Christin's Semester in Deutschland!

I know its been a rather long time since I have written, but it really has been so stressful the past few weeks. Last time I wrote, I was just getting ready to move into Goettingen. So much has changed since then.

For one, I am not even in Goettingen, nor will I be going there anytime soon. When I got there, I first went to check out my living space....which was horrible. I don't really need a lot to be satisfied, but I do enjoy a healthy amount of sunlight and fresh air. Neither of these two things were available in my room, which was dark, cold and surrounded by an even darker hallway and a messy kitchen and living room. I seriously don't mean to complain, but it wasn't what I expected at all.

I thought to myself that my living conditions could still possibly change, that I could live somewhere else. I then tried to register for classes, only to find out that my papers along with a bank deposit slip had been lost (!!!) in the mail. With an extremely healthy dose of German bureaucracy, the one that I wrote about last time, I was quickly told that my place as visiting student was last, and that my chances to get any classes I wanted were extremely low. Needless to say, I spent the next hours on the phone, only to get nowhere, realizing that Goettingen was not going to be helpful at all. In a really disappointing decision, I chose to not study there.

Thank God for friends. I was lucky enough to have Anja, whom I know some of you know from last year at LC, to call and to ask for help. Within 48 hours I had a new place to study and to stay! I will now be studying in Oldenburg, which is near Bremen, and living in a really airy and bright room in a dorm cluster with 5 others. I won't move in until later, but it should be much nicer! It is so close to the university, which speaking of, has been so helpful in helping me choose classes and supporting me in other ways.

Otherwise my days have been filled with working for my host mom, riding a lot of bike and doing some exploring on my own. On Sat. I will be in Berlin, on Sunday in Kassel and then the next week in Southern Germany visiting a friend of mine. She studies Health Management near Stuttgart, which is somewhere where I have never been, so that will be exciting! And I just found out that I will spend Easter in Paris...which will be great, I'm sure!

Well I better get going, but I promise to blog again soon!

I miss you all!
XoXo

Well, day two is almost behind me. I spent all day today trying to get in touch with the Univeristy and the heads of the departments of Poli. Sci and German. It was definitely a struggle. Most people were not in their office, either their office hours are so limited or they simply not there. I finally got a hold of the head of the Poli. Sci department, who, get this, was actually an American! We talked for a while in German before I noticed his heavy accent and then I offered to speak and English, and he accepted. So, we actually spoke in English but got a lot done. He sent me the email address of this gentleman who will helps exchange students. We will meet in Göttingen on Wednesday. ( I move in Tuesday!!!)

I also filled out the immatriculation forms necessary for me to be a student at the University. However, they can't be sent out until tomorrow because I have to transfer money to the university first. I thought that was kind of funny, especially since the amount is so little to the ridiculous amount we pay at Luther, which by the way, I just read in a lovely e-mail will go up to $33, 500 next year. Cool. Or not.

I was reminded of why I love the German culture today when I was picking up things like shampoo and such. I love seeing that everything is environmentally friendly or organic. Call me a nerd but I love that!

It was a beautiful day and I took a long bike ride which also reminded me why I love Germany . I got to take the Kottkamps dog along which was also great, and Mom, if you're reading this, is a reminder why I still think we should get a dog

I am going to take the train tomorrow to see my grandparents, and I am very excited! The area where they live is stunning! I will update again soon!

I miss you all! XoXo!!

Viele Grüsse aus Deutschland!

I arrived safely and happily in Germany this morning. After three long but pleasant flights I was glad to see solid ground . The flight from Minneapolis to Amsterdam was extra pleasant, as the mother of my friend Sigrid from Luther was a flight attendant for my row! (I got dessert from the First Class-bing bong ).

I was picked up by some family friends, the Kottkamps, whom I am staying with until I go to Göttingen next week. They are so caring and kind, and have made my first day here so comfortable. I went to bed almost as soon as we got to Steinhude, where they live (it´s about 1.5 hours from Göttingen). After a long nap and not being sure where I was when I woke up, I showered and did some repacking. We had a great dinner tonight and afterwards I talked to Martina and Rainer (Kottkamp) for a very long and enjoyable time! It was great conversation that covered everything from running to politics .

Tomorrow I will be following Martina to work, where together we will work on getting things in place for Göttingen. We´ll probably also pick up a cellphone for me to use while I am here, as I am unsure that I will have access to telephones at the University. On Thursday, I will leave for my grandparents house in Siegen, a four hour train ride from here. I will be there until Saturday, and then will go back to Steinhude. From there I will depart for Göttingen on either Monday or Tuesday, depending on which works better for Martina and Rainer, who have offered to bring me there.

Well, I am going to try to sleep through my jet lag and get used to the new time zone as possible. I really hope you all are well, and I promise to keep you all posted on what is going in the next few days! Much love to all!