Since my last update in late January, I have been extremely busy with traveling, school, and day to day tasks (but you won't hear me complaining 😁)!
Class Update
Before I get into my most recent experiences, I would just like to update everyone on my classes, specifically German. Since I last posted, I have come a long way in learning the native language. My classmates and I are now pretty good friends and I usually end up seeing them on the weekends. I truly enjoy these times as I get to not only try to speak German with other English-based learners, but also with French and Chinese as well! We have three new students in my class now from different countries. We have one girl from Switzerland, an elderly lady from Paris, and a young man, also from Paris. My class is going great and I am only two weeks away from advancing to the intermediate level!
Ladenburg; 1 February
The first trip since my last update was one of most favorite so far. Ladenburg is one of the original Roman strongholds here in Germany. It is home to not only rich history and architecture, but also to Karl Benz (of, you guessed it, Mercedes-Benz).
We arrived in Ladenburg shortly before noon via tram then bus. The trip was very quick and we would have rode bikes down the old Roman road that connects Heidelberg and Ladenburg, but due to too many complaints from sissies about the cold, they resorted to us taken public transportation. Our first stop was the Karl Benz house and garage where he first designed him gas-powered vehicle. The property was beautiful and rested near the Neckar riverside. The garage was about 100 meters from the house and legend has it, Karl did this to avoid his wife calling on him when he was busy working.
After the house, we visited the old town where remnants of the Roman stronghold are still visible today. Many of the original inner-city walls are still intact and foundation pieces are still scattered around the town. We visited a museum that held many Roman artifacts and historical pieces, which was a nice and quick way to understand the history of the area.
After the museum, we ventured deeper into the town discovering its beautiful architecture and colors. The town is a quintessential German town with colorful buildings with exposed frames. Many of the buildings are from the 1600 hundreds and earlier. Definitely a must see for lovers of history!
Super Bowl Party; 5, 6 February
Even though I'm across the pond, there is no way I was not going to watch the Super Bowl. I am way too red-blooded American for that. We planned the party a few days in advance to best budget our money. We decided to make it as American as possible in order to show our RA, Jonas, how we Americans enjoy to watch the biggest sporting event in our culture. We ordered five huge pizzas and got some pop to go along with them. We were going to make wings but that was too time-consuming for the amount of time we had. We also made chips and dip, which is essential.
The game started at around 1 am here on the 6th. Most people didn't tough it out and went to bed but a few of us stayed up till 5 to watch the greatest Super Bowl of all time. It was quite an experience, but nothing beats spending that time with family and friends back home.
Tiefburg; 12 February
On this lazy Sunday, I decided, after going outside to take my trash out, that it was such a nice day that I was going to go for a walk and try to get lost. I began my trek towards the direction of my mom and dad's Air BnB as they are coming to visit in April and they wanted me to try and find it. After a bit, I wandered down a back alley and found their place. It was cool to see a new part of the city, but I wasn't satisfied so I picked a direction and began to walk. I ended up in a small burg called Tiefburg. I had never heard of the area before and I was surprised I hadn't as it was home to a quaint little castle with a moat. I later read into the area and discovered that the castle was home to a Duke who at one time, got so jealous of his royal counterparts, that when the King sent a nearby Duke a suit of armor as a gift, he intercepted the man wearing it, and trapped him behind a wall of bricks, alive, like in the Cast of Amontillado. The suit of armor was discovered only in the early 1900s after the then owner decided to expand the room behind the wall, finding the suit of armor and what was left of the man wearing it. The armor is now in a museum in Berlin if I recall correctly. I just thought that was the coolest story a small little town could have.
Heidelberg Law School; 13 February
After class one day, our RA, Jonas, decided to take my friend Teresa and I to Heidelberg's Law School. He knew we were both going into law so he wanted to show us where he and other law students studied. The facilities are in an old hotel on the outskirts of the town square. Because students are studying for their law exams, we only visited the library where they hold all of their German texts and the section where they hold their English counterparts. Teresa and I plan on going there a few times to read in their collection and to meet other law students.
Mannheim; 14 February
Instead of going to art class, my art professor sent us an email, telling us to meet him at Heidelberg Central Station so we can go to an art exhibit in Mannheim. This guy is the bee's knees. We all met up outside of a Chinese restaurant and we boarded a train to the city. Mannheim is only about 10 minutes away by train, an hour by tram. Once we were there, he took us around to see different buildings and landmarks on our way to the castle. Once we got to the castle he shared with us the history of the palace and his thoughts on the bland exterior. The true beauty was on the inside (enter teenage girl instagram post here). Inside, the castle was stupendous. Our professor explained that the palace was demolished during WWII so it was all recreated to meet the believed likeness of the palace in the 1600s. My favorite room, by far, was the grand ball room. Originally, it was made out of marble and gold leaf. Surround guests were giant portraits of the lineage of the royal family and the key emperors before them.
After the castle, we walked to a nearby cafe for a coffee and to talk about, uhm, art. Our professor told us the history of our next stop, the Jesuit cathedral. The cathedral was very nice and it had many historical pieces inside such as paintings of popes and multi-century old alters. It wasn't as beautiful as the Wormser Dom in my opinion, but it was still very elegant.
Our last stop was the Mannheim Art Museum where we observed their seasonal gallery, "Barock". It focused on the many elements of the Baroque style and the history of its importance in modern culture. Our professor led us through, artwork by artwork showing how it developed from very practical uses (like with maps and ocean cartography) to even clothing.
I can't wait to see what trip our professor has up his sleeve next!
