[DEU] Better Understanding for a Better World - Oder: Ein Plädoyer für den Weltfrieden!

(This is the german version of my text about the BUBW Conference that took place exactly one year ago. For the english version click here: click here for world peace)
Vor ca. 48 Stunden ist die Better Understanding for a Better World Conference ("Besseres Verständnis für eine bessere Welt"-Konferenz) zu Ende gegangen.
Die Konferenz, bei der wir über Global Citizenship ("Weltbürgertum"), religiöse Vielfalt und viele andere Dinge geredet haben, mag nun zwar zu Ende sein, jedoch hat der wichtigste Teil, das bessere Verstehen für eine bessere Welt jetzt erst begonnen.

Mein Name ist Jonathan Thurow, ich bin 18 Jahre alt, in Deutschland als Christ registriert, aber eigentlich eher Atheist, oder wenigstens "unentschlossen".

Aber bevor ich zu viel über mich selber rede, erklär ich lieber, was die BUBW Konferenz ist:

Die Better Understanding for a Better World Konferenz ist eine 5-tägige internationale und interkulturelle Konferenz für junge Austauschschüler*innen aus der ganzen Welt. Die BUBW gibt den Erwachsenen von Morgen die einzigartige Möglichkeit, über andere Kulturen der Welt zu reden, von ihnen zu lernen, und vor allem, was in unserer Zeit von großer Bedeutung ist: Missverständnisse aus dem Weg zu räumen, die sonst oft ein Grund für Konflikte, Angst, oder mangelnder Toleranz sind.

Geleitet wird das ganze von Freiwilligen mit unterschiedlichem religiösem und kulturellen Hintergrund, mit denen ihr unter anderem drei verschiedene Gotteshäuser der abrahamitischen Religionen (Judentum, Christentum, Islam) besucht und die Möglichkeit bekommt, mit Vertretern der jeweiligen Religion zu reden und ihnen Fragen zu stellen, die ihr immer schon hattet.

Die BUBW legt besonderen Wert auf Weltbürgertum (Schließlich sind wir doch alles nur Menschen, nicht? :-) ), religiöse & kulturelle Vielfalt sowie "leaderships skills" (Führungsqualitäten).

Oder, wie man auf der Website lesen kann: "Das Ziel der Konferenz ist es, gegenseitiges Verständnis und Wertschätzung unter den Schüler*innen mit verschiedenen regionalen, ökonomischen, sozialen, religiösen, kulturellen und ethnischen Hintergründen zu stärken"

Um teilnehmen zu können, habe ich einen Essay geschrieben (den ihr hier lesen könnt), in dem ich versuche, die Bedeutung von kulturellem Austausch herauszustellen, und genau dieser cultural exchange passiert beim BUBW! Es hat mir verdeutlicht, dass einerseits die Welt, im Vergleich zum gesamten Universum, bloß ein winzig kleiner Punkt ist, und wir selber ein noch viel Kleinerer. JEDOCH: Das bedeutet nicht, dass unser Verhalten und unsere Taten nichts ändern könnten, sondern es ist das komplette Gegenteil: Die Lösung für eine bessere Welt ist, wie der Titel der Konferenz bereits verrät, besseres Verständnis. Und wo beginnt es? Es beginnt überall, mit jedem Einzelnen von uns! 

Die Konferenz ist der perfekte Ort um die Bedeutung von besserem Verständnis zu verstehen, und zu lernen, dass es zu etwas wundervollem führen kann!


Meine Ansichten über Religionen waren schon immer ziemlich kritisch, und vor der Konferenz war ich eigentlich ziemlich überzeugt davon, dass ich einen guten Überblick darüber habe, was auf unserer Welt alles so passiert.

Jetzt, nach der Konferenz, ist mir klar geworden, dass "Ich weiß, dass ich nichts weiß". Obwohl der griechische Philosoph diese Erkenntnis bereits ca. 2400 Jahre vor mir hatte, hat die Welt, dieser winzig kleine Punkt im Universum, nicht aufgehört, blutige Kriege zu führen. Kriege darüber, wer den "richtigen Gott" hat, über die "Überlegene Rasse", oder auch um das Recht, über gewisse Ressourcen zu verfügen.
Einfach gesagt: Wer hat Recht, wer nicht?

Die BUBW gab mir und ca. 50 anderen Austauschschüler*innen aus aller Welt die großartige Möglichkeit, Menschen von all diesen verschiedenen, unglücklicherweise oft vom Krieg gezeichneten Ländern: Menschen aus der Ukraine, Kosovo, Ägypten, Israel, Palästina, und viele mehr. Muslime, Christen, Atheisten.
Voneinander getrennt aus so vielen Gründen, dennoch vereint. Vereint durch den Glauben an die Menschlichkeit, an Global Citizenship, die Hoffnung, die Welt zu einem besseren und friedlicheren Ort machen zu können.

