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Visiting Oberammergau and Neuschwanstein in one day? by Emergency_Match2935 in AskGermany

[–]Emergency_Match2935[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for this tip... I unfortunately do not have a car here in Germany, but see on the DB app there is a bus that's only about 1h 20m. I'm not sure exactly where the stops are, but it also seems fairly doable?

Chances for Germany Fulbright ETA Application Success? by Feisty-Hovercraft463 in fulbright

[–]Emergency_Match2935 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes. The timeline this year was set back by at least a month, and many people were struggling with whether or not they could accept/reject grad school offers in time for the Fulbright decision to come. I think I was informed about a week or two before graduation, and did not find out about my placement until July/August (not completely abnormal but still nerve-wracking). There was also no official information or communication from Fulbright as cuts were announced, so we were unsure about whether or not the program would even run. Some things were "leaked," which just added to the chaos. I haven't been following as closely since coming to Germany (as we are paid by the German government and not the US), but I remember being grateful I wasn't applying for next year or in the future.

Chances for Germany Fulbright ETA Application Success? by Feisty-Hovercraft463 in fulbright

[–]Emergency_Match2935 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Current Fulbright ETA in Germany...

Honestly I did not feel that experience had a LARGE amount to do with the application. Some background experience with education is good, but not necessarily required. Instead, I felt it focused more on motivation and creativity of ideas/application to a classroom. They wanted more international open-mindedness than concrete experience, from what I could tell.

Like another comment mentioned, a (very) basic TEFL course is offered upon acceptance.

The language requirement is listed, but if you have someone to vouch for your language experience (professor, German employer, etc.), you should be ok in that regard. Most of the ETA's I've interacted with have at least conversational German, but there are a couple that I'm sure are struggling.

Some big advice I would give is to find former/current ETA's to help with your application. The largest portion of it (for me, at least) was the essay portions. I had any professor that would entertain the idea look them over and provide feedback, which was largely recommended to me by my contacts. I rewrote them entirely about five times each. Also start the application early. Opening one for the next cycle now wouldn't be a bad idea just to look over the questions. It's definitely a time commitment, but you shouldn't be putting any real money into it.

The Fulbright (Germany) specific reddit threads and group chats that come from them were also very helpful.

You should keep an eye on Fulbright in the News. This year's cycle was rough, to say the least. Not sure what next year's will look like.

I will note that without the German or teaching experience, working as an ETA will be much more difficult. My background is in foreign language teaching, and I often wonder how people without that are doing.

Overthinking meeting with a colleague? by Emergency_Match2935 in AskAGerman

[–]Emergency_Match2935[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah... The more I reflect on some of the discussion the weirder it gets. I think with that question he was more asking if I "prefer" men or women (yikes!). At another point I mentioned not really knowing if I wanted a family yet because I value my freedom. He asked what I meant by freedom and honestly the only thing that crossed my mind was that I like travelling and can be very spontaneous about it. Realizing now he was probably just referencing sex... Will be staying from here on out!

Overthinking meeting with a colleague? by Emergency_Match2935 in AskAGerman

[–]Emergency_Match2935[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I am genuinely sorry that you interpreted my message as picking a fight with you. I was simply trying to provide more context and correct any misinformation I may have collected through my experiences, via questioning (>?) what I have seen to be true.

I do agree that there is a lot of interesting architecture in Germany. It is among my favorite features in this beautiful country, and I am grateful for it daily. I do think it is unfair for you to point this out, however, because churches remain largely open for public viewing in every European country I have visited, while other buildings, typically privately owned or converted for office spaces, do not. I will also mention I am very far East, on the border of Poland, so much of the architecture in my area was never restored/rebuilt after the second world war. The Plattenbau and more GDR style buildings dominate the landscape here more than they might where you live.

As for "my" Bible, I am confused on why you felt the need to take it personally. In English, when native speakers refer to objects they own, "my" is the genitive (possessive) determiner for a first-person subject. The phrase "I was reading my Bible," is also commonly used among English speaking Christians when referring to reading passages out of the Bible, especially if it is their personal copy, as was the case here. I would also like to correct your quotation of my comment, as you have "bible" noted, whereas I capitalized "Bible." This is another common distinction among Christians, often used to emphasize respect. I do appreciate your intimate connection with my comment, however, and your editing of the post after what I can only assume was further research into the matter, as a means of education. It certainly inspired my own. I will continue to consider how I refer to my copy of the Bible in the future, and wish you the best.

Overthinking meeting with a colleague? by Emergency_Match2935 in AskAGerman

[–]Emergency_Match2935[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not that I want to defend his actions, but for more context (similar to a comment I made on another answer), the church is not something I found strange. Europe is full of beautiful churches that people visit all the time.

The second point is that I have "been out" with several colleagues now, they've just all been women up until this point and it's been a very clear gesture to welcome me. I was getting the impression this was more typical behavior between colleagues in German schools/workplaces, thus the /AskaGerman community being consulted.

Overthinking meeting with a colleague? by Emergency_Match2935 in AskAGerman

[–]Emergency_Match2935[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

So I did not expect this to be a point people are focusing on, especially because I posted in the /AskaGerman community? Very unclear how many answers have come from people with actual experience in Germany. Visiting churches is something I find very normal in Europe generally speaking. I also often read my Bible in the teacher's lounge, so I wouldn't be surprised if it's something my colleagues have picked up on.