fkk deutschland

1) Culture:
Orientation system within a certain group of people. This system affects the perception, thinking,
judgements and acting of all members and is determined by cultural standards which are regarded as
normal, self-evident, typical and binding by the majority of this group.
Cultural Iceberg:
Above the surface: Visible, conscious cultural aspects such as gestures, arts, architecture, clothes etc.
Below the surface: Hidden, subconscious cultural aspects such as values, gender roles, attitudes etc.
So what can we do?
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Actively participate in foreign cultures and get to know
local students!
Be aware of your own culture, values and attitudes (=
basis on which you act and feel)!
Try to embrace a different perspective!
Reflect your emotions and actions!
'We don't see the world as it is, we see it as we are'. (A. Nin)
2) German Student Life:
* Autonomy
* No all-round service
* Self-responsibilty
 Learn how to learn!
 Organize your studies independently,
 Built up networks!
according to your abilities & needs!
 Acquire the necessary study skills!
Study Skills:
Transferable soft skills; essential for your success in German higher education and your future career!
©Susanne Obert 2014
©Susanne Obert 2014
©Susanne Obert 2014
Further ways to acquire these skills:
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Ask fellow and advanced students for help!
Build study groups with local students!
Ask your professor for details & book recommendations!
Go to the library to find further reading!
Consult your study advisor to get help!
Attend respective courses, such as an academic writing course!
(www.owl.tu-darmstadt.de/ schreibkurse/schreibworkshops/workshops.de.jsp)
Attend German and English language courses at the Language Resource Centre!
(www.spz.tu-darmstadt.de)
How can I succeed?
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Learn how to learn!
Improve your English and German language skills!
Always keep in mind:
- In Germany, learning doesn't mean to reproduce what your teachers said or what you read!
- Crucial skills: Critical thinking and the ability to complete transfer tasks!
Dimensions of National Culture:
Effects of a culture on the values of its members and how these values relate to their behavior.
Power Distance: Attitude of a culture towards inequalities amongst us; extent to which the less
powerful members of a society expect and accept that power is distributed unequally.
Germany: Lower power distant country (score 35):
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Direct and participative communication style.
Control is disliked.
Leadership is challenged to show expertise and best accepted when it’s based on it.
Asia: Higher power distant countries (scores between 60 and 80):
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Inequalities amongst people are acceptable.
Little defense against power abuse by superiors.
Individuals are influenced by formal authority.
Optimistic about people’s capacity for leadership and initiative.
People should not have aspirations beyond their rank.
What does this mean for your stay in Germany?
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Accepting and offering criticism:
Don´t take criticism personally and try to be critical and honest, yourself!
People do not get respect because of their status, but because of their expertise!
You can question your professor, boss or literature, if you have good arguments!
©Susanne Obert 2014
Individualism vs Collectivism: Degree of interdependence a society maintains among its members.
Is the self-image defined in terms of “I” or “We”?
Germany: Individualistic society (score: 67):
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People are supposed to look after themselves and their direct family only.
Small families with a focus on the parent-children relationship rather than aunts and uncles.
Strong belief in the ideal of self-actualization.
Loyalty is based on personal preferences for people as well as a sense of duty and
responsibility.
Communication is among the most direct in the world following the ideal to be “honest, even
if it hurts” and by this giving the counterpart a fair chance to learn from mistakes.
Asia: Collectivist societies (scores between 18 and 48):
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People belong to ‘groups’ that take care of them in exchange for loyalty.
People act in the interests of the group and not necessarily of themselves.
Masculinity versus Femininity:
What motivates people, wanting to be the best (masculine) or liking what they do (feminine)?
High score of masculanity:
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Society is driven by competition, achievement and success.
Success = being the winner / best in a certain field.
Value system that starts in school and continues throughout organisational behaviour.
Low score of masculanity (femininity):
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Dominant values: caring for others and quality of life.
Quality of life is the sign of success and standing out from the crowd is not admirable.
Germany: Masculine society (score: 66)
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Performance is highly valued and early required as the school system separates children into
different types of schools at the age of ten.
People rather “live in order to work” and draw a lot of self-esteem from their tasks.
Managers are expected to be decisive and assertive.
Status is often shown, especially by cars, watches and technical devices.
Asia: Masculine society (scores between 55 and 66)
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Success oriented and driven.