Diese 5 Tage BUBW-Konferenz in Disneyworld, dem "most magical place on earth", war nicht vergleichbar mit einer normalen Reise. Es drehte sich nicht alles nur um Achterbahn fahren oder Waffeln essen, die aussehen wie Mickey Mouse. Es war ein Programm gefüllt mit Präsentationen, Auftritten, Videos, Diskussionen, sowie dem Besuch in einer Moschee, einer Synagoge und einer Kirche.
All dies war dankenswerterweise gesponsert vom "Department of State" (dem amerikanischen Außenministerium), und organisiert vom Gründer der "Civilizations Exchange and Cooperation Foundation" (CECF) Imam Mohamad Bashar Arafat und seiner Familie!

An dieser Stelle möchte ich noch mal ausdrücklich betonen, dass er die Konferenz nicht als Imam, sondern als warmherziger Weltbürger geleitet hat, der sich für eine bessere und friedlichere Zukunft einsetzt!

Dieses Event hatte auf das Leben aller Teilnehmer*innen einen großen Einfluss:

Wir haben unsere Kultur geteilt, über Konflikte diskutiert, gelernt und Vorurteile aus der Welt geschafft!

Am Anfang waren wir Fremde, nach Meinung unserer Regierungen manchmal sogar Feinde, Leute, mit denen du nichts zu tun haben solltest.
Heute sind wir Freunde: Israelis & Palästinenser, Russen & Ukrainer, Muslime, Christen, Atheisten. Über 30 Nationalitäten, dutzende verschiedene Sprachen.
Wir stehen Seite an Seite, unabhängig von Ethnie, Nationalität, Religion, Geschlecht, sexueller Orientierung, oder was uns noch unterscheiden mag, unserer Verantwortung bewusst; der Verantwortung, besseres Verständnis für eine bessere Welt zu schaffen!


Oder, wie einer meiner neuen Freunde, der 16-jährige Marokkaner Houssam Metni geschrieben hat: "Austauschschüler, junge Menschen, die einen Unterschied in der Welt machen werden!
Wir sind vielleicht nur 0,0000000001% der Weltbevölkerung, aber wir sind fähig, der Welt das Verständnis zu geben das sie benötigt. Warum sollte das unmöglich sein? Wenn man sich ansieht wie wir hier, ob "Feind" ob "Freund" zusammen Spaß haben und voneinander lernen.
Sind wir nicht alles bloß Menschen?"

Danke Department of State, Danke CECF, Danke an jede*n einzelne*n Teilnehmer*in der/die ich kennenlernen durfte bei der BUBW Conference 2015!

Thank You! Teşekkürler! Дякую! شکريا!  Terima kasih! Рахмат 

PS: For more information about the BUBW in General, please visit one of the following pages:
http://bubw.org/
and
http://www.cecf-net.org/

PPP. Drei Buchstaben, die mein Leben veränderten

PPP. Drei Buchstaben, die mein Leben veränderten

"Ein Jahr in den USA verbringen? Wäre schön, aber wird wohl immer nur ein Traum bleiben." - Ich bis vor einem Jahr.

Mein Name ist Jonathan, ich bin 18 Jahre, und komme aus dem beschaulichen Hildesheim im beschaulichen Niedersachsen. Wie in meinem Alter mehr oder weniger üblich, gehe ich noch zur Schule. Eigentlich hätte ich dieses Jahr Abitur machen sollen, aber nun ja, wurde dann doch nix draus. Jedoch nicht aufgrund mangelhafter Leistungen, sondern weil noch was zwischen gekommen ist. Was genau? Das PPP.
PPP?

Genau, PPP. Drei Buchstaben, die mein Leben veränderten.


...Na gut, vielleicht nicht die Buchstaben selber, sondern eher das, wofür sie stehen, und zwar für das Parlamentarische Patenschafts-Programm, ein Austauschprogramm zwischen dem U.S. Congress und dem Deutschen Bundestag.

Dieses Programm besteht seit über 30 Jahren und ermöglicht es aufgeweckten jungen Menschen, das Jahr ihres Lebens im jeweils anderen Land (USA oder Deutschland) zu verbringen! 

Das PPP hilft vor allem denjenigen, denen solch ein Unterfangen aufgrund ihrer finanziellen Situation sonst verwehrt bleiben würde, wie es auch bei mir der Fall war. Dank des Stipendiums habe ich die Möglichkeit bekommen, mein Abitur erst mal zu verschieben, und dafür als "Juniorbotschafter" in Atlanta, Georgia meinen Beitrag zum "kulturellen Austausch" zu leisten.
Dies mag womöglich für den ein oder anderen wie eine bloße Worthülse zum Verkauf von Austauschprogrammen klingen, aber es steckt deutlich mehr dahinter:
Für mich ist es nicht weniger als der beste und womöglich einzige Weg, um Frieden zwischen verschiedenen Ländern und Kulturen herzustellen und zu erhalten!
Die meisten Konflikte, egal ob früher oder heute, basieren oft auf Missverständnissen, Unwissenheit, und dem daraus resultierendem Hass.

