Praktikum
Posted on | November 22, 2009 | No Comments
So Friday I went to an Interview with Dr. Binder, although it was more like okay you will work here what would you like to do? And by what would you like to do, it was clear which one she really wanted me to do. So I have a job but I’m so nervous about it. I’ve never done any practical Genetic lab work. She gave me a paper that is another study that they did which is pretty much what I’ll be doing except this one studies Anxiety disorders and I’ll be looking at a gene that effects Depression. Its a fascinating topic but I’ve never done any of the work. I work with rats! I’m really excited and I’ve started to read the paper so I can read as much as possible on the techniques. I’m just ridiculously nervous about this. Not that it’s different than any other beginning at a lab, but five months! I guess to me that makes it more serious? A 9-5 job (cause that’s approximately the hours according to Dr. Binder). We shall see. I begin January 11th or something like that.
Yesterday I went to the Bavarian National Museum. I kind of wish it had more history inside, alas it was all art and items. No stories. But it was quite interesting and lots of fun. I love TUM International. If anyone does a study abroad at a University go to EVERY international event. The places are awesome and the people are a lot of fun and it’s always an interesting mix of cultures. I tend to become representative of the Jewish religion wherever I am so that didn’t surprise me yesterday. I feel bad cause I’ve discussed things so many times that they all end up so rambly and all. It’s interesting, but nice cause people are actually interested in the religion. I haven’t gotten any face-to-face anti-semitism. Anyways, the museum was quite lovely and interesting. We did the entire Museum and then went to a cafe near the Uni and had hot chocolate (and beer and tea). Then I ended up spending close to an hour talking to one of the girls in the subway before returning home for a yummy dinner.
Today I woke up wonderfully late at 10am, and got a call from my host mother asking if I would be willing to be ‘babysitter’ for a weekend. Once a month there is a breakfast where single mothers can take their children. Lots of food and people who take care of the kids. We’ve gone there and I was planning on going every month and using it as my Volunteer work (CBYX requires 20 hours of volunteering). In two weekends, the mothers and kids are going on a retreat to this gorgeous hotel near Salzburg. I will be coming along to be a babysitter for the smaller kids who are all incredibly adorable. HUGE test of my German, so we shall see how it goes. I’m quite excited. It’s my volunteer hours and the mothers all put in a little money so I get a massage there 
Wonderful thank you. The place looks amazing and the area is gorgeous. So excited! And next weekend is Erfurt for Thanksgiving. Coolios.
Comments
Leave a Reply