Stift Neuberg; 15 February
After classes on the 15th, our Dean, Thomas, took a handful of us to Stift Neuberg Monastery via the Philosphersweg. Philosophersweg is a hiking trail traveled by major philosophers such as Mark Twain, who stayed in Heidelberg frequently when looking for inspiration. The walk provides great views of the city and valley before leading you through the vast forests surrounding the city. After a while's walk, we ended up at the Monastery. Many hundreds of years old, it is still home to some of the oldest monks in Germany. There are only three remaining, but they hold 5 services a day, starting at 4:30am and holding their last at 8pm. Everyday at everyhour, they ring the bell at the top of their bell tower. We unfortunately weren't there in time to listen to their message or their Gregorian chant music, but we did get to hear them ring the bell.
After we visited the Monastery, we made our way over to the restaurant that serves the bier the monks make on a daily basis. We stopped here for a well-deserved meal and brew. It was probably the best meal I've had here and the Dunkel is definitely in my fav-five when it comes to bier.
Prague; 16, 17, 18, 19 February
This past weekend, a large group from the ESC traveled to Prague for the weekend, independently. We took a bus ride that took about 8 or so hours to reach our Hostel, "Prague Plus". Once there, we were given a free tour of the city which consisted of the new city, the old city, the Jewish Quarter, the square and astronomical clock, and the St. Charles bridge, y'know, the touristy stuff. Throughout the tour, I took many pictures as Prague was no doubt one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. The medieval architecture and art were astounding and it was impossible not to capture everything around every corner. The square and astronomical clock, two of the most touristy things in Prague, did not disappoint. We got their just at noon to see the 12 disciples pass by the clock (look it up, it's amazing to watch), a tradition that is hundreds of years old and still in working condition.
After the tour, a few friends of mine and I spent the little free time we had to check out the Lennon Wall near the Charles bridge. If you follow me on instagram, you probably saw the picture. The wall is in honor of John Lennon and what he did for the people of Prague as he inspired them to stand up against what is wrong and to not let the government control them. He preached peace and humanity which the Prague people respected. Today, anyone can tag their name or message on the wall. Many different languages and influences cover the wall. It is truly a masterpiece of globalization.
Later that night, we went on a very lame boat cruise down the river near the Charles bridge. A ton of drunk adults made the trip unbearable but the views were pretty good. The castle at night is spectacular.
The next day, we had the entire day to ourselves. We walked so many miles throughout the city, exploring as much as we could. We traveled everywhere from the new city to the castle and back. Some of the highlights included eating a traditional Czech meal in a 500 year old restaurant which consisted of Kozel beer and Goulash (sehr gut essen), the castle views over the city and vineyard, and the hidden stairway up to Novy Svet, or new country, which had zero tourists and some of the best view imaginable. At the top of Novy Svet, we encountered a movie set and we accidentally walked across a fake cobblestone street when the security guard wasn't paying attention. We got yelled at and we promptly high-tailed it out of there. After that, it was near sundown and we spent the time on the Charles Bridge watching the sun go down over the city. It was one of the most breathtaking experiences I've ever had.
The fourth day consisted mostly of travel so it really doesn't amount to anything noteworthy.
Prague was an amazing experience and I would 100% go back again. I did, however experience for the first time a sense of uncertainty and maybe fear while traveling. I don't know if it is the language or the people speaking it, but the people in Prague made me uneasy. Whether it was the Polizei or the city workers, it always seemed like we were being given dirty looks and that instead of trying to protect its citizens and its visitors, the state seemed to try to intimidate and put fear into their hearts. I discussed this observation with friends and they agreed. They felt like the state was trying to intimidate rather than make you feel at ease. We came to the conclusion that it is possible it was their way of deterring acts of terrorism. When there is an armed soldier every 10 meters with an MP5 waiting for you to step out of line or draw attention to yourself, I wouldn't want to do anything rash. After Prague, when I was back in Germany, I felt so relieved that I could now effectively communicate with the citizens and express myself correctly. It made me realize how much of the German culture I have become accustomed to and how much the language has influenced my feelings towards my host country.
I hope you all are enjoying reading about my travels and experiencing them vicariously!
I can't wait to hear from you all!
Your Friend,
Gabe
Hey Gabe!
ReplyDeleteI really like reading about how much you are enjoying Germany, and how much you are learning while there. I especially like how you insisted on watching the Super Bowl even though you were in Germany!
In class we have been learning about and discussing leadership in different cultural contexts, and one context that interested me in particular was the Islamic context. After learning about leadership in an Islamic context, I am able to see many differences and similarities between Western leadership and Islamic leadership. For example, when decisions are being made in Western leadership, rationality, logic, and pragmatism are typically used to reach a decision, whereas in an Islamic leadership style, decisions are typically made through consultation while seeking Allah's will. I was wondering if you have been able to interact with anyone that is in Germany now that comes from an area where Islamic leadership styles are more common. If so, how are they similar or different than from how people typically would view leadership in German culture?
Hey Ryan,
DeleteThanks for the comment! When I was in global leadership, one of my favorite topics we learned about was the Islamic context. I loved understanding the culture though its fundamentals rather than through media outlets and skewed views on extremism.
Unfortunately, I have not yet had the opportunity to speak or meet someone from the Islamic context here in Germany. However, I am friends with a few people who volunteer at a refugee center a couple tram stops away form our house. From speaking with them, a large amount of the refugees they work with are children who come from an Islamic background. They tell me that the students are very respectful and they respect what the leader says and asks them to do. They are also known to be very grateful and always willing to lend a helping hand if the leaders need it.
