Yup, I lived in Cologne for 5 months when I was 13 pretty much for the express purpose of going to school here (err, in Germany. Since I am in Germany now I just said "here" XD). So I spent half of 8th grade in a German Gymnasium. I did speak a little German, as I had had two years of it in sixth and seventh grade (plus I was bilingual as a baby, but I think I had forgotten most of it by the time I started it in school). But that wasn't enough to prevent being completely bewildered at first. The school system is completely different for one thing, and for another they talked so fast!
At first it was really hard for me because everything was so strange and I had always lived in the same house until that point in my life, and I missed my friends at home and so on. But in the end, it was not only a positive experience but I think life-altering as well. Without it, I wouldn't be here. I don't think I ever would have had the same kind of interest in Germany, the language and culture. Or gotten into learning more languages (at least, not at first). I'd probably have more trouble with new beginnings in far away places; as it is, I transition really well among different situations. So I have to thank my parents for their crazy idea of dragging me along to live in Germany at that formative age ^_^
Oh and:I associate you with blue and yellow, because I think you're a very sunny person. And I'm part Swedish! XD
Also, there is so much love for my heartbreak icon, whee!
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2008-05-09 02:15 pm (UTC)At first it was really hard for me because everything was so strange and I had always lived in the same house until that point in my life, and I missed my friends at home and so on. But in the end, it was not only a positive experience but I think life-altering as well. Without it, I wouldn't be here. I don't think I ever would have had the same kind of interest in Germany, the language and culture. Or gotten into learning more languages (at least, not at first). I'd probably have more trouble with new beginnings in far away places; as it is, I transition really well among different situations. So I have to thank my parents for their crazy idea of dragging me along to live in Germany at that formative age ^_^
Oh and: And I'm part Swedish! XD
Also, there is so much love for my heartbreak icon, whee!