I’d like to share my experience learning German in DeutschAkademie in Munich.

I came in with a working holiday visa for a longer stay. For Taiwanese working holiday visa, one can stay in Germany for maximum a year. And to obtain the visa, one must have an employer or a language school to write a letter or provide a proof to the German Institute in Taipei before coming to Germany. Since my goal is to learn German, I looked for a good language course.

I found DeutschAkademie by a quick Google Map search. It has great ratings from Google Maps. One month of intensive classes at DeutschAkademie costs a bit less than 285. When I emailed them, they replied very efficiently, but eventually I choose another school for the first month because they accept credit card payment and DeutschAkademie would only accept cash or bank transfer, which are both hard for someone who is not in Germany yet.

From the second month I tried DeutschAkademie and never went back to another school. And here are several reasons why I stayed:

1. Cost-Value: Compared to schools that use fancy e-Whiteboards for teaching, DeutschAkademie uses only traditional whiteboard. However, with the help of recordings and teachers’ explanation, I found the setting sufficient and effective.
2. Hours: The program at DeutschAkademie is 3 hours per day, 4 days a week.
3. Teachers: All of my teachers in DeutschAkademie are young, but they are passionate in class, and not any less professional in terms of teaching.
4. Classmates: the students in DeutschAkademie are in general quite young. Probably because the tuition is more affordable for students and young professionals. That gives a very different atmosphere in class and in break time.

I will talk more about the teaching techniques in the next post. If interested, you can follow my other posts. J

Lin

▲ DeutschAkademie is located in the center of Munich, accessible by both S-Bahn and U-Bahn. And it has very good reviews.

Die IKOM, 100 ehrenamtlich tätige Studenten der TUM, organisiert jährlich vier Karriereforen und weitere kostenlose Veranstaltungen, welche den persönlichen Kontakt zwischen Studenten, Absolventen und Unternehmen fördern.

Die IKOM Bau ist das zweitgrößte Forum und richtet sich vor allem an Studierende der Fachrichtungen Bau und Umweltingenieurwesen, Vermessungswesen sowie der Architektur. Auf der zweitägigen Veranstaltung können erste Kontakte zu Unternehmen der Branche geknüpft werden. Diese Möglichkeit ebnet den Weg in ein erfolgreiches Berufsleben und Abschlussarbeiten oder durch direkte Einladungen zu Vorstellungsgesprächen.

Am 23 Januar 2018 war die IKOM Bau auf dem Innenstadt Campus der TUM. Es hat viele verschiedenen Unternehmen des Baubereichs gegeben. In diesem Forum konnte ich über wenigen Themen der Wasserverwaltung, die mein Lieblingsbereich ist, diskutieren weil es nicht so viele Wasserorientiertunternemehmen gegeben hat. Ich empfehle diese Foren weil man verschiede Möglichkeiten für Jobs kennen kann. Geseztz den Fall, dass man arbeitslos ist, kann man IKOM besuchen.

These days I have very much enjoyed going out with the bike around and one of my favorite views is the Allianz Arena. No matter the time, it is always a beautiful spectacle how it looks like a floating cloud changing its color continuously. At German class we always talk about how football is so popular in Germany. I have only visited the Arena once for a game and it was a great experience. The game was not Bayern’s best performance but it was indeed a very entertaining visit. I was watching the game where the FC Bayern Munich followers where, and there was not too much to watch since they are carrying gigantic flags that do not let you see anything and never stopped singing or doing funny things. I truly enjoyed going to the Allianz Arena because it is a place for everyone. You can see father and son, best friends, boyfriend and girlfriend and more attending together and enjoying their visit.

I would love to be able to play in a stadium like this. I am not a big fan of football but if I was given the opportunity to play a game in that perfect field, I would take it. I think I would feel like a superstar and play like one, as well. It doesn’t matter if you are close or far away from the stadium, once you see it you cannot take your eyes away from it. Its beautiful exterior facade lighted by digital lights and networked with an intelligent control system software, enable the finest colour nuances and combinations. The architecture of the Allianz Arena is unique worldwide. Its facade consists of the largest membrane shell in the world. It is about 35 metres high and has an outside surface area of 29,000 m². Whether you are on your bike, by car or by foot you better be careful not to run over something while contemplating this amazing scenario. I guess everyone has their own first impression of this stadium, but mine changes everytime I pass by, since it is continuingly changing with its surroundings.

