Der Goethe Institut

I am in Deutschland strictly to study German. I am not studying any other subjects. The government run language program "Goethe Institut" is in many cities throughout both Germany and the world. Why Hamburg? I get that question a lot and don't have all that great of an answer. When I was fifteen I spent four days in Munich. Not long, but long enough to say I've at least been there to see it. So if not Munich... Berlin wasn't an option for my availability in the summer so then eventually my gut said Hamburg and I listened. I study 5 days a week for 4 weeks. This is one course. Then essentially everyone in my course will go home and I am staying for another 4 weeks. The course is four hours a day. Right now these are my "classmates":

Silvio:
He is from Manaus, in Brazil, but more importantly, it is the capital of the Amazon. Legit right? He is a veterinarian there. Not for Amazonion animals, but animals of the region. He's probably about 30 and speaks French, Brazilian (and can understand Spanish), and very good English.

Erich: From Geneva, wants to be a composer, nice guy. He's a bit over excited but means well... he also has a lazy eye and unfortunately I just don't know where to look. Also about 30.

Gladys: Venezuelan, around 45. Uber crazy nice and talkative. Acts like she's 20 in a good way. Love her. I don't know what her career is.

Fabiano: Brazilian. Photografer. Maybe 30, 35. Nice guy. INCREDIBLY hard to understand. o-m-g. he has a bad habit of not finishing his words, which I think is a Spanish language thing...?

Salwa (Sal-va): is from Oman. She wears "normal" clothes, but if its short sleeved will wear underarmour to cover her skin, and a scarf over her hair. She is seriously one of the most genuinely nice people ev-er. She is a children's surgeon.

Julia: is from Russia and is 21. She's a bit standoff-ish unfortunately, but whateve

Sinzi: is Romanian. 20. Shy but nice. Wants to work for Google.

Ronnie: American- Michigan, recently married, studying painting. The only other American in my level.

The last woman is from New Guinea. In her culture people don't shower everyday. Unfortunately... with windows closed, this habit expresses itself pretty heavily after four hours.

So these are the people in level B-1. I have met people from other groups as well, including Matthew. A college senior from Michigan preparing to propose to his girlfriend and studies music. Also, two friends (girls) from Norway. They are younger, maybe 25 and really nice. The last person I have talked to well enough to mention is Max. He works for the Institut. In Germany, people (or at least men... I think women too but have to check) have to give two years of social service to the country. Max helps with the Goethe Institut Culture Program. He's 20 and really nice. He speaks English really well too. Its rather nice he is as young and friendly as he is, since he will be the only person that I'm currently meeting that will be here for the second half of my trip. So, depending, maybe more on him later ;).

---

---