An Unforgettable Experience
(Project Meeting in Germany)
Petruta Boga 12 E
End of November. To everybody’s surprise, it was a sunny day. Seven o'clock in the morning and I was up. I was running around the house without a point, hoping that the emotions that overwhelmed me would pass. Just at the same time my mother was leaving for work. She tried to say goodbye to me, smiling, but I saw tears in her eyes. Like any other parent she was worried. All morning I tried to mask my tears. I was happy that I was the one chosen to live this experience but in the same time I was upset because I was not used to go away from home such a long time and especially so far from my family.
Time was flying and we realized that it was time to go. I took the luggage and went to the meeting place. When everyone arrived the emotions began to grow knowing that it was the time to leave. It was around three and we had to get into the mini bus. I said goodbye to my family, and when I saw tears in my father’s eyes I felt like I was about to burst into tears. However I managed to control myself and I smiled to reassure and give them the feeling that I would be fine. In the car my thoughts where confused. I put my headphones in my ears and I thought nothing bad was going to happen.
By the time we arrived in Cluj I already felt more comfortable. We found the hotel in which we had reservations. The night settled over the city so everyone got in their rooms and we took a rest for the next day. The night passed peacefully. Alas , we had to wake up at four in the morning in order to catch the plane. We, four students and two teachers, were waiting in the lobby, sleepy and anxious. The clock in the reception hall showed five o’clock .Everybody wondered where our form teacher was. One of the teachers called her up, and when we heard that she had fallen asleep we panicked. We were not sleepy any longer, but we were worried that we would miss the flight. Luckily she managed to get downstairs in time. The taxis which were supposed to take us to the airport arrived. We found out that if we had been 10 minutes later we would have lost the plane. When I heard that, I felt relieved but at the same time I got nervous knowing how close we were to miss the flight.
For me everything was new because it was my first travel by plane. I felt my heart beating faster. As we approached the plane I could hear the noise made by the engine. We took our seats and we put on the safety belts. At every noise I felt that my heart would stop. When the plane started to move my legs started shaking. In the same time the flight attendants explained us what we should do in case of danger. When the pilot began to accelerate I was very nervous and I could barely speak. After the plane took off I had a wonderful feeling. To my surprise I enjoyed it. It is a unique and pleasant sensation. The flight was pleasant, even better than expected. The landing was ok. I would have liked to see the landscape but in the morning it was cold and foggy, so we couldn’t see anything.
Once in Germany, it is true a little bit tired, we were anxious to visit new places and meet new people. We got the luggage and … our adventure began. We took the bus to the central train station in Dortmund. We bought the tickets and went to the platform where the train was to arrive. On the platform there was a large clock that showed that there were a few minutes left before the arrival of the train. We were waiting, very excited, thinking about how the meeting with the students from Germany would be . Near the watch there was a great panel that indicated any changes. Unfortunately it was in German. Of course, the unexpected took us by surprise. But for a nice lady who told us to change the platform, we would have certainly missed the train. We rushed to the other platform and managed to catch the train. Wow! What a rush! Once in the train we sat down and breathed relieved. While I arranged my luggage to sit comfortably I saw out of the window as the train moved , but I was confused because I couldn’t feel and hear anything . I turned to Roxana, my friend, :” The train is moving, isn’t it?”, and she responded smiling at me :”Of course it’s moving!”. I was surprised because it was so silent; I couldn’t realize that the train was moving. And beside that it was also very clean and fast. It was a pleasure to travel by train and, without even realizing, we arrived in Hanover. We got off the train and I was nervous looking forward to meeting Sarah .They were already waiting for us. I recognized her immediately, because I saw her in Romania.
At first I was a little shy, but Sarah did everything possible to make me feel better. We took the train to get to her home because she lives in Seelze .I did not feel very comfortable, because everything was new for me, I was confused. After ten minutes of travelling by train we arrived at her home where I met her mother. I liked the house very much because it was a friendly one, and it was very nicely decorated for Christmas. I met her mother who is a nice woman. She expected us with food and she made me feel very good. I was tired but willing to visit the city. We went for a walk in the evening discovering the city. Everywhere we went I could feel the magic of Christmas. The whole town was dressed for celebration.
