Afua Goes to Göttingen: 01/02/17

It is currently 10pm now in Germany as I write this. AHHHHHH I am excited to say I have finally arrived in Göttingen! After two plane trips and two train rides (almost overslept and missed my stop) I have made it. It was an incredibly tiring journey but worth the ride. First off, it is snowing here and very cold (about 28 degrees). Once I arrived at the train station I took the taxi to the Göttingen Institut. Before entering the taxi I tried to explain in German to the driver where I wanted to go, he corrected my use of gehen instead of fahren immediately, I got a lot of work to do already with my German,

Once I got into the Institut I signed and then immediately headed to complete an interview and written placement exam. The interview consisted of the director asking me about my interests, family, why I am learning German, and what I hope to get out of this experience. From there I completed the written exam , which I don't think I did to hot on put luckily it's just an indicator of where I need to start. Most likely I will be placed in A.2, which is the second beginner level. After the exam I waited in the lobby with two other girls to take the taxi to the apartment. We decided to initiate some chat and getting to know each other while we waited. Both girls are from Pakistan doing research at the University of Göttingen while learning German for the first time at the Institut. They talked about their research experience for a bit along the cab ride. The apartment was about 10 mins from the institute by car and 30 minutes by walk. I settled in and took a long much needed nap.

Unfortunately when I woke up it was dark and snowing outside but I decided to trek through the snow to find food. Finding food in the city was a wild adventure. I first decided to go inside this pizza place, only to realize that they only take cash. I asked them where the nearest ATM was and decided to go and find it. I ended up walking to the Göttingen University campus, then a cross fit gym, a gas station, and convenience store circling around trying to find an ATM machine. Sadly, I couldn't find one so I ended up pulling a classic American move and going to McDonald's. I attempted to order in German but both the cashier and I were confused with the conversation and he said it's easier if I spoke English and we laughed. I ate a burger, ice cream, and some french fries. I called my dad from there to check in and let him know I was fine. After eating I headed back to the apartment. When I walked onto my hall at the end of it the door was open and people were building snowmen on the balcony. I decided to venture over to see what they were up to.

This experience ended up being incredibly great and eye opening. I met three Egyptian men; one is here for 4 years to complete his PHD in geology, the other is studying to become a veterinarian, and the last one business. They all obtained DAAD prestigious scholarships to continue their studies at the Göttingen University and the Goethe Institut as well. The PHD student talked to me about his dream of getting a Nobel peace prize and teaching Geology in Cairo and Göttingen. He taught me a few words of Arabic

1.thank you :(shukrān) ﺷﻜﺮﺍﹰ
2. yes of course نعم بالطبع
and also explained the layout of the city and BEST OF ALL where to find the ATM (which ironically happens to be by the girl with the goose/Gänseliesel , the background picture of my blogposts). I'm getting ready to head to bed now since I have class at 8:30am! I will get up early and then walk to class. Already started jotting down some ideas from the conversations I had today for my research project. Goodnight and it feels good to be in Göttingen.

Here as some pictures and videos from today:

(Train ride on the DB)

(In the taxi in Gottingen)

(Trekking through the city at night looking for food)

(Outside view from the balcony of my apartment)