People will sacrifice family and leisure activities to work, e.g. migrated workers.
At university: Exam scores and rankings are very important.
©Susanne Obert 2014
Uncertainty Avoidance: The way that a society deals with the fact that the future can never be
known. Should we try to control the future or just let it happen?
Scores reflect: The extent to which people feel threatened by ambiguous or unknown situations
and have created beliefs and institutions that try to avoid these.
Germany: Uncertainty avoidant country (score 65), also South Korea and Bangladesh (score: 85)
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Systematic overviews have to be given in order to proceed.
Details are important to create certainty that a certain topic or project is well-thought-out.
Germans prefer to compensate for their higher uncertainty by strongly relying on expertise.
Emotional need for rules.
Inner urge to be busy and work hard.
Precision and punctuality are the norm.
Security is very important.
China and India: Low preference for avoiding uncertainty (scores: 39 and 40)
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Acceptance of imperfection.
Patient countries with tolerance for the unexpected.
Less planning and need for security.
Adjustment: Turning a blind eye to rules or finding an inventive solution to a problem.
 Cause of misery and at the same time empowering aspect!
‚Nothing is impossible.‘
Pragmatism: How people relate to the fact that so much that happens around us cannot be
explained.
Pragmatic societies:
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No need to explain everything.
They believe that it is impossible to understand fully the complexity of life.
The challenge is not to know the truth but to live a virtuous life.
Non-pragmatic societies:
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Strong desire to explain as much as possible.
Germany: Pragmatic society (score: 83), also South Korea and China (scores: 100 and 67)
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People believe that truth depends very much on situation, context and time.
Ability to adapt traditions easily to changed conditions.
Strong propensity to save and invest, thriftiness, and perseverance in achieving results.
Long-term orientation.
India and Bangladesh: No strong preference in either direction. (Scores: 51 and 47)
©Susanne Obert 2014
Indulgence: Degree to which little children are socialized; extent to which people try to control their
desires and impulses (based on how they were raised).
‘Indulgence’: Relatively weak control
‘Restraint’: Relatively strong control
Germany and Asia: Restrained societies (scores between 20 and 40)
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Tendency to cynicism and pessimism.
Not much emphasis on leisure time.
They control the gratification of their desires.
Perception that their actions are restrained by social norms and feel that indulging
themselves is somewhat wrong.
3) Daily Life in Germany
Communication
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Most young and middle-aged persons some older people speak at least a little English.
Direct communication: Do not take criticism personally!
Names and titles: Please address people with their last names and titles and if you speak
German, call them „Sie“ unless they tell you not to do so!
Eye-contact is expected and demonstrates attention and interest!
Body language
Thumbs up gesture: One or sign of appreciation or agreement
The ‚okay sign‘ can also be considered as a rude gesture!
Don´t point your index finger to your own head: This is an insult! (‚You are crazy‘)
Eating Rituals
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In most restaurants you can choose your table, unless there is a sign ‚Reserviert‘.
Normally, everybody orders his or her own meal; food sharing is not very common.
Table sharing, on the other hand, is quite common.
Be on time! If you are late, please inform one of the persons you meet!
Smoking is not allowed in restaurants, unless there is a special room for smokers.
Guten Appetit! (Enjoy your meal!)
Do not eat or drink noisily!
(smacking, slurping, burping etc. is considered rude)
Everybody pays what he or she had,
unless somebody invites you
Payment: directly at the table, 5 to 10 % tip (directly)
©Susanne Obert 2014
German Holidays in Hessen
Stores will be closed on German Holidays!
There are some more holidays in other states, please keep in mind when travelling!
Month / Season
January
Spring
Date(s)
1st of January
2014: 17th to 21st of April
May
1st of May
2014: 29th of May
(40 days after Easter Sunday)
2014: 8th and 9th of June
(50 days after Easter Sunday)
2014: 19th of June
(60 days after Easter Sunday)
3rd of October
25th and 26th of December
June
October
December
Holiday
New Years Day
Easter Weekend: Good Friday,
Easter Sunday & Easter Monday
Labor Day
Assumption of Christ, also Father's Day
Pentecoast Sunday and Monday
Corpus Christi
German reunification day
Christmas holidays
On December 24th and 31st, shops close earlier!