When the volunteers sign up to work with the refugees, it is stressed that religion and cultural differences are strictly off-limits when working with the refugees as to not stir up any conflicts, so unfortunately I can't directly answer your question pertaining to how they make decisions based on the will of Allah.
I hope this helps, Ryan!
Gabe
Hey Gabe!
ReplyDeleteI have quite enjoyed reading about all of the adventures you are going on, and am particularly thrilled to see that you are venturing off of the beaten path and exploring different areas around you. Being a lover of football (the Western one) myself, I am interested in how the Superbowl party went over with students from other countries. Did they partake with enthusiasm? Were they appalled at the sight of large men hurling themselves at other for sport? We have spoken at great length in class about the Western movement and how our western traditions carry over into other cultures (just one aspect of globalization). I'd really like to know how you felt the game went and what everyone thought!
Enjoy the rest of your week!
Jake
Jake,
DeleteFirst off, Tommy B is the GOAT, that was the best SB ever, who in the world is James White, and the Warriors blew a 3-1 lead in the NBA finals.
I would be lying if I didn't say that I have never seen a better fourth quarter than the one I saw TB put together in that game. It was truly something out of a fairytale.
The party was extremely fun for those of us that stuck it out. Our mansion, however, only has American students in it besides my friend from Mexico and our RA, Jonas. Besides from the fact we wanted to feel at home for the SB, we wanted to show Jonas how we watch the most important game on American athletics' schedule.
Jonas was very interested in understanding our infatuation with the grizzly sport and why so many people watch it. Before the game started we explained to him how much work goes into building a SB team and the story behind TB and the Patriots and how they are seen as the big bad wolves of the NFL and how only certain people like them, but everyone respects them. We also explained the importance of watching the commercials as they are the best on this night of the year.
Once the game started, it was like I was watching football for the first time with my mom. So many questions, but I enjoyed explaining the basics as to why "the UGGs guy had his hand up the fat guy's crotch" and why there were so many lines on the field. You never truly realize how complicated our favorite sport is when you grow up playing it your entire life.
Jonas only lasted till half time and I don't blame him, it was boring. Unfortunately he missed the greatest showcase of clutch-ness in NFL history by Tom Brady and his teammates. When James White capped off the comeback, we erupted (all 5 of us). It was great.
Good luck with the rest of rush,
Tom Brady's Missing Jersey
Hello Gabe,
ReplyDeleteYour experiences sound so interesting. The rich history and architecture is so beautiful, and I really wish that I could experience the adventure like you are. Like Jake, I am interested in your experiences regarding the Super Bowl. In our discussions of globalization in class, we have addressed the way in which globalization sometimes includes adaptations of different cultures, and the ways in which this occurs more as globalization continues to increase. Your party sounded like an exciting event! Have your peers from other cultures been as willing to share their culture with you? Because the United States is such a powerful influence across the world, it is likely that other countries would be more willing to try things from American culture. Have your learned any valuable traditions or had other rich cultural experiences that may even be outside of German culture?
I look forward to hearing from you. Keep enjoying your experiences!
Shannon Garrison
Hey, Shannon!
DeleteThanks for the comment! The SB party was great experience although we didn't have too much cultural diversity, but I have indeed been given the opportunity to learn from other cultures and their traditions.
First off, like football in America, soccer here is YUGE. Our RA, Jonas, is trying to get us all to go with him to a Premier League match, which would be awesome! I will definitely describe that experience if it comes into fruition.
The major cultural event that is coming up in Germany (and is currently happening) is called "Fasching", which is Germany's celebration of Carnivale. Next Tuesday, towns all over Germany will continue on with the tradition of scaring away Winter with the use of costumes, loud music, and confetti. At my school, we are going to throw a big party and invite all of the students from nearby schools to party with us. We will have costumes, music, and traditional foods! It is going to be amazing! I will definetly fill you guys in when that happens because then I will be able to give you a way better answer when it comes to cultural tradition!
I'll get back to you soon!
Gabe
Hey Gabe,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you're having an amazing time in Germany! Nick and I are still working on business plans for the Green Machine. We even included you in our organizational structure! I just have a couple questions about your trip. Have you had any difficulty learning German? I was also wondering if you have experienced any cultural barriers when interacting with your peers or the community? I know when I went to Mexico interacting with the locals was very difficult because I knew nothing about the culture. In leadership we have been discussing the different views of leadership for the different cultures around the world. For example, Buddhists view leadership as a personal journey and the leader/follower relationship is similar to a teacher/student relationship. Have you been able to identify how the culture there views leadership? Do the professors teach differently there compared to at Marietta?
I look forward to hearing about the rest of your trip.
Michaila
Hey, Michaila!
DeleteYay for Green Machine! I appreciate you including me in the plans!
To answer your question about learning German, I have had moderate trouble learning the language but a few things make it easier. German will be my 3rd language I have learned recently and it is much easier than learning Chinese. My background in French really helps as well as sentence structure is similar. Also, living here and using the language daily in real life situations helps more than anything. Our teachers are great as well.
In terms of culture, I haven't found much problem interacting with those in the community. German social culture is very similar to how I like living life. To the point and efficient. People are also much nicer than outsiders think. They may be quite and look off-putting, but they are truly generous and kind.
When it comes to leadership, I have been able to adapt to the leadership style over here. It is very similar to American leadership I feel, and where it is not similar, like power distance, I have held positions that have prepped me to follow and lead under these circumstances, so it's been easy.
