The Blog — Lab Rat Abroad

ECTS Points and Transferring Credits Back Home

When you're looking ahead to the exams that you are going to take while in Germany, it's worth looking into the number of points that a given module, lecture, or seminar is worth, as unlike many U.S. colleges and universities, there is not usually a set number of courses that you have to take in a semester to reach "full time" student status. Germany, as with the rest of Europe, operates on the European Transfer Credit System (ECTS), and assigns a point value to each lecture (exam), seminar (presentation or essay), and lab course (lab report).

Public Restrooms Aren't Free

When was the last time you paid to use a restroom? The airplane on your overnight Transatlantic, expensive though it may be, doesn’t count. In Germany, public restrooms at train stations, rest stops along the Autobahn, and even some restaurants will have either a bowl with a stern attendant, or a machine with a coin slot that you need to feed 50 cent or 1 Euro coins in order to enter. Why?

Everyday Life in GermanyStephen EnosMay 14, 2018Restrooms, Coins, WC, MoneyComment

Germans Love Their Flowers

If you've spent any amount of time in Germany, walking the street, going grocery shopping, or passing by a farmer's market, you've undoubtedly noticed that there seems to be a love affair with flowers over here that far exceeds what is found in most places in the U.S.. It's true! In general, flowers in Germany are cheaper than their equivalent bunches would be found for in the U.S., and flower shops selling arrangements or making custom arrangements are everywhere, even in small neighborhoods. What's the big deal?

CultureStephen EnosMay 13, 2018Flowers, Blumen, Visiting, Guest, GastComment

Think Of The Children! Don't Jaywalk In Germany!

Germany is stereotypically focused on order and following the rules in day to day life. While in many cases this can be overblown, with regards to obeying crossing signals and jaywalking, this stereotype is completely true. In Germany, crossing when the signal is still red, or failing to use a crosswalk (Zebrastreifen; Fußgängerüberweg) when one is reasonably available will result in anything from icy glares by fellow passers by, to a call to "think of the children!", to a talking to by a police officer if one sees you. While jaywalking is legally not allowed in the U.S., in many cities, it's something of a common joke to describe jaywalking as a sport. Why is it so different in Germany?

CultureStephen EnosMay 12, 2018Jaywalking, Crosswalks, Fußgängerüberweg, ZebrastreifenComment

Where Is Everyone? The Holiday Was Yesterday.

Yesterday in Germany was Himmelfahrt (the day of the Ascension), and a national holiday, where all businesses, universities, and schools closed for the day. For the average American, the concept of having a national holiday on Thursday that's anything other than Thanksgiving is a bit weird, as many of our holidays are intentionally set to Mondays (Presidents Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Labor Day). Having these holidays fall on Mondays means an automatic three day weekend, and (probably) helps to ensure that the work week is relatively uninterrupted by people taking extra mid-week days. Instead of working the one day between the holiday and the weekend, in Germany, many people take a Brückentag.

CultureStephen EnosMay 11, 2018Bridge Days, Holidays, Vacation, BrückentagComment

White Asparagus Is Everywhere!

It's asparagus season (Spargelzeit)! Throughout Germany, from mid-April to the end of June, white asparagus comes into season, and it'll be all over the place, from restaurants breaking out their asparagus menus (Spargelkarte), to grocery stores setting up small stands specifically for white asparagus inside, and sales of Hollandaise sauce skyrocketing.

Cooking and FoodStephen EnosMay 10, 2018Asparagus, White asparagus, Spargel, Spargelzeit, Spargelkarte, Spargelfest, weiße SpargelComment