After his return home, Andrew from Chicago wrote us his impressions...

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September 1999

TREFF PUNKT AND BAMBERG

I really had no idea what to expect from the TREFF PUNKT Language Institute. Having been to Bamberg once on a 1996 trip to Germany, I was already aware of the deep cultural vibrance and sheer architectural beauty of the city.

This is why I was so excited to find a perspective Language Institute in Bamberg. Having nothing to go on as far as the credibility of the school was concerned, I decided to look into past students as references. Using TREFF PUNKT's website, I emailed about 10-15 former students, and within days my mailbox was flooded with positive reviews of the school's instruction as well as fantastic testimonials of experiences in Bamberg. Every former student cited a list of positive unforgettable experiences at TREFF PUNKT. At this point I made the decision to try TREFF PUNKT for myself. Gathering savings from the past several months I enrolled in 4 weeks at the school.

I had never had formal instruction in German; everything I had learned was through friends and cassette learning guides. This would be my first experience as a formal student of the German language. I arrived in Bamberg to a warm welcome from Joachim (assistant school director). He introduced me to my host family, who turned out to be wonderful people.

My initial impression of Bamberg was a fantastic one. The city is so rich in history and beauty. What a place to learn German!! The first day of class was also an eye-opening experience. I had no idea as to where I stood as far as my German language ability. I had thought I was nothing more than a beginner, but it turned out that I tested into a surprisingly high level. Was für eine Überraschung!! I guess all those hours drinking with my German friends, struggling with my broken German and making an ass out of myself paid off. The class I was assigned to was great. We were given free reign to express ourselves and exercise our German skills.

Moreover, the instructors were completely willing to mold a curriculum which fit our personal needs. The instructors were really flexible and eager to answer questions. I was also given the honor of presenting my Master's Thesis research to my class, in German, which was a great personal milestone in my language learning. Another quite commendable feature of TREFF PUNKT is its great Activities Program and most particularly the personal energy and charisma of the school's director, Alexandra. I really cannot commend her more for her selflessness and interest in each student. A wealth of activities are offered each day; volleyball, jogging, sightseeing, visiting festivals, meeting in breweries, or simply going out to lunch after school. Every effort is made by the TREFF PUNKT staff to make the student's visit a comfortable one.

Most importantly, TREFF PUNKT is a total immersion program. The spoken language AT ALL TIMES is German.
A personal decision I made before heading off to Bamberg was to get every second of practice I could. It required a bit of initiative, but the only real way to learn the language is to speak it and practice it. Not just during classtime, but ALL THE TIME. I went for weeks without speaking a word of English, and in no time I had become quite confident in expressing myself in German. I spoke to a few German friends at my university upon returning to the States and they were floored by how much I had improved in the short span of two months. Because of my experience and new found confidence I now plan to return to Germany for much longer than a summer, this time to work as an Intern for a German company.

Not only has TREFF PUNKT broadened my personal life experiences, but given me the tools to make myself a more marketable individual.

As advice, immerse yourself in German culture and the German language. Meet Germans and friends in the gorgeous town of Bamberg. Have some patience and if you are self confident don't let it bother you.

Learning a language is never easy, but with the help of TREFF PUNKT you are guaranteed a comfortable and pleasant ride.

Andrew Harris Chicago, USA

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