German perspectives:
Experiences from a 3-Month Language Course in Bamberg

In Spring of 2009, Maria from La Coruña came to Germany to take a language course lasting several months.

At the end of August 2009, we spoke with her to find out about her motivation, her experiences and her future plans.

1. What made you decide to take a long-term German course in Germany?

In my last job, as Load Control Officer in Spain with Spanair, I took a short break in order to prepare for an Air-Traffic Controller exam.

Since the exam would not take place at the planned time, I decided to take a German course, in the meantime.

I have always found German and Germany really interesting and I would like to broaden my future horizons. Who knows, perhaps in the near future I could work in Germany.

Question: the language in the air traffic world is mainly English. Why do you still want learn German?

Here in Germany, German is still necessary in air traffic control- also with the pilots. And German is really important, since I would like to live here. During my Physics studies in England, I noticed that when you don’t speak the language of the country you are living in, you only get half of what is said and you miss out on a great deal.

2. You have been in Bamberg and in the language school TREFFPUNKT for 3 months already. Could you speak some German before you came to Bamberg?

I had already taken a course in the Escuela Oficial de Idiomas in Madrid a few years ago in Spain. Therefore, I could already understand a few words of German, but I could hardly communicate.

3. What expectations did you have of the German course in Bamberg? ?

I don’t know. I am glad that I chose Bamberg. And I am happy with what I have learned. I know that German is not an easy language. This is not my first foreign language, therefore I know that you have to study in order to learn. In my experience you have to dedicate fairly long hours to a foreign language, nothing comes easily, so yes..., I study too at home, I am not only at Spezi-Keller ;-).

4. What are the biggest difficulties for you living here in Germany? the school? day to day life? out the street? Homesickness?

I am used to living in other countries. Homesick? It hasn’t really bothered me. For me being in Germany is a great experience and as for difficulties, I hadn’t even thought about it.

5. How do your experiences with Germany and the Germans differ to your expectations?

People at home told me that Germans are cold people. I do not find this at all, Germans here are very open.

6. What comes next?

After my language course in Bamberg I will participate in a Flight Dispatcher seminar in Frankfurt and at the end of it I will apply to an airline company.

7. What piece of advice would you give to somebody who wants to do a language course?

Choose a small city, like Bamberg, for example. It is better for learning and for daily life. Berlin is certainly a great city with its many museums, culture and parties, but when it comes to learning German, it is not that good.

I chose TREFF PUNKT because the program and the timetables fitted me perfectly and from the photos I saw: I thought I could enjoy it here....

Thanks for the interview, we wish you success with your applications in Germany and all the best for your future.

Maria with colleagues at a farewell and certificate delivery