So I've been a little bit slack in keeping this updated - I have just been so busy since I started school I have not been able to keep up.
Learning a new language, as it turns out, is not as easy as first thought. The more I learn, the more I realise I don't know. I'm starting to think that the idea of being fluent after one year is not entirely feasible. I guess only time will tell. I'm trying to learn about 20 new verbs a day currently, along with grammatical structure and everything else that goes with learning a new language. Seems a little daunting.
I am constantly tired after school, and I also have to find a new flat and job within the next few weeks. Along with trying to explore the city and socialise as much as possible to network, I find myself continually exhausted.
Berlin is constantly full of surprises. I am in a homestay at the moment in a particularly awesome part of the city. There are quaint parks and statues everywhere, along with cafes and wine and cheese bars. The more I explore, the more I can see myself staying here. However, finding a flat seems to be another issue. People here are odd, and naturally have odd adverts. There are adverts such as "We only want a 24 year old female vegan native french speaker". Talking to other people I've met here, I have heard all sorts of other horror stories.
I'm also trying to familiarise myself with the cheap travel websites - as if you book at the right time you can travel incredibly cheaply. As much as I love Berlin, there are so many places I want to visit around here. The idea of driving for a couple of hours in any given direction and then being in a new country, with a different culture and a different language is still quite hard for me to get my head around.
The cultural difference isn't huge, but there definitely are differences. Even little things, like the way people phrase sentences come off a bit abrupt to me. Not that this is the intention, but it's just a different mindset. Also in the supermarkets, milk generally isn't refridgerated and anything slightly expensive (for example: Handheld shavers) are kept in locked cabinets. Which then also means trying to approach staff and ask them for help. And then trying to understand what's going on.
Anyway, I'm heading off tonight to watch one of the football matches at some bar with mates from my school. The world cup is huge here - I think I'm going to have to learn to like the game very quickly. Even at my school they've put a draw table up.
That is all for now. Life seems to be slipping back into a loose routine again, which is nice but I am also worried about beocoming complacent and not seeing much more of the continent.
I will write again when I have more substantial news. Ciao.
Learning a new language, as it turns out, is not as easy as first thought. The more I learn, the more I realise I don't know. I'm starting to think that the idea of being fluent after one year is not entirely feasible. I guess only time will tell. I'm trying to learn about 20 new verbs a day currently, along with grammatical structure and everything else that goes with learning a new language. Seems a little daunting.
I am constantly tired after school, and I also have to find a new flat and job within the next few weeks. Along with trying to explore the city and socialise as much as possible to network, I find myself continually exhausted.
Berlin is constantly full of surprises. I am in a homestay at the moment in a particularly awesome part of the city. There are quaint parks and statues everywhere, along with cafes and wine and cheese bars. The more I explore, the more I can see myself staying here. However, finding a flat seems to be another issue. People here are odd, and naturally have odd adverts. There are adverts such as "We only want a 24 year old female vegan native french speaker". Talking to other people I've met here, I have heard all sorts of other horror stories.
I'm also trying to familiarise myself with the cheap travel websites - as if you book at the right time you can travel incredibly cheaply. As much as I love Berlin, there are so many places I want to visit around here. The idea of driving for a couple of hours in any given direction and then being in a new country, with a different culture and a different language is still quite hard for me to get my head around.
The cultural difference isn't huge, but there definitely are differences. Even little things, like the way people phrase sentences come off a bit abrupt to me. Not that this is the intention, but it's just a different mindset. Also in the supermarkets, milk generally isn't refridgerated and anything slightly expensive (for example: Handheld shavers) are kept in locked cabinets. Which then also means trying to approach staff and ask them for help. And then trying to understand what's going on.
Anyway, I'm heading off tonight to watch one of the football matches at some bar with mates from my school. The world cup is huge here - I think I'm going to have to learn to like the game very quickly. Even at my school they've put a draw table up.
That is all for now. Life seems to be slipping back into a loose routine again, which is nice but I am also worried about beocoming complacent and not seeing much more of the continent.
I will write again when I have more substantial news. Ciao.
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