Oder, wie bereits der polnische Schriftsteller Andrzej Szczypiorski festgestellt hat: "Unwissenheit ist die Mutter des Misstrauens, der Feindseligkeit, und Abscheu. Unwissenheit ist auch die Mutter der Angst"


Kultureller Austausch setzt genau da an: Als Austauschschüler ging es für mich nicht nur darum, sich an amerikanischem Essen oder Sehenswürdigkeiten zu erfreuen, sondern voneinander zu lernen. Über kulturelle Unterschiede und Gemeinsamkeiten zu lernen und zu lehren, um im nächsten Schritt Missverständnisse und Stereotypen zu überwinden.




"Nein, nicht alle Deutschen tragen Lederhosen, wir essen nicht nur Weißwurst und Sauerkraut, und nein, ich esse mein Müsli nicht mit Bier, sondern mit Milch."

Als Austauschschüler in einem anderen Land wird man mit vielen, teils verwunderlichen Fragen konfrontiert. Statt mich über die "Unwissenheit" einiger Mitschüler aufzuregen, habe ich versucht, es als Chance zu sehen, sie darüber aufzuklären, dass Deutschland weder in Asien liegt, noch dass wir immer noch in einer Diktatur leben.

Auf der anderen Seite war auch ich, wie womöglich niemand von uns, komplett frei von stereotypen Vorstellungen von Amerikanern. "Dick, dumm, und Waffenliebend" sind nur einige, ziemlich "uncharmante" Bilder, die den Meisten von uns in den Sinn kommen, wenn es darum geht, einen "typischen Amerikaner" zu beschreiben.
Das Austauschprogramm hat mir die Möglichkeit gegeben, mich eines Besseren belehren zu lassen, und es selbst am eigenem Leib zu erfahren. Und soviel kann ich verraten, ich habe ziemlich viele "echte" Amerikaner kennengelernt, auf denen keines der typischen Vorurteile zutrifft.
Ich habe gelernt, dass es wichtig ist, über diese Dinge offen zu sprechen, um sie aus der Welt schaffen zu können. 

Wichtig anzumerken ist hierbei, dass selbst die Kommunikation oft von kulturellen Unterschieden geprägt ist:
Ein beliebtes "Fettnäpfchen" für viele ist die Phrase "Hallo wie geht es dir/ihnen?" ("Hi, how are you?), die im Englischen nichts mehr als eine höfliche Begrüßung darstellt. Wer nun das dringende Bedürfnis hat, mit dem Kasierer über seinen Gesundheitszustand zu plaudern, wird oft nur mit einem verwunderlichen Blick abgewimmelt.


Unterschiede wie diese erleichtern den Prozess des "kulturellen Austausches" zwar nicht einfacher, aber umso interessanter und verleihen einem ein Gefühl der Zufriedenstellung, wenn man einmal dahinter gekommen ist, was mit dieser Geste, oder jener Redewendung eigentlich gemeint ist.

Dieses gegenseitige Lernen und Lehren passiert zwar größtenteils unbewusst im Alltag, dennoch gehört noch mehr zu den Aufgaben eines Juniorbotschafters, zum Beispiel die Beteiligung an der "International Education Week": Während dieser Woche ist es die Aufgabe jedes PPP-Stipendiaten, Präsentationen über sein Heimatland zu halten, um der selbst gewählten Zielgruppe, seien es Mitschüler oder Senioren, einen Einblick in die deutsche Geschichte, Kultur, Politik, oder auch den Alltag zu Hause zu geben. Desweiteren gab es die Möglichkeit, zusätzlich einen englischsprachigen Essay zum Austausch zu schreiben, oder ein Video zu erstellen.

Als Motivation hierfür wurde die "International Education Week" von den Austauschorganisationen, z.B. AFS, als Wettbewerb gestaltet, bei dem man in verschiedenen Kategorien eine Reise zur "Better Understanding for A Better World" Konferenz in Disneyworld
Orlando, Florida gewinnen konnte.

Als hätte ich nicht schon genug Glück gehabt, das PPP-Stipendium mein Eigen zu nennen, wurde mir nun also zusätzlich, dank eines von mir geschriebenen Essays, die Teilnahme an dieser Konferenz geboten, die mir die Augen geöffnet hat: In diesen fünf Tagen, am selbstdeklarierten "most magical Place on earth", habe ich über 50 Austauschschüler*innen aus fast zwei Dutzend verschiedenen Ländern kennengelernt. Themen über die gesprochen wurden, waren Religion, Politik, kulturelle Unterschiede, und die von mir viel erwähnten Stereotype. Es ging, wie der Titel der Konferenz bereits verrät, um ein bessere Verständigung für eine bessere Welt. Diese Konferenz hat mir gezeigt, wie wichtig dieser Austausch wirklich ist! Es gab keinerlei Feindseligkeiten bei diesem Treffen, wir haben alle miteinander geredet und gelacht, unabhängig von Religion, Politik, und Herkunft: Menschen aus Pakistan, Israel, Kosovo, Russland, Ukraine, Ägypten, und vielen anderen Teilen der Welt.

