mingling and then a delicious dinner of chicken, Thai kebabs and various salads. The flags of many countries created a mosaic backdrop for the garden area and students made new friends as they met their fellow Canadians, Americans and each other's host families. The evening ended with a presentation from DFSR. In four different languages (German, English, French and Spanish), the participants representing a host mother, student, coordinator and DFSR staff, described the effect that the students will have on their German community. In the end, the purpose of the presentation was to share that not only will the the student be affected and changed, but that the German communities will forever be changed from the student's positive cultural imprint.

The Canadian students are studying in Germany for five months as part of the European Classroom Program.   The students will attend German lessons here at DFSR twice a week and also learn about different European countries. Through the study of Ireland, Italy and France, the students will gain a better understanding of a popular European city before actually visiting it together as a class. All together, the students will travel to Dublin, Paris and Venice and experience the food, people and culture of each city and country. The first trip is scheduled to Dublin at the end of September. The American scholarship winners are studying here in Germany for one year and you can learn more about their journey in this blog post.

Here are some photos from the welcome BBQ:

Canadian students with their host families

Enjoying dinner in the garden

Dinner time!

Mingling in the garden

A warm welcome to our Canadian students - the Inuksuk lives in our garden

Meeting new friends in the DFSR garden

 The students each received a bag of coffee beans as a reminder that, like the coffee beans placed into water, they are being placed into a new environment. The coffee beans do change from the impact of the water, but still remain a bean. The water, however, changes into something new because of the bean. This was correlated to the student and Germany. The students will change during their abroad experience, but still remain themselves; the environment that they live in will forever be changed by their cultural imprint. As cultural ambassadors, the students leave lasting impressions on the community that they become a part of.

American Scholarship Winners Arrive in Deutschland!

On Friday afternoon, we welcomed four American students here to Heppenheim as part of our high school program. The students, Emily, Emily, Dyani, and Quinn, are from all over the United States and applied for the Founder's Scholarship last year which provides a year of cultural exchange here in Germany. They were chosen by our parent organization, CETUSA for their belief in cultural exchange and eagerness to share their open minds with a new community and culture. These students will be joined by the fifth winner, Trenton, next week. All of the American students will live with host families and attend high school in the area of Heppenheim, Germany where the headquarters of DFSR is located.

The students were welcomed at the Frankfurt airport by their anxious host families and two DFSR representatives. We are so excited to welcome these students to our city and look forward to a year of cultural immersion, new friends, and many lifelong memories! Check out the photos below of the students' arrivals, and read about our Welcome BBQ here.

10th August 2012 - American students arrive at the Frankfurt airport

On Friday, 10th August, three excited host families from Bensheim, Heppenheim and Zwingenberg drove to the Frankfurt airport to pick up their new family members Emily, Quinn and Dyani, three of our

scholarship students from America. The DFSR Team jumped from one gate to another to record all the emotional welcomes.

Gate B2  - Emily's Arrival

The host family arrives at Frankfurt Airport to welcome Emily from the USA...

So excited to meet the new family member.

Finally...the doors open and Emily steps out of the gate

Warm welcome

Emily can't wait to see her new home in Germany.

Gate C  - Quinn's and Dyani's Arrival

The host family created a lovely poster for their host student Quinn...

The tension increases...

At long last Quinn arrived safe and sound...

...what an awesome moment!

Obviously Quinn is excited about his host family!

A few steps away at the same gate....

Our third family is waiting for Dyani to arrive...

Here she is...happy and relieved!

We are sure Dyani will have an amazing time in Germany.

Heading towards home

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