GO Konstanz
For this post, I have decided to write about the program that I am currently in. After all, it is the reason that I am here 6 weeks before the beginning of the semester. The international office here at the University of Konstanz organize this month long program for incoming exchange students, which consists of an intensive language course and introductory sessions. They also have events set up that help you to get your residents permit. Apparently, in Germany one does not get a visa, but rather a residents permit that allows you to stay for a set amount of time. They told us before we left that we would be getting visa once we got here, and they were mostly correct. Americans, and maybe everyone else (I don't honestly know), have 90 days to stay without this permit as a tourist. After that period, you either have your permit, leave or are illegally in Germany.
Initially, the University administers a language test to determine what level of German you are at. Based on these results, they sort everyone into a lettered group, based on skill level. I was put into the D group, which is an A2-1 level course for anyone keeping score. We go to class from 9am-12:30, with a half hour break in the middle. So as far as an intensive course goes, three hours a day is not too intense in my opinion. But it is five days a week. Now being halfway through, I can say I haven't really learned to much, but I am getting more confident using my German. This is probably due to the fact that I had not taken German class for a year and a half before coming here, so I had forgotten a lost of what I learned. The material is, therefore, mostly a review for me, but a much needed review. It is coming back to me the more I am part of this program.
After classes, their is often an afternoon session of some type. These are either to orient us to the University, German culture or to help us with the paperwork to get our residents permits. This has been very useful to me, and I am learning a great deal from these sessions. Especially in the area of the residents permit. The Uni brings the process to you, so that we do not have to run around and figure everything out. The health insurance providers, because you are required to buy German health insurance, came and we could set up everything right here on campus. The same with the people from the government office of registration and the bank. We also have to get proof of financial support and to register with the city as part of the permit process.
This program has also been quite useful for meeting other international students. It is a group of about 300 people who are all in this new place for the first time, trying to make friends.This makes it fairly easy to meet other international students, as there is such a large population of people all trying to make friends at the same time. The challenge is not not just hang out with people from your own country, or in my case people from NAU. Their are about 8 people from NAU in the program (and 8 more who are remaining from last semester), some of whom I have had classes with, so they are the easiest to approach. I want to meet people from a diverse background however, I can meet Americans in America anytime I want. I am not the only one with this problem I notice, as many people are drawn towards fellow nationals and people from their home university. I have just been doing my best to meet people from elsewhere.
The sun finally came out... for a day. But I got this nice sunset, so I think the wait was forth it. This picture was taken off the bike bridge that is about a 5 minute walk from my house. The view is looking over the Rhein river (yes I live about 50 yards from that famous river!) towards the down town and the lake. You can see the top of the cathederal sticking up and the Alps off in the distance.