Andreas Heger aus Long Beach, USA, ist seit Anfang Januar 2013 Gastschüler am DHG in der Klasse 10ABG. Insgesamt 7 Monate hat er am DHG verbracht und nicht nur seine Klasse wird ihn sehr vermissen.
Im folgenden Interview auf Englisch könnt Ihr nachlesen, welche Eindrücke Andreas während seines Aufenthaltes am DHG gewonnen hat.
1. How would you now rate your knowledge of the German language as to your reading, listening, speaking and writing abilities? Would you like to continue learning German?
Andreas: I would say on a scale of 1-10 my German started at 6 and now it’s around an 8 in speaking and listening. Yes, I would like to continue learning German.
2. Did you have the impression that your fellow students tried to make you feel welcome in their class?
Andreas: Yes, I felt very welcome and my classmates treated me with respect and politeness.
3. What were the greatest problems during lessons?
Andreas: Tests!
4. Which was the easiest course for you? Which was the most difficult one?
Andreas: I would say that English was the easiest class for me because it is my mother tongue. Deutsch was the hardest because we read poetry with very complex ideas.
5. Were there any positive or funny experiences you would like to tell?
Andreas: On Fasnacht I had lots of fun with the boys from Meersburg. I enjoyed celebrating typical traditions that we don’t have in America.
6. What are the main differences between school in Germany and in your home country?
Andreas: Teachers don’t have a definite class room like in America. In Germany both the students and the teachers move classrooms depending on the subject. Another difference is the grading system (1-6 compared to A-F).
7. Is the student-teacher-relationship different? What are the differences?
Andreas: I feel that in Germany students have more freedom to discuss grades and tests with their teachers and negotiate. In America teachers are very stubborn.
8. What did you miss most at school?
Andreas: During the winter I missed the Californian Sun.
9. What could be improved in the German school system?
Andreas: Maybe attendance could be somehow changed. The class always seems to be losing the class book!
10. Are young Germans different from young people in your home country? What are the differences?
Andreas: For the most part they are the same but I think that the majority of young Germans are more privileged than the majority of young Americans (in terms of economical stability and educational opportunity).
11. Was it easy for you to get into contact and did you find good friends you would like to stay in contact with?
Andreas: Yes. Everybody was very welcoming and I’ve made lots of friends here.
12. In what way is life different in Germany?
Andreas: I would compare life in America to a box of legos. You have to build your life by yourself, and life in Germany is like a prebuilt trainset, all you have to do is snap a few pieces together and you’re good to go. In Germany goals are preset radio stations and in America you have to work the radio knob to tune it.
13. How did you like the food?
Andreas: I liked the food but it’s lacking spicy flavors.
14. Do you think that your stay in Germany will be important for your future life?
Andreas: Yes, I think I will look back on these past months with fondness for the rest of my life.
15. Would you advise your fellow students at home to go to Germany for a while?
Andreas: Of course I would. I’ve had a great time.