Beim Schreiben dieser Zeilen merke ich, wie sehr mich das vergangene Jahr verändert hat, und wie dankbar ich bin, all diese Möglichkeiten bekommen zu haben!
Ich bin weltoffener geworden, toleranter, verständnisvoller, und vieles mehr! Ich habe gelernt, Dinge aus den Augen Anderer zu sehen, Unterschiede wahrzunehmen, zu akzeptieren, und nicht zu voreilig zu urteilen. Ich habe unglaubliche Menschen aus aller Welt kennengelernt, und eine komplett neue Perspektive auf viele Dinge, auch auf mein Leben in Deutschland, bekommen!

Zwar ist ein Austauschjahr immer eine sehr individuelle Erfahrung und nicht alles läuft womöglich so reibungslos wie erwartet, so ist es doch etwas einfach Großes, etwas Emotionales, etwas Unbeschreibliches!


Als ich die Zusage bekommen habe, hätte ich niemals gedacht, dass es eine so prägende Zeit sein kann, die mich so sehr verändert. Man denkt daran, dass man sein Englisch perfektionieren wird und sich die Berufschancen dank eines Auslandsjahres im Lebenslauf womöglich verbessern, aber nicht daran, dass es wirklich "kein Jahr im Leben, sondern ein gesamtes Leben in einem Jahr" ist.

Jede Person die diese Zeilen liest und nicht selber Austauschschüler war, wird mich vermutlich nicht vollständig verstehen können, und dies nicht nur aufgrund der Tatsache, dass dieser Bericht vermutlich nur von Rechtschreib- und Zeichensetzungsfehlern strotzt.


Aber, eine Weile nicht mehr in der Lage sein, sich angemessen auf Deutsch artikulieren zu können, seine Schulzeit zu verlängern sodass ich 20 bin, wenn ich mein Abitur schreibe, und dafür die Zeit meines Lebens in einem fernen Land zu haben? Da nehm’ ich die Extrazeit doch gerne in Kauf! :-)

7 Things that are better in Germany than in the US

The previous article deals with things that are better in the US than in Germany, this time I'll tell you the other side of the story. As a short reminder: This is all based on MY personal experiences I made in my homecountry Germany and the South of the US, where I'm currently spending one year abroad. You might have experienced things differently or have different opinions, so I'd be glad to hear about it. I don't claim to know "the whole truth" :)

I will try to do this as non-political as possible, however there might be one or two points you possibly don't agree with, but that's just how it works. I don't plan on offending somebody!

1. Healthcare System
Okay, first point and I might already talk about a very political difference, the Healthcare System.
First off, yes, I know about the history of the US, I know why many people are afraid of everything that has the word "socialized" in it, However, for me, a person from Germany, which basically invented the socialized health care system in the late 1800's under Emperor Bismarck, it is still absolutely insane why such a rich country like the United States of America still fights so actively against such a health care system. Health Care shouldn't be a privilege of the Rich, and people shouldn't have to sell a kidney to pay for a surgery. Yes, the Tax Burden might be a little higher in Germany than in the US, but at least EVERYONE is entitled to a health insurance that doesn't just cover 80% or tries to find ways (like preexisting conditions) to deny the coverage, but usually covers up to 100%. Believe it or not, Germany is still NOT a dictatorship, NOT socialist, and YES you still have the choice what to buy and what to wear, although EVERYONE has health insurance. It scares me when I meet people in the US who refuse to go to the doctor just because they're fearing the high costs..

I'm glad that I broke my arm in Germany and not in the US:
Germany: Ambulance, Painkillers, Hospital for 5 days, Surgery,... 0€
Here in the US I'd have to sell my soul to the devil, my kidney, my family, and my firstborn child, even with some type of insurance to afford the same procedure.

2. Free College Education

American Colleges are famous for different reasons: On the one hand, some of them are super prestigious; Harvard, Princeton, Yale, just to name a few, everyone has heard of them. The famous Ivy League, 8 of the possibly best colleges in the world, all in the US. On the other hand, going to college in the States creates, unless you have a wealthy family or awesome scholarships, a huge amount of debt. In 2013, the average debt per graduating student was about $28,400.  Almost $30,000 dollar in debt and not having a decent job nor an appartment cause you lived on-campus, sounds great, doesn't it? Of course the college degree opens many doors for the graduates to pay-off their debt within a couple years, but not for everyone.

In Germany, attending any public college, which is the majority, costs about...0€ in tuition. Or, in dollar, based on the current exchange rate of 1.087480..about $0.

You'll still have to pay for living and some administrative fees, but either way it is way cheaper than in the US.

It's even free for international students

HOWEVER, one thing that many people forget when they hear about free college in Germany: not everyone is entitled to go to college. The german schoolsystem is way different from the US-system, and not everyone with a school degree can attend college. It is a very complicated topic and every state has its own rules who can attend without having the highest degree, so just believe me when I say it's more difficult. Thank you :) 

Another positive aspect: It's more difficult to literally buy a college degree since we don't have any for-profit colleges 

3. Public transportation

For those who don't know, Public transportation is this easy, cheap and usually environmental-friendly way to go from A to B. My experience with (the lack of) public transportation in the US is, that, if it exists, is usually seen as something negative, something dangerous, and something for the poor. And since nobody wants to be this lower-class person, nobody is using it. Most students have jobs after school, just to have a car. Exchange Students are, due to the insurance costs and possible ridiculously costly law suits in case of an accident, not allowed to get a license or drive in the US.

