A little "break"

I had yesterday my last day of school so far. I will probably continue later. I won't attend lessons during April and I will have a 4 or 5 weeks break. I've been going since October 1st every day except for a couple of weeks in Christmas, I've learnt quite a lot, I am happy and I want more. What I also want is to make use of what I already know: speak, read, write and listen more. I am almost always alone and I hardly use German when I get together with friends; I can not yet express myself fluently and it is frustrating if you want to have a normal conversation with a friend. Most of these 6 months I've been with the same teacher, except for a few days when we've got a replacement. A very nice and funny guy, very close to his students. I have had also different class-mates, but I've been with some from the very beginning and time enough with others to become friends. Meeting people so different and listening to what they tell about their countries has been actually more interesting for me than learning German itself. I've been always in quite international circles since I left Spain but this time it was different because many of these people arrived relatively recently to Germany (even to Europe) compared to me. The people were more "genuine". I was sometimes interested in the grammar and oral exercises just as an excuse to learn more about China, Mongolia, Korea, Serbia, Lithuania, Vietnam, Russia, Indonesia, Syria, Tunisia, Croatia, USA, Iran, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan... Some personal stories have been also shocking, sharing opinions, talk about politics, history, society and, of course, our current situation and our future plans. I'm going to miss that. A lot.

However, the reason for this one-month break is not to rest, but right the opposite. As I told you on the previous entry, I am considering so far three options to study in the future: two in Cologne and one in Trier. Well, right now the priority is to study in Cologne, in English. The Trier option will be put aside as a "plan B". I have already applied but there is a selection process. In fact, the competition is quite strong. Last year they had 6.5 candidates per place offered in the bachelor and they expect more for this year. The masters has less competition but I am not yet 100% sure that this is really a better option than the one in Trier... In any case, the selection process starts with an assignment. I will receive the instructions on April 2nd and then I've got time until May 4th to send it, hence the one-month break from the German lessons. On top of it, I have to do two projects because I am applying for two studies. If they like them (one or both), they will call me for an interview in mid-June. And if I am in, they will inform me by the end of that month.

And what will happen if I am out? Then... hehe... I don't know. Trier would be the next option, yes, although I would have to think about taking the official German exams that I need in order to study in the university but, even I might pass and I would be officially allowed to study, I don't think I would be actually able to really make the most of university lectures in German. I should also get some information about the schedule because it could happen that I pass that exam, then the first subjects are in English and things only get German later towards the end. The most likely right now is that I would keep improving the language until April and try then to enrol by the summer semester. (This is possible for the Trier option but not for the Cologne option, where you can only enrol for the winter semester, and waiting until next year is too much for me.) There could be also a plan C, a plan D, etc. Looking for a simple job to survive and not use the savings, looking for another study offer...

For the time being, my next mission is to focus on these assignments, which I don't know yet what they will consist of, from April 2nd to May 4th. I must do my best. Then I will hope to be called for an interview and, finally, see if I am admitted. If I am, then I'm moving to Cologne. If I am not... I will have to look immediately for a place where to live and something to do during at least 6 months. I get overwhelmed only by thinking about it, so I will not get worried before the moment arrives.