tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259055982065489685.post7055365195610514380..comments2023-10-15T15:43:18.067+02:00Comments on the egg and i: awkward string arrangements of the smiths, take two.Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650370209739494772noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259055982065489685.post-13667511946275893932008-11-23T09:54:00.000+01:002008-11-23T09:54:00.000+01:00Wow, very constructive criticism you applied here ...Wow, very constructive criticism you applied here milonmaine.<BR/>I very much do have a life which is why it is even more sad to waste time by writing a long comment on this blog. <BR/>I think I made my point clear enough which is why I will not bother you again.<BR/>i wish you a more pleasant prospective stay (but try to think about my words).<BR/>benAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10802350162610779594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259055982065489685.post-48319009732580911032008-11-21T19:34:00.000+01:002008-11-21T19:34:00.000+01:00Benjamin, I think you should get a life and stop r...Benjamin, I think you should get a life and stop reading and, more importantly, stop commenting on blogs of those you do not know -- unless you have kind words, of course. We all appreciate a little kindness, right?<BR/><BR/>I'm not commenting on your blog comment because I haven't read Katie's blog -- clearly her blog is to stay in touch with friends and family and probably to work through some of her feelings regarding being abroad.<BR/><BR/>Ok, I'll stop being annoying...<BR/><BR/>- Dad of another kid abroadAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259055982065489685.post-21499690119839240182008-11-19T11:14:00.000+01:002008-11-19T11:14:00.000+01:00Dear Katie,my name is Benjamin and my home country...Dear Katie,<BR/><BR/>my name is Benjamin and my home country is indeed Germany which is the reason why I have the strong drive to comment on your blog in order to clarify some of your statements since I felt very disappointed while reading your tendentious text. <BR/>Nevertheless, my origin and the resentments which are connected with that towards your text shall not be the main point of my comment. I would rather write about the general self- perception which an exchange student should have when going abroad. <BR/><BR/>As a former exchange student in Canada who is now living in Brussels the fact which I would like to point out is that you first of all have to be aware that the opportunity you were given by living in a foreign country is somewhat a great gift which you seem to waste by not giving the country where you are living in, it doesn't matter whether it was Germany, France or Timbuktu, the chance to present you its differences compared to your home country. <BR/>Every single country in this world is different when it comes to culture, history, habits, weather etc. and if you are not open and tolerant you will not enjoy it <BR/><BR/>Have you ever talked about the role of an exchange country for their home country but also for the country they will experience for a year? Exactly, they are supposed to be ambassadors between those countries who are expected to contribute tremendously to bilateral cultural understanding.<BR/>Your text is doing the exact opposite. By stating that you have nightmares in German about the "Reichskristallnacht" and WWII you are exactly serving the usual images and prejudices towards Germany.<BR/>Nobody disagrees with you that this the darkest chapter in German history but there is definitely so much more and positive things which you could find if you would look for it ...<BR/>Do not make the mistake and reduce a countries identity to one period of time because this is very dangerous simplification!<BR/>Please think about the people who read your blog and who will build up their opinion about Germany on the base of that.<BR/>There is nothing to say against justified criticism but your text contains from the beginning to the end negative connotation and superficial stereotypes. <BR/><BR/>Just by reading the first parts of your introductions: ”Tuesdays are kind of weird, actually”, “English is pretty boring”, “geography is pretty annoying.”, “math is normally a complete fail.”, “French is awkward.”, I got the impression that you expect people to adjust their usual habits as you please. Nobody told you that it would be easy going to a new school system and every exchange student has to go through a difficult time while trying to cope with it. It is completely up to you how you deal with it and I have the impression that you gave up before you even tried.<BR/><BR/>PS: Nevertheless I had a really funny moment while reading your blog. At some point you write that the German public transportation has its drawbacks and is not always on time. <BR/>After having lived in Germany’s capital and biggest city for 19 years and after having compared it to other public transport systems around the world I entirely disagree and it seems rather to be a huge exaggeration (not minding the generalization) after having had one bad experience, am I right? Besides, a lack in being on time is a stereotype (and I have been confronted with a lot) which I have never, ever heard in connection with a German. Have you not observed that we all follow rules without questioning, are humorless and always right on time?<BR/><BR/>Hope your next blog will be more informing about the real life in Germany.<BR/><BR/>BenjaminAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10802350162610779594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259055982065489685.post-1929561308481411792008-11-18T20:28:00.000+01:002008-11-18T20:28:00.000+01:00Wow! Raking leaves & eating things you don...Wow! Raking leaves & eating things you don't like. Who is this girl?????Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16954018573588754224noreply@blogger.com