Arrival in Germany, first days – impressions and experiences

The whole experience is completely new. The flight being my first was long and uncomfortable. The weather change was quite obvious and it was very cold. When I arrived in Germany, I saw loads of grafitti and that was alarming as that is not common back home in Namibia. I was very tired and my stomach was bothered because of the plane, thus I was not feeling well. On the second day, we visited the African centre. We saw streets named after towns and a city back in Namibia (Swakopmunder ~Swakopmund) and that was very thought and emotion evoking. I never thought I would witness that and it got me thinking about all the colonial traces still present in the world today. School is very interesting and very interactive. I learned alot about the different teaching styles of different teachers. I honestly felt very welcomed and appreciative of how everything was translated and made accommodated me. Today we visited the Gasometer where we took part in Tree2Tree which is similar to zip lining but in a controlled area. It was quite challenging, but enjoyable. We visited the Centro shopping centre in Oberhausen as well. It was a very fun and productive day all in all. I can not wait to experience the rest of Germany.

-Grace-

Germany, a country steeped in history and culture, offers a fascinating blend of the old and the new. My experience so far in this remarkable nation has been eye-opening, filled with historical insights, graffiti, and breathtaking landscapes. Everything started from Hosea Kutako International Airport back in Namibia, where we experienced minor complications, but luckily, we solved them very quickly. I would describe the flight to Germany as „HORRIBLE“ as I struggled to sleep, was thirsty the entire way, the line at the toilet was too long, and everything was just tiring. Upon arrival in Germany, we were greeted with welcoming spirits by our German partners at the airport. Stepping into Germany felt like walking through the pages of a history book. From the country’s buildings and infrastructure, each place I explored unveiled a unique part of Germany’s identity, blending the past with the present in a way that left a mark on my memory.

In terms of accommodation, we Namibian learners stay with host families. As for me, I stay with Nick (my partner) in an apartment alone, and all I can say is that I feel really welcomed and at home. At first, I wasn’t really comfortable, but now I can say that I feel Like I’m going to enjoy the upcoming days. I can’t wait for the amount of fun we are going to have, honestly. We went to school today, and all I can say is that the education system here is evolving into a more digital world as learners here use tablets instead of hardcopy books like back in Namibia. The lessons here are much more interactive and fun. My experience so far has been wonderful, fun, and most deliciously memorable. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow unfolds.

Titus