I feel like I haven't written anything on here for such a long time, but I've been so busy the past few weeks being away and now that I've also started uni, I don't even have much time for pretty much anything. I’m also trying to work so much harder this semester, lately I’ve been on track with all of my work for university, so that I won’t struggle so much towards the end of uni.
When I came back to Germany, which was towards the end of March, I still had some time for myself before university started. In the same week when I came back, my half-sister came over to see me with her boyfriend. We took them on our regular route around Berlin and explored some of the parks in Potsdam. It was really nice to have someone staying with us again. That's not going to be possible anymore, as we had to return the air bed back to my auntie, so I'm guessing I won't be having any more guests staying over with us. Which is a shame really, but I'm so blessed with the fact that so many people have made an effort to come and see us, while being here. I don't know if I would be able to go through this with Lee, without seeing some familiar faces at least once in a while.
While being off uni we also took the opportunity with Lee to see Sachsenhausen concentration camp, which is in Oranienburg, just on the outskirts of Berlin. I must say it was so interesting to see it. I've never really enjoyed museums, but this one was so emotional and moving, that I would love to go back there, or maybe see another concentration camp. Or maybe go back to Auschwitz at some point. The entry to Sachsenhausen is free of charge. If you would like to get some headphones that will tell you a bit more about the history of this place, then they are only like 3 euros. However, I think you have to pay for a tour, if you wanted to find out a bit more about this place from somebody else's perspective. I'm not sure though how much the tours were.
On top of that we actually drove to Poland for the one last time in our car, before we sold it. We were so sad with Lee that we could not stay in England until Easter, so we decided to spend it with my family in Wroclaw and it was so great. It was also my grandma’s birthday, so quite a few of my family members turned up. It was lovely to see them again so soon. Although I'll be seeing them again in May as it's my little cousins Holy Communion. I just could not stand being at home on my own for Easter. Every year we celebrate it in a Polish- style tradition, so I think Lee was feeling a bit sorry for me. However, there won't be any more spontaneous trips to Poland, as we have now officially sold the car, which I’m very sad about. I loved that car, and because of it I have seen so much, and have been able to see my family so often :( Selling it has made me realise that this experience is coming to its end soon, and I honestly never want it to end.
Pretty much straight after the Easter break, the weather here in Potsdam has been so amazing that we took the opportunity to see places that are nearby. We went to Caputh which is about 10/15 minutes from Potsdam. There is a beautiful lake and forest there. And to cross onto the other side of the lake, in a car, bike or if you wanted to walk, you had to pay for a boat to take you. So that was cool, and it was nice to relax there, while the weather has been so great. We also went to see Tiergarten in Berlin. I can't believe there has been so much sunshine here. 2/3 weeks ago, it was still snowing, but last week I wore shorts and a cardigan for the first time, while going to uni. That makes me very happy :) I've been so sick of the snow and not being able to do anything as it was so freezing outside. I've had a look at the weather forecast for the upcoming week and it's supposed to be 23 degrees + so I'm very pleased about that.
Tiergarten- Berlin
While having so much time, I also had the chance to see what the party lifestyle is like in Berlin. I went to a concert with Lee, which was taking place at Kreuzberg Festsaal, which is a really good club in Berlin. That was really fun! I also went to my first Techno Party in Berlin. Berlin is known for having one of the best techno scenes in Europe, so I really wanted to see if it was as good as people said it would be. I must say the party was great, the DJ seemed quite good and I liked the fact that in the outside area, there was a bonfire which made the place look so fun. Everyone was gathering together. I spoke to so many German people that night and met some new Erasmus students. There were a few people that would speak to me in English then I would reply to them in German. It was definitely something new. However, I know for a fact now that Techno music is not really my cup of tea. It was so repetitive and a bit boring. But everyone's got a different taste. I'm glad I went though, because I actually went out my way to speak to people, socialise and actually enjoy myself for a bit. Which is something I probably wouldn't do in Nottingham. I absolutely hate going out in Nottingham. But the vibe, the atmosphere and even the people here are so much different, it's making me feel safe and happy to be out. I could never say the same about UK.
Last week I have officially started my second semester at Potsdam, and although there is still a bit of issues with my timetable, it's nothing like it was in my first semester. Before I even started university, I already knew what modules I want to be doing this semester. I've applied for most of them in the enrolment week. And I knew that I should avoid doing seminars and go for more lectures, as they make me feel more comfortable in the lesson. I signed up for a lot more modules this semester than I should. I want to be taking every opportunity that's available, as I know I don't have a lot of time here left. So, everything was pretty clear. HOWEVER, for some strange reason, the university posted on their website that the exams are taking place at the end of July, which would have been ideal for me. However, as I turned up to my first lectures, quite a lot of them are actually taking place at the start of July or mid-July, which actually made me have a small panic attack. This year my mum is getting married. It was something that's been planned for months. And she went out her way to get a suitable date in July, so that I would be able to be there at her wedding. If it wasn't for the uni, posting false information on their website, everything would have been great. Nothing would be planned and paid for. However, right now I'm just starting to worry a little bit. As it's one of the requirements to do all the exams. Good news is that, I already have enough credits and hours to be able to drop some of the subjects with exams at the start of July. But at the same time, I don't really want to drop them. Like for example the Cold War Module. It seems very interesting and I'm already doing some things that I don't particularly enjoy as they are very convenient and useful for Erasmus students. So, I'm just a bit gutted, that some things will probably have to be dropped and that it's all becoming very messy again. At the same time though, I'm so happy that the preparation for this semester, was just so much easier and straightforward. I already knew what to do, not like in October were everything was just an absolute mess. The modules that I'm currently doing are Comparative Politics, English Translation (from German), the Zessko B1 and grammar courses (which are ideal for foreign German students), the Cold War and Second World War modules ( which unfortunately I might have to drop), a Social Structure Analysis module (which is actually a Sociology module, but I thought I'll give it a try- I did Sociology for A-levels so it should be okay) and a grammar and pronunciation module- which is linguistics. I know what you're all thinking, I've been complaining about linguistics so much. However, this module was made especially for the Erasmus students. There is quite a lot of people in that class that come from all sorts of different countries, so it should be a lot simpler than the linguistic module I was doing last semester, which was only with German students. I'm very happy with the choices that I've made this semester. And so far, I have managed to actually make a German friend from Hamburg. In my English Translation module, we were paired as there is quite a lot of things that we will need to do in a group, and luckily, I was paired with this nice girl that studies English here in Potsdam. When we talk we mix English with German, as we are both trying to learn a language. So, I'm happy so far. I really wanted to make more German friends this semester, as I think it would be so much easier to pick up the language, rather than just speaking in English all the time. Also, I'm pleased that university has started now. I've been getting so bored of just sitting at home. Although I did a bit of travelling and went back to UK for a bit. I just could not wait to be back and see everyone. It felt like I was off for months and I really am starting to see Potsdam as my home now. Like I said before, I just never want this experience to end :(
This Friday I'm going to Dusseldorf, to see Shani. She is also studying German at Trent and is doing her year abroad placement there, so I'm really looking forward to seeing her and how she has settled. In my next post, I will talk about my experience in the Western Germany, and about the differences and comparisons between the West and East. I hope you will all have a lovely week :)
Thank you for reading my post, MR x
