The Name of the Game (or Fußball)

(Country count 3/10 - Germany)

Capture of our apparent photo-op in Dutch paper.
Rough translation "We study hard but we party too"

Let the record show that I am indeed such a diligent and serious student that it shines through in all aspects. 

Case and point: I've been in the Netherlands just long enough to have my 15 minutes of fame (in a language I don't speak or understand, no less - "heel leuk!").

For the record we were minding our own business between classes, convinced that our lack of eye contact would ensure we never made it into print - no such luck.

So time rolls, lectures come, assignments go and the schedule mostly sticks. You volunteer, "get involved" and wind up as a program committee rep for your class. #keener









Who knew that being a rep meant more than just showing up for class? My fellow reps and I had the opportunity to participate in a Network-wide discussion about our program, which just happened to be held in Germany!

Bochum city centre entrance

For all of 24 hours we would visit our sister school in Bochum, Germany.

Brilliant

A chance to see a new country AND reunite with some wonderful people from Poland!





GERMANY! 

Germany, or "Deutchland" if you prefer ... What did I actually know about about this country?
We drove on the German "Autobhan" highway ... Volkswage



n cars ... "Das Auto" (which means "The Car" in German-doesn't have the same ring to it). 

Bochum is a small (not Groningen small) town near(ish) the Dutch boarder. Speaking in clichés, what I know of German culture sadly extends to beer, sausage (and apparently kebab in Bochum) and rules. But lest we forget, dear friends, that Germany further owns in all things football (soccer) related.

Vfl Bocum Game

Thankfully, out of our Dutch rep group, one of us was obsessed with football and the other two were willing to follow. Bochum's home team, VfL Bochum, was playing 1. FCK (strange team name, I'm aware) in a knock-out, cup competition, DFB-Pokal Second round. 

(It's called "research", always good to appear like I know what I'm talking about too).





The actual concepts of being in Germany and live football, European style, were entirely foreign (ha!) concepts to me. Standing room only on the home team side, we jostled in with the rest of the crowd where the atmosphere was so far beyond basic fans boys/girls. In between the drumming, chants, boos and sighs, you could spot an entire community that knew and loved their team. Couples holding their breath before a corner kick, buddies sharing a beer, grandparents embracing their families after the one and only goal of the night (go home team!). 

While all I could pick up was what sounded like early Christmas carolers singing "fa-la-la-la-la" (definitely NOT the case), the energy that flowed throughout the stadium was undeniable. For not feeling a moment of 90 minutes on my feet, it was the best I could have hoped for at my first European game.

Love for the home team

Bochum was a short and sweet trip and after a night out with friends and "official" business in the morning we were back on the road (Autobhan!) to Groningen. With promises made to return soon, it hopefully will be the first of many visits to Germany.With studies, other commitments and practicing the tenants of the 3Cs (cool, calm, collect) I might not always be able to travel as much or as long as I'd like but its always possible to create a memorable moment or two.