Claudia Rendon

Es gibt in der Pinakothek der Moderne eine schöne Ausstellung, die ein Gebäude von einem finnischen Architekten Matti Suuronen ausstellt. Er hat dieses Gebäude entworfen, dass das Haus in unwegsamem Gëlande aufgebaut werden kann und extremen Temperaturen standhält wie Erdbeben oder Stürmen. Seine Wände bestehen aus mit Glasfaser verstärkten Polyesterschalen, die eine Isolierung aus Polyurethan-Schaum sandwichartig umfassen. Es hat 16 doppelt verglaste Fenster und einen Panoramablick. Das Futuro Haus symbolisiert das Streben nach neuen, funktionalen, effizienten und massenproduzierbaren Behausungen dieser Zeit.

Wenn ich dies Gebäude gesehen habe, glaube ich, dass es ein Raumfahrzeug gegeben hat. Ich finde diese Struktur magisch und sehr nützlich. Wegen des heißen Wetters des Futuro Haus haben wir viele Kleidung drinnen ausgezogen. Ich kann nicht mir in diesem Haus leben vorstellen aber vielleicht wenn ich alt bin, kann ich im Berg in einem Futuro Haus einziehen. Was denkst du? Könntest du in einem dieser Häuser wohnen?

Claudia Rendon

Hello there,

well, everything ends after a while, so as our Deutsch Kurs… Still we had a fabulous last day at Müller Café. 😊 We will definitely keep in touch in the future, we plan some film to watch in the cinema, going to Sprachcafés, etc. I think it’s a great thing that we have each other here in a not well-known city and can count on each other.

The Kurs really made a difference, we were talking about that how unnoticed we just know more from day to day, we are braver and braver everyday to arrange our weekday things in shops, at the doctor or anywhere else. The german language is not easy, that’s for sure, but feels good when you are able to make yourself understand by others, it’s always a little success. 😊

We are grateful to DeutschAkademie for these new friendships and connections just like for our fantastic teacher, Dominik.

We loved every moment of these 4 weeks and hope for sequel soon. 😊

Thank you!

Szilvi

Hello Everyone,

we are close to the end of the course now, but still haven’t shown you all my loved places here.

I really have to mention Nymphenburg with the palace and its enormous park with lovely ducks, swans (and of course running people :D). You will need at least half a day to walk through it, but it does worth! The little channel which is in front of the palace, the lovely arbors, beautiful forest around with some surprising part (like a little statue of a faun on a tiny hill with a mini waterfall, a Monopteros, etc.)

I’m sure you all know the Hackerbrücke with the ZOB (Bus station) but I’m not sure you have been there at sunset, when the weather is still fine. If you like photographing then visit it once this time, you can have many fantastic photos about people sitting up on the bridge, drinking, having conversations and spending their time. 😊

In our district (Schwantalerhöhe) there is another place for entertainment, called Deutsches Verkehrs (Vehicular) Museum. I found a funny idea to create that big snail right there. 😊 Near to the museum there is also a bigger green are, the Bavaria-park. When the weather is nice, many people going there to enjoy the sunshine – just like me. 😊

Schön Tag,

Szilvi

Hallo Everyone,

yesterday we had a really entertaining day at school – Dominik can’t get to the end of his game ideas, always find out something funny for us. At this time we played the same game like last time with the professions but now „we were” famous people, celebrities, fictive figures („I was” Jennifer Aniston :D, was not easy to figure out), then the next game was a little competition again; two groups against each other, we had to find out once the plural version of words and in another round the partizip. 😊

In these days the weather is quite springy, warm and sunny, so after school we decided to take a walk in the Englischer Garten. That is one of my favorite places in München. The area is unbelievably huge, at the first time I had the chance to see the Monopteros, the Chinesische Turm, the Isar-surfers (was pretty exciting) and yesterday we visited another part of it, near the Reitschule (Rider school). We also went into the Reitschule’s restaurant und café, I was really surprised that you can see the riders over the restaurant’s inner windows while having your dinner or your caffé. 😊

While leaving the park we passed by a nice cemetary (can it be nice???), there was a special mediterrain styled church beside that, which gives a hint of italian atmosphere to that spot.