After visiting the city, and meeting new people, now it was time to show what we had prepared for the project.
On Wednesday morning we went to school and we were welcome by the headmaster. After that the school band performed for the teams coming from 5 European countries . The first break came just on time. We had the opportunity to meet other students to share our impressions so far. Then it was our time to present what we worked. I was so nervous because I had never talked in front of an audience. To my relief everything went ok and everyone liked our video presentation. Then the Polish and the Italians came.
It time to go to classes and I was impressed by what I saw. They have a 90 minutes class and the break is 20 minutes. When someone delivers a presentation , instead of applauding they knock the desk several times. I felt very good at their classes and I noticed that they insisted more in interaction and communication and not in writing. After this experience we went to the cafeteria and we ate the meal at school. It was very good the food, but I was surprised to see that for dessert we received ice-cream in the middle of winter. There everyone ate ice-cream.
After the meal we went to visit Hanover with Mr. Albrecht and Mr. Winkler, a wonderful opportunity to visit and find out about the history of the most important buildings and places in Hanover.
In the evening we went out, in town, and visited new shops. At night the city is so beautiful.
On Thursday morning Franziska Woellert introduced us to the topic of immigrants’ integration in Germany. It was very interesting because she explained very well the process of integration and we understood everything. We discussed, we asked questions. The break was a well deserved one for all of us because it is difficult to stay concentrated such a long time.
Then there followed the most interesting experience, the activity that I liked best. We formed five international groups and each of us interviewed an immigrant. I was in the team led by the Italian teacher. We interviewed José Carrascosa. It was interesting to listen to his life story because I think it could represent an example of strength, for all of us. He always wanted to be accepted in the German community and he always tried to improve his skills. The interviews we had taken in our school, had also been very interesting. We found out about the difficulties that the persons who leave their native country are being faced with. It is not easy to live abroad. After the interview we returned in the Forum to present the results. It was the day that impressed me most .
In the evening I went with Sarah’s family to the restaurant, a traditional Greek one . I felt very good as her parents are wonderful people and I will never forget that night. We talked for almost three hours and while walking trough the city the atmosphere made me feel in the world of magic. I felt part of their family and that was something that I hadn’t expected at all.
On Friday morning we edited the results of the interview. We went to the forum and watched the German-Turkish film presentation. It was a very beautiful film. The Turkish teacher had lived his childhood in Germany and last summer, together with the German teacher, went to visit his birth place. It was really exciting to see that some neighbours still remembered him and he remembered the exact place were he had fallen down with his bike. The funniest moment was that he had a picture of his first school day and took one exactly the same, but after 20 years. We enjoyed the film as well as the discussion with the students, teachers and parents on the topic of “Turkish immigration to Germany and integration”.
That day was a special one because it was Sarah’s birthday. Considering that it was my last day in Hanover she took me to some shops to buy some gifts. In the afternoon some friends of hers came at her home and brought cakes. I had asked Saskia to buy for me some flowers to offer Sarah. When Saskia arrived with Roxana and brought the flowers Sarah was taken by surprise. I guess she hadn’t expected that from me. It was a special evening and we went out , drank cocktails and talked. We had fun.
On Saturday morning I was sad because I knew it was my last day in Sarah’s family. Unfortunately Sarah felt very badly and she was not able to come with us for the sightseeing tour. Her parents saw me to the school and we all felt sad because that wonderful week was getting over.
We went to Hamburg and visited the Museum of Emigration “BallinStadt” which turned into a very impressing experience. The stories of the millions of people forced to emigrate to America touched our souls.
Hamburg is a gorgeous city and I would have liked to stay more but we were supposed to go back to Hanover and take the bus back to Dortmund.
This time we were aware that changes might appear. We managed again and we arrived safety in Dortmund and had a nice sleep in a hotel next to the airport.
I can’t express in words what I felt returning back home. When we landed on the airport in Cluj I felt safe and to being able to speak in my language made me appreciate more my country and my family as well.
It was a good experience for my life. I improved my English. Now I am able to speak in front of an audience and I am able to appreciate the people around me better.
