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Faqs About Germany FAQs about Germany Some basic facts: 82 M inhabitants half the area of NSW State Democratic parliamentary federal democracy since 1949 Capital city Berlin, 3.4 million inhabitants National flag: Three horizontal stripes in black, red, gold Emblem: Stylized eagle State holiday October 3, Day of German Unity Time zone: 6-10hrs behind Australia Currency Germany is a member of the Eurozone, EUR 1 = 100 cents Phone dial code +49 Domain end in .de (Deutsch land –Germany) Official language German. o German is the mother tongue of 100 million people. o spoken most frequently in the E uropean Union (EU) History: Endings and New Beginning World War I (1914-1918) Weimar Republic (1919–1933) National Socialism, Holocaust and the Second World War (1933–1945) Division of Germany into the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic (GDR) Wall was built between FRG and GDR (1961) Fall of the Wall (1989) Reunification on 3 October 1990 -> national holiday Religions 63% Christians (catholic & protestant) 5% Muslims Some minorities The constitution guarantees freedom of faith There is no state church Economy: Strong Competitor in the World Market largest economy in the European Union fourth largest in the world the world’s second biggest exporting nation German companies and products enjoy an excellent international reputation “Made in Germany” seal of quality, for innovation, quality and advanced technology i.e. AUDI, BMW, Mercedes , Volkswagen, Puma, Adidas, Porsche … Driving Skills the cost for a driving license is about $1000 -$1200. After failing the test for the 3rd time, a psychological test is required! 14 theoretical lessons have to be taken and at least 14 practical lessons. Most driving pupils need 20 -30 professional lessons in order to pass the test. The traffic in Germany is really heavy. There IS a speed limit on most parts of the Autobahn right now. However, some parts do not have a limit and you can go as fast as you wish. Germans drive on the right side of the street, but most girls find it easy to switch once they are in Australia The minimum age for obtaining a driving license is 18. It is not that common for 18-26 year olds to have their own car, but most parents allow their children to use the family car. Cars – mostly manual, sometimes automatic Culture and Language: Rich Tradition and Creative Present Writer/Philosophers: Goethe, Schiller and Thomas Ma nn Musicians: Bach, Wagner and Beethoven Some 120 million people speak German as their native language and it is the most widely spoken mother tongue in the European Union. Approximately 17 million people worldwide are currently learning German as a foreign language in courses at institutions. Berlin, as the capital city, is a spectacu lar case in point, with three opera houses, 120 museums, more than 50 theat res and a lively art community that also attracts many young foreign artists Sports: Germans LOVE soccer, especially after the World Cup was hold in Germany 2006; Tennis and Formula 1 is very popular English Language Skills German pupils start studying English in 5th grade (11 -12 years old). 5 years of English is comp ulsory, but many students hav e nine years of English when they leave school. The courses are focused on written as well as oral skills. In general students who leave school with a high school diploma have a high standard of English language skills. School System The constitution of 1949 grants every German citizen the right to self -fulfilment . In theory, citizens are able to choose the type of education they want and are given access to their preferred occupation or profession. The states are to provide equal educational opportunities and quality education for all through a variety of education al institutions. Mainly public schools with no school uniforms or no school fees The German Home Germans take great pride in their homes. Generally t hey are kept neat and tidy at all times, with everything in its appointed place. In a culture where most communication is rather formal, the home is the place where one can relax and allow your individualism to shine. Only close friends and relatives are invited into the sanctity of the house, so it is the one place where more informal communication may occur. There are many unwritten rules surrounding the outward maintenance of one's home. It is imperative that common areas such as sidewalks, pavements, corridors (in apartments), and steps be kept clean at all times. German Holidays and Customs January: New Years Day: Holiday, usually spend with family February : Carnival : Especially in Western Germany a very popular “holiday” with “Dress up Parades” and carnival jester's speech April : Easter : Kids go on Egg hunt, colour eggs and the house is decorated with Easter stuff May: May 1st Labour Day July : kids look forward to having 6 weeks of summer break October : Oct 3rd Reunion Day, public holiday Oct 31 st Halloween: increasing in popularity November : Nov 11 th make a wish at 11.11am for St. Martins Day December : Dec 6th Nikolaus: St Nikolaus comes at night and leaves sweets in the clean shoes of the kids. (everyone is cleaning their shoes the night before and puts them in front of the door) Dec 24 th Christmas Eve: Usually work in the mornings, dinner with family and at night Santa Clause is coming to bring presents (families usually ask friends or neighbours to dress up as Santa) Dec 25 th Christmas Day: Usually big lunch with Family, public Holiday Dec 26 th 2nd Christmas Day: Lunch with Family, Public Holiday Dec 31 st New Years Eve: Party with fireworks at home or somewhere else Childcare Common attitudes to and types of discipline for children talking to the children, they may not be given sweets or are not allowed to watch television for a while, children may be sent to their room. There is no physical discipline . How child care is obtained if formal qualification not held Many babysit within their own family. Others babysit for friends or neighbours. Both working parents If the father earns enough, it is common that the mother stays with the children at home, at least until they are old enough to go to a kindergarten. But there are more and more families in Germany who decide that the father stays with the children at home. It is also common that both parents work if one doesn't earn enough. Childcare and Kindergarten places are subsidized Kids (3-6yrs old) usually go to pre-school Au Pairs in General The concept is very common in Germany, as there are many German families who have an Au Pair from abroad. The motivation of young people to want to be an au pair To become more independent. To get to know a foreign country and its culture. To improve their English skills and their child care experience. Improving job potential upon returning home after six months in Australia Yes. Most employers look out for experience that has been made abroad, plus the fluency in English. The Au Pair Program is mostly dominated by female participants, but recently the number of males entering the childcare related career is increasing Miscellaneous: Germans are seen to be not as friendly and nice. This is mostly because they speak directly what they think. They are very direct in their own way. They are very honest and reliable Germans tend to not always say “thank you” or “please” as much as Australians do – it is just not common in Germany and it is never meant to be rude There are strong cultural differences between each state and even region (i.e. dialects, food, customs) Pictures: 1. Chancellor Angela Merkel with President Christian Wulff , 2. Map of Europe with Germany in the centre, 3. One Euro Coin, 4. German Eagle, 5. Fall of the Berlin wall 1989, 6. Some German Cars, 7. Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, PAGE 2: 8. Aircraft goes over the Autobahn (near Leipzig), 9. Map of Germany when it was split into west and east, 10. HARIBO Gummibears from Bonn, 11.typical Christmasmarket, 12.typical German dish, 13. Typical German “Fachwerkhaus” house, 14.Germans celebrating at the soccer worldcup, PAGE 3: 15.typical German Bratwurst and Beer, 16. Rathaus in Wernigerode, 17. Eastside Gallery in Berlin, 18.Carnaval in Koeln, 19.German houses in Snow, 20.Schnitzel, 21. Kreidefelsen in Ruegen, PAGE 4: 22.Kids playing with their Au Pair, 23.Pencils, 24.Brandenburg Gate, 25.Porsche, 26. Schloss Neuschwanstein, 27. Goethe & Schiller .
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