Learning to adapt
So I moved to Nordenham in Lower Saxony, Germany about a month ago for my year abroad. I am
working as a foreign language assistant in a school here. At university, I study German so naturally,
my aim is to improve my German this year. Before I came, I was very nervous that I would not
understand what anyone said. This made moving away from England quite scary at first. From the
moment I arrived in Germany, everything seemed so different but so exciting. I was greeted at the
train station by a teacher from the school I work at who drove me to the people I was staying with.
As we arrived the table was already set with coffee and amazing cakes! Coffee and cake is something
of a tradition in Germany, like afternoon tea in England! I knew this was going to be the start of a
great year.
I am very open to new things and to changes so I soon adapted to the German way of life. The hardest
change was the early starts! The first lesson in my school starts at 7:35 which is much earlier than in
England so I have to make sure I go to bed earlier so that I'm not too tired. Another difference is that
in Germany, people tend to eat a big meal at lunchtime and then something smaller in the evening. In
England we usually eat something small at lunchtime and then a larger meal in the evening. I also
noticed that lots of Germans seem to wear scarves, especially in northern Germany where it can be
quite cold! I was told by a teacher at my school that I would not survive here without a scarf so I
quickly bought one.
I love the way that schools start earlier and finish earlier here. When the school day finishes at 1pm it
is really nice to have some free time for the rest of the day. I like to go cycling or for walks on the
beach. I have noticed that cycling is extremely popular in Germany! I really enjoy it so it has been
easy for me to adapt and travel everywhere by bike.
ago.
1. The author drove to Germany about a month
2. The lessons start later in England than in Germany.
3. The author always has a small meal before going to bed.
4. He bought an item of clothing to keep himself warm.
5. Students in Germany come to school by bike.

True/ False: DS