Hi guys, it's not quite time for my last post yet so I'll share my experience of seeing My Fair Lady, The Musical this week, which was performed in the beautiful inner-courtyard of Heidelberg Castle.
The musical is based on George Bernard Shaw's popular stage play Pygmalion.
Professor Henry Higgins, an antisocial phonetician, has a chance
encounter with Eliza Doolittle, a rough-talking Cockney flower girl. The
pair make an alliance when, for a bet, the Professor attempts to
transform Eliza into a well-spoken lady and fool the English
aristocracy.
My Fair Lady is a cult classic, and is most
often recognised for Audrey Hepburn's starring role as Eliza in the 1964
film version. Having studied the play last term, I was especially
excited to see how it would be adapted this time around.
The play was given a modern twist, as Eliza was styled as a
boisterous young woman, with hippies, builders and street preachers
amongst her crew of friends. Even a John Lennon look-a-like made an
appearance! There was also a lot of audience interaction, as the actors
and actresses mingled amongst the audience before the start of the play.
It was great to see a comic interpretation of My Fair Lady, as Eliza's defiance and the Professor's exasperation often made the audience break into collective laughter.
The
outdoor setting was striking: as the summer evening shifted from
evening to night, the illuminated castle walls loomed over the stage. In
this version, the live orchestra played on stage beside the actors,
instead of being hidden in a pit. It was also amusing to hear popular
melodies from the musical sung in German! Overall it was a thoroughly
enjoyable evening.
It's now the last week of classes, and soon
students will be preparing to travel back home, whether that be Germany
or further afield. Heidelberg will succumb to the wave of tourists,
eager to see its many sights. But before then, I'll be continuing with
my papers, and beginning the arduous task of preparing to go home.
Bis bald!
Global Citizen
From travel tips and advice for studying abroad in Germany, to comment on community news in the UK.
Friday 25 July 2014
Sunday 1 June 2014
Study Abroad Blog: Erasmus+ - the new study abroad scheme
As of next year the Erasmus scheme is changing.
Rebranded as “Erasmus+” it will offer students the chance to improve
their employability. Over seven years a massive 1.47 billion euros is
expected to be pumped into the international exchange scheme. As MPs
bicker in Whitehall over Britain's relationship with Europe, this latest
development appears to strengthen the UK's connection with the EU via
greater employment opportunities.
One of the biggest
features of the new scheme is its desire to bring the various European
exchange programmes under one uniform programme. The European Commission
boasts opportunities for over four million European citizens under the
new scheme, in Education, Training, Youth and Sport.
The
updated scheme lends itself to the growing view that, the UK's
burgeoning number of young graduates will have to look further afield
towards Europe for greater career opportunities; and perhaps become part
of the new generation of 'global citizens'.
Three Reasons to Study Abroad:
1)
Career Boost – Whether it be via learning a new language, gaining work
experience or demonstrating that you can thrive under pressure, studying
abroad shows employers that you have a level of independence.
2)
Travel – Europe is well connected via fast train, flight and bus, which
makes travelling and seeing awesome new sights easy and cost effective.
3)
Meet new people – Being able to establish a social network in a foreign
place is a major confidence boost. It's also a great opportunity to
meet other people from across the globe, and their sofas may come in
handy if you plan to travel later on!
What do you think of the new scheme? Share your views below!
Thursday 17 April 2014
Study Abroad Blog: Seven Must-See Sights in Heidelberg
Easter
is upon us, and since my last post I've finished the mountain of work
that was set over the semester break, which included five term papers
totalling over sixty-five pages! During this time I miraculously
squeezed in a birthday celebration, welcome visits from a couple of
friends and an uplifting visit from my Mum last week.
Having
had the chance to show a few friends and family around Heidelberg, I
figured I'd share the best places in and around Heidelberg to visit –
just in case you happen to be one of the 3.3 million people that visit
the city every year!
The Castle
Heidelberg Castle also known as the Schloss dates back to the early 13th
century. Having withstood repeated attacks during the Thirty Years War
and two lightning strikes the ruins have an eerie majesty. The castle is
also home to a gigantic wine barrel which has a capacity of over
200,000 litres!
