Week Nineteen - The Beginning of the End - 28th June 2014

It has come to the time for me write my final blog entry here in Switzerland, as I return to Northern Ireland later this week meaning my concluding entry with be written from the comfort of my own home as I reflect on the past five months. 

As I had mentioned in last week’s blog entry I was facing a full week of exams and deadlines.  On Friday I had a Religion and Ethics exam where I had to learn about different religions from round the world, for example: Islam; Judaism; and Hinduism - just to name a few.  This was an exam I was very worried about and one that I was conscious I had to do a lot of work for.  Having received an email over the weekend it is fair to say that hard work does pay off as I received the top grade of an A!  Maybe Erasmus is changing me after all… A quote from Derek Jeter helps sum it up:

            “When you put a lot of hard work into one goal and you achieve it, that’s a really good feeling.” 

Having supported Switzerland in their world cup pool game last week, and because we live on the border with Germany, it was only right that we should offer them some support too.  So on Saturday, with German flags painted on our face and a drink in hand, we headed over the border to cheer them on!

Go Germany! 

With the adventure fast coming to an end it means that we are starting to say the dreaded goodbyes and doing things for the last time.  On Sunday we were kindly invited back to our study buddy Tracy’s house for a traditional Swiss meal – Raclette.  This is seemingly her Dad’s speciality, so for him to take time to host this dinner for us was so nice.  Raclette involves melting a full round block of cheese on a grill and with it you have potatoes and vegetables.  It was delicious – very rich – but delicious!  Ashleigh and I also arranged to meet a teacher – Holly - from our placement school for a catch up this week.  It was really nice of her to stay in touch with us while we have been here in Switzerland and for her to take time out of her busy end of year school schedule.  The meeting ended with a very warm invitation to stay at her house when we return to Switzerland in the future– this is maybe an offer that I will take her up on. 

With Tracy and Bea - the best study buddies!

Also this week, Ashleigh, Sarah and I decided to spend some time together in Konstanz as we went for some food and shopping.  During this outing we reflected on our time here and how far we have come, not believing we are going home next week.  Although we are fully aware that the end is coming we all agreed that we do not think it has sunk in – maybe it will when we board the plane. 

In a previous blog I mentioned how amazing the Thermal Pool was meaning that we had to make a return visit.  This time however, we decided to really relax and enjoy all it had to offer meaning we purchased a three hour ticket!  Between enjoying the heated pools and hot tubs we also made our way to the slides (which we were unaware of the last time) for some fast and furious action. 

This incoming week is one that that I’m sure will be full of mixed emotions.  It is the week that I say all the sad goodbyes to the close friendships I have made while being here.  Coupled along with all the excitement of returning home to my family and friends its sure going to be a strange week emotionally.  Here goes my last week here in Kreuzlingen!

Stephanie

Week Eighteen - World Cup Time - 21st June 2014

Enjoying the match

The end of my Switzerland adventure is coming close and the reality of saying goodbyes and heading back home to Northern Ireland is beginning to sink in.  This week brought the end of classes in what has been our university for the past four months along with many assignment deadlines and exams. 

Due to deadlines approaching and exams to revise for it has meant that this has been a relatively quiet week as I have been glued to my computer screen and revision notes.  My friends and family at home have been constantly telling me that I am on a four month holiday; however, this week has been far from it.  This week I had my final German exam.  Whilst being here it was my aim to learn the basics of German.  Languages are not my strongest point but I am certainly over the moon with the progress I have made on this front.  Being able to successfully order food in a restaurant, ask for what I want in a shop and understand how much the cashier is asking for along with being able to conduct simple pleasantries with local residents is something I am really proud of.  This is great progress believe me!

This week I also finished my assignment for a module that taught us the importance of philosophy with children.  It was great to take part in this module as it gave me many different insights and approaches as to how we can help children become confident in themselves and help them find their inner voice.  As Jackson, T. (2010) states it is important we do this with children as it helps with…

“…growing a sense of inner confidence…”

Last Friday we finished off Ashleigh’s 21^st birthday celebrations with a BBQ at the lake accompanied with friends that we have made whilst being here.  This was a great night that enabled us to realise the real friendships we have established here and how with these people have made our experience what it has been.  Together we sat and enjoyed food, games and some good Irish ‘craic’. 

