Moving to a foreign country can prove to be an overwhelming experience for many, cultural differences can confuse and that’s even before mentioning the idea of having to deal with a new language. To get used to these differences is all part of the experience and helps us grow as people. For the volunteers that are heading to Halle to spend some time in Germany, don’t fret, there are plenty of tips and tricks to help with settling in.
Location, location, location
One of the first things to consider before even arriving to Halle is the location. The transport links in Germany are fantastic and it is certainly a good idea to have a look at a map and consider possible travelling opportunities in and around Halle during the volunteering period. The trams in Halle are reliable and cheap, as long as monthly or weekly cards are purchased.
They service the whole of the town and run until late at night. Tickets can be bought on automated machines on the trams. However, it is very important that spare cash is carried when using the tram, being caught without a ticket is punishable by a 60 euro fine! Another thing to be careful about even if it is very rare is that jaywalking is illegal in Germany. Please be careful around police officers to avoid a lesson on crossing the road.
Halle and food
When arriving in Halle one of the first things to cross the minds of the volunteers is naturally food. The city centre hosts a variety of restaurants for special occasions as well as a wealth of supermarkets and regular markets also. For people who have not travelled to Germany before the Pfand is worth taking note of when buying drinks.
It is a small deposit that is given back when the empty bottles are recycled in store in automated machines. From Monday to Saturday, Halle has a great selection of stores, however on Sundays most places are closed or shut their doors very early. Arabic markets are a great value option for volunteers on a budget and vegan options are plentiful, even in takeaways that specialise in falafel.
Around town
After spending some time in the town, Leipzig is a great place to visit to gain a further insight into East German history and culture. The train between the two cities comes often and is very well priced.
Leipzig, alongside Halle, has fantastic museums amongst other great attractions, however it is greatly recommended to spend as much time exploring Halle in order to gain an understanding of the lifestyle of the refugees and the people who make up the city.
Halle and languages
In terms of the linguistic barrier for living in Halle, the majority of the older generation of the residents are not typically conversational in English, however in some cases it is enough to get by. For younger Germans, English is widely spoken to a high level and proves to be useful for being out and about in public for directions.
For the volunteers who can speak German, prepare to be faced with a great accent that proves to be interesting on the ears. At the Excellence Centre, lots of the students can speak great English and this will only be solidified by your contributions.
To conclude, there is certainly nothing major to worry about heading into Excellence Center, all the points listed above are minuscule things to keep an eye out for whilst in Halle. The Excellence Center is ran like a family and if any volunteer has any problems however small or big, they can be discussed with any member of the team.
