Alexander, 20, studies in Germany now. Today he will answer our questions about education there.
Q: Well, you live in Germany now. I think that's cool. But how do you feel about it? Was it difficult for you to move to another country?
A: Of course it WAS difficult. But, you know, I think it would be difficult for anyone. You can't just move to another country and begin living like you did it several days ago. No. There are some things you should get used to. I had to leave my previous life with all my friends in Russia. There were so many problems.
Q: Could you give me some examples, please?
A: Yeah, first of all, I absolutely couldn't speak German. Probably, it was the biggest problem, because I had to go to a German school then. And there, at school, I couldn't speak with anyone.
Q: You're good at it now, right?
A: Yeah, I found some friends who helped me to learn German.
Q: Ok. You told that you studied at school. Obviously, schools in Germany and schools in Russia are not the same. What is the difference between them?
A: Oh, The German educational system is absolutely different. There are 3 types of schools here , and you, actually, can choose one of them. There are Schools with 9 years of education, with 10 and with 12. I studied in the one with 10. And I have to say that schools in Germany are so much easier than schools in Russia. Yeah, German was a problem for me but in these schools you actually don't have homework. You can study by yourself at home after classes if you want to.
Q: Oh really? No homework? I think that so many children are dreaming of it.
A: Heh. At first I was happy about it too. But then you start to understand, that you're becoming so lazy. By the end of your education in school you realize, that you know nothing at all. I'm not speaking about everyone of course , but I know some guys who were not accepted to the university because of their laziness.
Q: Yeah, university. In our country so many people are trying to be admitted to the university after the end of education in school. I guess in Germany it's all the same. What kinds of universities do they have in Germany? I mean, what can people do after school?
A: There are really many opportunities but basically you have 2 ways. The first one is going to study in FOS for getting a higher education diploma and then study in the University or you can start your apprenticeship.
Q: Apprenticeship. I've never heard about it. What is it?
A: Apprenticeship is an opportunity for graduates to get a half-paid work. Once a week you can attend classes and after apprenticeship you're considered to be a certified specialist.
Q: And what about you? Do you study in a university or do apprenticeship ?
A: First of all, I went to FOS but then I understood that I didn't want to study chemistry anymore and decided to try my luck at working in a hotel.
This work is an example of the apprenticeship. And I can say that I don't regret that I've chosen apprenticeship.
Q: In a hotel? It means that you speak with people a lot today, what you can tell me about people who live in Germany. You know, there are so many stereotypes about them. Is it true that Germans are so punctual and pedantic?
A: No. Not at all. Almost all my friends are always late. But there is another stereotype about Germans which is true. They don't waste much money for fun. They try to save as much as they can.
Q: Well, That's interesting. And the last question to you. Imagine, that you have a chance to go back to Russia. Would you stay in Germany or come back to Russia? Or maybe you want to go to another country?
A: I often think about it. But the more time I spend here in Germany, the less I want to leave it.
Q: Well, you live in Germany now. I think that's cool. But how do you feel about it? Was it difficult for you to move to another country?
A: Of course it WAS difficult. But, you know, I think it would be difficult for anyone. You can't just move to another country and begin living like you did it several days ago. No. There are some things you should get used to. I had to leave my previous life with all my friends in Russia. There were so many problems.
Q: Could you give me some examples, please?
A: Yeah, first of all, I absolutely couldn't speak German. Probably, it was the biggest problem, because I had to go to a German school then. And there, at school, I couldn't speak with anyone.
Q: You're good at it now, right?
A: Yeah, I found some friends who helped me to learn German.
Q: Ok. You told that you studied at school. Obviously, schools in Germany and schools in Russia are not the same. What is the difference between them?
A: Oh, The German educational system is absolutely different. There are 3 types of schools here , and you, actually, can choose one of them. There are Schools with 9 years of education, with 10 and with 12. I studied in the one with 10. And I have to say that schools in Germany are so much easier than schools in Russia. Yeah, German was a problem for me but in these schools you actually don't have homework. You can study by yourself at home after classes if you want to.
Q: Oh really? No homework? I think that so many children are dreaming of it.
A: Heh. At first I was happy about it too. But then you start to understand, that you're becoming so lazy. By the end of your education in school you realize, that you know nothing at all. I'm not speaking about everyone of course , but I know some guys who were not accepted to the university because of their laziness.
Q: Yeah, university. In our country so many people are trying to be admitted to the university after the end of education in school. I guess in Germany it's all the same. What kinds of universities do they have in Germany? I mean, what can people do after school?
A: There are really many opportunities but basically you have 2 ways. The first one is going to study in FOS for getting a higher education diploma and then study in the University or you can start your apprenticeship.
Q: Apprenticeship. I've never heard about it. What is it?
A: Apprenticeship is an opportunity for graduates to get a half-paid work. Once a week you can attend classes and after apprenticeship you're considered to be a certified specialist.
Q: And what about you? Do you study in a university or do apprenticeship ?
A: First of all, I went to FOS but then I understood that I didn't want to study chemistry anymore and decided to try my luck at working in a hotel.
This work is an example of the apprenticeship. And I can say that I don't regret that I've chosen apprenticeship.
Q: In a hotel? It means that you speak with people a lot today, what you can tell me about people who live in Germany. You know, there are so many stereotypes about them. Is it true that Germans are so punctual and pedantic?
A: No. Not at all. Almost all my friends are always late. But there is another stereotype about Germans which is true. They don't waste much money for fun. They try to save as much as they can.
Q: Well, That's interesting. And the last question to you. Imagine, that you have a chance to go back to Russia. Would you stay in Germany or come back to Russia? Or maybe you want to go to another country?
A: I often think about it. But the more time I spend here in Germany, the less I want to leave it.
No comments:
Post a Comment