Professors teach pretty similar to the ways they do back home but I feel they are adapting to their audience. Mostly everyone in my class is from the States and the school is sponsored by a US college in San Antonio. I think the major difference is power-distance. The respect here seems to be much higher for instructors, which I truly enjoy, but some students don't understand this component of German education. There are some students here that think they are buddy buddies with professors and they'll just start talking or acting out in class while they are teaching. I don't know if that's just how it is in their school back home, but even at Marietta I'd feel that would be extremely out of place in any of our professor's classrooms.
I hope this helps!
Tell Nick I said good luck, and good luck to you too!
Your friend,
Gabe
Hi Gabe,
ReplyDeleteI had a question for you and I know its unrelated to your posts so far but seeing as it is a global issue right now hopefully we can let it slide. Anyways, I wanted to know if you have run into any Muslim influences on the German culture on your trip thus far? In class just finished discussing leadership in a Muslim context. In addition we discussed the refugee crisis and Germany has taken in a lot of refugees. Have you noticed any of the effects of this crisis on your trip? I am interested in the cultural impact that could potentially occur such as a blending of German and Muslim cultures. Even in areas that do not see refugees you might be on the look out for things such as Mosques, or Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurants as indicators of these influences.
I hope to hear from you soon,
Tom Kimmins
Heyo, Tom.
DeleteEven though where I live, in Heidelberg, is very upscale and expensive to live in and pretty free of refugees, I have seen many signs of two cultures merging. On one hand, the most prevalent form of cultural fusion is with restaurants. I'd say the most popular food with young people here in Germany is Doner or Kabob. People LOVE it here and I do too. It's cheap, filling, and meaty. I personally have a favorite spot to get mine and it is run by a refugee. I don't know his name but he is the nicest guy you'll meat. He is very courteous and respects his customers. His food is killer too.
One way the refugee crisis has effected me and my classmates is the nearby US military base turned refugee camp. A bit away from our house, the camp is home to hundreds of refugees from many different countries. From what I've heard, the children are quite nice and are willing to work with US students. Most of their parents are the same way, but students have been warned to not travel alone as they have expressed distaste for those from the States.
In terms of culture, I don't see the two cultures merging together in terms of German culture becoming Muslim culture. I feel like if anything, it'd be the opposite, with refugees adapting to their new home. Restaurants are one thing but I see it as like us having Chinese and Mexican restaurants in the US. Though they are marketed as foreign foods and they are based off of traditional meals, they are adapted to meet their new market.
I hope this helps you understand the crisis a bit better through the eyes of someone living in Germany.
Thanks, Tom,
Gabe
(PS: How sweet was Hunter's Dierk Bentley video?!?)
Hey Gabe!
ReplyDeleteI hope all is well with you in Germany! You may or may not remember me but we worked together on the EIR project with FedEx. I have always wanted to visit Germany since that is where my ancestry traces back to. Maybe at another time you could tell me some must-see places.
I recall you mentioning last year that your major is International Business. How do you like it? From your postings it sounds like you really enjoy being in Germany. I was curious if you had the opportunity to visit any large corporations while you were there and sit in on meetings to see how they conduct business? To me, that would be very interesting to see how companies overseas conduct business different from how we do in the U.S. I admit that some of my favorite brands; Mercedes, BMW and STIHL all originated in Germany and they are some of the most successful businesses around. I’m curious as to what their secret is.
Also, I saw you mentioned that you are learning more of the German language as you go along. With Germany being a very linear-active culture, I was curious as to how people acted towards you as an international student? For example, were they patient with you as you learn the language or did they leave that responsibility solely up to you?
Lastly, how do you see Germany fitting in with Globalization 3.0? As one can assume with the United State’s new administration, the U.S. is taking a step back from globalization 3.0 by defining its borders and becoming very nationalistic. From a cultural and business perspective, how does Germany view Globalization 3.0? I see that you have posted a lot of historical photos; do you think Globalization 3.0 would down-play Germany’s great history in anyway? I am curious as to what your thoughts are.
Thanks for reading, Gabe. Enjoy the rest of your stay in Germany and I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Ryan Eberle
Hey, Ryan!
DeleteOf course I remember haha! I think about EIR and Gerard all the time!
I love international business because it provides me with the opportunity to challenge myself in multiple contexts and it drives me out of my comfort zone. Germany is a great place to study business as, as you know, it is a great industrial powerhouse. I have had the opportunity to go to a couple companies while I've been here. The two biggest ones are Mercedes-Benz and BASF. Mercedes-Benz was just a museum tour but it was partially a review of their business structure as well. BASF was more of a company visit where we met with a few managers and they told us about their company culture. It was interesting to hear about their strategies and their growth as the world's largest chemical company. They were very secretive about operations, like many German businesses are, but they seemed to have a linear-style system where you take quality over quantity and in return, it yields better production numbers. German businesses seem to operate from the top down, and bottom up, making sure everyone in the organization does their job and is involved. Having these experiences are great because at the end of my semester, I am interning with an international company here in Germany called Mobil Elektronic, so I will hopefully have a feel for the business structure by then.
When learning German, I have found that Germans respect you 100% more if you try to use their language in conversation. When I am speaking with a native, I try to only use German. They all know English but if you try, it makes a world of difference to them and they will try to help you learn. I think Americans think Germans are mean when they come here because they will go up to a German and start speaking to them in English, without simply asking if they know it or not. Chances are they do, but it's ignorant to think your language is dominant in a foreign land.
In terms of Globalization, I feel Germany is becoming the more dominant global power over the US in terms of open borders, international business practices, and how their government functions. I feel they definitely prefer exporting over importing as they protect their domestic production from outside forces such as with the auto industry. When it comes to the refugee crisis, I think Germans are trying to protect their culture, but they accept outsiders as long as they conform to their new home. I think culturally, Germany is nationalistic, but business wise, they are more globalized. In the long run, as long as Germany keeps this notion, their culture will stay intact, even though there is a fear the refugees will change it.
