Semester Begins

It has now been just over a month since we have settled into our new home, here in the small Germany city of Kassel. I believe we are all feeling a little more at ease, however, we are still very confused when we go shopping and can barely understand the labels on the products in the supermarket, or when we go out for dinner and can barely read the menu, or when we take the tram and have a difficulty in purchasing our group tickets for a simple ride on the tram. That said, we have now learned where to buy certain things and where you can find special items that we miss from back home; and we have found a couple local establishments where we feel comfortable going out for drinks or occasionally for dancing. In some ways you could say we have settled in.

Last week we were very lucky and as a group traveled to the amazing, vibrant city of Berlin. We went to attend the last couple days of the programs' annual summer school where alumni of the previous years are invited back for a 2 week conference, an opportunity share strategies, present papers, network and build upon ideas and strengthen friendships. The last day of the summer school included the graduation ceremony of last year's group. It was nice to be a part of that, as it does seem somewhat surreal we will be the next year's cohort at graduation!

Tomorrow our classes officially start and I think most of us are filled with mixed emotions, excited for it to really begin, but nervous as to how much work that will involve. We have already received the course packs for the first couple weeks and its a lot of reading. Of course we will manage and make it, but some of us have been out of the academic environment for some time and so it will be a bit challenging to get back into the study routine. Nonetheless it is what we are here for and so in many ways I feel pretty excited for classes to really begin.

The past couple weeks have been pretty laid back, especially for myself and Elizabeth (my other fellow English native speaker in the class who is from England), as it has been mostly for the non-English speakers, preparing their English for the academic demand's of the course. Apart from the English classes though I have done some cross-cultural workshops where I have been able to put into use some of my skills and abilities from working with Canada World Youth- which has been great!

Last week for instance, we developed our group manifesto, outlining how we plan to work together and what some of principles we believe are important to adhere to throughout the coming year we will be working together. It has been very rewarding to be a part of such a multicultural group, I don't think I have ever been a part of a group more culturally diverse. I am certain that this will be what makes this experience very unique and special, but while at the same time what will make it challenging and rewarding.