Thursday, November 22, 2012

Guests From Germany

Guests from Germany
By Paul Kim



             Peculiarly enough, many have wished to climb Daewon’s treacherous mountain to find what’s on top. I’m sure This year, a group of lively German students risked their lives and made it here. The exchange student program turned out to become a fun, resourceful, and interesting experience for both the Koreans and German students. Today, I met with one of the victims, Falk Simmelbauer, who took refuge in my house for two weeks. I asked him some questions about his survival and his hometown.

             1. Of all the places in the world, why would you want to come here in?

I’ve never been to an Asian country before. I wanted to feel the culture because it’s so different from Germany.

             2. While you were here, you woke up at 6:00 and slept at 11:00 for 2 weeks; how does that feel?

That was especially very difficult for me. In Germany, I used to get up at 8:00 and sleep at 10:00 or earlier. The first week was so difficult but this week was better.

             3. It would be better if you stayed here longer. Did you like Korea?

Yes! Korea was one of the best countries I have visited. I don’t think that I can ever forget this experience I had in Korea.

             4. What did you enjoy the most?

Karaoke! In Germany there are no places where you can get a private room and sing and dance. I think this kind of place is very cool.

             5. Do you think Karaokes would be successful in Germany?

Actually, no, because German kids are mostly shy and they are afraid to become as crazy as you Koreans can be.

             6. Koreans sure know how to party! Aside from that, how was the food?

The food here was all very good. A lot of meat! You Korean kids eat a lot more than we do. For example, normally we don’t eat a lot of breakfast and lunch as much as you do.

             7. About Daewon’s lunch...We’re terribly sorry.

Ha ha. No problem. Actually the food here was quite good. Much better than our school’s. Usually we go to town or go back to our houses to eat lunch in Germany, because the food is so terrible. I think your school’s lunch is quite good.

            8. If German Food is better than ours, I have to assume that that German Lunch meals are..(censored). How was Seoul in general?

Seoul is a great big city. It is also so alive at the same time. As an exchange student I’ve also been to Paris, but Seoul is much bigger and has taller buildings. The city tours we took were amazing. It was nice to see all the culture from the museums and palaces we visited. I want to see more parts of it but we are too tired and busy for a two week schedule.

             9. You guys weren’t the only ones, however we were very busy as well. We are sorry that we couldn't pay more attention to you guys.

No, don’t worry. I see these Korean students studying and you guys are always so busy. Maybe this is the reason you guys eat so much. You Koreans eat a lot more than we do.

             10. I saw you eat and you ate much less than I expected. Aside from food, what do you think about the Korean education system?

             I see you guys are always busy, but I think it is better than ours. In Germany, you don’t have to work that hard for school, and as a result I think that German students are not learning anything in school. But you guys work hard in school and much longer as well. Just look at your German skills, you guys learned it for 9 months and you guys are this good? Wow! I learned French for 5 years and I can’t say anything besides “hello” and “yes.”

             11. So what about the students there?

Mostly, I don’t think there are any major problems. I do think, however that Korean teenagers are much well behaved. There, in Germany, there are always fights between gangs at night, so it’s not safe to walk in the streets there. Plus a lot of teenagers drink and smoke because they are much easier to find. In that aspect I think Korea is better.

             12. This means that Daewon is a school filled with role-models! Anyway, one last thing to the viewers?

My time at Daewon was fun. I hope I can visit again and stay for a month so that I can see the country and the city better. I hope I can see you in Germany, till then, Auf Wiedersehen!

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