10 days of German class for Taiwan exchange students

Six Taiwanese students who took part in the 2024 exchange student project to Germany had a 10-day preparation camp for Germany and German culture before going to their host family. In these days they also learnt a lot about Hamburg.

by Yuan-Yi

Wednesday, 04.09.24

After a long journey, we finally arrived at Hamburg Airport. The exhaustion from the lengthy flights quickly gave way to excitement about our first time in Germany. Once our luggage was unloaded, we were treated to a surprising first meal: not a traditional German dish, but a Döner which has become a beloved street food in Germany. We all enjoyed it and were thrilled with our initial impressions of the country. After this long and exciting day we made our way to our accommodation where we cooked dinner together and settled in for a well-deserved rest.

Thursday 05.09.24

Our first morning in Hamburg began with a typical German breakfast. Unlike the warm breakfasts we are used to in Taiwan, Germans tend to enjoy a variety of breads. This new experience was fascinating for us. After breakfast we attended our first German lesson at the aubiko office where a short test was given. For lunch we had pizza – but to our surprise the pizzas were much larger than what we were used to in Taiwan.

In the afternoon we embarked on a guided city tour of Hamburg. Starting at the central station and ending at the Rathaus we followed an interactive scavenger hunt that led us through the city’s key sights. We were particularly amazed by the grandeur of the historic buildings, especially the Rathaus, and the beautiful views of the river. The day ended with another German specialty: Currywurst!

Saturday 07.09.24

Our first weekend in Hamburg had arrived and we took the opportunity to sleep in as there were no classes scheduled for the day. However, the day’s adventures were not in Hamburg, but in Lübeck – a charming city near Hamburg known for its stunning scenery and rich history. Our first surprise came upon arrival at Lübeck’s Hauptbahnhof which impressed us with its historic architecture. The highlight of the day was a visit to the Hanseatic Museum. On our way there we passed the Lübeck Rathaus and the old fish market, offering a glimpse into Lübeck’s past. But perhaps the most unique experience was navigating through Lübeck’s narrow, winding alleys, which gave us a sense of the city’s medieval charm. At the museum, we explored many fascinating historical exhibits, including interactive displays that made history come to life. The exhibit that left the deepest impression was a room replicating an ancient laundry area showing just how different daily life was compared to modern times.

 

Monday 09.09.24

The weekend had come to an end and it was back to German class for us. Today’s theme was introductions – learning how to introduce ourselves and engage in small talk when meeting new people. This is an essential skill for helping us to feel more comfortable in everyday interactions. After class we enjoyed our first taste of Asian food in Germany and it was a big hit among the group. In the afternoon we had a new lesson – a German culture class. We learned about typical German family customs, focusing on what is appreciated and what to avoid in order to ensure smooth and respectful interactions with our host families.

Wednesday 11.09.24

Halfway through the week the camp was approaching its end. Today’s lesson took a fun turn with the focus on animals. Although we found it challenging to learn both adjectives and nouns at the same time, it ultimately helped reinforce our understanding of descriptive words. After class we turned our attention to preparations for the upcoming Taiwanese Evening. Since Taiwanese cuisine is so diverse it took us a while to decide what dishes to prepare for Friday’s event. Following the discussion we visited an Asian supermarket for the first time to check if we could find all the necessary ingredients.

Thursday 12.09.24

This was the last day to prepare for the Taiwanese Evening presentation. We had six topics to present, all in German – a big challenge for us! We worked hard on our presentations, practicing multiple times to ensure everything went smoothly. After completing the practice we returned to the Asian supermarket to purchase the ingredients for Friday’s meal. That evening we were filled with nervous anticipation about our first presentation in German.