Schön Tag,

Szilvi

Hallo on this new Monday,

last year we – of course – visited the Tollwood Christmas markt on the Theresienwiese (the area of the Octoberfest) as well. The event offered many-many photo subject, one of them was this huge ice creation, the „Demokratie”. I found it very expressive and also a great and creative idea.
Strange to see in these days, how empty is that big field without all the decorations and tents…

In the winter time our other favorite pastime is drinking hot chocolate anywhere-anytime and trying out restaurants. For having a lovely hot chocolate I would offer you to try the Schoco Alm chocolaterie in the Schwantalerhöhe. They also have fantastic handmade bonbons, several different type of chocolates besides lovely things to buy as a present (even more actual around the upcoming Valentine’s day 😉 )

The other place I liked pretty much is the restaurant, called Hans im Glück. I tried the one at Goetheplatz. It is very special with the birch tree trunks around the tables, I loved that atmosphere – and the meals not less. 😊 We had some sweet potato, chicken and salad, really enjoyed it, everything was perfect.

Schönen Abend,

Szilvi

These last days have beautiful in Munich. Although it is still winter, the sunsets have been amazing, as well as the weather. This last Friday I went through the Botanical Garden, in Nymphenburg, with my bike, since it was a perfect day to ride it and I had to stop and take this picture. When you are in love, every small detail or moment can take your breath away, and of course I would have liked to enjoy this moment with my beloved one but since I couldn’t I took the picture to remember the beautiful sunset. This picture does not tell the whole story, since after I took the picture, I instantly received a message from my crush and he had sent me a picture of the sunset from where he was. He didn’t have to say anything, but I knew that he was thinking the same thing. I find it amazing how people can connect on different levels and even with time and miles apart, they will still succeed to have a special encounter, even if it is only a song, an object, or in this case a sunset. I feel so grateful and lucky, by having this person in this specific moment in my life, and hope that it lasts long, but one thing I do know is:

Ich sehe meine Zukunft vielleicht nicht mit einem Mann aber mit vielen Freunden und Liebe.

I think life and joy is always better if there is someone to share it with, no matter if it is your family, partner or friend.

Claudia Rendon

Rugby season is over but training is not. Forget about being lazy and wanting to stay home at night during the winter, because you can still train rugby inside. This is how my rugby team, Studentenstadt, trains on Fridays at Studentenstadt. We manage to forget about the cold and keep enjoying this beautiful sport during this winter by training in an Indoor Hall. It is time to work on the basic, that does not require too much contact and start getting the body and mind ready for the season. We come back on March 3rd, without home tournament at Studentenstadt Rugby field at the English Garden. Probably you haven’t heard too much of rugby and less in this country but it is getting bigger every time and I am very thankful for that since I became a huge fan six years ago. If rugby is not that popular here, let me tell you that women’s rugby is even smaller but I think that once you get to know the sport, there is no way you will ever forget it.

I always like to emphasise, on how rugby gives you more than you will ever be able to give back. First of all, friends that will appreciate you for who you are, values, like respect, discipline, solidarity, integrity, pasion, etc., which you will never learn in a funner and more enjoyable environment and a way of reasoning and thinking, because in rugby you do not work your hardest to score, your work your hardest so your teammate can score and there is a big difference between the two, which some people, mostly soccer players, will not understand. But because of this I am in love with this sport, and of course I am glad we are training indoors but even if we had to train outdoors, I wouldn’t miss it.

So remember, March the third, the next women’s rugby tournament in Munich at Studentenstadt’s rugby field, at the English Garden. The entrance is free and your will be able to enjoy a drink, some food and most important, rugby!

Claudia Rendon