"I was wonderstruck by India´s beauty"

Laura enjoying the Indian sun.

Foto: Expat's own

Laura Whichmann is a student of German as a foreign language from Dresden (Germany). On her two month visit to India she has been working at the Goethe Institut as a part of an internship. She conducted a German course for teens. Her students interviewed her on her stay in Chennai.

Vriti:
What was your first impression when you landed in Chennai?
Laura:
"First of all it started with a bad flight; I had a very bad stomach, in fact I had doubts of going and was in a bad mood. It was a terribly long flight. When I landed I remarked that the weather gave me a warm rather hot welcome. I was dazzled by the people, streets, vehicles, noisiness, animals, colours. I can't survive, I thought. My saviour at that moment would have been a nice hotel room which was quiet and peaceful. But to my dismay I found myself at a very cheap hotel room which was dirty. I was terribly annoyed. Then I met some other Germans, but was met very rudely. I was overwhelmed as I was met negatively with a low standard. I liked I ndia when I landed but I was in a bad mood to enjoy it.

Sushinta: What was the most exciting thing you have done in India?
Laura:
Everything in India is exciting. But the most exciting thing that I experienced, was teaching your class. I loved to conduct the German course for teens at Goethe as I have never handled a bunch of unruly teens before.

I’m here in India for three months and the Indians have given me a good impression of India. The people I meet and places she visits are exciting. And it is nothing compared to what I expected. I feel home in Chennai. My house mother is a very influencing person with her wisdom. She is also a teacher at the Goethe Institut.

Sara: What drew your attention to India?
Laura:
I was always a travel kind of a person. At my first visit to India years ago I was wonderstruck by its beauty and I made up her mind to come back. But this time not just as a tourist. I got an opportunity to be an intern at the Goethe Institut in Chennai. Basically I’m here for my internship. I’m leaving in August and I wishes to be back soon.

Advaita:
How do you think staying in India has influenced you as person?
Laura:
(She laughs as soon as asked) Ooh this is a tough one.
(Advaita doubts if she’s gone off the wrong end and asked something personal.)
Advaita:
Has it??

Laura:
Oh yes, but to answer you I'd have to tell you a little about how I was before I landed up here. I wasn’t always the efficient German instructor I am now. In fact I was a very carefree teen all ready to party everyday be it day or night. But my desire for a graduate degree forced me to put my social life on hold so that I could focus solely on my education. I became a very sad person who refused to even go out. I thought that what I had then was basically all what life had to offer me and I took it. My everyday had become a routine that I had to go through. Then I came to India. And what I saw here changed a teeny tiny part of me that still wished to hope that life would somehow turn out better. From the moment I landed up in a dingy hotel to teaching Deutsch to a very difficult group of teens India was one challenge after another. I took in all the immensely rich culture and extremely optimistic outlook of the people and, all such simple experiences added to raising my hopes. Coming here taught me how everything in life happens for a reason.
(She nods at me finally, signaling the end of her walk down memory lane.)

Shravanthi:
When are you leaving India and what will you miss the most?
Laura:
 I’m leaving soon, mid August. The thing I will miss the most would be the Masala Dosa and all the spicy Indian food. She also says that she would miss her house mother and the friends she made in Goethe. I will miss the positive atmosphere in this country. I will come back at least for the food and the people!

Shravanthi:
Thank you for the interview!