Germany

[April - July 2012]

The time in Norwich ended in the beginning of April, with some very busy final weeks. A lot of coursework to give in, packing, organizing all the details for the next country… and now I’m in Germany! I arrived in Kiel on April 8th and met the family I am staying with here. Since it was Easter time, the whole family was around and we managed to take a nice picture on one of the rare sunny days we’ve had so far. The couple is Jürgen & Sabine Holdmann, and they have three daughters (from left to right): Nele, Katrin and Mirja, and a son Hendrik. All of the children no longer live in Kiel, so basically it’s just me and the couple. They are a very nice family and I feel very privileged to be with them here.

The courses at the university here have been good so far, and less intense than in Norwich, so I’ve been enjoying some sort of a rest. Also, the German food is fantastic (and cheap)! With all its variety of cakes, breads, cheese and fresh fish from the nearby sea, it stands up to its fame. The city of Kiel is very nice, has around 200 thousand people and hold what is said to be the largest sailing event in the world, the Kieler Woche (Kiel Week). It will take place in the last week of June, and we’re all looking forward to that.