Most Germans are on holidays from December 24st to January 2nd, many offices will be closed then!
Five personality traits many Germans have in common:
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Efficient and disciplined
Sense of humor
Well organized
Punctual
Traditional
German Peculiarities:
Superstition:
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Presents: Don´t give a birthday present before the actual day!
(considered as an act of tempting the fate)
Friday the 13th: Considered as an unlucky day
Signs of bad luck: 13, black cat crossing your way from the left,
walking under an A-frame ladder
Signs of luck: horseshoes, four-leafed clovers, shards, chimney sweepers, shooting stars
April fools day:
On April 1st, Germans play practical jokes and hoaxes on each other called April fools, so watch out!
Summer time is pool and picnic time:
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In public pools, the lifeguard (Bademeister) is the boss, he or she watches the pool and is not
afraid to tell people to leave, in case they do not listen to the rules.
Open lakes, beaches and rivers may not always have a lifeguard on duty.
The water quality is tested frequently.
If you have a picnic, please clean up afterwards!
©Susanne Obert 2014
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It´s normal to see little children running around naked.
You may also encounter topless sun bathers working on that seamless tan.
Watch out for those three letters: FKK! Stands for ‘Freie Körperkultur' (free body culture),
nude areas in public pools and at beaches and lake fronts. So watch out before walking into a
big surprise! In this areas you are not allowed to:
Enter these areas in your clothes, take pictures, use your cellphone, stare at people etc…
Germans and their pets:
Germans love their pets and consider them as a family member!
Timing:
 Always try to be on time!
 At university: 9 c.t. = cum tempore, meaning on time, at 9
s.t = sine tempore = meaning 15 minutes later, at 9.15
 Don´t call people after 10 pm, unless arranged to do so!
 Don´t drop in on people unexpectedly (even friends)!
Rules and regulations:
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German noise protection regulation: You are not allowed to disturb others with loud noises:
Every day from 10 pm to 6 am and on Sundays (most shops are closed then, too).
TÜV: Technical Inspection Association: Seal of quality and compulsory for every German
vehicle
Bicycles: Must also have a minimum equipment: a bell, reflectors, light and efficient brakes
Even car washes, oil spots or not separating your waste correctly can get you a ticket!
Waste disposal & environmental protection:
Black container:
'Regular' waste (in plastic bags)
Paper container:
Paper only!
Yellow bag: recyclable packaging material, e.g. yoghurt pots and plastic
(available at the town hall, put full bags on the roadside when others do so)
Battery boxes:
Batteries (in supermarkets)
Glas containers:
Glas (all over the city)
Waste dump: Special and hazardous waste such as bulky waste, electronics and paints
Please note:
You might have to pay a fine if you throw away waste or if you do not separate it correctly!
©Susanne Obert 2014
The German 'Pfand' system:
Pfand = The portion of the price on a bottled drink that you get back if you return the bottle.
 Return the bottles in the shop you bought them!
Mehrweg: will be refilled; glas bottles, heavy-duty plastic bottles (e.g. Coca Cola)
and yoghurt sold in glas jars with this sign: 0,08 € per bottle/glas
Einweg: will be recycled, all bottles and cans with this sign: 0,25 €
No ‚Pfand‘ on juice, wine, champagne and liquors, mentioned on the bottle with ‚Kein Pfand‘
Food Shopping:
Grocery stores:
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Discounters such as Aldi, Lidl, Netto and Penny (mostly cheap prices)
Supermarkets such as Edeka or Rewe (diverse products, but also more expensive)
Weekly markets (many fresh and regional products, good quality)
Special markets for organic products (BIO) such as Alnatura or Basic
(good quality, many vegetarian goods, but not cheap)
Health food stores called ‚Reformhaus‘ (especially for persons looking for a special diet)
Special markets: e.g. Chinese or Italian supermarkets with many goods from that particular
country
Beverage stores: wide range of products
Delicatessen: fancy foods at high prices
Bakeries: largest range of pastries throughout the whole world, vary in quality and price
Opening hours: Vary from store to store and also depend on the city/town size; all stores are closed
on Sunday, except of some bakeries. After 10 pm you can get food at some gas stations and in stores
at the main train station (at high prices).
Emergencies:
 Medical emergencies and fire service: 112
 Police: 110
Please tell them:
 Where is the emergency?
