Hisui Teramoto, 3rd year student, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
[Study Abroad Destination] University of Trier (Germany)
[Study Abroad Period] September 2018 to February 2019
Hello, I'm Teramoto Midori, currently studying at the University of Trier in Germany. Trier is a small town in southern Germany, but it was once the capital of the Western Roman Empire. It also has the Trier Cathedral, a bishopric, which I think will be a treat for history and church architecture enthusiasts!
Here, the Japanese language department at Trier University will help you with various things from the moment you arrive, such as finding a place to stay in your dormitory, shopping, and a brief tour of the school. International students have about a month to prepare before classes start, during which they will receive another tour of the town and school, as well as a day trip to the surrounding area.
Regarding my German studies, I'm taking a class called DaF. The class is A2, which is for people who aren't very good at German, but we mostly speak German, not only in class but also amongst ourselves as international students. Many of the other international students can speak German even if they don't understand the grammar. I get nervous, but I manage to speak somehow.
My current problem is that when I speak English, German words and grammar get mixed in. I forget basic middle school level words like "drink" and "write," and sometimes I change the verb position to sound more German... This led to a strange situation where a Turkish person had to translate for me when I was talking to a Mexican. However, I think the fact that the word forms themselves are similar to English is an advantage when learning German. Once you understand the grammar to some extent, it's more important to try using the language than to worry about whether you've memorized verb conjugations and noun genders correctly! My teacher and language tandem partner will point out my pronunciation and mistakes. I always carry a notebook with me, so I can write down things I don't understand even when they speak slowly, or any important points, or I can use it to review.
Many Germans and international students from other countries are fun to talk to! While you might sometimes feel discouraged by your own shortcomings, if you're considering studying abroad, definitely consider Germany! However, if you do decide to study abroad, it's a good idea to learn how to cook for yourself!
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