The end is... near.

Near... as in: almost here. Can I just announce how much excitement is running through my veins? This masterpiece book/movie collection is finally at a close, except of course if you don't count www.pottermore.com but, other than that this New Yorks #1 best seller (which I swear they say on just about every book), and my childhood is coming to an end. But my dream to be a witch at Hogwarts will always go on.
I decided to read through the whole series and also watch all the movies again, starting last week. I am on the 5th book and am amazed how much I have forgotten about the wizarding world through the ages. And I am so amazed how I can find myself reading all the books again, even though, I really need to be preparing for Germany.
12 more days till the premier of the final and last chapter of Mr. Harry Potter.... It's sad but I think I'm ready. And this blog post is kind of ridiculous.. But, it shows just how obsessive one can be, and I am honestly very proud of that.

Harry, it's time to grow up. Let's go.

Wealthy American? I think not.

When seeing just about any American movie, t.v shows or magazine, it's hard to think that the majority of U.S citizens are NOT rich. The United States mostly has children working in sweatshops around the world.... just so we can earn more money. We are a wealthy country but that doesn't mean that I am rich.
Sure, I get all my needs met. I have air conditioning,heat, a bed, a shower, I'm never hungry, I have clothes that meet my needs, I am able to travel... And to most of the world, that is rich. I am so grateful for i, we also have a pretty big house. But, I guess they also get the wrong idea....
I, being a foreign exchange student; people may perceive me as being a wealthy American traveling the world. Well, that's a lie. I got a fully paid scholarship to spend a year in Europe. My family would not have been able to pay otherwise. I have 5 other siblings including a sister who is going through college and just had a wedding (yesterday, actually :). We are always concerned about money.
Europeans don't usually get the idea that all of us are extremely wealthy (at least, I think so). The U.S is very similar in wealth status to western Europe, So I'm presuming I won't have too big of problems with it. And if they get the idea that I'm rich, it's not my fault... kidding... They shouldn't, because I don't wear designer clothing day after day.


Another note, Americans usually visiting Europe are actually wealthy because it costs soooo much to travel there. So, the Americans they are conversing with are, indeed, rich just like many of the Europeans that come here. In a way we're equal... But, this issue shouldn't be so worried about in Germany, like I said.

Global Stuent- issues in Germany

1. Gender Issues-
Pretty much the same as in the U.S. Women on the rise in business and political careers but there are still plenty of women being house wives. In Germany women earn about 20% less than men.
2.Military conflicts, defense, terrorism, border issues-
somewhat dealing with the war in Afghanistan, wish to put a stop to it. Concerned about more terrorist attacks. Also concerned about all the many eastern Europeans fleeing into the country. 2011- removed law that men have to spend at least a year helping the military.
3. Economic issues-
6.1% unemployment rate is a bit daunting to all Germans.
4. Racial/Class/Ethnicity issues- There are a bit of racial issues going on in Germany, espicially with all the many Polish and Turkish people taking over many of the Germans jobs. There are also a few tensions between the middle east and Germany.
It's getting better but a lot of western Germans still see themselves as better than the Eastern Germans and visa verse.
5. Health issues- E. Coli breakout is a big worry for most of Germany. Obesity is on the rise along with the rest of the western world especially with the German diet. Heart problems also a big issue.

more

Political facts

• National day: October 3rd
• Constitution signed: October 3rd
• Country from which they gained independence: Holy Roman Empire
• Year of Independence: 1871
• Key events in political history and years they occurred: Unified 1871, World war 1 1914-18, Nazis take over 1933-45, Germany split West and East, DDR (communism in east) 1945-1989, Germany as one country 1989-present
• Leader/president: Christian Wulff
• Political parties: Christlich Demokratishe Union Deutschlands, Christlich-soziale Union in Bayern, Sozialdemokratishe Partei, Freie Demokratsche Partei, Die Links, Die Gruenen.
• Current political situation:
• Political system: Federal Parliamentary Republic

Economical Facts

• GDP: $3.315 trillion
• Unemployment rate: %6.1
• Poverty line: $1,600 single person
• Percentage living below poverty line: 11%
• Average family income: $36,444
• Percentage of workforce in: Agriculture: 2.4%, Manufacturing: 29.7%, Service/tourist: 71.3%
• Main industries: Machinery and vehicles
• Main imports: machinery, vehicles, chemicals, foodstuffs, textiles, metals
• Main exports: machinery, vehicles, chemicals, foodstuffs, textiles, metals, and manufactures
• Currency: Euro
• Exchange rate: $1.44= 1 euro
• Prevelance of modern communication devices: Telephone, e-mail, Deutsche post, media...

Sports, Music and Entertainment

• Country's favorite sport: Soccer
• Other sports played: Handball, volleyball, tennis, polo, ( pretty much everything we have here)
• Favorite Musicians: Juli, Wir sind helden, Pohlmann.... They listen to all kinds of music, mostly English.
• Traditional forms of music: volk, Opera
• Favorite foods: German, Italian and Turkish

Germany.. at a glance.

