Article Contributed on: 5/19/2006 11:31:59 PM
As with any college experience, social events are a large contribution to how well one adjusts and experiences college. I was expecting going to parties and out to clubs, but not every night! I was very surprised, and excited, to find that people love going outnearly every night.
Since I had been to Deggendorf before, I knew a little about the nightlife here. I knewa few of the bars (which are 16 and older-in accordance with the drinking age) and also a club in a nearby town. WhatI didn't know was that this small city has abarthat is for students and run by students. There are also many bars, and even a large "Discothek." By the third week, Iall ofthe international students (including myself) had figured out thetimes every place was open, and which day is best to go to each.
We have had some amazingparties at the student bar. Since there are so many international students at the college,once a week, a different country that was represented in thecollegehad a themed party centered around their culture and music. The first was Brazilian night, followed by such nights as Belgian, Spanish, Mexican,Polish, Finnish, and more.
In addition to the student parties, there are house partiesand our weekly night atDiscothek P3. All of these provide us wonderful opportunities to meet locals, other students, internationalexchange students, and gives us aplace to really practice our language skills.
The school provides social events as well. They had a school-wide holiday party at the city hall, and also brought in abavarian comedian forstudents to enjoy. Along with guest speakers, a film series, and other small get-togethers, there is never a dull moment here.
There is still, of course, time to study...and that is a very importantpiece of life here. Study groups and individual study can really make or break a class, as the final exam is the only grade recorded. That is what I have been doing for the entire month of January. Studying. Since the school year startsat thebeginning ofOctober, it ends in mid-February. I had my first final-Business German-last Monday. Itwas difficult, but it gaveme an ideaof how my other exams will look. Over the next two weeks, I have four more exams. The schedule is set, so we do noe choose our classes here, so I am required to take these classes. I think this is a better approach, so that a student doesn;t accidentallyoverlook taking a required class for their major. The German system also eliminates the uneccessary classes (those not related to the major) so I am currently taking only business-related courses.
This has gotten to be a fairly long entry. I should probably get back to my studies. My information technology and human resources management exams are on Monday and Tuesday!