In Germany and other european countries, public transportation is extremely popular. The gasoline is more expensive, and the public awareness is higher regarding the climate change (if you are a FOX watcher: Climate change IS a thing!). A driver license is also more expensive and the area way smaller (Germany is half the size of Texas..), which are all reasons why we invest a lot of money in public transportation, and why many people actually prefer taking the train instead of driving the car. 

It is not a negatively connotated thing, it's often the smarter solution.

Public Transportation: You are awesome. <3

4. Alcohol 

What is Germany famous for? German Engineering? Yes, but not what I meant. The best Soccerteam in the World? Another awesome try, but wrong again. 99 Luftballons? Ew.

No, I'm talking about the German beer, the best in the world. We Germans love and celebrate this DRUG, on every occasion, probably way too much.

At this point I'm not trying to celebrate or advertise drug use, and this fourth point "Alcohol" is not related to the quality of the drug. I actually want to talk about the different legislation and briefly explain why I think that the german laws are better in this case. 

Firstly, a small comparison of the legislation:

Germany: Legal Drinking Age: 16 (for beer, wine, & champagne), no 'open-container' laws, sell at every day (except sundays because all shops are closed)

USA: Legal Drinking Age: 21 (with some exceptions, depending on State & County), open-container laws, and many other restrictions, different from County to County, sometimes the famous brown paperbag is needed to carry it from the store to your car...

As you can see, the laws in the USA are way stricter. Americans, usually glorifying 'freedom', seems to forget about this freedom when it comes to drugs. 'The Land of the Free' even outlawed the sell and use of alcohol completely in the 1920's, which led to many crimes and other problems (black market, violence, mafia,..), similar to the ones we have right now with Cannabis. Even in 2015, there are still so called "dry counties" where selling alcohol is illegal, most of them in the conservative south. 

Alcohol is a dangerous drug and causes about 2.5 Million deaths annually, but from my point of view, extremely strict laws or even prohibition never solved any problems.

Just because it's illegal, doesn't mean that people don't drink. People want to drink, young and old. And they do it, disregarding any laws. If they have problem with the consume, it's difficult to find help. The problem is similar to the problems with Cannabis and other recreational drugs: Many people use them without having problems, but some get into serious trouble. Often not because of the drug itself, but of the legislation and the persecution related to the drug-consume.

Alcohol is not harmless, but I think it is better to talk open about the consume and its risks, instead of demonizing it and being so naive to believe that young people don't drink cause it's illegal. 

I could talk about this topic for hours, but I think yall got my point why I think the alcohol laws in Germany are better than in the US. :)

5. Recycling

Boring topic,  so I'll keep it short: INTRODUCE BOTTLE DEPOSITS AND RECYCLE!!! thank you.

6. Credit Cards

Credit Cards, the single-easiest way to get into debt. Similar to the Student Loan Debt, almost every American has some. On average over $15,000. It is almost impossible to survive in the US without a credit card (or two, or ten..), the whole system is based on credits. Credits to buy the new shoes you couldn't afford otherwise, credit for the newest iPhone, and of course credit to pay the other credits.

America loves credits. In the US they are necessary to build a "credit score". As a result, people pay everything with credit card. Groceries for $39,22 *swipe*, chocolate bar for $1,50 *swipe*, college degree from the University of Phoenix for $X0,000 *swipe*, in the hope of having a credit score high enough to buy a house for an affordable rate. 

Germans don't do credit cards, we do debit cards. We don't believe in spending more money than we actually have. Our whole system is different, we are not fans of buying on credit, and we don't have to. Our creditscore is calculated based on how regular you pay your rent, your age, and other factors. It is not necessarily about spending as much as possible with credits and paying them back on time, using credits to buy groceries or to pay your bills is actually bad for your credit score. 

I don't know one person in Germany who uses a credit card. 

7. Religion in School

Religion, one of the most difficult topics: Even though the United States is known for being the most religious industrialized country, Religion has to stay out of public US schools. 

Which seems to be a good and consequent decision in terms of separation of church and state, I miss the opportunity to discuss religion in school. 

In Germany, my "christian religion class" (which not everyone has to attend), doesn't just deals with Christianity or tries to praise it, it actually deals with religion as a whole, and the fundamental ideas and questions that all main religions have in common (Dear Americans, did you know that there is more than just Christianity and the "evil muslims"..which are usually not evil at all, and I met a lot ;) ).

 It allows you to freely debate religion, to criticize it, to compare it, and learn about different religions. You try to overcome misconceptions and talk about ways to coexist. 

Since religion is part of society, in the US and in Germany, and since it often causes problems, mostly based on a lack of knowledge and the resulting fear, I think it would be an important subject and shouldn't be a taboo.