Geography

• Continent: Europe
• Capital: Berlin
• Size in sq. km and sq miles: 357,021 sq km and 137, 847 sq miles
• Neighboring countries: Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium, THE NETHERLANDS, Poland Czech Republic, Denmark, Luxemburg
• Climate: 4 seasons. Can get brutal winters depending on where you're at. Can also get very humid in the summer :)
• Natural disasters: Earthquakes and floods
• Natural resources: coal, ignite, natural gas, iron ore, nickel, copper, uranium, potash, salt, construction materials, timber and arable land.

Social facts

• Population: 81,802,000
• Life expectancy: 77 years, Men: 73 years; Women: 80
• Fertility rate: 1.4 per woman
• Mortality rate: 10.92
• Ethnic Groups and percentage of each: German 91.5%, Turkish 2.4%, other 6.1%
• Religious groups and percentages: Protestant 38%, Roman Catholic 34 %, Muslim 1.7%, unaffiliated or other 26.3%
  Languages spoken: German and of course all those other languages they speak :)
  Literacy rate: 99% ranked 27th in world.
  Average income: US $29,853.0506

Research

1. P.S.... all of this is based off of other people's observations, not mine.
   
   1. Are there types of clothing that are considered inappropriate in your host country that would not usually be considered inappropriate at home?
   Not really when talking about young adults and teenagers. American styles and German styles are very similar in modesty. But, there are also some very big differences.
   You wouldn't be surprised if the local lake allowed women to go topless and you would never be awestruck to find an old man in a speedo in the same setting.
   Although, we are kind of the same in styles; You would rarely find an old woman wearing shorts, a tight t-shirt and tennis shoes in Germany as you would in the U.S. It would be shocking to find a man or woman wearing tennis shoes while not exercising . Sock with sandals? don't count on it.
   German adults are also very conservative in their business dress.
   
2. What kinds of unwritten rules about gender roles exist in your host country? (e.g., How is direct eye contact or a smile from a woman usually taken by men?)
   Much like America, when a person can't meet the eyes with another it is a sign of a lack in confidence.
   But, it goes a step further. In Germany, when in conversation... It is very common for a German to look at you straight in the eyes the whole (or majority) of the time of the conversation. This is a sign of interest and trust in the conversation. Americans may find this extremely uncomfortable and we will look straight into the eyes but not for too long. Germans may find this annoying.
   Smiling in the U.S is seen as a friendly and polite gesture whereas in Germany doing so may send the wrong intention. Smiling is usually a sign of affection towards another.
   
   
   
3. What kinds of acts are considered flirtation in your host country that you would not usually be considered flirtation at home?
   
   This was a bit hard to find over the internet but from what I've read: Germans are terrible at flirting. Or, German men are terrible at flirting. It is very unlikely for them to make a first move.
   Teenagers will probably differ vastly from adults.... We'll just have to see!
   
   
4. What obvious differences exist between the way you typically act on a night out, riding public transportation, walking through the city, in encounters with local men, etc. and the way the native women act?
   
   We hear that Germans love beer. But, do they love getting drunk? no. One would be very looked down upon if he/she were to do so.
   Other than that it's pretty similar to the rest of the U.S, not including Utah...
   
   That's all.
   
   
   
   
   
   

That's... stereotypical!!

The negative world perspective of Americans....................

Lazy
Rich
Ignorant
Party animals
Want to be world leaders
Proud

A lot of these stereotypes are created from people observing the media. The U.S is a massive producer of T.V shows, movies, music, books, world news, etc. All of our media is spread about the whole world, especially Europe. When watching let's say... Mean girls, they could get the idea that most American High Schools are like that. They watch us on the news and hear Obamas speeches, they suddenly assume that we are way proud and want too much world power.
They look at our schooling system. Out of the 30 modern countries in the world, U.S is ranked 25th in education. They suddenly assume we're stupid, lazy and ignorant and put all our money into war and not schooling.
They watch our T.V shows, like for example: The O.C, or desperate house wives, etc. suddenly we're really wealthy and love to party.
I think media plays the biggest role, honestly.

I kind of started talking crap about our country. We know most of us aren't like that.... and Europeans usually don't look down on us quite that much. From what I can tell, most of them like us... at least the slightest bit.

How can I explain and respond to negative stereotypes while in Germany?
Just represent myself the best I can be. Be myself, is probably the most important. Represent the U.S as a well-rounded diverse country and just explain my culture to them, answer questions, etc. The thing about the U.S and Germany is that everyone is so diverse... A lot of Americans do fit the stereotypes but a lot don't and one can't make another change their thinking. "You can lead a man to reason, but you can't make him think"- someone said that.

I feel as though my writing is faltering. Oh well.