Hannah travelled with the Canadian Summer School to Germany this summer

Thinking of going on the Canadian Summer School in Germany Program?
Read this report by Hannah A. Uitvlugt-Rafuse (Frau Hannah) - Honours BA German, APPLS Minor

I was thinking of it too back in November 2021 and I’m so glad I decided to go!

I went on the CSSG Program in May 2022 and I was enrolled in GRMN 4448 - Teacher Professional Development, but I split my time between GRMN 4446 - Fourth year Advanced German Immersion and GRMN 4448. I would spend my mornings in the 4th year course and the afternoons in the other class levels observing and helping the students and professors. My goal going on this program was to improve my teaching skills, specifically within German as a second language and I definitely achieved that and so much more!

My German was pretty good when I went, but this program helped highlight where I could still improve. I knew that I needed more exposure to new and different vocabulary and this program is perfect for that as you’ll experience new German words everyday, everywhere you go. It is an immersion program after all.

This program also helps you make lifelong international connections since you are living with a German host family, have a German tandem partner, and are studying with students all over Canada. In my year, we had a lot of international students who were studying in Canada come on the program, so you meet people from not just Canada and Germany, but also all over the globe. I created some of the best memories with the best people that I’ll cherish for years to come!

I would say the area where I had the most significant growth was my cultural knowledge, a very important aspect of teaching German as a second language. German and Canadian culture differs in many ways. Having the experience to not just be a tourist, but instead a short term local and student gives you the opportunity to grow your cultural understandings and broaden your overall perspectives.

I think the hardest part of this program for me was the cultural differences, not just between my host family and I, but also with some of the European professors. It can be hard to get on the same page when each individual has a different world view. But the hardships are what help us grow the most. I have created some of the most amazing connections as a result. 

My most favourite moment of the program was getting to teach the 1st year Canadian students German, as a part of my GRMN 4448 course, as well as getting to teach English to native German students at a native German school in Germany. Each student, Canadian or German, was so eager to learn, engage with me, and give me constructive feedback.

I highly encourage you to go on the CSSG Program, you will benefit so much from the experience!

For more information, see the Canadian Summer School in Germany website.