What do you think about it? 

Missed the 7 Things that are better in the US than in Germany? Click here for this and other english articles! :) 

7 Things that are better in the US than in Germany

At this point I'd usually talk about specific events I experienced in the US, but in this entry I'd rather like to talk about some more general things. As an exchange student, other people ask you questions like: "How do you like it here? Is it better/worse than in your home country? What are the biggest differences? Why is Germany so much better in soccer than anyone else?" just to mention a few.

I will not reveal which country I like more, but I'll tell you a little more about the differences and similarities. I'll break it down to a series of blog entries, starting with this one about 'Seven Things that are better in the US than in Germany'

As a warning: People make different experiences, have different perceptions or different opinions:

Things I experienced as 'typical american' or 'typical german' could be totally different in parts of the US or germany where I haven't been, but at this point I can only talk about MY experiences. If you think what I'm saying is wrong (or rather you perceived it in a different way), I'd be glad to hear about it! :) I don't claim to know 'the whole truth', why I should call this article rather 'Seven things that are better in the US than in Germany in my opinion', but everyone who is into media and journalism (or everything that pretends to be "journalism" (why do I suddenly have to think about this song?) ) knows that lurid headlines are crucial for clicks, the cocaine of the 21st century.

Anyway, enough disclaimer bla bla, here are the ten things which I think are better in the US than in Germany.

1. Free Refill in Restaurants

Are y'all aware that you have to pay for every single refill in a german restaurant? Not only for alcoholic beverages, but for soda and even water. You have to pay for it. Again and again and again. It doesn't matter if you're eating spicy food or if it is hot outside. NO.FREE.REFILL. NO, NOT EVEN WATER. 

2. Community Service

It seems that Americans don't just like to get free stuff (like free refills.), but that they also like to do stuff for free. Like volunteering. From cleaning a local river, organizing a fundraising to fight diseases, or even building houses, Americans seem to love helping others. Of course you could argue that many people don't really do it to help others but for a better reputation in their community, free shirts, awars, or even better chances to find a job, BUT they still HELP PEOPLE! This mentality really surprised and deeply impressed me, and it's something Americans can really be proud of! I would lie if I said that nobody in germany is doing community service, but especially among german teenagers volunteering usually doesn't go further than liking a picture of starving children or an abused dog on facebook. If any German is reading this and feels offended by this, wouldn't it be better to see it as a challenge to change this reputation? ;-) 

3. School Sports

Yes, America is often connotated with low-quality food and an extremely high obesity rate. However, sports is a pretty popular part of american culture, which also impacts the school life. While sports in Germany usually takes place in sportclubs that are not affiliated with school, US students are often part of one or more school teams. Sports is taken way more seriously here than in Germany. Students in the US practice daily and compete against other school teams to earn a high county-,state-, or even nationwide reputation. High School sports, especially American Football and Baseball is an effective way for talented athletes to present themselves to earn scholarships for collegeteams and maybe even end up becoming professional, (way too) highly paid sportsperson. 

4. School Pride

Americans are proud. Proud of their nation, their flag, and their perfectly cut lawn. Americans like being proud of things. They might be even proud of being proud. And proud of being proud of being proud. And so on.

My favorite Pride was the School Pride: Pep Rallies, Spirit Weeks, and football games, preferably against rivals, are just awesome. Back in Germany nobody wants to have anything to do with their school, it is just "not cool". But in the US: That feeling when the whole school is getting hyped before a game, then standing side by side in the fan section, chanting and cheering; absolutely priceless. 

I will miss it so much!

5. Liberalism 

Even though people south of the bible belt are generally speaking more conservative, there are still some very progressive and liberal parts in this huge country. Same-Sex marriage is (at least de jure) legal in 37 states, and Medical Marijuana is available in 23 states and the District of Columbia. legal for "recreational purposes" in 4...and counting. 

And in Germany? Our Christian-Conservative Government allowes both of these things in...0 out of 16 german states (yes, Germany has states, No, we're not the "United States of Germany").

6. Parks & Sports areas

 Yes, I already talked about the importance of sports in the American Culture. However, I'd just like to mention again how awesome it is that America invests so much more money in it than we do in Germany. I was extremely surprised when I arrived here and saw things like public baseball or soccer fields. They're mostly in a pretty good shape, and everyone can play on there. Without paying fees, without being member in a sportsclub. Awesome. THIS is a clever use of taxdollars!

Doesn't surprise me at all that the US gets so many more olympic gold medals than Germany.

7. Wildlife (Chipmunks!!!)

*edit* To avoid misunderstandings, I don't want to lie and say that America is great with saving the environment. We all know that the USA loves big wasteful cars, and is also famous for terrible technologies like fracking that destroy the environment! I'm just saying that I like the many different kinds of animals that life on the Northamerican continent and now: lights off, save energy. :)

Honestly, I've never been a big fan of animals. At least not pets. They're smelly, you have to bring the to the vet all the time, and they make it difficult to go on vacation. Surprisingly, the wildlife here in the US fascinates me more than I could ever imagine!