Thanks for the comment!
Gabe
Gabe,
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed reading about your experiences you are having in Germany. I thought it was really cool how you guys still watched the Super Bowl even though the time change made it so late there. In class, we have been discussing how one of America’s biggest exports in globalization is its culture. I have seen some of your pictures with Coca-Cola and Budweiser signs, and I was wondering how the different cultures there view an American?
-Jay Chapin
Hey Jay,
DeleteBoth of those pictures were taken in Prague, and Budweiser is actually a Czech company, but I have noticed a lot in terms of your question topic. After being here for a while of months now, the biggest thing I've noticed in terms of culture is that the US's influence is everywhere in entertainment. Every bar you go to and ever store you walk through, 9/10 songs they play are currently on America's Billboard top 40, or even classic rock hits. Last night, I asked one of our German interns if German music is even popular here, and she said that they've really just listened to American music. Sure there are some German hit songs, but they are interlaced in between their American counterparts.
Thanks for commenting,
Gabe
Gabe,
ReplyDeleteI see they've convinced you to begin using the metric system now. Pretty cool that you had the moment to share our culture with them via the super bowl! Too bad they went to bed early. I hope they are as interested in our culture as you are to theirs. My question for you, sir Gabe, is centered around our reading of the chapter about leadership in Latin America. They have quite a different approach to leadership than ours, such that it is more influenced by one having power and no one should challenge it unless they can over throw it. Thus, people have grown accustomed to just trusting their family--no one else. I was wondering how this compared to Germany. You mentioned visiting Prague and how they seemed militaristic and intimidating. Perhaps there are some similarities?
Thanks,
Derek
Herr Krieg,
DeleteCompared to Latin America, Germany is very different. I feel like if the people are upset with their leaders, they will overthrow or speak up against them. There is definitely a different power-level here, but that's just earned respect for the position you hold, not fear of any sort.
I didn't spend but a mere weekend in Prague so I won't give you a 100% definitive answer on the similarities between them in LA, but in my short time there, I did feel like people wouldn't argue with authority if the moment ever arose, and the leaders used the military to keep it that way.
Have fun on spring break!
Gabe
Gabe,
ReplyDeleteIn class we have been studying the Islamic view of leadership. In the Islamic view of leadership, many aspects of leadership are tied to their religion. In their eyes, a good leader and a good Muslim are synonymous. Do you see this connection between religion and leadership at all in Germany?
We also talked about how many different sects of Islam there are just like how many different sects of Christianity there are. In Germany, is there one main religion with many sects. Or are there many different religions like in the U.S.?
-Michael Undersander
Michael,
DeleteFrom my experience so far, I can honestly say, religion in Germany has a minuscule impact on how people view leaders here. In Bavarian Germany, however, their more conservative views could have an effect on their views, but I haven't spent time there so I couldn't tell you. Germany is somewhat religious with around 60% holding a religious affiliation, but you wouldn't know it living here day to day.
Germany's religious division amoungst those whom practice, are around 70% Christian with a Catholic/Protestant split, 10% Jewish, 10% Islamic (due to refugee influx), and 10% other. But, like I said, they are not as outgoing about religious affiliation here as they are in the US.
Thanks,
Gabe
Hey, Gabe! It seems as though you are having a truly wonderful time in Germany. Traveling is quite the education in itself. The pictures you have posted are amazing, and help us understand what all you are really seeing. The last several weeks in class we have discussed Donald Trump's executive order regarding immigration. It is very controversial in America as I'm sure you are aware. I was curious to know what the reaction is in Germany, and what they think of the immigration ban? Since Europe has taken many refugees, and my have a strong opinion on what the U.S. is currently doing.
ReplyDeleteHope you continue to have a great time!
Daniel Fox
Hey Daniel,
DeleteI have in fact heard something about an immigration ban once or twice every five minutes. German news love reporting about the US and God Emperor Trump because of his shenanigans and ridiculous accusations. His Muslim ban was big news here, though most news sources remained as neutral as they could be. As you know, Germany is struggling with a refugee crisis as we speak and a large sum of the population seems to be against Merkel's stance of their open-door policy, as terrorist attacks and blatant disrespect for German culture by a very minute percentage of these refugees has people worried for the future of their motherland. I am sure there are more conservative Germans who wish Merkel would adopt Trump's mindset on the matter, but they remain in the background, waiting to see how it works out for the US.
I hope that helps!
Gabe
Hi Gabe!
ReplyDeleteHope everything has been going well. In class we have recently discussed Geert Hofstede's online tool which compares several different cultural dimensions including: power distance, individualism, uncertainty avoidance, long term orientation, and indulgence,as well as masculinity. We have also discussed the Lewis model which compares multi-active, linear, and reactive countries.
Since Germany and the United States are close to each other on the linear end of the Lewis model I thought it would be interesting to compare them with the Hostede tool to see if there were any differences. One difference that surprised me was that Germany's masculinity score was higher than the United States. In the model, masculinity indicates "that the society will be driven by competition, achievement and success, with success being defined by the “winner” or “best-in-the-field”. and femininity is defined as "the dominant values in society are caring for others and quality of life. Since Germany had a higher masculinity score, I was wondering if you had noticed a difference in the way Germany treats social causes or non-profits and if there is a volunteer culture there like there is in the United States? While the United States score was not on the feminine side, it would not be odd for individuals to want to contribute to social causes or volunteer their time, however I wonder if it would be different in Germany.
Thank you!
