May 11th, 2018 In this week’s blog, we’d like to spotlight Germany’s education system based on recent news we’ve been monitoring from here. The German secondary school matriculation exam, known as the Abitur, has been in the news lately, as has been the rise of partnerships between businesses and public universities that is of concern […]
Germany
5 Countries to Invade (or Emulate) for Ideas
February 18th, 2016 I recently saw the new Michael Moore film “Where to Invade Next,” http://wheretoinvadenext.com and I can only say that here in the U.S. we have a lot to learn from our friends in Europe and even in North Africa. Moore takes us on a journey to Italy, Finland, France, Slovenia, Germany, Portugal, […]
A (frustrated) American student in Germany
February 12th, 2016 In this week’s blog, our study abroad student, Clayton Winston Johans, continues sharing his experience and frustration as he tries to get accepted into a university in Germany. Keine Worte After much delay I finally received the news I didn’t want to hear. Yes, the infamous quote of “No we have not […]
Bier, Buchs, and Bureaucracy: The journey of an American International student in Germany
12/17/15 Guten Morgen meine freunds! It has been a week and a day since I arrived in the Old World and my experience thus far has definitely been an interesting one. Jet lag is still taking its toll, but slowly and surely I’m adjusting. The weather here is surprisingly pleasant, no thanks to rising global […]
Free Education in Germany: Dispelling Myths and Misconceptions
October 9th, 2014 German Chancellor Angela Merkel with German Students Photo credit: AP/Michael Probst Germany recently announced tuition free higher education across the country for its citizens and international students attending state/public institutions. This news has stirred many here in the U.S. who resorted to posting comments and rants on various social media platforms mocking […]
Germany: Dealing with Migration and Social Integration
January 30th, 2014 When I research on the Internet, I can easily fall down a few rabbit holes if I am not careful. This time, I was looking for successful, real-world examples of educational and social programs in place for the enormous immigrant and migratory populations here in the EU, specifically focusing on students. Attempting […]
3 Things I’ve Learned as a Transglobal Pilgrim
October 3rd, 2013 Learning by doing is one of the most powerful, and rewarding ways to enter into another culture. I studied the French language for 12 years before finally going to France, and it was there that the desire to “become French,” overwhelmed me. As an avid people watcher, I love to observe body […]
Eat Your Greens!
March 28, 2013 How many of us were badgered by our mothers to “Eat your greens” when staring at the dinner plate, preferring to polish off the spaghetti, fried chicken, or pizza, letting the green stuff sit. Spinach? Broccoli? Collards? Yuck! In Germany, there are a couple of seasonal, very “green” traditional foods, consumed mostly […]
Sounds Like…Geisha!
January 31, 2013 I grew up in Los Angeles, where the oldest standing building, the Sanchez Adobe, reportedly dates back to the early 1790’s. Therefore I am astonished on a daily basis, by the structures I see here in Bremen, Germany. Some of the oldest date back to the 11th century—really. Their Gothic and Renaissance […]
Down the Rabbit Hole
December 15, 2011 “Alice came to a fork in the road. ‘Which road do I take?’ she asked. ‘Where do you want to go?’ responded the Cheshire Cat. ‘I don’t know,’ Alice answered. ‘Then,’ said the Cat, ‘it doesn’t matter.” –Lewis Carroll Education has taken a nasty fall. In fact, if we do not […]