Comments about TREFF PUNKT

- what students wrote about us -

In addition to Matthewsfirst comments he answered an other enquiry about TREFFPUNKT courses.

Find a copy of the original e-mail exchange below.

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QUESTION:

March 2002

Dear Matthew,

I saw your comments about Bamberg on their info sheet and am wondering if you could possibly help me out a bit. I need to learn German this summer and am prepared to spend about seven/eight weeks at it. I have info from several schools and have not yet decided to 'apply' to any one of them yet. I don't want or need a formal scholastic approach so I tend to avoid the programs from various colleges. Let me give you my background. I am a history teacher, 59 years old, married with two sons. I would like to take the 'super-intensive' course and possibly one or two weeks of one on one tutoring. I would like to live with a family to get constant practice. I have been to Europe many times and lived in France for three months learning French and lived with a family at that time. The experience was terrific. Is there any information that you could give me as to this institute and living Accommodation? Any,.....
I mean any help would be well appreciated

Sincerely,

Bob ...

ANSWER:

Betreff: Re: Bamberg

Dear Bob,

I have to say at the outset, I am a great fan of Treffpunkt in Bamberg. I have now been back a second time and enjoyed it all the more.

I went from no language at all to passable conversational in 5 weeks. The school prides itself on not being too German! (i.e. it is very flexible - you can ask to go up or down a level - in fact many did). I understand that at some other schools this sort of flexibility is not available.

I suspect that the School's curriculum will suit your requirements well.

The school provides classrooms with everything necessary to good learning. It is a University town, so well geared up to study. I tended to study in the University library, which overlooks the river and is very pleasant.

You will get a really well rounded learning experience from Treffpunkt. I travelled to Hannover with the school to the World Expo. Went to Regensburg, Nuremburg and Rothenburg each time meeting new people and practising my language. I went hiking with locals, cycling with locals, drinking with locals - you name it.

Alex (school director) has numerous friends throughout the city, whom she encourages to be part of the broader school community. These people are Germans with a love of travel and will take time to get to know you (in German)!

I have 10 great friends from my time in Bamberg that I keep in touch with on a regular basis. They are now friends for life (in Spain, Switzerland, US, UK and Germany).

You will find a number of students at a similar stage of life as you in the school. There is a good range, from 20's to 70's!

You will not regret Bamberg.

Living Arrangements: On my first visit, I lived in an apartment owned by a German woman (about my age, 36) and then shared with a fellow student (from Spain) the next time. The school offers heaps of extra activities - everyday - which ensures you get heaps of language practice. Those who stayed with a family got a different experience. Less participation with the group, but more local interaction. Either way will get you good exposure to the language. You have to speak German to eat and drink and ask directions in Bamberg. This is not a big city, so most people only speak German.

I'm happy to clarify any of the above - just drop me a line.

Regards, Matt