From Osnabrück to Ibbenbüren: A Tail of Switching Host Families

Grüße,

With mixed feelings, I greet this day of changing host families.

It has been a truly wonderful time living with the Pott family of Sutthausen, Osnabrück.  They have treated my well, and I enjoyed myself during the five months they welcomed me into their home.

As I move into the home of the Kirsch family in Ibbenbüren, I am excited to break out of my normal routines and try something new.  They have welcomed me graciously, and I can already tell it will be a strong, warm family enviroment.  With three siblings in the house--5 year old Frida, 15 year old Konstantin, and 18 year old Anneke--it will always be a fun atmosphere.

The negative of moving is that I now must take a train everyday to and from school.  It takes 20 minutes one-way and costs 104€ every month!  Thankfully, my Rotary club will pay the hefty price for me.




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Aside from the switch, everything has really taken an up-swing for me lately.  I am getting involved with some local activist groups and attending a series of conferences for young journalists.  The Imagineer has been attracting some fine writers for the next year, including both experts and novices.


Servus,
Alex

Howard Zinn, I Will Miss You

 Rest In Peace Howard Zinn

 

Greetings all,

I want to quickly express my great disappointment upon hearing the news of Dr. Zinn's death and express what a great impact he has had on me with his writing and speeches.   I actually just recently finished A People's History of the United States and enjoyed it so much that I would probably recommend that as the first book I think anyone who wants to understand their society should read.
Howard Zinn was more than just a historian.  He was more than just a professor.  He was fighting to change the world, to make it a better, more just place.  For that I applaud him.  He is surely one of my personal role-models.

I recently watched a great lecture by Dr. Zinn.  I'll post it here in case anyone is interested.


Coincidentally, I was recently in touch with Dr. Zinn.  I requested an interview with him for Imagineer Magazine.  He asked for me to send him our latest issue to see the format, and then we would conduct the interview shortly thereafter.  I thank him for the opportunity he gave us at the Imagineer and regret not being able to follow through with the interview opportunity.

Thank you Dr. Zinn.

Servus,
Alex

Greetings,

All is well, good, and roaring.  Germany is treating me fairly well, and I continue to study and write and read and so forth and so on.  I am currently studying for my big examination coming up.  I will be taking an exam through the Goethe Institute which will certify my proficiency in the language.  If I pass, I would actually have the level to matriculate at a German university, although I do not wish to do so now. 

Right around this time marks the half-way point of my exchange.  It's been good so far, and I think it will continue to get even better as my German skills continue to burgeon and I continue to meet more interesting people.

The Imagineer staff and I are happy about the website recently hitting the 5000 hit mark for the Winter 2010 issue.  It focuses on the animal rights movement and features an extended interview with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals President Ingrid Newkirk.  It is a great issue, but we are already working hard on the next installment for spring.

I will be attending a series of seminar/experience-building type events focused on journalism during the winter.  Because Osnabrück is home to the largest printing center in all of Europe, there are many opportunities to continue my study of journalism.  Specifically, I am interested in large publications, because I already know a significant amount about small publications from founding and running the Imagineer.

My looks toward the future:

• Soon, I will switch host families and live in another city, Ibbenbüren, although I will still attend the same school, Gymnasium Carolinum.
• My birthday is coming soon: February 3rd.
• Sooner or later, my dear friend Mr. Brentoni Salim is going to have to journey from the dark pits of Europe's sewer, Paris, France, and come to see the majestic grandeur of Osnabrück, Germany, the cultural heart of the entire continent.  In time, in time.

Below are some interesting pictures I have taken recently of myself, although they are now slightly outdated because I recently visited a hair-cutting facility.

Servus,

Alex

"Work will make you free" - Gate of the Dachau concentration camp

I send my best wishes to all as I stand next to a zero-power Christmas tree