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 FIRST
REPORT FROM Leipzig, Germany
Anne Klint, Jan 8, 2008
My study program:
My Media Art program at the
Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst is very interesting. It is completely
self-driven, which I appreciate. Art instruction in Germany is more like an
apprenticeship - one studies intensely with a 'master' artist, in addition
to learning technical skills from other 'masters' and
 theory from another
set. Instead of project-based working methods (assignments), students
simply are guided in making their 'own work.' I am in the process now of
starting new projects. Without a dedicated studio space for concentrated
working, this is a slow and bumpy process. Unfortunately, ateliers are not
provided to Media Art students. However, I expect to find an inexpensive
studio this month and begin an in-depth working process. Though it feels
very slow, I realize a great deal of time and energy has been spent adapting
to this new country, a far more intense process than adapting to a new
school.
Preparing for this experience:
To prepare for this move
abroad, several things have been very helpful. Naturally, the outgoing
orientation in San Jose was helpful in establishing a framework of
guidelines and expectations set forth by Rotary International. Also useful
were the presentation exercises. However this orientation was general in
scope and left me with specific questions. Luckily, my sponsor district
hosted a second outgoing meeting for Natalie Lesly, the district’s second
Ambassadorial Scholar, and myself. In attendance were Ellen Dunbar, Don
Escallier, Bill Bridges (my sponsor counselor) and Angela Raeburn, a former
Ambassadorial and Peace Scholar. Ms. Raeburn’s experience allowed her to
prepare us for what to expect from travel, upon arrival and from Rotary
Clubs in Europe. She had all the details we were looking for and the
intimate setting allowed us to ask many questions. Ms. Raeburn was by far
the most valuable resource. In addition to this, my host counselor, Bill
Bridges, provided me with maps and literature from our small city – useful
for presentations. He was (and still is) supportive, encouraging and simply
interested!
Rotary abroad/Ambassadorial activities:
My Rotary experience in
Germany has not been ideal, for which I am partly to blame. First,
it's important to acknowledge that I came to Germany with preconceived
notions about Rotary based on my American experiences -
 which
are (of course) entirely culture based. Though I try generally not to
have expectations, clearly in this case I did. Because my
sponsor counselor, Bill Bridges, is so warm and friendly, helpful and
gracious, AND because I was entering a foreign country, knowing no one
outside this community of Rotarians, I expected to have been received more
warmly or with greater enthusiasm. I truly believe Herr Schubert, my
host counselor, to be a nice person, but he has been terribly busy with an
Opera project in Berlin, plus teaching and a family, and now a recent
injury. All of this is completely understandable. After
analyzing my disappointment, I realized I had hoped for much more - for
instance to be invited over for tea or dinner. And of course I
expected invitations to meetings. But since the Leipzig Rotary Club is
an all male club, and my first invitation was to a meeting in December, I
had the feeling I was not welcome to participate. I was also told I
could make my first presentation at this time. That was actually not
possible, though, as the meeting was held at the Leipzig Opera. Our
guided behind-the-scenes tour was fantastic but not a suitable venue for my
presentation. Part of my culpability lies in assuming my host
counselor had any prior knowledge of my
 responsibilities
regarding making presentations and being involved in Rotary activities.
He was completely unaware, which was surprising, given the amount of time
and energy spent making sure the Ambassadorial Scholars know what is
expected of them. As of now, I am scheduled to present to the Leipzig
Rotary Club February 11. A family friend is helping me arrange a
presentation to a Berlin-based Club. Another Rotarian has pledged to
help me arrange presentations to other Rotary groups, but the process is
slow going. I have contacted other clubs in a neighboring district,
and await responses.
My issues with my Host Club
prompted me to seek advice from Ms. Raeburn, the helpful former Rotary
Scholar. She responded quickly to my email, encouraging me to take things
into my own hands to change the situation. At that time, I contacted the
Leipzig Alte-Börse Club and have since attended two meetings, in November
and January. I hope to present to this club by February, but have received
no confirmation, despite repeated requests. I have also been in contact
with the Leipzig Rotaract Club, where I have found kindred spirits and
attended two meetings to date. In the coming weeks, I hope also to make a
presentation to them. These Rotaracters are keen on me helping them with a
big fund-raising project in May. I am really
 looking forward to lending my
artistic abilities in whatever way possible.
On a more positive note, at
the Leipzig Rotary Christmas Party I had the good fortune to meet Herr Kramm,
a wonderfully nice man who immediately offered to include me on events with
his music students. He may be the right person to facilitate my involvement
with the Leipzig Rotary Club. In any case, he is someone with whom I
imagine building a friendship.
First impressions:
 In general I have found the
Germans to be serious and somewhat distant. Even so, I have had only
positive experiences – most everyone is helpful and kind. It was a little
difficult at first to find friends, but that is easing now, which I am
grateful for. I have made a point to make the first steps with people and
have found many to be receptive. I believe I am making connections here
that will last longer than this short time.
Cultural Significance:
As a foreigner in Germany,
every place feels culturally significant – from historical monuments to the
Christmas market. For me, it was extremely significant to visit Dresden. I
wanted to see the formerly beautiful city my country destroyed. (I wanted
to see what it felt like and indeed I had the feeling I was walking through
the ghosts of buildings. Nothing felt old to me, though I am happy to
 report much has been restored to its former glory.) I have also experienced
the Monument to the Battle of Nations – commemorating Napoleon’s defeat in
Leipzig in 1813. I have visited countless varied museums in Frankfurt,
Leipzig, Dresden, Berlin, and Erfurt. And of course the Christmas market!
A fun time it is, but the market is also a way to bring people into close
proximity. Though it is consumer-driven, it also celebrates tradition.
Sharing my culture:
 The American tradition of
Thanksgiving was an excellent opportunity to share my culture with others.
I celebrated – and shared cooking duties – with a nother American and invited
a small number of international students to join us. None had ever heard of
our holiday and we were able to discuss our nation’s history – the good, the
bad and the ugly – as well as share our culture through food (my favorite
way).
Other ways I have been able to
share my culture have been in the classroom setting. To my media art class
I have presented the work of artists living and working in the San Francisco
Bay Area. In this way I was able to shed light on cultural sensitivities in
art as well as touch upon similarities. Next week I will present to my art
theory class (on “Dwelling”) images of ‘home’ from the Tracy, California
area. I will also present the results of an interview with a San Francisco
based architect. This will be a powerful way of talking about our cultural
similarities and differences, as well as the impact American culture has on
the rest of the world.
 Finally, in visiting the
Kleingärtenmuseum while researching the site for a possible art project, I
was approached to take part in an interview for a public radio program.
Though completely embarrassed and self-conscious about my language skills, I
reluctantly agreed. Here I was able to talk about my interest in German
allotment gardens and how they differ from anything we have in the U.S.
Fun!
Thanks for reading but more
importantly, thank you for the opportunity to be here. It may not be
progressing ‘according to plan’ (as if it ever does), but I am truly
grateful to be here.
Anné M. Klint |