I'm from Germany, a country where you have some rabbits, deer, and here and there a wild hog. That's about it.

In the US you have so many more cool, cute, fascinating, and even dangerous animals. Turtles, Chipmunks, Snakes, Alligators, just to name a few. It's crazy! To me it's impressive how America handles having even quite dangerous animals. Do you know what Germans do when one silly bear crosses the border to Germany? They totally freak out! Newspapers, TV-Stations, they're reporting for weeks about nothing but the "Problem-Bear Bruno", until...someone shoots him. True story...sadly.

I wish we'd have a government that would really care about nature. We could need a Teddy Roosevelt who established five national parks and tried to promote the conservation of nature...or at least (and I never thought that I will ever say that), someone like George W. Bush...but only for this following, and probably only useful sentence.

For more english articles click here :)

[ENG] Speechless - Theater of the Absurd

Since I've got a writer's block everytime when I planned on blogging something meaningful and informative about my past couple weeks for whatever reasons, I just decided to try to write down what I'm thinking about, completely spontaneous, and of course without any filter. 

Within the past weeks, my head is actually full of ideas what I could write about; 'How-to's for exchange students-to-be', an essay about the many different meaning of the word 'perspective' (I don't have a clue why, but that word fascinates me..you can bascially look at it from so many...perspectives...no? ok.) or even something what I'd call 'Jon's 3-level writingphenomenom'

Poems, or even books, it feels like I could write all this, right here right now..but everytime when I'm like: Hm, I've got some free time, I should write something...I lose my motivation faster than (*insert an analogy about a german political party what doesn't work in english because y'all don't have a clue what I'm talking about*..let's think of something else..what about: I lose my motivation faster than Aston Villa when Sadio Mané scores the fastest hat trick of the Premier League History against them)

It felt relieving writing the article in german, even if I totally abused it with ignoring any grammatical rules of the (239th) most beautiful language in the world. Not very professional, but kinda fun though.yo.

Anyway, I've only got about 50 days left in the US. 50 days, only a couple of them in school, the place where people my age usually spend a lot of time (or at least should, legally.)

The time I'm spending there became way shorter with finishing the soccer season, but it's still a vital part of my exchange year...and y'all know what else is vital? Food. oh yea.

Breakfast in the cafeteria for a dollar thirtyfive, including sugared but fatfree milk and fried chicken...and everything else what pretends to be or used to be food.

I'll miss it anyway.

Lunch for two twentyfive: Pizza, Nachos, and more fried feathered animal (do penguins actually have feathers? Not that they're offering penguins...at least I hope so, I like penguins.) Since we're already talking about penguins: Prom was awesome. What does prom have to do with penguins except the P at the beginning? The tuxedo.

Reading what I just wrote, I'm realizing that my head is really full of very weird stuff, which might be caused by my increasing drug use. Completely legal of course. Swallowing disgusting "Corticosteroids' to fight a reappearing sinusinfection is about as much fun as 

Speechless - Das absurde Theater

Da mich das Gefühl einer Schreibblockade jedes mal ergraf (ergriffen hat ?!) sobald ich mich an den Laptop oder ans Handy (...iPhone) gesessen habe um ein paar Zeilen zu schreiben, habe ich diesmal anstelle des kontinuierlichen Prokrastinierens (kann immer noch schlaue deutsche Wörter) einfach mal mein Schreibgerät unterm Bett hervorgezogen, um spontan meine Gedanken niederzuschreiben.

In letzter Zeit ist mein Kopf voller Ideen worüber ich schreiben könnte (alles in feinstsäuberlichem Denglish wohlgemerkt, know what I'm saying?!). Ratgeber für zukünftige Austauschschüler, einen Essay über die Vielschichtigkeit des Wortes Perspektive/Perspective, oder etwas was ich das Jonsche 3-Phasen Schreibphenomenon nenne. Gedichte, oder ganze Bücher könnte ich schreiben, doch sobald ich denke: So, hab Zeit, sollte was schreiben, ist es einfach schneller verschwunden als die Piratenpartei (oder hoffentlich bald die AFD und diese ganzen anderen Scheissvereine).

Es fühlt sich befreiend an, gerade einfach mal komplett jegliche grammatikalischen Grundregeln der Sprache der Dichter und Denker zu ignorieren, und einfach mal völlig ohne Plan loszuschreiben. Ist zwar nicht sonderlich qualitativ, aber macht Spaß. Einfach mal die geistliche Sau rauslassen.Yo.