(Project Meeting in Germany)
Petruta Boga 12 E
End of November. To everybody’s surprise, it was a sunny day. Seven o'clock in the morning and I was up. I was running around the house without a point, hoping that the emotions that overwhelmed me would pass. Just at the same time my mother was leaving for work. She tried to say goodbye to me, smiling, but I saw tears in her eyes. Like any other parent she was worried. All morning I tried to mask my tears. I was happy that I was the one chosen to live this experience but in the same time I was upset because I was not used to go away from home such a long time and especially so far from my family.
Time was flying and we realized that it was time to go. I took the luggage and went to the meeting place. When everyone arrived the emotions began to grow knowing that it was the time to leave. It was around three and we had to get into the mini bus. I said goodbye to my family, and when I saw tears in my father’s eyes I felt like I was about to burst into tears. However I managed to control myself and I smiled to reassure and give them the feeling that I would be fine. In the car my thoughts where confused. I put my headphones in my ears and I thought nothing bad was going to happen.
By the time we arrived in Cluj I already felt more comfortable. We found the hotel in which we had reservations. The night settled over the city so everyone got in their rooms and we took a rest for the next day. The night passed peacefully. Alas , we had to wake up at four in the morning in order to catch the plane. We, four students and two teachers, were waiting in the lobby, sleepy and anxious. The clock in the reception hall showed five o’clock .Everybody wondered where our form teacher was. One of the teachers called her up, and when we heard that she had fallen asleep we panicked. We were not sleepy any longer, but we were worried that we would miss the flight. Luckily she managed to get downstairs in time. The taxis which were supposed to take us to the airport arrived. We found out that if we had been 10 minutes later we would have lost the plane. When I heard that, I felt relieved but at the same time I got nervous knowing how close we were to miss the flight.
For me everything was new because it was my first travel by plane. I felt my heart beating faster. As we approached the plane I could hear the noise made by the engine. We took our seats and we put on the safety belts. At every noise I felt that my heart would stop. When the plane started to move my legs started shaking. In the same time the flight attendants explained us what we should do in case of danger. When the pilot began to accelerate I was very nervous and I could barely speak. After the plane took off I had a wonderful feeling. To my surprise I enjoyed it. It is a unique and pleasant sensation. The flight was pleasant, even better than expected. The landing was ok. I would have liked to see the landscape but in the morning it was cold and foggy, so we couldn’t see anything.
Once in Germany, it is true a little bit tired, we were anxious to visit new places and meet new people. We got the luggage and … our adventure began. We took the bus to the central train station in Dortmund. We bought the tickets and went to the platform where the train was to arrive. On the platform there was a large clock that showed that there were a few minutes left before the arrival of the train. We were waiting, very excited, thinking about how the meeting with the students from Germany would be . Near the watch there was a great panel that indicated any changes. Unfortunately it was in German. Of course, the unexpected took us by surprise. But for a nice lady who told us to change the platform, we would have certainly missed the train. We rushed to the other platform and managed to catch the train. Wow! What a rush! Once in the train we sat down and breathed relieved. While I arranged my luggage to sit comfortably I saw out of the window as the train moved , but I was confused because I couldn’t feel and hear anything . I turned to Roxana, my friend, :” The train is moving, isn’t it?”, and she responded smiling at me :”Of course it’s moving!”. I was surprised because it was so silent; I couldn’t realize that the train was moving. And beside that it was also very clean and fast. It was a pleasure to travel by train and, without even realizing, we arrived in Hanover. We got off the train and I was nervous looking forward to meeting Sarah .They were already waiting for us. I recognized her immediately, because I saw her in Romania.
At first I was a little shy, but Sarah did everything possible to make me feel better. We took the train to get to her home because she lives in Seelze .I did not feel very comfortable, because everything was new for me, I was confused. After ten minutes of travelling by train we arrived at her home where I met her mother. I liked the house very much because it was a friendly one, and it was very nicely decorated for Christmas. I met her mother who is a nice woman. She expected us with food and she made me feel very good. I was tired but willing to visit the city. We went for a walk in the evening discovering the city. Everywhere we went I could feel the magic of Christmas. The whole town was dressed for celebration.
