The topic I have chosen for this week is to discuss:
"Some observations about social issues or challenges that face my host nation"
From my experience in Stuttgart an social issue that springs to mind is homelessness (Obdachlosigkeit). Just when walking down Königstraße on every block you can see people begging for money, some with signs asking for a donation or other simply just having a cup at their feet. I have experienced similar instances in other cities such as Rome and Paris. So I think this issue is definitely a big problem not just in Germany but the whole of Europe. I don't expect this problem to get any better, rather one would expect it to get worse due to Europe's current economic situation.
On a side note, another thought I had during the week is in regards to Germany's attitude on smoking. I find it interesting that they can be so forward thinking, and contemporary with things such as environment and economics however when it comes to smoking their views and laws seems outdated compared to countries like Australia. For example cigarettes are available at vending machines on the street and companies such as Marlboro can advertise. Obviously German society has a completely different view to the majority of people in Australia, especially the younger generations. I think this is one of the few instances where I can say Australia is more contemporary or forward thinking than Germany!
Thursday 26 January 2012
Thursday 19 January 2012
Week 2
Nearly 2 weeks into living in Stuttgart and so far I haven´t noticed any major cultural differences.
However, one thing I have noticed that is almost shocking to me is that children (some aged around 4 or 5) walk around by themselves. I see them everyday walking to school, or catching the U Bahn to and from the city centre without parents or adult supervision. It seems parents are either very trusting of their children or of the general public or both and this is not something I would see in Perth. I consider Perth to be a safe city, however even so I dont think that people would be so trusting to let their children catch public transport in and out of the city each day without supervision. It will be interesting to go to other cities in Germany and see if this is the norm throughout the country, or if it just occurs in Stuttgart. In any case I think it is a good reflection of a society, as obviously many parents must consider Stuttgart a safe city and the people to be trustworthy.
This leads me to my second observation of Stuttgart: it seems to be a city stuck between a city and country way of life- it has aspects of rural life with its grapevines spread around the cities hillsides, but is also has aspects of other main cities with its great public transport system, many well know shops and fast food chains. In many ways Stuttgart is similar to Perth in that it is not a big city and that it has many of the same shops and brands throughout the city centre. It also has a smiliar feel to Perth in that I get the feeling if you lived here for a year or so you would often be running into people you know whenever you were in he city or to and from work. Or as so often happens in Perth, when you meet someone new they will most likely know someone you know.
So far I am still yet to see any major cultural differences, but it will be interesting to see how other cities in Germany are different/similar to Stuttgart.
However, one thing I have noticed that is almost shocking to me is that children (some aged around 4 or 5) walk around by themselves. I see them everyday walking to school, or catching the U Bahn to and from the city centre without parents or adult supervision. It seems parents are either very trusting of their children or of the general public or both and this is not something I would see in Perth. I consider Perth to be a safe city, however even so I dont think that people would be so trusting to let their children catch public transport in and out of the city each day without supervision. It will be interesting to go to other cities in Germany and see if this is the norm throughout the country, or if it just occurs in Stuttgart. In any case I think it is a good reflection of a society, as obviously many parents must consider Stuttgart a safe city and the people to be trustworthy.
This leads me to my second observation of Stuttgart: it seems to be a city stuck between a city and country way of life- it has aspects of rural life with its grapevines spread around the cities hillsides, but is also has aspects of other main cities with its great public transport system, many well know shops and fast food chains. In many ways Stuttgart is similar to Perth in that it is not a big city and that it has many of the same shops and brands throughout the city centre. It also has a smiliar feel to Perth in that I get the feeling if you lived here for a year or so you would often be running into people you know whenever you were in he city or to and from work. Or as so often happens in Perth, when you meet someone new they will most likely know someone you know.
So far I am still yet to see any major cultural differences, but it will be interesting to see how other cities in Germany are different/similar to Stuttgart.
Thursday 12 January 2012
Week 1
Here is my first post for week 1 of the Stuttgart Winter Exchange. First thing I will note as how very un-wintery it has been. Today the sun is shinning, and whilst it is still chilly outside I think it could be classified as a ´warm` winter. So hopefully this will change over the 6 weeks we are here, because as lovely as the sunny weather is, for what other reason would one go to Europe in winter for other than to experience some snow!
What are my learning expectations?
Well obviously I would like to consolidate my German, and mainly improve my oral communication skills. I, like most people, generally find it much easier to read and write in German but when it comes to speaking it is something I havent had as much practice with. So far our language classes have focused on improving our oral communication, as well as going over grammer we have learnt in the past. Classes are being taught in German, which whilst it may be hard to process at 9am, is actually quite enjoyable. Secondly we have gone back to basics and gone through basic pronunciation which I´ve found helpful.
So overall I think the next 6 weeks will definately help improve my oral communication skills.
Other leraning expectations would of course involve German culture, and so far I´ve learnt quite a bit about food (so much bread!) and city life but of course there is always much to learn. It will also be good to travel to different cities throughout Germany to see how things differ from city to city.
That wraps up week 1,
Until next week, tschüss.
What are my learning expectations?
Well obviously I would like to consolidate my German, and mainly improve my oral communication skills. I, like most people, generally find it much easier to read and write in German but when it comes to speaking it is something I havent had as much practice with. So far our language classes have focused on improving our oral communication, as well as going over grammer we have learnt in the past. Classes are being taught in German, which whilst it may be hard to process at 9am, is actually quite enjoyable. Secondly we have gone back to basics and gone through basic pronunciation which I´ve found helpful.
So overall I think the next 6 weeks will definately help improve my oral communication skills.
Other leraning expectations would of course involve German culture, and so far I´ve learnt quite a bit about food (so much bread!) and city life but of course there is always much to learn. It will also be good to travel to different cities throughout Germany to see how things differ from city to city.
That wraps up week 1,
Until next week, tschüss.
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