Emily Vigue
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGabe, I love all of the pictures! We recently learned more details about the Lewis model, regarding the three major categories: linear-active, multi-active and reactive. In class we went around and discussed how much we related with each of these and how it’s possible to be, for example, a multi-active individual in the United States Linear-active bubble. Germany is very linear-active, categorized as a country that is very data-oriented, direct and results-oriented. France is categorized as multi-active. They value relationships, use feelings before facts, and have a need for human interactions. China is categorized as a reactive culture. They prefer to listen, seek harmony, and value diplomacy. I wanted to get your opinion on whether your fellow classmates who are also learning German from France and China fall in the same categories of their countries or relate more to a different category. Do they struggle in a linear-active society? Where would you place yourself among these three categories?
ReplyDeleteEmily Schemrich
Gabe,
ReplyDeleteAll of your insights are really great! I especially enjoyed your thoughts on Prague and the fact that you expressed your true emotions during that time. Many would disregard their feelings to personal beliefs, etc. but you however, take time to address it and correlate it back to the culture, something very important. Prague is considered a linear active country on Richard Lewis's model, much like the United States. I find it interesting that although this is the case, and many of the structural variables compare, there is a vast cultural difference in personal appeal between these two countries. The United States may not be considered the most welcoming, but people do not feel threatened to walk the streets. For as many people against the acceptance of foreign relations, there are a number of people that support it and see it more beneficial to establish. In Prague, you make it sound as though all general people seem to be unaccepting of foreign visitors, much for the same reasons. In class today we made comparisons between countries using Hofstede's 6 dimensions. I think it is important to note that between all the similarities the united States and Prague's culture share, a couple of dimensions can explain the vast differences. Prague's very high concern for uncertainty avoidance could contribute to a more hostile environment, where people stay more prepared to handle the unknown so it does not become a conflict. They also have a high concern for long-term orientation where they are ready to do what it takes to achieve results, and do it the most efficient and quick way. Prague is staying prepared for destruction, to be quick and efficient in attacks, and always preparing yourself for danger could leave sour taste in the mouth, or form a negative environment.
Hey Gabe,
ReplyDeleteIt's so awesome to see that you're having such an amazing time and learning so much. I definitely enjoy seeing all the pictures you post. You go into great detail of describing the things you see and do, but the pictures give a more realistic image versus the imaginary one I make up in my head. I was wondering how your classes are structured? On the LMR Model German is very linear active; right next to the United States. So are things very similar or surprisingly different? We did a comparison online using Geert Hoftstede's study and I compared Germany and the United States and in this comparison they are alike, yet different. Specifically they are different in individualism and indulgence (with the United States higher) and uncertainty avoidance and long term orientation (with Germany higher). Can you see these difference play out in your schooling and even everyday life over there?
Amie
Hey Gabriel,
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see pictures of your experiences in your blog. It sounds like Prague was a good experience for you. I was wondering about some specific cultural differences between Germany and the United States and whether you have examples of these differences. We learned about Greet Hofstede's cultural dimensions which include individualism, power distance, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, long term orientation, and indulgence. After looking at the differences in these dimension in comparison to the United States there are large differences between individualism, longterm orientation, and indulgence. I will explain each of these in order to ask about the differences you have seen. Individualism is based on the amount of interdependence that exists in a society. Germany and the United States are both individualistic, but the US is much more than Germany. Do you feel that people in Germany are more collective and interdependent than those in the US, and if so what effects does this have on their society? Long term orientation has to do with the way a culture holds on to it's past while dealing with future issues. Societies that are high in long term orientation believe that the truth comes from the situational factors that are happening and that it is important to adapt to changes. Germany scores very high in long term orientation, while the US scores pretty low Do you feel that Germany has a focus on the future and is flexible in their traditions? Do you see this in the way that they educate students? The final aspect that is different is indulgence. Indulgence is the way that people control their desires. Germany has relatively low indulgence while the United State has relatively high indulgence. This means that Germans are more restrained and can be cynical or pessimistic. Societies that are low in indulgence also delay gratification and have strong impulse control. Do you feel that Germans are more restrained and have more control over their desires? Do they seem to be more cynical? I know these were a lot of questions, but I feel that these three aspects are important for me to better understand the German culture and the differences you are experiencing. Keep having the time of your life over there! I can't wait to hear more about your travels!
XOXO,
Emily Toppin
Hallo Gabe!
ReplyDeleteYour blog posts are so engaging, and it is great to hear about your language progress!!
You mentioned some of your classmates are from France and China. I used the Hofstede country comparison tool to look at how China, France, and America compared in each of the six dimensions: power distance, individualism, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, long-term orientation, and indulgence. What I found most interesting was uncertainty avoidance, or the level of comfort each culture has with the ambiguity of the future and thus how comfortable they are in unfamiliar situations. America's uncertainty avoidance is 46, France's is 86, and China's is only 30.
You mentioned how you set out once with the goal of getting lost (super cool story, by the way!!). I think this definitely shows the American level of uncertainty avoidance. Compared to France, America is much more comfortable with unfamiliar situations and not knowing all the details before getting into a situation. On the other hand, China has an even lower score than America! With this in mind, do you think your classmates from France and China would be more or less likely to intentionally get lost in the same way? When you are traveling together, do you each take on certain roles, i.e. the one planning where to go and how to get there, the one wanting to just go wherever, etc.? If so, is there any correlation between a certain person's usual role and their level of uncertainty avoidance?
Thanks!
Rylie
Hello Gabe!
