My first contact with the German language was when I moved with my husband to Stuttgart for a year in 2002.Although I started learning German more for daily interactions,I found the language enticing from the very first day.And before I realized,2 levels(then G1 and G2)were behind me. We got a second opportunity in 2011 to move to Germany,again to Stuttgart but this time for 3 years.The gap had not in any way lessened my interest and enthusiasm for German and I finished my B1 level in Stuttgart.I was keen to continue learning and Goethe-Institut,Bangalore with it’s excellent teachers and a wonderfully equipped library made it possible for me to pursue and complete the B2 level.
When the institute informed me that I would be offered a fully paid scholarship to do a 4-week C1 course in Germany ,it was an unbelievably pleasant surprise!The process and formalities were handled efficiently by the staff at Goethe Institute Bangalore and I attended a 4-week C1 course at Goethe-Institute Bonn in April this year.
The entire team at GI,Bonn was extremely friendly and welcoming.They were very helpful and took care of everything possible.They had arranged for my stay there in a fully equipped apartment with a very friendly family ,who made me feel instantly at home,and helped me throughout my stay there.My teacher there ,Udo Steves,too was extraordinary,both as a teacher and as a person.His classes were so interesting,interactive and fun filled,with discussions about the latest happenings,that not a single student in the class would realize how quickly time flew.The experience of learning amidst students from different parts of the world is in itself enriching.
The institute would also arrange for month- specific cultural and recreational programmes like day or night city guided tours,visit to neighbouring cities,sports activities,visits to cafes and other attractions.This gives students lots of opportunities to learn about Germany,it’s people,food and culture.I was lucky to be able to see the famous ‘Heerstraße’ with it’s cherry blossom trees in full bloom.
In all,this scholarship gave me a wide new experience of living and learning in Germany on my own for a month ,and has in the process taught me a lot and earned me some friends for life.I will be forever grateful to Goethe Institute for this opportunity.
