8 October 2017

WEEK 1: EXPLORING THE CITY AND LIVING ON MY OWN


Although it hasn't been a week since I've arrived here (on Monday it's the official “birthday”), I was feeling like writing one post, so here I am, listening to German music on the background and more than ready to spend a few hours writing (these posts take ages to write, because I always end up writing too much and I need to choose what to leave and what to delete).

I've studied abroad before, but this is different. The experience I had four years ago when I went to Ireland was all about living with a family, going to school, getting home and doing my homework, going swimming after class... Now I live in a shared flat and I'm the only one who takes care of myself. It's cooler than I thought because I get along with my flatmates and we're like a little family. My main worries this past week have been buying towels, dusting clothes and a sponge for the shower. I don’t have much experience when it comes to living alone, because it has only been a week, however, I’ve realised that there are a lot of things that my mum used to do back home that now I need to do myself.

Since I haven't started going to university yet, I've had a lot of time for myself. I'm trying to stick to the German timetable, which means having lunch at 12 and dinner at 18 (the latest). I’'s a bit hard because I’m hungry all the time and it hasn’t been as easy as I thought, but I’m sure that once I get into my routine the transition will be smoother. I think I’ve managed to do a lot of things these days, such as visiting the city centre, discover some supermarkets, reading, drinking a lot of tea... Recently I have also started listening to some German music my flatmate recommended me and I love all the artists she listens to, therefore most of the time we have the doors of our rooms opened, this way we can all hear the music. I appreciate that there is such a good relationship between us. I’ve said that already, right?

I love Germany so far, there are a lot of fun facts I would like to share, but I forgot most of them. Something I've noticed (and I really appreciate it) is that there is a huge variety of vegan and vegetarian food in the supermarket. Lately I’ve been trying to follow a vegetarian diet and this has helped a lot, plus I also enjoy vegan food, so that’s a win win. I’m surprised because at first, I thought the prices would be a lot higher than in Spain, but it turns out they aren’t. Even though I haven’t been shopping enough to confirm it a hundred percent, I think they are quite the same as back home which is good! My flatmates told me that the prices are way higher in the south of Germany, but since we’re living in the north, that doesn’t apply to us.

I’ve gone out of the flat and walked somewhere every day since I've arrived. I still don’t have the transport card that my university provides me to freely access all the public transport, so for the moment I had to rely on my legs. My sense of direction is a mess and I get lost very easily, although I must say I’m extremely proud of myself because I’ve learned how to go from my home to the main square without getting lost and I also know the way to my university. I got a map of the city that I haven’t used that much because I decided to stick it onto my wall for decoration purposes, so Google Maps has been my saviour.

This morning I went out and took some proper pictures with my camera. It was a bit cloudy in the morning, but around midday the sun showed up and it really put me in a great mood. Sometimes I forget how nice it is to see the sun shine, I guess it’s because I’m lucky enough to come from a country where we have sunny days almost all year around. Tomorrow I’m starting the introductory days and I couldn’t be more excited! I can’t wait to meet the other Erasmus students and start making some friends.

6 October 2017

I'VE MADE IT TO GERMANY: THIS IS WHAT I THINK SO FAR

This post was written on the 3rd October
I'm currently laying on my bed, realising this has been my second night here. I've already eaten something, although I've doubted a lot before going out of my room and heading to the kitchen because all the flat is so quiet and I didn't want to make any noise that would wake my flatmates up. Now I've had breakfast and I'm ready for the day (although I'm still wearing my pyjamas). Since I don't have anything to do these days, I thought I would tell you what I've been up to so far. The welcoming days for the Erasmus students don't start until next week, so for now I'm on my own and I guess I'll also meet someday with my contact person, who happens to be a really nice girl.

Packing was the hardest thing to do. It was difficult to picture what I would need for six months and put it inside a suitcase considering it could only weight 23 kg. I started packing two days before coming, then I forgot about it and I didn't finish until the night before my flight. I think I've brought the essentials and the most important documents I'll need, I left some stuff at home such as shampoo and gel, but these items can be bought here anyway, so that's fine. I've made sure to bring with me my stuffed sheep that I've had since I was a kid and another toy that my group of friends from university gave me before I left so I would remember them.

I've been in Hildesheim for about two days and I really like it so far. A part from feeling a bit lonely, I think I've been lucky with the room I have and the people I'm sharing the flat with. We don't know each other a lot yet, but they seem to be nice and for the moment we haven't had any problem. The first thing that shocked me when I arrived at Hannover's Airport is that everything was in German. I know, it's obvious because if you are in Germany, people speak German and all the signs are in German. Well, every time I go to another country that doesn't speak English or Spanish I find it weird to see everything in another language. A part from that, the funny thing is that German people actually understand everything that surrounds them and they understand each other when they speak German. Mind-blowing, right? I know, it's so unbelievable.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
When I got to my flat, the guy with whom I'll be sharing the flat with came downstairs to help me carry my suitcase all the way up the stairs. After that he showed me my room and I had some time to unpack. I have a massive room all to myself, with two big windows and a double bed. The girl who's renting it decorated it with a lot of candles, pictures and tiny objects. Although I really like how it all looks together, I've decided to move some candle holders and other small items to the window sill, so I have more space on my night stand or on the desk that I'm planning to do all my homework in. A part from that, something I've found very strange is the way people make their bed in here. Back home I used to cover the mattress with the duvet, however, here they fold the duvet in half and place it in one side of the mattress. Even though I have a double bed, my duvet is the size of a single bed, so I guess depending on the people who sleep on the bed, they have one or two duvets, does that make sense? They don't share the duvet, they only share the mattress. Maybe I've got the wrong interpretation, if any German is reading this, let me know how it works in the comments below :)

Yesterday afternoon I was writing on my diary my first impressions of this place and its people, but I kept getting distracted with my phone. That's why I decided to get dressed and then I got out of the apartment to explore the city. I looked up how to go to the cathedral in Hildesheim and I walked for about 30 minutes before getting there. It was pretty late when I made the choice of going out, and you could barely see anyone walking on the streets, plus it was Unification day here in Germany and everything was closed. I was very proud of myself when I got to the Dom because I didn't get lost. Since it was starting to get dark, I decided to go home and relax. This was my first time walking thought the city and it's very nice to see the typical buildings. Once I arrived home, I met my other flat mate (she wasn't there the first day when I arrived). She came out of her room to say "hello" and she seems very nice as well.

I haven't started speaking German yet, I admit it, I'm shy and I'm afraid I'll make mistakes. I know that learning is all about making mistakes, but I still don't feel comfortable enough. I really want to start practising asap, but I'm also scared that I won't understand what people say to me or whatever. It may sound childish and I know I shouldn't be ashamed of my level, but it's harder than it seems. For the moment, I'll get dressed and go out to visit the city centre. Hopefully today I'll find more people around town :)