Preparatory course: Experience Germany Differently!

In this interactive, preparatory course for our Experience Germany Differently! tour, you will not only become familiar with Germany’s history and culture but also develop language and travel skills, such as learning how to navigate daily interactions in German and public transportation, study cultural differences and work out the details and logistics of our group adventure.

This course is a prerequisite for the tour. We designed this course to enrich and enhance your intercultural experience as a well-prepared traveler. It consists of six two-hour sessions, spread over six months prior to departure.

The cost is $300, in advance, payable to Gerlind Institute for Cultural Studies. The session dates and times will be arranged by group agreement. This is what folks had to say about past trips.

  • Introductions
    Geography of Germany

    Flight options, travel insurance, passports
    Itinerary wish list
    Discussion of Reservation Form and Terms and Conditions

  • Discuss itinerary wish lists: what are you most interested in doing?
    Intro to German travel language
    Review resource and travel apps list (will be sent via e-mail)

  • Discussion of your suggested events & locations
    Cultural differences, e.g. dining out customs: ordering, payment, tipping,
    public behavior expectations, resource conservation (recycling)
    German travel language: role play ordering food

  • Itinerary draft complete
    Interactive exercises in navigating public transit in Berlin and Hamburg
    German travel language: transportation signs, learning and asking for directions, maps

  • Itinerary complete
    Interactive exercises in navigating public transit in Berlin and Hamburg
    German travel language: transportation signs, learning and asking for directions, maps

  • Mini presentations
    Getting ready
    : exchanging money, phone services: SIMM cards
    Final itinerary review
    Travel language & potluck

Sessions