The Student Prison
Yes, up until 1914 the University once incarnated its unruly pupils in the Studenten Karzer.
Serving time for minor offences, such as drunkenness or disruptive
behaviour rebellious students could spend up to several weeks locked up!
Located at the University of Heidelberg Museum, visitors can view
several cells. Inside in true James Dean style layers of graffiti and
defiant phrases scrawled by ex-inmates cover the walls.
Philosopher's Walk
The
Philosopher's Walk is also great for a stroll in nature. For the more
adventurous, a climb up to the top of the mountain reveals a huge
amphitheatre constructed during the Nazi era, as well as well as St
Michael's Monastery, a medieval ruin.
Alte Brücke
Built in the 18th
Century, the stone bridge links the Old Town to Philosopher's Walk, and
offers picturesque views of the city along the stretch of the Nekar
River.
Beyond Heidelberg
Mannheim
Mannheim
is a bustling multicultural city which neighbours Heidelberg.
Impressively, Mannheim University has an eighteenth-century palace as
its central grounds, which was once home to the German prince Karl
Philip III. Nearby Luisen Park displays an array of South American and
Chinese plants, as well as all sorts of animals from flamingos and
penguins, to pythons and clown fish.
Schwetzingen Palace
Ten
kilometers from Heidelberg, Schwetzingen Palace is styled with
influences from the Baroque and Rocco period. This is especially
reflected in its ornate rooms crafted with quirky optical illusions. The
gardens were also constructed to create an illusion of endlessness. Its
uniform, manicured lawns and statues add to the its grandeur.
Speyer Cathedral
The Cathedral, built in the early 11th
century holds the title of being the biggest preserved Romanesque
Church in the world. The quaint town is one of the oldest in Germany,
its first church being built as early as the 6th century. Coffee shops and gelato stores line the main street , making it an ideal place for a quiet Sunday.
So there you have it, an insider's travel guide to Heidelberg. Perhaps you've already visited. Share your experiences below!
Ciao!
Tuesday 18 March 2014
Study Abroad Blog: Exploring Berlin
Undoubtedly
one of the best things about studying abroad is the opportunity to
travel. I recently spent several days in Berlin, which is situated in
the east of Germany. Travelling with a friend from Heidelberg, it took
five hours to reach Berlin using Germany's high-speed ICE trains, which
can reach speeds of up to 320km per hour.
Boasting
a population of over three million people, Berlin is a bustling
multicultural city. Its impressive street art and postwar relics, like
the East Side Gallery, the Brandenburg Gate and TV Tower give the city a
quirky edge.
Staying
with friends went a great way towards reducing expenses, and also meant
that I got to experience the alternative side of the city. Speedminton
was one such activity. It is similar to badminton but is played without a
net. This time taking place in a gym hall covered with sand, UV lights
highlighted the players adorned in neon paint, as music blared from
speakers. Despite being a novice I gave it a good go and made a few
rallies. It was great fun in spite of the sand-swamped boots I had to
endure for the rest of the week!
That
same night I went to a fancy dress party. The costumes were impressive,
from hippies and mimes to what appeared to be extras from Moulin Rouge. Sadly I didn't have a costume, but as if my wishes were heard by my fairy godmother, a fellow partier kindly showered me in fairy dust; days later I was still picking odd specks of glitter from my hair.
The
monuments in Berlin stand tall in the center of the city. One of the
highlights was visiting Museum Island where huge museums are clustered
together, making it easy to travel from one building to another. I
particularly enjoyed the range of Egyptian art on display at the Neues Museum,
as well as the intricate Islamic pieces at the Pergamon Museum, which
also contains massive reconstructed buildings from antiquity. Nearby,
Potsdamer Platz showcases sleek skyscrapers and its bright lights are
akin to London's Leicester Square.
Berlin
once controlled by Britain, France, Russia and the USA simultaneously
after the Second World War is steeped in modern history, and its various
monuments are scattered across the city. The German Democratic Republic
museum gives an insight into what is was like for many citizens in East
Germany living in a Communist regime. I was surprised to see just how
different the lives of people living in the East were from those of
their counterparts in the West.
