WHAT GERMAN 102 HAS TAUGHT ANDY

The german 102 curriculum has made me take a look at my own American culture from a different perspective. The cultural lessons have given me the chance to look at my own culture from the standpoint of a German or other type of world citizen. The information that each native german interviewed in the interactive about america is interesting, providing some things that I did not know while at the same time reinforcing some ideas that I previously believed people from other countries to hold about the US. I did know that many foreigners looked down on the US - ie, the stereotypes that Americans are superficial, fat, and inconsiderate. What I didn't assume before was that some germans believed also that Americans are hospitable and friendly. These facts have made me reassess what is important to me as an American, and has made me want to be more than just an American. I now want to be a world citizen, with knowledge and acceptance of all cultures. The stories about what friendship means to germans have made me yearn for deeper relationships myself.

I also have a greater respect for german culture - their way of doing things, their style of friendships, and their system of education. I really like the view of life in Germany (and perhaps the rest of europe) that you should take your time. I have always favored this approach in education, because I think that if you take the time to really study and think critically about the material that you learn much more profoundly than if you study just to pass a test. Life too should be enjoyed and less focus should be placed on money and material gain. As for foreigners living in my country, I have always had a positive view of them. I feel now though that I would like to experience that myself, and go abroad to study or otherwise. This german course has taught me a lot about germany and a lot about what I want to do with my education. 

Final Blog Entry

Learning German has helped me shape my views on the way I perceive my own culture. For one, the superficiality that Americans use when greeting one another or saying something like “How’s it going?” was pointed out to me. Some may argue against this “superficiality,” but honestly: when someone asks you, “How are you?” there is no real meaning or substance to such a question (like seriously, does a random acquaintance really care about your personal condition?). I think that I personally seem to reflect the reserved German idea that everyone associates with them—and I feel that the way Germans answer “Wie geht’s? is much better than our answer to “How’s it going?”. And may I add, the answer is “fine” 90% of the time, regardless of whether or not someone is having a shitty day.

In the past, I’ve learned a great deal about the Holocaust that at times I wondered back then, “Wow, I bet the Germans get blitzed with this all the time.” Not too diminish what happened or anything, but this course showed how tough and burdensome it is for Germans to be stereotypically labeled as “Nazis” and having to put up with all that.

My opinion has not changed at all about foreigners living in my country. For one, my dad is Spanish, so I definitely don’t hold any prejudice against foreigners of any type.

Zu guter Letzt

German culture and the German people are some of the most misunderstood things in America. Having to fight two wars against them, and the subsequent negative media portrayals of Germans has taken its toll. Most Americans think all Germans are overbearing and violent, and have a harsh, ugly language. Of course the stereotypes have some basis: Germans are obsessed with “Ordnung,” and the Prussian military tradition is prominent. But most Americans don’t think of Schiller’s “An die Freude” when they think of Germany, and I find this tragic. There are so many things in German history that are beautiful and indispensable to Western man. German-speaking people have given us some of the greatest ideas and art of all: Goete, Beethoven, Hegel, Marx, Einstein, Hesse, Marcuse. It would be nice for Americans to recognize these things, and change their stereotypes about Germans.
The problem is that Americans are often block-headed. This is another thing I have learned from studying German culture. When Germans are prejudiced and bigoted, it is an out-right, in-your-face kind of thing (i.e., skinheads). There are relatively few Germans like this today. When Americans are prejudiced it is sly and hard to discern, an undercurrent that is extraordinarily pervasive. Rather than swastikas and sieg heils, this kind of prejudice comes in the form of looking away. We don’t burn books, we just don’t read them. This kind of prejudice might not be as ugly, but it’s a million times worse, because it is so much harder to change.

Taking two courses in German at Chapel Hill has helped my German improve drastically. However, because I took German 101 and 102, I cannot say that my perspective of the United States has changed. My German teacher in high school was very keen on his students learning of current German culture so only the past culture taught in both 101 and 102 added much to my understanding of Germany. But it was entertaining to learn about Germany while learning German, thought I believe it does subtract from the effectiveness of the courses to actually teach German. I do not believe I learned much about my own culture through German 101 and 102 mainly because that was not the structure nor the point of the class. Most of what was covered with respect to the culture of America I already knew or had some idea about. Though, I did learn about the interactions between Americans and Germans that I was unaware of. The two courses I took have also made me want to study abroad in another country. But, I don’t know if I could handle it unless it was fairly laid-back. I shall see about this As for my identity, I have always known that I have a hard time successfully studying for a language. I have never been able to practice speaking much and I have never found a way to study vocabulary. But, these two courses have re-affirmed my knowledge of my weak areas in German. Maybe I can do something about them.