ReplyDeleteI've really enjoyed reading about your adventures throughout Europe so far this semester and all of your pictures have been great! I am impressed with your dedication to stay up all night watching the Super Bowl and think it is so neat that you and your friends had an Americanized watch party even while studying abroad.
In class, we have been studying Geert Hofstede's cultural dimensions which help leaders to compare their culture's values and norms with some of the values and norms of a different country's culture. When comparing Germany and the United States, one of the largest differences that I found was the difference in long term vs. short term orientation. This refers to the preference for traditions as opposed to changes in society. Germany has a score of 83 which means they are able to adapt to changes fairly well and are not deeply rooted in tradition. On the other hand, the United States has a score of only 26 which means that they strongly believe in their traditions and are very polarized in their views of what is right or wrong. This can definitely be seen with the differing opinions of the political parties in the United States right now. I am sure that Germans have diverse opinions on political issues, too, but I was wondering if you have seen these extreme political differences in Germany or if people tend to be more moderate in their views?
I look forward to hearing about the rest of your adventures this semester!
Sincerely,
Kate Ensinger
Gabe!
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are so beautiful! I'm really enjoying my experience of vicariously living through you... It seems that you are really enjoying yourself! And you were able to visit the law school, that's amazing! I hope you found it intriguing!
I know you have a lot of posts to attend to and exploring to engage in, so I'll attempt to keep my post somewhat brief (though no promises). I wanted to ask you about a topic that we just covered today in class. I'm not sure if you were taught the same thing, so I'll go over the concepts for you!
I'm deriving my information from the book written by Edward T. Hall "The Silent Language." His book is primarily focused on culture, the history of culture, its evolution, and why we should have the competency to recognize cultural differences. One of his primary arguments is that 'Culture is everywhere.' This refers to the Primary Message System (PMS) which is modeled as a pyramid: the base is formed by the biological influences, the middle section centers around socialization and the benefactors of society (culture), topped off by the individual self. Each of these components are influential in the creation of all people. However, individuals that share similar socialization influences are likely to resonate with one another. In conjunction with the Lewis model which discusses the categorization of states on a pyramidal structure as well (Linear active, Reactive, Multi-Active), I'm intersted to hear how the U.S. and Germany differ in terms of socialization (culture). Lewis considers Germany to be the epitome of linear-active with the U.S. as a close neighbor. Through your experiences, what societal observations have you made that either affirm or contradict Lewis? In what ways has Lewis hit the mark in terms of Germany being cool, decisive planners, and factual? I'm interested to see if you have noticed an increase in task-orientation, attention to detail, pragmatism, etc and what societal factors are a product of this socialization.
I know I just through a lot at you, let me know if I need to clarify! I look forward to hearing your thoughts!
Best,
Matthew Johnson
Hi Gabe,
ReplyDeleteSomething we just talked about in class on Thursday is how people from different cultures learn differently. Some cultures have different ways of learning starting at a very young age. For example, some cultures do not begin formal learning until the ages between 9-10. However, in America it is not uncommon for three year olds to be in preschool. Have you noticed any differences in how people in Germany learn compared to Americans?
Something else we are learning about is Hofstede’s power dimensions. Do you think that the security you saw in Prague had to do with the power distance (the extent to which people respect those in power) there? I looked up the Czech Republic’s power distance and in comparison to the U.S. it is 17 points higher. Logically, I think that this alone would explain more security everywhere.
While looking at the power dimension differences between the United States and Germany, I found it interesting that the Germans had a much higher score for indulgence (the extent to which people attempt to control their desires or impulses) than Americans. Have you noticed this in any of your interactions with Germans? Or has it changed when you traveled to different parts of Germany?
I enjoyed reading your blog post and hope you keep having awesome adventures!
Best,
McKenzie
Hi Gabe!
ReplyDeleteYour experience in Germany looks very interesting. In global leadership we are reading Edward Halls book “Silent Language” to learn about the different elements of culture. One of the things we have learned about is communication and the role that culture plays in communication. We have talked about the way our culture is ingrained in our society and behavior and how everything is related. Additionally, there are certain patterns of behavior which dictate the way people behave within a certain culture. A part of this are formal, informal, and technical patterns which explain various cultural patterns. For example, the formal patterns explain the way people in a culture behave and act in certain situations conveying certain emotions for particular situations. This can be a cultural divide when people from other cultures interact coming from different backgrounds and different cultural patterns. I found this interesting in regard to your interactions with citizens in Prague. I would be intrigued to look further into the differences in cultural patterns to better understand your experience as an American compared to the cultural patterns of the Czech Republic to better understand this situation.
Hi Gabe!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you have been having an amazing time! In class we have recently been reading Edward Hall's book The Silent Language about culture and communication. One concept that I have found very interesting is the value that is placed on time in different countries. For example, in the United States we put a lot of value on time and in turn products that take longer to make are often more highly valued. However since we have also turned in to such a consumer economy and love fast service, our culture has adapted to cheaper and less quality products that take less time to make. I was wondering what consumer culture in Germany is like and if there is a different value placed on goods and services that take longer. I was also wondering whether the culture of fast food and cheaply made goods is as prevalent there as in the United States? I am mostly thinking of stores and restaurants such as Walmart or fast food restaurants.
Thanks and safe travels home!
Emily Vigue
Hi Gabe,
ReplyDeleteI hope you're enjoying your time in Germany. Nick and I presented our official business plan for the Green Machine on Tuesday! How much longer will you be in Germany? As Bri and Emily mentioned, we have been reading Edward Hall's "Silent Language" in leadership. One of the concepts we discussed that I found interesting was the topic of proxemics. Proxemics focuses on use of space and how cultures associate with space. The main component of space that I want to ask you about is personal space. In the U.S. we tend to establish between 18 inches to 4 ft of personal space. Social space ranges from 4 ft - 12 ft and public space is typically 10 ft or more. Social space is seen as the professional space in which you would interact with colleagues. Public space refers to use of space in large events like classrooms, concerts, or sporting events. Is the use of space in the U.S. similar to the use of space in Germany?
