Fulbright Orientation

Guten Morgen oder Tag (depending on where you are located!),

I had a great time at my Fulbright orientation last week.  I met so many new people, and every single person I met was so friendly.  I had no problem sitting myself down at any random table and jumping into the converstaion.  I have heard many Fulbrighters say this in the past couple days, and I completely agree.

Before I even got to orientation, I spent a couple days with Cornelia, my friend Ursula's sister, in Düsseldorf.  She showed me the city, made me delicious meals, and was generally a super friendly and helpful host.  She even helped me fix my lack-of-internet problem!  It was an awesome time, and I loved the city itself.  I hope to go back again in the next couple of months with Jesse.

Cornelia at the Schiffahrtsmuseum

Before orientation, all of the Fulbrighters met at the Köln Hauptbahnhof.  All 140 of us.  We took up the entire entryway.  We then took a bus to a hotel called Maria in der Aue in Wermelskirchen.  Well, we took the bus as far as it could go before the street became too narrow.  Then we walked the rest of the way.  The hotel and the scenery were amazing.  It was easy to forget we were in the middle of Germany, especially since everyone was speaking English.

Walking past some angry cows

On the first day, we simply got our room keys and roommates, ate dinner, had a quick meeting with our section leaders, and then hung out on the patio.  The second day was a little more intensive, with classes and meetings from 9:00 until 9:00 or so, with breaks for lunch, coffee, and dinner in between.  We also started preparing lessons to show the next day.  On the third day, we did our lessons and participated in our group member's lessons and then had a couple more meetings about Fulbright, bureaucracy, etc.  We also had a talent show.  Which was amazing.  I Irish danced.

New friends and beautiful scenery.  My roommate, Holly, is in the middle.

Too soon it was time to head back to Löcknitz.  I already miss all of my new friends (and all of the amazing buffets at the hotel...) but I am excited to start at my school.  Wish me luck!

- Amy