Naemi

Student Exchange Werther-Kanepi 2018

This year the culture student exchange was between Werther and Kanepi. In December 2017 the Estonian came to us in Germany. We visited them back in March and really looked forward to meet my exchange again, but anyway I was a little bit scared too, because I did not really know what will expect me there.

The journey to Kanepi was very long and hard, but it was worth coming here. At the first moment we all were surprised by the weather, because in Germany we normally do not have the possibility to see so much snow and ice. In my opinion Estonia looks like a “Winterwonderland “  .My exchange students were both really kind an lovely, but I was a bit surprised, because they and some other students were really shy and they had to warm up a bit. AT the beginning that was a bit hard, but it changed quickly. Anyway it is obvious that Estonian people are very hospitable and they really cared about me so I really felt to be well received.

I noticed a little difference between the both countries in the eating habits. My host family asked me so much if I am hungry and the meal was often more substantial and fattier than in Germany. Moreover I ate much more meat here than I do in Germany.

Another thing that I was surprised of, was, that Estonian people are really proud of their state and they show them in at every time. Of course it is usual to be proud of its own country, but in Estonia I got to know a different way than in Germany.

About Estonia I most love the nature. We often were outside, although it was much colder here than in Germany. The nature has a calming effect and I love snow. The only problem was the ice sometimes, because a lot of the German students slipped and fell down on the ground. My favourite excursions were to Tartu and Tallinn. Both cities are very beautiful and I fell in love with the little paths inside of them. When I get back to Estonia one time I hopefully discover these cities again.

To conclude it was a big pleasure to gain the possibility to get to know such a friendly and interesting culture. The conditions of living were a bit different than in Germany so at first it was a little changeover, but at least I really enjoyed the trip.  I would like to come back in the future and I hope that then I will go skiing, because that was the only thing I really missed during the week.

Naemi