Current Event September

Germany's immigration laws are detailed and acceptance into the country is difficult, and nothing shows this better than the story of the Roma.
1900 Macedonians and Serbs have applied for asylum in Germany in August alone, seeking sanctuary from discrimination in their home countries. It is speculated that Germany's excellent healthcare and benefits systems make many Roma wish to enter the country, but less that 0,1 percent of the applications are granted. This is because the Roma are not being pursued politically, and therefore are not protected by the Geneva Conventions. Roma from Bulgaria and Romania, however, may move into Germany since their nations have joined the EU. They still are not allowed to work, however, and many resort to crime or illegal jobs, or remain in poverty and unemployed. This exacerbates resentment toward the immigrants, and therefore the restrictions will be lifted in 2014. In the meantime, integration efforts such as German courses for immigrants are expensive and when Roma deny their ethnicity for fear of discrimination they are ineligible for these courses.
The immigration and ethnic issues are not limited to Germany; they are an issue of the entire EU that is reflected in Germany's situation. While Germany's laws cause part of the problem, ethnic prejudices and EU sanctions are, in my opinion, the first thing that need to be changed for Germany to become both more prosperous and more open to struggling immigrants.

http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,16256679,00.html

21 Days

3 weeks has never seemed to be such a long or such a short time. Since I have arrived in Germany, my senses have been assailed by the complete newness of this place, its sounds and sights and smells (the tastes, too...). Listening and comprehending became a job, that exhausted me and really, really made me want to go home.But this past week, I feel like something has changed. I've become closer with my host family, my class at school, and my beautiful city. It's not quite so hard to figure out what's going on anymore (except in Physics class).

I've become acquainted with the Brenz, the beautiful brook after which Heidenheim gets its name...

Last Saturday with my host father I visited a kleinen Dorf, where we naturally walked around...

...then hiked in the forest, where I continually expected to meet the cast of The Lord of the Rings around every corner...

...then, naturally, had a little something to eat.

The next day, I went with my host sister to a soccer game (it is a five minute walk to the stadium from my house), something so perfectly German I could not refuse. 

The people I saw there were so friendly and enthusiastic, and the refreshments were delicious! 

The rest of the week included adventures such as a cordial welcome at my first Rotary meeting (complete with schnitzel)...

...a successful visit at a bakery...

...and walking around Heidenheim in lovely weather, seeing the sights. 

Frequently I stop and have a moment where I realize, again, where I am. I realize that my hard work has paid off, the months of waiting are over, and I am exactly where I wanted to be for so long. Every time I understand a new word, take the correct bus home, see Schloss Hellenstein, walk up the spiral staircase in Schiller-Gymnasium, or order a Wurst in a restaurant, my exchange becomes more real. I can't tell if I'm becoming part of this place, or if this place is becoming part of me, but I know that somehow, it has become my home. 

On The Second Day Of Fall I Went Looking For A Sheep

Today as I pleasantly ate my midday yogurt, my host mother remarked that, oh, by the way, she had heard the sheep.
Now, my neighborhood is not what you would call rustic, and certainly not a haven for farm animals. However, I was intrigued by this statement, and learned upon further questioning that in the Schwäbische Alps, herds of sheep frequently come to the local meadow for a few days, crop the grass nicely, and then move on to another valley. The idea of having a local sheep herd appealed to me, as you might have guessed, and after munching a small piece of cake I set off, camera in hand, to find the sheep.
First I found a cat.

But then, after following some telltale droppings, smells and sheepish sounds...

...I found the sheep, complete with shepherd, complete with crook. (Shepherding is a profession in Germany.)

Seeing these sheep, for me, was a really remarkable experience. There was something so utterly German, so timeless about it. Somehow, it was quintessential to see these sheep, walk down the crunchy gravel path, and greet the others out enjoying the afternoon.

After a few more photos, I continued on my walk. The air had a single crisp edge that brushed against the sunshine as the green and yellow landscape shone vibrant alongside the rust-red roofs. 

After a while I made my way back, along the path...

...under the overhanging crabapples...

...past the sheep...

...and all the way back home. 

In Which I Attend School

On Monday I had the most exciting first day of school that I can remember. I have attended the Schiller-Gymnasium, a school which specializes in art and music, for four whole days now. The school is about 200 years old, with about 700 students from about ages 10-18. It is quite intimidating, with stone steps, high ceilings, and lots of German people speaking...well...German. The classrooms and atmosphere are quite different from my high school in the US, I have realized. I am in the 10th grade here, with 15 and 16 year olds. (In 11th grade Gymnasium students follow a more individualized course of study.) I will be studying History, Art, French, German, Music, Earth Science, English, Sport, Ethics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Choir, Political Philosophy, and Math. I jumped right in to classes, without much introduction but with promises of help whenever I need it. The students are also friendly, letting me share their books, translating and explaining when need be, and showing me around. Two other exchange students from Colombia and Argentina are also in my class, which is comforting.
After school we three inbounds have German class, with another student from the US. Then, generally, we like to have a little after-school snack.

So far my favorite gelato flavor is Erdbeere-Joghurt. 

This is me on the first day of school.

School here is much harder for me, as it is all in German (except English class), but I'm not very worried. You see, this is the view from my classroom window:

In Heidenheim

I have now been in Heidenheim for a little over a week, and goodness do I feel different from how I did when I arrived! I have been quite tired, but my host family has been kind and welcoming and showed me the sights, food and necessities of my new home. I now have a library card, a bank account, and a load of laundry to fold, in addition to a vague knowledge of the bus system, a favorite cafe from which to buy pretzels (a Schwäbische specialty), a school, and, last but not least, a list of things to buy at the Schloss-Arkaden.

I am really enjoying myself here, getting to know the city and my family. Last week my host sister and I went roller-skating. 

(It was quite a feat.)

I have also gone for many walks in my neighborhood, seeing things like this:

I often read or spend time in the garden: 

When I want a change of scenery, I go into town to see the sights...

...attend a sausage market...

admire the Brenz (as in Heidenheim an der)...

...or simply make friends.

Overall, I think things are going quite well here, and I'm not just saying that because of the food.

At least, not completely! 

Von Deutschland!

Hallo alles!
Here I am, on my host family's computer for a quick blog post to tell you that I am here! I arrived Sunday morning to a very welcoming host family after a successful flight. We stopped at a little German cafe on the way home. I unpacked, ate a nice lunch (Germans frequently eat a hot meal at the noon hour) and then my host mother, father and sister took me on a tour of the local castle, Schloss Hellenstein, and then a ruin of another fortress, Rosenstein. After that, naturally, we had delicious cake and hot chocolate at the cafe at the top of the hill.
Hopefully in the next few days I will have completely gotten over my jet lag--as it is I have taken multiple random naps. Today we have gone shopping (Einkaufen) and also to the Rathaus to tell the Heidenheimians that I am here. Tomorrow I hope to get my residence permit (Visa). Heidenheim is an adorable city, lots of cafes and pigeons and shops for clothing and books. There is a Bio (Organic) shop also, and a library. I have not taken so many pictures, but I will post a few. On the docket for the next few days: possibly Ulm in the morning with my host sister, if I am not too tired; getting my Visa, buying a Händy (cell phone), and possibly meeting a member of the Rotary Club here, or a person from the school. I hope also to meet the other exchange students here.
Working on my language is going reasonably well, and I am trying to avoid US communication as much as possible (please keep comments brief). Another post will follow in a few days.

 Heidenheim, from above

 Schloss Hellenstein (note the tiny satellite dish)

Me! 

Tschüs!