Over Culture Shock

April is bringing out new feelings in me. The weather is getting a little warmer, and I think I’m finally over my culture shock. It took long enough… but I read it does take six months to fully adjust to new surroundings. I’m also proud to say that I am good at my job, and I feel very fulfilled in what I’m doing this year both inside and outside of the classroom. My confidence has really escalated. Alex and I really have things in order. We even arranged to get our final paychecks early so that we can close our bank account before we leave Germany. The only thing I need to do now is get a job and find an apartment back home with Alex. I’m optimistic, though. If we can make Germany work, I think we can make New Jersey work.

Classes are great. I’ve finished my “Three Little Pigs” assignment with Wolfgang’s 9^th graders and moved on to a film analysis lesson with The Sixth Sense. Journalism and film lessons, both things I love to talk about. His students seem to enjoy their time with me. Katja’s kids are okay. They are always a little quiet, and I think it’s because they aren’t forced or encouraged to use English in the classroom as much as they should. They always have cake on Thursdays, though, which is an added benefit to seeing them.

Klaus’s 10^th graders have progressed from one-on-one conversations to discussions in groups of three. I started talking to some of the boys in the class. When Alex and I used to share the class, he would talk to the boys while I chatted with the girls. I actually enjoyed my banters with the guys, though. I was nervous that they would want to talk to me about politics and war… all Alex topics. However, they threw me for a loop and asked me about Dexter and topics like prom, which are all things I am well-versed in.

Ingmar’s class, 8L1, is always a joy, and they’ll always have my heart. I’ve been able to watch them grow all year, and I think their English has drastically improved because of their constant exposure to me every Friday. Sometimes, I feel like they speak like me. It’s almost flattering.

My very favorite group, of course, is my theater group, which is going great. Everything is coming along exactly how it should and they make me proud every week. I’ve seen the most improvement in these kids out of everyone in the Gymnasium. When I think of their English in the beginning of the year to now, it really makes me beam! The show isn’t perfect yet, but we have a month and a half to work out the kinks.

Taxes have been, well… taxing… especially since I’m filing them for the first time by myself in a new country. I can see now while people complain about these things.