Mein Deutschland

A Lumos Student Traveler’s Experience of Germany

What are we doing here?

• Lumos Student Travel Award

• My Lumos project in Germany

• Tips for planning a trip abroad

What is Lumos?• The Lumos Foundation provides Belmont

students with the opportunity to travel with a purpose.

• Fund volunteer and service-focused projects abroad that make a real difference in a local community

• Longer than 6 weeks• Must have partner organization

What kind of projects?• Teaching English Abroad• Volunteering at…

o Nursing homeso Daycareso Non-profit organizationso Charitieso Homeless Shelterso Farmso Anywhere you don’t get paid!

• Most important: that you volunteer your skills to help improve a local community!

My Lumos Project• Taught English for 9

months in Enkenbach-Alsenborn, Germany

• Partner Organization: Experiential Learning International

• From October 5th, 2012 to June 26th, 2013

Where did I stay?• First five months: Host Family in

Enkenbach-Alsenborn

Where did I work?• Enkenbach-Alsenborn Integrierte

Gesamtschule (IGS)

What did I do?• Worked with students, mostly grades 9-13,

improving reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.

• Small conversation groups• Tutored individual students who were

struggling• Acted as a resource for teachers and

students

What did I do?

What did I do?

What did I do?• Took a German as a Foreign Language course

at Karlsruhe Institut für Technologie (KIT)• During Summer Semester, attended lectures

What did I do?• Explored Germany and Europe!

What did I do?• Explored Germany and Europe!

What did I do?• Explored Germany and Europe!

Challenges• No precedent for my job

o Had to create and provide almost all materialso Was on my own while teaching, no formal training

• Lived in rural locationo Nature is nice, but so are people

• Had to speak German, no native English speakers nearby

Things to consider• Location• Food• Accommodations• Duration of stay• Social opportunities• Emergency support• Language/communication• Transportation

Location• Are you staying in a city or in the country?• Are you close to public transport?• What is the weather like, on average, throughout

the duration of your project?• Are there interesting things nearby to visit in your

free time?

Food• What is the typical diet?• Do you like that kind of food?• Do you have any dietary restrictions?• Will you eat meals with your host family? How

many?• Is food cheap or expensive?• Is eating out cheap or expensive?

Accommodations• Will you be staying in a house or apartment?• Will you have your own place or will you share it

with a roommate or host family?• What kind of furnishings will be provided?• Can you move or change rooms if there is

problem with your roommate(s)/host family?• Internet, heating, A/C, electricity, hot water,

washer/dryer… what will you have?

Duration of Stay• How much time do you have? Just one summer? A

whole semester? A whole year?• What time of the year will you be there?• If you are working at a school, what is that

country’s school year?• Are there holidays or days off for you to travel

and take a break?• Note: in my opinion, if you intend to improve

language skills, at least 3 months!

Social Opportunities• Are there other volunteers/interns where you will

volunteer/work? Are they your age?• Are you living in a city?• Are there any clubs/sports teams you can join?• Are you taking a language course to make

interactions with locals easier?• Are there bars, restaurants, movie theaters, etc.

nearby?• Is there a church or other religious institution

nearby?

Language/Communication

• Do people speak English where you are going?• Do you already know some of the language?• Are you going to take a language course?

Transportation• Will you have a car? Do you need a special

license?• How is the public transportation system? Is it

easily accessible where you will live?• How much will bus tickets and public transport

passes cost? (Important for budget!!)• Will you have a bike provided? Roller blades? Do

people still do that?

Emergency Support• Do you have someone you can call in an

emergency situation who actually lives (somewhat) nearby and knows emergency procedures in your country?

• How is the healthcare system in the country?

How do I apply?• Find a partner organization• Create a budget

o BE THOROUGH! Put everything you can think of on there!

• Fill out the applicationo Essayso Letters of recommendationo Description of project

• Be aware of deadlines!• Visit website for all materials and info:

http://blogs.belmont.edu/lumos/

THANK YOU