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!
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| Cooling down with a cocktail |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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 21st 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.
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| 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
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