 What happend?
 How many persons are injured?
 Which injuries?
 Wait for further questions!
Pharmacies: There is always one pharmacy in every region that is open 24 hours. Look for the term
‚Apothekennotdienst‘ plus the name of your city on the internet!
©Susanne Obert 2014
Social Responsibility in Germany:
Helping Others:
 In case of any emergency, you must help others by calling the police and or ambulance!
However, do not put yourself in any danger!
 Give your seat to the elderly or infirm on public transport without being asked!
Taxes: Germans are not all that happy about high taxes they have to pay, but they deeply believe
that everyone should share paying them equally!
Environment Protection:
 Please accept the rules on German waste management and conform them!
 Please try to safe water and energy! You might have to pay a huge sum at the end of the
year, if you used too much!
 Switch off all electric devices when leaving and also when they are not used!
 Always keep in mind to safe water, while taking a shower, washing your dishes…
No Discrimination: In Germany, there are rules against discrimination. Everybody must be treated
equally, men and women, disabled persons, homosexuals, foreigners etc.
Getting to Know Locals
On campus:
 Don´t be shy: talk to and interact with locals in, before and after class, in the library, the
university canteen etc.
 Do presentations and group work with local students!
 Join study groups with locals!
 Ask them if you can join them for lunch or coffee!
 Take part in the semester activities!
 Take part in language courses and learn German!
 Look for a German tandem partner to practice your German and teach him or her your native
language!
 Go to student and LAN parties!
 Contact the AStA and the student association of your discipline!
 Join student groups!
 Take part in the sports program!
 Join Facebook groups to see what´s going on, such as the page ‚Neu in Darmstadt‘ or
university pages!
 Go out in the evenings! Here you can find current events: www.partyamt.de
 Get to know students in your dormitory!
Off campus:
 Join associations (e.g. sports, music, dancing, religious groups etc.)!
 Attend courses (e.g. sports, cooking, languages, arts & crafts, dancing etc.), for example at
VHS (www.darmstadt.de/vhs)!
 Move to an apartment shared with locals!
 Get a job with client contact, for example in a bar!
 Take part in special events such as a Jumping Dinner!
 Go out (Theatre, swimming, sports games, church…)!
©Susanne Obert 2014
Get to know the country!
Cheap train tickets when booking in advance at www.bahn.de
Cheap flight tickets: Ryanair, Airberlin, Germanwings etc.
Cheap bus tickets: www.flixbus.de and www.meinfernbus.de
Car sharing agencies: www.mitfahrzentrale.de and www.mitfahrgelegenheit.de
Please remember: There are uncountable places to see and events and activities to experience, e.g.:
Visiting famous cities such as the historical city of Berlin, the financial metropolis Frankfurt am Main,
cute little towns with half-timbered houses in the middle of vineyards, such as the ones in the region
"am Kaiserstuhl", ancient castles such as "Schloss Neuschwanstein", beautiful nature spots and
events such as the German Carnival in Cologne or in the South of Germany, wine festivals in autumn
or Christmas markets in December, the October fest in Munich or you could try out new sports
activities such as skiing in the black forest!
4) Culture Shocks
Common Feelings:
 Not wanting to be around people who are different
 Sadness, Loneliness, Anxiety
 Trouble concentrating
 Feeling left or misunderstood
 Developing negative or simplistic views of the new culture
 Frustration
 Extreme homesickness
How to Deal with Culture Shocks
 Reflect your own tendencies and feelings!
 Try to find out, why people are acting as they do and why this is problematic for you!
 Think of the positive aspects of your own culture and of your new culture!
 Learn the native German and improve your English skills!
 Get help from your family, friends, fellow students, the IO or your study advisors!
 Make new friends!
 Educate people about your culture!
 Find a support group!
 Keep in touch with home!
Sources / Further Reading:
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Lord, R. 2008: "Culture Shock! A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette - Germany".
Tarrytown, NY: Marshall Cavendish Corporation.
Markowsky R.; Thomas, M. 1995: "Studienhalber in Deutschland". Heidelberg: Roland
Asanger Verlag.
Davey, G. 2008: "The International Student's Survival Guide". London: SAGE Publications Ltd.
http://geert-hofsteede.com
©Susanne Obert 2014