I look forward to hearing from you! Enjoy the rest of your trip.
Michaila
Hey Gabe,
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you are still having a great time in Germany. I can only imagine all the things you have learned being overseas and how being in a different culture broadens your prospective. Such a great experience! Lately in Global Lead we have been working through Hall’s Silent Language. One concept that stuck out to me was involving time and how Hall mentions how different cultures value it. Specifically, Hall addresses how time is expressed as a valuation, tangible or a duration. Valuation indicates that time is valuable and should not be wasted, where tangibility takes that a step further and illustrates that time can be considered a commodity that can be bought, sold or measured. Duration on the other hand defines time as something that occurs between two events. From your experiences in Germany, which of these three definitions of time do Germans follow most? Also, Hall discussed how informal we can be when we talk about time. For example, in the United States we will typically say something like, “oh I will be there in a little while” or I’ll be just a minute. Are phrases like that typically used in Germany? If so, when someone said that, how accurate was it according to your western cultural lens? These were just a few thoughts I had that we usually take for granted when we are in the comfort of our own culture. I can only imagine how hard it must be to pick up on all the informalities of another culture and try to learn them within a few months! Hope all is well and safe travels back to the states!
Thanks,
Ryan Eberle
Hi Gabe!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you went to Prague! I had a very similar experience when I visited there last May -- beautiful but intimidating. In class last week, we discussed Hall's quote: "There is no such thing as experience in the abstract. Everything we experience is through the lens of culture." For the most part, our class agreed with this idea -- do you? It makes my mind spin a little bit just thinking about it, but I was able to reflect on my recent experiences of graduating college and moving and how my culture has affected that. Other cultures might think it's crazy to move away from their family after college! As your semester comes to an end, can you thing of anything you've felt like you've experienced in the "abstract" or would you too agree that it has all been affected by culture? And overall, do you think your personal culture has changed from your experiences this semester -- are there any new things you're going to try to implement into your everyday life? If so, you will be contributing to the process of change. Hall says that different cultures can be thought of as different species, where some thrive and some dwindle away. Obviously, it would take a lot to "change" a culture, but many small adaptations to a culture can be made by individuals and their travels. Hope you're enjoying the rest of your time in Germany! Have fun & safe travels!
Best,
Rachel Thompson
Gabe,
ReplyDeleteI want to discuss an interesting observation that you mentioned about the behavior of citizens in Prague. You said "the people in Prague made me uneasy...the Polizei or the city workers [gave us] dirty looks and instead of trying to protect its citizens and its visitors, the state seemed to try to intimidate and put fear into their hearts." I wonder whether this observation and your interpretation was driven by your own cultural bias or whether the police were acting in this way. Through Hall's discussion of sets, patterns, and isolates, he makes an interesting observation. Hall uses these terms to define the laws that govern messages. It is his assertion that sets and patterns exist in all cultures, but it is the isolate that determines their meaning; as isolates develop over long periods of time, they are only understood by individuals of a particular culture. In other words, isolates are the vehicle through which we attach meaning and understanding. When we observe another culture, we consider their isolates to be the same. It is in this context that we stereotype and falsely associate behavior as similar to our own. For this reason, I wonder how much of your observation was a misinterpretation of isolates. Hall suggests that the best way to avoid this is to consider the patterns. Reflecting on your Prague experience, do you recall how the citizens treated the "ominous presence" of the military? What were their behaviors around them and what does this possibly say about the role of law enforcement in Prague?
Safe trip back home
-Matthew
Gabe,
ReplyDeleteIt really seems like you are making the most of you time in Europe. Being able to travel for 8 hours and end up in a beautiful city in another country is amazing. One of the things that we've been learning in class recently is the idea of selection. It's basically things within a culture that don't necessarily have to be the way they are, but for some reason if that certain practice isn't followed it seems taboo. An example of this would be the foods that we have assigned to breakfast. It's not that we can only eat cereal, pancakes, and waffles for breakfast, but if someone were to order a burger at Denny's at 9 in the morning they'd be seen as strange. I was wondering if there was anything specific you have noticed in Germany or any of the other countries or cultures you have witnessed that seemingly has a different role than it does in America? I think maybe the way Germans perceive beer or alcohol may be one, but I don't really know the specifics.
Thanks Gabe, can't wait to see you again in EXCEL.
Tristan Bailey
Hi Gabe,
ReplyDeleteI hope you are having a great time.
We have been learning about Hall and his studies of culture. With your experiences in multiple countries of Europe, I was wondering if you had noticed any differences in proxemics. This is the study of space and how it relates to culture. This would be noticable by people standing closer or further away from you than you are used to. Here in America we have a relatively large personal space (people stand further from one another when having a public interaction) but there are some countries with larger personal spaces as well.
Hall also writes that communication and culture are always interdependent of one another. This means that the ways people communicate are different in other cultures and that you must know their culture to communicate effectively as well as be aware of the way your culture affects the way you communicate. I was wondering if you had experienced any situations in which you felt as if you did have a different way of communication than those of the European culture, or if you felt that you did not understand the culture to a point where it affected how efficiently you were able to communicate.
Safe travels!!
Mandi Medykowski
Hello
ReplyDeleteNice photos and really great story!
ReplyDeleteAdpoint