The
city is also home to a large Turkish population. Visiting the markets
in the Turkish quarter and seeing an array of foods, spices and fabrics
was a great insight to the city's diversity.
There
are many options for traveling in and around Germany at a reasonable
price. The InterRail pass for example, allows unlimited travel on a set
number of days on all German trains within a month. Passes can include
anywhere from two days of unlimited travel to eight. So if you're
thinking of travelling around Europe sometime soon, you should
definitely put Berlin on the list!
Bis bald!
Saturday 15 March 2014
Study Abroad Blog: Freiburg – Bonfires, Karneval and Faust
Hello blogosphere! Apologies for my recent lack of posts recently, but grovelling aside I bring good news!
Last
week I got a short reprieve from term paper stress and travelled to
Freiburg, after a friend kindly invited me to visit for the weekend.
Located in the southwest of Germany, Freiburg is picturesque. Throughout
the year tourists are drawn to the city and the surrounding areas for
its vineyards, historic ruins and the Black Forest.
On
the first day we ventured into the city center, where postwar concrete
buildings shoulder the winding streets of the Old Town. The Old Town is
particularly distinctive as its "bachle" or small streams run along the
pavements. A relic of the city's innovative sanitation system during the
Middle Ages, the "bachle" are now skillfully avoided by hasty shoppers,
while local superstition has it that those who accidentally fall into
it will marry someone from Freiburg.
Another interesting site was the Freiburg Cathedral, also known as the 'Minster of Our Lady'. Built in the 13th century its Gothic style high arches and authentic stained-glass windows stun it's visitors into awe-stricken silence.
That
evening leaving the coffee shops and ice-cream parlours of the city
behind, we travelled out to witness an annual bonfire display. Burning
disk-flinging is an age old tradition in Europe. Kids and adults alike
use long sticks to heat wooden discs in bonfires and hit them onto
wooden planks, launching the discs hundreds of meters into the distance.
I watched mesmerised and chomping on a bratwurst, as the golden disks
of light disappeared into the night like shooting stars.
On
Saturday we visited Salzburg to see the city's annual street parade. The
event, which runs shortly after the pre-Lent festival Fastnacht,
had attracted various guilds from Salzburg and beyond. Beer,
curry-wurst and high spirits were in abundance. Groups accompanied by
big bands proudly represented their guilds in creative costumes. From
terrifying demons with chiming cow bells to folkloric jesters. During
the parade, onlookers are also active participants, and in return for
candy they must endure pranks; damsels taken away on wagons, and unlucky
spectators with tied feet and hands were common sights!
Later
that day, we attended a Big Band show organised by the school my friend
once attended. Highlights included the choir singing Queen's 'Bohemian
Rhapsody' and the live band solos of Motown classics, such as 'Aint no
mountain high enough'.
Having
not completely zapped all of my energy over the weekend, on Sunday we
drove to Staufen, a place widely recognised for its production of wine.
On a literary note, Staufen and its medieval castle ruins are also home
to the Faust Legend. Dr. Johann Faust the notorious alchemist who made a
pact with the devil is known to have lived and worked in the castle.
His mysterious demise was picked up by both Goeter and Marlowe during
the Renaissance era.
The
weekend was also a great opportunity to practice my German. Especially
when the family gathered during meal times, and to my relief I was able
to follow most of what was being discussed. Ultimately, it was great to
experience Germany from a different perspective and sample a range of
fresh and homemade dishes, like kartoffel suppe, pfannekuchen and
flammkuchen – recipes I'll definitely be taking home!
Well, that was a snapshot of my weekend.
Now I'm back in Heidelberg and ready to hit the homestretch! Ciao!
Saturday 8 February 2014
Study Abroad Blog: Freedom?
It's
the start of the semester break for students at Heidelberg University,
but forget any expectations you may have of Monday morning lie-ins and
nonstop traveling, for most students the semester break consists of writing term papers and preparing for the next round of courses.
The
summer term doesn't officially begin until mid-April, ( this would
normally be when students at Leicester have finished their classes for
the year!) so students spend the remainder of their free time handing in
essays and collecting credit points.