With some of our friends

Watching the match outside at one of the many 'pop up' screens

With the World Cup Football in full flow it is of course our duty to support Switzerland.  It is amazing to be part of the atmosphere here when Switzerland is playing a match and it is really nice to see people proud of their country and sticking by them regardless of the results. (We lost 5-2 to our neighbours France on Friday)  Having the opportunity to sit with Swiss people and cheer on their team through the highs and lows is so much fun. 

When I write my next blog I will have completed more exams and assignments.  One of the exams I am nervous about is Religion and Ethics so this week there is going to be a lot of revision done.  Wish me luck!

Stephanie

Week Seventeen - Getting a Tan - 14th June 2014

Weather here in Kreuzlingen has topped our expectations as we are sitting in a constant heat ranging from high 20`s to mid-30`s.  This Irish girl’s skin is no longer pasty white and believe it or not I am actually beginning to tan! 

Cooling down with a cocktail

In Lake Konstanz

Last year the boys from Stranmillis started an Erasmus tradition by swimming in Lake Konstanz. I recall back in February taking my first look at the lake and thinking – ‘not a chance am I getting in there’.  However, with the temperatures as I mentioned, the decision to ‘taking the plunge’ was somewhat easier and this week I have been in three times already.  It seems to be the only place I am able to get cooled down! The lake here is treated just like our beaches at home - when the good weather comes everyone heads to the lake. 

On Friday Ashleigh and I met up with our study buddies Bea and Tracy by the lake.  Having Bea and Tracy here and helping us through our Erasmus experience has been a blessing and together they have made us feel most welcome and it is a comfort knowing we have them to turn to with any problems.  We will really have a lot to live up to when they come to Belfast in September when it is our turn to look after them as they have gone above and beyond.  I am really excited at the prospect of showing them our way of life as they have heard so much about it already. 

With Bea and Tracy at the lake

One thing we have noticed about Switzerland is that there is always something happening.  With the World cup starting this week open air bars and large TV screens appear to have popped up everywhere.  There was also an African festival which was held last Saturday in a town near us – Winterthur.  Together with Ashleigh, Sarah and Meital we had a great day browsing all the stalls and trying some local food and even being children again for the day by getting braids in our hair. 

 

Some African singers

Wednesday brought a busy day for us here in Kreuzlingen as not only did we have presentations to do but it was also Ashleigh’s 21^st birthday.  For my presentation I was paired with a Swiss girl – Rahel. In partnership we had to create a presentation about songs, chants and rhymes within the primary classroom.  It was interesting to see how music is perceived in Switzerland.  One topic where it is used regularly is in their English classes as they improve their ‘second language’ skills.   At home in Northern Ireland we use them to help with our linguistic skills and, as the Northern Ireland Curriculum (2011) states:

“Singing assists in the development of their linguistic skills”

As Ashleigh didn’t have family here to help celebrate her birthday Sarah and I tried to make it memorable for her.  Living with Ashleigh made it that little bit harder to keep anything a surprise, so on Tuesday night I had to sneak out of the house and go to Sarah’s were we attempted to make a chocolate birthday cake – it was a great success as not only did it look good but tasted divine!  After the presentations on Wednesday, celebrations then began with a picnic, sunbathing, swimming in the lake and a meal with some of our international friends. 

With the birthday girl and our yummy cake

It is getting scary that we can see the end of our Erasmus experience coming fast, and with limited time left and assignment deadlines everywhere we will be trying to fit as much in as possible in the next couple of weeks. 

Until next week,

Stephanie 

Week Sixteen - More Bike Problems - 7th June 2014

This week drama continued with my so called friend – my bicycle!  On my way to Konstanz on my bike I was faced with my handle bars coming off in mid-flow of turning a corner!  Luckily I was able to take panic measures and no damage was done.  Probably more importantly I have still all bones still intact!  I think this is someone telling me bicycles are not my friend.  However, as John F. Kennedy once said:

            “Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride”

I think I can prove him wrong on this quote!

Ravit, Ashleigh and I

On Monday night Ashleigh and I decided we needed to have a dance, so together with our Israeli friend – Ravit – we went to have some fun!  This was our first time experiencing a real German nightclub and it really was something else.  With Aqua’s ‘Barbie Girl’ on repeat we realised that maybe we weren’t going to get as much groove on as we had hoped.  However, we still had a good night. 