What German has Taught Me!

By studying German, I have learned a lot about how Americans are perceived and have come to value certain elements of our society that are “given.” I appreciate that Americans are friendly towards one another and I like that southerners smile at each other on the street. I think that we truly want to brighten each others’ days by being friendly; I don’t view it as superficiality. We could say nothing at all! Studying German has better prepared me for what I may have perceived to be “standoffishness.” Instead, I hope that I regard quiet Germans as reserved.

In addition, I respect and admire Germans’ emphasis on having a reading culture. I wish that Americans valued the classics more and that the average person cared more about the vast amount of literature in the world. Also, I like how Germans value the arts—especially music. In this regard, I think I would fit into German society very well. I too love the arts and love to read—especially classic literature—it would be amazing to be able to share thoughts on literature with all friends rather than just English majors J. Thus, I am excited to be able to experience German culture firsthand and see how I blend into their world.

I now understand my German grandmother more. Her frank honesty now seems less invasive and more culturally linked. I also can see why she cared so much about cleanliness or orderliness all of her life. Having a messy kitchen in Germany would be an atrocity! Stressing that we dress properly as children and keep our rooms very clean is just a natural part of German living—and really American living too—she was just more vocal about it!

Overall, I am very pleased to have learned so much about Germany, its culture, and the language. I feel better equipped to live in Germany and truly relate to its people!

Disney Welt!

Über der 2007-2008 Weihnachtsurlaub, meine Familie und ich reisten zu Disney Welt in Orlando, Florida. Es war die erste Zeit, dass ich Disney Welt sah, und ich hatte eine sehr gute Zeit. Wir fuhren unser Haus früh ins Morgen ab, und wir fuhren für zwei Tage nach Florida. Wann kamen wir an, wir blieben in einem sehr netten Hotelzimmer.

Wir erforschten Disney Welt für drei Tage. Am erste Tag erforschten wir das Tierkönigreich und das Magischkönigreich. Wir nahmen eine Fantasiesafarireise in das Tierkönigreich, und wir sahen Cinderellas Burg in das Magischkönigreich. Leider war das Essen sehr teuer und nicht so gut.




Am zweite Tag erforschten wir Epcot. Epcot war mein Lieblingspark! Epcot hatte viele gute Fahrgeschäft und vielen interessanten Ausstellungen. Mein Lieblingsfahrgeschäft war “Test Track.” Es war ein Rennsportsimulator. Es war SEHR, SEHR GUT!!




Am dritte Tag erforschten wir Disney-MGM Senderäume. Dieser Park war auf Filmestudios und berühmten Filme basiert. Meine Lieblingsausstellung dort war “Lichter, Motoren, Aktion! – Extremstuntshow.” In die Ausstellung, vielen Fahrer spielten Extremautostunts.


Am vierte Tag fuhren wir zu unser Haus. Bevor wir Florida fuhren ab, hatten wir ein Ferrariautohaus besichtigen. Ich nahm Fotos von viele nette Ferraris. Leider durfte ich nicht die Autos fahren.




Die Reise nach North Carolina war sehr lang, aber ich war glücklich zu Haus wieder sein.

Ferien nach Deutschland

Wir mussen immer nach Deutschland gereisen. Mein Urlaub war sehr gut. Wir sind ins Freibad gegangen. Die Deutscher Kinder waren schon. Wir haben jeden Tag geschwommen. Meine Mutter habe nicht geschwommen. Deutschland habe gutes Essen. Wir haben Wurst gegessen. Mein Vater und Mutter haben viele Bier getrunken. Das Wetter war schon aber nicht heiB. Wir waren nach Holland gefahren. Es ist schon. Die Blume waren schon. Die Leute waren hasslich. Wir haben viele Schokolade und Kase gegessen. Meine Mutter kauft viele Kleidung. Die Restaurants war billig aber die essen waren nicht gut. Wir waren tennis gespielt. Ich war nicht gut. Meine Vater war Fussball gespielt. Er war seht gut! Meine Familie liebe ruhe wahrend unsere Urlaub. Das ist warum wir nach Deutschland jeden Jahr gehen.