After visiting the city, and meeting new people, now it was time to show what we had prepared for the project.
On Wednesday morning we went to school and we were welcome by the headmaster. After that the school band performed for the teams coming from 5 European countries . The first break came just on time. We had the opportunity to meet other students to share our impressions so far. Then it was our time to present what we worked. I was so nervous because I had never talked in front of an audience. To my relief everything went ok and everyone liked our video presentation. Then the Polish and the Italians came.
It time to go to classes and I was impressed by what I saw. They have a 90 minutes class and the break is 20 minutes. When someone delivers a presentation , instead of applauding they knock the desk several times. I felt very good at their classes and I noticed that they insisted more in interaction and communication and not in writing. After this experience we went to the cafeteria and we ate the meal at school. It was very good the food, but I was surprised to see that for dessert we received ice-cream in the middle of winter. There everyone ate ice-cream.
After the meal we went to visit Hanover with Mr. Albrecht and Mr. Winkler, a wonderful opportunity to visit and find out about the history of the most important buildings and places in Hanover.
In the evening we went out, in town, and visited new shops. At night the city is so beautiful.
On Thursday morning Franziska Woellert introduced us to the topic of immigrants’ integration in Germany. It was very interesting because she explained very well the process of integration and we understood everything. We discussed, we asked questions. The break was a well deserved one for all of us because it is difficult to stay concentrated such a long time.
Then there followed the most interesting experience, the activity that I liked best. We formed five international groups and each of us interviewed an immigrant. I was in the team led by the Italian teacher. We interviewed José Carrascosa. It was interesting to listen to his life story because I think it could represent an example of strength, for all of us. He always wanted to be accepted in the German community and he always tried to improve his skills. The interviews we had taken in our school, had also been very interesting. We found out about the difficulties that the persons who leave their native country are being faced with. It is not easy to live abroad. After the interview we returned in the Forum to present the results. It was the day that impressed me most .
In the evening I went with Sarah’s family to the restaurant, a traditional Greek one . I felt very good as her parents are wonderful people and I will never forget that night. We talked for almost three hours and while walking trough the city the atmosphere made me feel in the world of magic. I felt part of their family and that was something that I hadn’t expected at all.
On Friday morning we edited the results of the interview. We went to the forum and watched the German-Turkish film presentation. It was a very beautiful film. The Turkish teacher had lived his childhood in Germany and last summer, together with the German teacher, went to visit his birth place. It was really exciting to see that some neighbours still remembered him and he remembered the exact place were he had fallen down with his bike. The funniest moment was that he had a picture of his first school day and took one exactly the same, but after 20 years. We enjoyed the film as well as the discussion with the students, teachers and parents on the topic of “Turkish immigration to Germany and integration”.
That day was a special one because it was Sarah’s birthday. Considering that it was my last day in Hanover she took me to some shops to buy some gifts. In the afternoon some friends of hers came at her home and brought cakes. I had asked Saskia to buy for me some flowers to offer Sarah. When Saskia arrived with Roxana and brought the flowers Sarah was taken by surprise. I guess she hadn’t expected that from me. It was a special evening and we went out , drank cocktails and talked. We had fun.
On Saturday morning I was sad because I knew it was my last day in Sarah’s family. Unfortunately Sarah felt very badly and she was not able to come with us for the sightseeing tour. Her parents saw me to the school and we all felt sad because that wonderful week was getting over.
We went to Hamburg and visited the Museum of Emigration “BallinStadt” which turned into a very impressing experience. The stories of the millions of people forced to emigrate to America touched our souls.
Hamburg is a gorgeous city and I would have liked to stay more but we were supposed to go back to Hanover and take the bus back to Dortmund.
This time we were aware that changes might appear. We managed again and we arrived safety in Dortmund and had a nice sleep in a hotel next to the airport.
I can’t express in words what I felt returning back home. When we landed on the airport in Cluj I felt safe and to being able to speak in my language made me appreciate more my country and my family as well.
It was a good experience for my life. I improved my English. Now I am able to speak in front of an audience and I am able to appreciate the people around me better.
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