Ravit and I

After a long day of working on assignments on Wednesday we decided we needed some relaxation.  So in the evening we made our way to the ‘Bodensee Therme Konstanz’.  This place was amazing!  With a pool outside at 35degreees Celsius overlooking Lake Konstanz, a pool inside reaching 36 degrees Celsius and a hot tub at 40 degree Celsius it was relaxation heaven!  Throughout the complex there were smaller watery areas with jets that massaged your muscles as you lay against them.  This was a perfect way to end our busy day - watching the sun set and forgetting all worries.  Unfortunately we were unable to take pictures so I will post one from their website so you can get an idea! 

Bodensee Therme Konstanz

One of the assignments that I am completing at the minute is for our Global Education class.  Within this assignment I have to create three fact sheets on the subject of climate change and how I view it to be affecting Northern Ireland.  For this assignment I am paired with a Swiss girl in my class.  Individually we create fact sheets on this topic for our respective countries and at the conclusion compare our findings.  Although I have been aware of the phrase ‘Climate change’ it wasn’t something that I really paid much attention to.  However, having to research the topic and read up on the various opinions and theories has certainly made me realise that it is indeed time that people – both on a global and local level – adapt their lifestyles to combat the threat posed to our environmental and economic future. 

Within the Northern Ireland Curriculum - World Around Us (2010) it states:

“Children will learn about their part in protecting the earth”. 

As my research and understanding of this topic develops I have come to realise how vitally important it is that our children are given the necessary information on how and why they should play a part in protecting the earth.  My investigations into this subject will therefore be very beneficial in helping me deliver the required elements to future classes and so help to arm the next generation with the knowledge needed to help protect all our futures.

Until next week,

Stephanie

Week Fifteen - The Travel Bug - 31st May 2014

It is scary to think that I am now on the latter part of my Erasmus journey.  The countdown is well and truly underway with less than five weeks to go until I am back home.  Unfortunately as the end is in sight it also means that it is assignment and exam time, with this week starting off with the writing of essays - but as James, W. says:

“Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action.” 

On Saturday we were asked to join our study buddy Bea for a late breakfast date and what a breakfast it was.  It was an ‘all you can eat’ restaurant and cost 16euro each.  Furthermore the restaurant/café had everything you would want for breakfast - a table crammed with fresh fruits, breads, chesses, hot food and someone standing making omelettes to order in front of you.  The restaurant was open from 10am until 4pm and while we were there we found out that once you paid you could stay as long as you like as the 16euro covered lunch as well!  Safe to say we took complete advantage of this and did not need food for the rest of the day!

Monday started another week of classes and looking back at the beginning of the semester it is great to see how accepted and welcomed we have become in this programme.  You may recall that in one of my early blogs I commented how I had to try to adapt my speaking style to ensure I was fully understood – well, I have now noticed that I have trained myself to speak in the required ‘Oxford English’ and as such can conduct continual conversations with my Swiss friends without having to repeat sections.  However, it will be hard to keep the Oxford English accent when I get home as I am pretty sure it will be much too posh for Fermanagh!

This week we decided to take our travels further by heading to Lugano in the south of

Enjoying the sun and view at Lake Lugano

Switzerland for the night.  This is an Italian speaking town that is placed on the side of a Swiss mountain overlooking the Lake Lugano in the canton of Ticino, which borders Italy.  This place was truly wonderful with beautiful views and luckily for us - beautiful weather.  This would have been my first time staying in a hostel and as my friends and family at home would know this is a big change for me.  However, I have to admit this was a luxurious hostel that had a pool overlooking the Lake!  Who would have thought when I left for my Erasmus experience I would be sitting pool-side in my bikini sunbathing in 30 degree heat!  I promise I am doing work!  Whilst there we thought we should treat ourselves by having dinner in a nice restaurant and eating nine euro fruit for breakfast.  Although exorbitantly expensive it was an experience to live as the ‘other half’ does, even if only for a short period.

In our paddle boat in the Lake

In our pool

Out for our meal

On our way home we decided to take a stop off in Luzern where we took a boat ride around the Lake Luzern and visited the monument and the Chapel Bridge.  We hadn’t really planned this, but as our travel pass covered all modes of transport for a day it seemed such a shame not to

At the Chapel Bridge

get the full value out of it. The bridge was built in the 14^th century and served as a rampart as well as part of the town’s fortification; it contains some original paintings that date back to the 17^th century in Renaissance style.

As I write this I am totally amazed that I find myself describing architecture and art -  how cultured I have become over the last number of months!!  I have really taken to travelling and am looking forward to what my last weeks have in store. 

Tschüss

Stephanie