German 102

German 102 has been a great experience that was a culturally enlightening class. I have really enjoyed learning about my own culture and the stereotypes associated with it. It had never really occurred to me that being friendly and smiling was not recognized worldwide. I found it very interesting the German culture holds friendship and relationships at such a high value and Americans are superficial. I understand the German’s interpretation of our friendly, outgoing nature as superficial. I often find myself wondering if our “superficial” culture has undermined the value of our closest relationships.
The course has taught me a lot about myself. I have always struggled with foreign languages but through German 102 I proved to myself that I can persevere and learn new languages. While I do struggle with speaking and pronunciation, I am fairly confident in my ability to write in German. I really want to become fluent and am considering studying abroad there in the summer of 2009. I believe this will be a wonderful experience that will let me understand the culture and the different ways of life in Germany for myself. Before taking this class I refused the thought of even venturing outside the country on my own.
I find the culture to be interestingly different. While it is considered rude by foreigners visiting Germany, I actually have a great deal of respect for their lack of friendliness to strangers. I believe that it makes the relationships they do possess much stronger. In addition, it simplifies their life by reducing the obligations to others. Instead of many acquaintances and friends as Americans have, they only have a select few which they must worry about pleasing. The culture itself seems very pessimistic to me. I enjoy talking and sharing the good things about life not the bad but I embrace this difference as a part of the culture experience.
I have a new respect for foreigners traveling to the United States. While the ones who did not bother to learn basic communication in English still get on my nerves, I do respect those who do. Foreign languages are not easy and English especially, which has numerous exceptions to every rule it sets. All in all I greatly enjoyed German 102 and am looking forward to German 203 in the fall.