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Muenster program opens door to Germany and America

Date 5/11/2000 12:00 AM | Topic: Features

Reality struck. As I finished reading a letter from "familie Grindel," my future host family, I realized I was going to Germany!

As I end my spring semester as an exchange student in Muenster, Germany at the Westfaelische Wilhelms-Universitaet Muenster, I look back and realize that this opportunity opened the door to a new country, a new culture and a new understanding of America.

On the plane to Germany, I practiced German in my head and stared at pictures of my host family: Alfons, Marianne, Benedikt, Judith, Esther, Eva, and Whiskey, the dog. My host mom's glasses looked so different; they were black, stock and perfectly circular. They did not look like American glasses. In retrospect, her glasses foreshadowed the many new and different things I would later discover.

When I arrived in Muenster, I noticed modernity with an archaic backdrop. Buses and cars zoomed on cobblestone streets past castles, Gothic churches, and buildings built in the 9th century. Although Germany is a modern country, it retains its history and beauty.

The first week I was here, my host family took me to the cultural European city of the year, Weimar, which is in the former East Germany. We toured the Goethehaus, where Goethe, a German author lived in the 18th century. As we traveled home, I caught a glimpse of a broken down fence and watch tower used to separate West Germany from East Germany. I realized how unified Germany is and how democracy is booming!

The Grindels have taught me a lot about how healthy and environmentally friendly the German lifestyle is. My host parents are loyal bikers. Alfons bikes to get fresh eggs from a farmer who "haz ze best eggz in da area." Marianne bikes to the "Grundschule," an elementary school where she teaches. They believe that riding bikes not only cuts down pollution, but is also good for your health.

Living in Germany has given me a new perspective of America. We could learn from how Germans live. As I was huffing and puffing riding my bike to class, an elderly man zoomed by on his bike. My first thought was, "Wow, am I out of shape!" Then I realized how lazy Americans are, including me. Most Americans have cars and use them often. Also, the Germans recycle everything. They have garbage cans for plastic, paper, biodegradable, and glass. When returning bottles, one receives a "pfand", about 20 cents. They set a good example for the US on leading a healthy lifestyle and being environmentally friendly.

Overall, I realized how influential America is on Germany. As I biked to the train station, I spotted an American invasion: the golden arches. McDonald's strikes again! Why the Germans eat at McDonald's I will never know. They have amazing bakeries with homemade bread, pastries and casseroles. At Christmas time Marianne and I were walking down the street lined with electric Christmas lights. Marianne told me that she refuses to use electric Christmas lights and uses traditional candles on her tree and for decorations. She wants to retain her culture and prefers natural light rather than what she calls "light from the red light district in Amsterdam." Also, at my first lecture, I heard a stream of German words suddenly interrupted by "job," "cool," and "whatever.' The next day, my host sister tells me my new pants are "hip." English words are popular. America really does have power. However, Germany is a beautiful and unique country and I hope they are able to retain their culture.

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Rebecca Vollan
Chips Guest Columnist

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