Honestly, I'm not going to be able to say what you want to hear: it really hasn't affected my much at all! I suppose that I am eager to visit Germany now that I know more about it that I was, say, a year ago. I don't see how studying a language would affect my "culture", of which I have little of anyway! My family is mostly Portuguese and with our dwindling numbers, I can't say that German is "replacing" or "affecting" how I feel about my heritage.
I am more aware of cultural differences and such, which will be helpful when I do get to spend time in Germany. I didn't enjoy the interactives in the slightest, mostly do to script errors and the monotany of the whole thing, but in general it was good to hear German being spoken by different people, both native speakers and people who have learned German, and to be able to hear the vocab pronounced for you. The reading portions about German history, TV habits, work and travel habits, differences between residents of various regions--THAT was the most interesting. (But seriously, if I have to mention the "superficial" thing or the "how are you?" thing one more time I might jump off a bridge. Trust me, I get it, theres a difference). I feel I have gained a better understanding of the diversity of German culture, but at the same time have had a few stereotypes reinforced.
On a side note, have you ever heard Adam Corolla's "Germany or Florida?" game? He reads a headline or a news story, and players have to guess if it happened in Germany or Florida--under the presumption all all the oddities in the world come from those 2 places. Thats one stereotype that I found to have a ring of truth, wink wink.
One thing I can say is, after listening to the speakers on Auf Gehts about WWII, I have less respect for Germans on that subject. Nick had noted that they may be covering up guilt, but I still say that those people I had to listen to on the CD should be punished as Nazi sympathizers. I think that there are so many excuses about "I was afraid" and "I didn't know" and not enough owning up to it. It may be my own personal beliefs and morals rearing their ugly heads, but I believe that some things, some principals, are worth putting yourself in danger for. Apparently those people didn't agree.
I don't feel any differently about foreigners living in America. People are here as exchange students, and thats fine--even admirable. Heck, I wish I had had the money to go on an exchange program when I was in high school or college! Given the chance, I'd be more willing to choose Germany at this point, now that I know more about it. As for people who AREN'T exchange students and just living here...well, as long as they've done it legally I have no complaints. I've never heard of a German fleeing to America for a better life, so it really has had no impact.
Overall I feel better about myself as a person having learned another language, limited as my knowledge is. I have enjoyed the process and would love to continue German classes when I move to Philly...I wish I could stay at UNC! Language also puts me in a good position when applying for other Masters/PhD programs, so these classes will be functional as well as enriching. I really wasn't enrolled for an experience as much as I was out of necessity, and its just lucky that I ended up enjoying it as much as I did. Thank you for a lovely semester and a very enjoyable time overall!
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