I have been since beginning of March in Leipzig, in Germany doing my exchange year. I am studying violin studies here in Hochschule für Musik und Theater “Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy“ Leipzig. I think that German people like long and formal names! The school here it is the oldest music conservatoire in Germany, established in 1843 by the composer Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy. It is well-known about its history and also very international. However, I am studying here only “auf Deutsch”, in German.
I have many very interesting courses here and I have studied a lot. I have violin lessons, chamber music, orchestral studies and accompaniment. I am also taking part nice baroque music courses and a history course about musical life in Leipzig in the 17th century. In Finland, I don’t have chances to have courses of this kind, so I have enjoyed a wide range of courses.
St. Thomas Church is specially known about J. S. Bach and many other famous composers who had worked there as cantor and organist.
In the beginning speaking and understanding of German was very difficult for me. However, all my lessons are in German and my room mate is German, so I have to use the language every day a lot. I have also learned a lot about German culture,ways and traditions and the local dialect here. Now, after ten months, it feels comfortable to use the German language here. I need English only with other international students.
Because of Covid situation I haven’t travelled so much around Germany during my exchange time but some nice trips I have done with friends. Luckily, the area around Leipzig is also very nice and here is a lot to do and see. Here is every week many good concerts and I often go there. I have also visited museums, for example Bach-museum and Mendelssohnhaus. This year was second in a row, when there weren’t traditional Christmas Markets (Weihnachtsmärkte) due to Covid. That is shame, but otherwise there is good reason to come later visit Leipzig and Germany again.
During a school day I usually buy for a lunch a sandwich or focaccia from a bakery or go to eat to Mensa (a student restaurant). Food in general is cheaper here than in Finland.
Due to Covid, the national parks have been close d here. For me as a Finnish that didn’t make sense, because in Finland everybody can always go to the forest. Anyway, here in Germany there isn’t so much nature than Finland and that’s why many places are very crowded. For this reason the parks had to be closed. Here have been also tighter Covid rules than in Finland. However, it was possible to visit the national park Sächsische Schweiz in April and these photos are from there.
The atmosphere in my exchange school is very warm and it has helped me to get to know new people. Even though the school is quite big, students know each other and chat often to themselves at school. That isn’t so normal in Finland. Teachers are also very good, and they like to get to know their students more personally than usually in Finland. The violin teacher of my violin class organizes restaurant evening for students always after class concerts, for example. I appreciate this kind of culture and that’s why I have felt so welcome here.
See you in Finland!
Liebe Grüße & All the best
Laura Pietiläinen
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