Not
used to this system of study, it currently feels like I'm competing in a
mental marathon. But saying goodbye to fellow international students
this week who are returning home has reminded me just how temporary the
study abroad experience is.
One
of the best things about studying abroad is the diverse range of
courses on offer, from the fantasy fiction of Tolkein to plays by
American literary greats such as Eugene O'Neille. I've specifically
enjoyed courses on postmodern literature, as these writers offer an
alternative perspective to the conventionally studied canonical writers.
Authors like Zadie Smith, who in NW deftly conveys the diversity
of London, and Tony Harrison who has long produced poetry wrought with
working class concerns. At Heidelberg, you are given free reign to write
on the subjects that most interest you.
Despite
the fact that the end of term is like Mo Farah striving to reach the
finish line after ten thousand miles, the freedom of choice is
liberating and I'm enjoying taking part in the race.
Side note:
This week I had my first experience of visiting a cinema in Germany.
The popcorn servings were huge and the seats super comfy, but the
pleasantries stopped there. Watching 12 Years a Slave was a harrowing experience.
McQueen
did well to capture the hauntingly beautiful landscape of the American
Deep South, and the soundtrack by Hans Zimmer was moving, as was the
stellar cast but the end of the film left me deflated. It would have
been nice to see more character development and subtle resistance, as
opposed to repeated scenes of violence.
Towards the end of 12 Years a Slave,
when the universally liked Brad Pitt strode in as a symbol of idealism
against the Big Bad South the film drifted into a simplistic narrative.
And the main character Solomon Northup once self-sufficient and
quick-witted, was rendered disempowered and dependent.
Whereas Django offers its audience empowerment through comic relief and escapism, 12 Years A Slave's
sombre tone and desire to cling to accuracy, ultimately fails to leave
its audience uplifted nor with a new perspective on the slave
experience.
Friday 31 January 2014
Study Abroad Blog: Heidelberg Library Goers
It's
the middle of the examination period at Heidelberg University, and
students in ritualistic fashion have descended on the library; stalking
through the halls in search of their own corner of quiet to cram for
exams, write term papers and finish a plethora of uni related work.
Unfortunately, I'm not exempt from this metamorphoses and for the past few weeks the Bibliothek
has become my home away from home. Students at Heidelberg are in charge
of their own timetables, and the relaxed atmosphere means you have to
be super disciplined in order to independently plan, execute and submit
assignments.
The
library has become a regular haunt for me, and from my David
Attenborough like observation post I've come to recognise the many types
of students that frequent its doors.
The Gamer
Most
likely to be: Hunched over their laptop playing the millionth level of a
repetitive game, or scoring high on the latest mobile app craze.
Never: Surrounded by papers or work of any sort.
The Specter
Most
likely to be: Invisible. Their presence is marked by their coats,
papers and bags that seem to swamp the study spaces and computers that
you would otherwise use.
Never: At their desk, or in the library.
The Inadvertent Studier
Most Likely: On Facebook, YouTube or checking the news to avoid study.
Never: Has an open document, and probably any deadlines either.
The Zombie
Most
Likely: Carrying a large Starbucks cup and dragging their feet. This
student is in the midst of a week of insane study and no sleep. Often
trying not to fall asleep.
Never: Walking faster than the speed of a tortoise.
The Computer Whisperer
Most
Likely: Responsible for an outburst of swearing directed at their
computer after it unexpectedly shut down in the middle of writing their
essay.
Never: Has luck with technology.
"Arnie"
Most Likely: Wearing ear plugs and directing menacing eyes to any student that dares to talk, cough, rustle papers or breathe.
Never: Takes a break.
The Familiar Face
Most
likely: Outside the library. You always run into this person on your
way to the library, but can't quite remember how you became acquainted.
Never: Seems to travel beyond the perimeter of the library entrance.
The 99%
Most Likely: You. Trudging in and out of the library daily in order to meet those endless deadlines.
Never: Without an assignment to complete.
So it's over and out from Heidelberg Library Goers.
If you recognise any of these library-goers, or would like to add ones not mentioned above comment below.
Bis dann!
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