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Every entry of my blog would always reiterate this fact: “Language cuts down all the barriers of communication.” The only reason I believe in it is because it is true! It not only shovels down communication hurdles, but also any mental blocks we carry within us regarding communication with the unknown, or any inhibitions if […]

„Wer fremde Sprachen nicht kennt, weiß nichts von seiner eigenen.“ (“He who knows no foreign languages knows nothing of his own.”) – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Language and expression are the keys to our world – this is a point I stand by. For as long as I can remember, I have been on a […]

And we are merely the players. True that, we thought of creating the same stage, with a modification and present the it in different languages. It was indeed a milestone moment when few of our students put up an incredible stage performance in the form of skits, poems, songs, speeches and dance in not one, […]

At first, this may seem as if there is no connection! But I promise that after you read today’s blog, you will start thinking differently. We know that people all over the world often meet up over coffee, tea, drinks, lunch, dinner, tapas (Spanish snack outing) for casual occasions, as well as official meetings. As […]

For this time my blog is going to deviate from its ‘language’ or rather ‘German language’ theme. On suggestion of one of my students, I am inspired to write a small piece of my learning on my spiritual journey. Certainly I am neither a professional, nor a preacher. I simply believe in assimilating my experiences […]

In many of my previous blogs, I have already mentioned distinct features of German culture. Today however I want to talk about a couple of them, which though distinct, yet seem to be so much known to us. This has been particularly evident to me during this time of year – May – when in […]

It feels good to bounce back after a break, with new ideas and renewed energy. German has always been like a song, which I keep humming in my mind and heart. I have never ceased the learning process. This doesn’t mean I sit with books, which honestly speaking, I would like to revisit, but in […]

How does it feel when you receive your Bachelor’s Degree and you land up getting a seat for Masters’s in a technical university in Germany, which would have the potential to change your career for the best? I guess you are feeling short of words to express your joy. Then why is this joy short-lived […]

Who wouldn’t want to be a nice & friendly host and who wouldn’t love to host lavish dinners with exotic spread of appetisers, starters, main course, dessert, coffee, mocktails to cocktails and allure warmth to the ambience. However, with every culture there are etiquettes which can be contrasting. I guess few of them really stand […]

German Punctuality The definition of punctuality is defined in the true sense by Germans. We in India may believe that we know what punctuality is. I’m not being sarcastic, I swear. There is a reason why I say that. The entire learning about German punctuality was an overwhelming experience. But I am glad I understood […]

Well, I’m certainly not talking about coffee machines at Cafes, which at times I feel are so “mechanical” – in the literal sense, that the coffee served may taste good, but it feels so much without coffee soul! Before the Germans introduced me to their coffee machine culture, I knew only about soulless coffee machines […]

How do you feel moving into a new calendar year and ending one? Well, on paper, it’s just another year, but I believe it’s just another day. Sun rises each day and doesn’t keep track of a 365-day cycle. Neither does it shine brighter on 1 January! Irrespective of the month or year, each day […]

I don’t think the word Autobahn is new to most of us. What makes it almost known everywhere? Besides the fact that German highways are close to the best condition and are a sight for sore eyes, they offer no speed limit! You can imagine driving the best car with no speed police observing you. Which, is […]

I have seen uplifted brows whenever I would talk about grammar. Many of my students have asked, why is grammar so predominant in a language? My reply has always been: Why do the best recipes suggest marinating chicken or vegetables before putting them in the pan? In both cases, with or without marination, the chicken […]

What’s your definition of winter? For most of us, it comes with flavours of cinnamon, ginger, piping hot brews and somewhere in the distance listening to the jingling of bells. This photo has been so well captured in my mind’s lens. Winters in Germany, especially in south Germany and, to be precise, Munich, are one […]

During my teenage days in the 90s, my sports fever was only cricket. This was what I had grown up watching. And naturally, it was more like worship, than just a simple game introduced in our country by the British. However, my connection with Germany introduced me to the world of football. I easily entered […]

It sounds more like a life lesson than anything else. Well, that’s the way we should function, no? Foremost, we should express our gratitude to the universe and the fates, who have allowed us to experience the beauty of the earthly realm. This may sound very philosophical and pretentious, I know. And then? Gratitude towards […]

We have already spoken about taking a leap, gaining confidence and trying new things and embracing new languages. But what if you’re stuck in a loop of infinite monotony? In spite of the fact of pursuing an intensive fast-track language course, living in Germany and being surrounded by German vibes all the time, I was […]

Herbst (Fall) is probably the most underrated season of the year albeit, it has a lot to say. It tells of age-old customs of spooky stories and dressing up. It tells of the richness of pumpkin which is infused in literally everything- from drinks to soaps (I presume). It tells the story of knit scarves […]

My connection with Spain is very much recent. Bringing back the memories of my trip to Madrid in 2018, who would not mention Madrid’s famous ‘Rastro’ (flea market)? I highly recommend a walk of it. It can be best defined as an open street market. It’s set up every Sunday between 9 to 14 hours. […]

I can say with utter and complete confidence: I am a social person. I’m outgoing, friendly, and perhaps the most talkative person in the room. Any room. But these kinds of- let us say…qualities -vanished during my initial months of learning German. Their vanishment was usually very poorly timed, such as talking to the baker […]

Taking that first step. That first step which may or may not define our entire lives (no pressure there). That first step which leads to a life of new and amazing opportunities or can also lead to a less-than-stellar place in the world. But the most important things in life aren’t always things. Most of […]