Anyway, 50 Tage noch ehe ich wiederkomme. 50 Tage, 1 1/2 Wochen davon in der Schule, der Ort in dem man in meinem Alter (hach, back in the day..) einen Großteil seiner Zeit verbringt. Dadurch dass Fußball nun vorbei ist verringert sich die Zeit zwar, aber dennoch stellt die Schule eine Art Lebensmittelpunkt da. Hat aber nix mit Lebensmitteln zu tun, obwohl...Frühstück in der Kantine, für $1.35, inklusive gezuckerte aber dafür fettfreie Milch und frittiertem Hühnchen...oder alles was sich dafür hält.
Werde es trotzdem vermissen.
Lunch ist dann noch so ne andere Sache. $2.25 für Pizza, Nachos, und noch mehr frittiertem Federvieh (haben Pinguine eigentlich Federn? Nicht dass die dort Pinguine servieren...hoffe ich jedenfalls, ich mag Pinguine.) Wenn wir schon bei Pinguinen sind, Prom war awesome. (Prom = Abschlussball). Wie ich von Pinguinen zu Prom komme? Nicht nur wegen dem P (ok, wegen des Ps), sondern weil es ja immer so aussieht als ob die nen Anzug tragen. Adorable.

Beim Überfliegen dieses nächtlichen "Logbucheintrages" könnte man meinen dass mein Drogenkonsum stark zugenommen hat....stimmt auch. Alles ganz legal natürlich. Eklige Steroide (keine Sorge, nicht die zum Muskeln kriegen, sondern "Corticosteroide") um ne wiederkehrende Sinusinfektion (hat nix mit Mathe zu tun, Nasennebenhöhlenentzündung klingt aber einfach nur widerlich. Wie Wurzelbehandlung. Oder Werder Bremen.) Naja, werds überleben.

Basierend auf den Dingen die ich hier angesprochen habe, werde ich womöglich bald mal wieder einen komplett durchstrukturierten Artikel formulieren, zum Beispiel über das Jonsche 3-Phasen Schreibphenomenon. Gibts wirklich. Will nur mal gucken wie euch Einträge wie dieser hier gefallen, würde mich interessieren. Und keine Sorge, ich kann noch seriös und lehrreich und inspirierend (falls ich das je konnte)..hoffe ich jedenfalls. Either Way: Authentisch :)

Oh und bevor ichs vergesse: Für diejenigen die eh nur für die Bilder hier sind, nur für euch vom Georgia Aquarium:

Ist zwar kein Pinugin, aber dieser kleine Genosse ist dennoch auf der Niedlichkeitsskala ganz weit oben. 

too tired to have a title. I - the missing link from BUBW to NVA

Time is an important factor of an exchange year. You know that your time in another country is limited. There are moments where you wish that time passes by faster because you miss someone at home, have trouble, or just feel uncomfortable in your new, foreign environment. It feels like an eternity, and you think when you'll come home, everything has changed and you missed all of it.

There are also moments where you totally forget about the time. You experience something new, try out new things, or some event is going on. It can be hanging out with new friends for the first time, homecoming, or your first american football match. You just enjoy the moment.

And then, there are moments when you realize: WHAT THE HECK I HAVE TO GO HOME IN 60 DAYS?!?! 

Guess which one I am experience right now :)

It is crazy, for me it still feels like the year just started, like christmas was a week ago, and I just turned 18. I'm still waiting for some snow, but actually it's going to be 31° Celsius (88°F) next week.

It is may, the last full month I'll spend in Atlanta, and I have only 15 days of school left. Didn't I just come back from the BUBW ? Oh, it's also almost a quarter-year ago.  

Why does time suddenly pass by faster than Gareth Bale against Barcelona? What happened between now and then?! Well, actually a lot...

I guess I mentioned that I didn't make the Boys Varsity Soccer Team, but became the manager. And do you know what? The whole season ended 2 weeks ago, with a victory against the Region-champions. It was not the most successful season, many people got injured, including a broken knee cap of one of my best american friends (get well soon Jordan!) at a game against our biggest rival.

I probably carried arounds a hundred liter of water (or some weird odd number of fluid ounces), and caught 5820439 soccer balls. Doesn't sound that exciting, but it was just great fun to support and spend time with an awesome team! (Best way to collect 100h community hours. )If one of you will read this: I won't forget you guys, thanks for everything! 1 2 3 BULLDOGS! <3

at the end-of-season banquette

Soccer was not the only thing that was going on, I also got visited by two of my brothers! It is a very weird feeling, like two worlds crashing together. People from my "old" life in my "new" life? Bizaaaaaarre.
However, it was exciting to see them again and do some sightseeing with them, from CNN and the     Georgia Aquarium to Martin Luther King Jr. Graveside and Birthhouse.

Well, and then there was spring break and it was legen....wait for it....:)

AFS National Volunteer Assembly 2015 Speech - The One with the Ducky (Bow) Tie

Hey y'all!

Don't worry, I didn't forget about Spring Break and Prom, an entry about that is coming soon.

In this small entry I'd just like to give y'all access to the speech I held at the AFS National Volunteer Assembly in Atlanta. It was a huge honor to speak on behalf of all the AFS exchange students in the United States and represent them as the "face of the AFS-Students"!

In the speech I was talking about my personal experiences but also how AFS had an impact not only on my but also on so many others' lifes.

I'm curious how y'all like it and if you think that I represented y'all appropriately. Please let me know! :)

With this Video I also try to nominate myself as the CBYX Student of the Month. It is not a huge title but it would still be an honor to achieve this! I already applied for it a couple months ago referring to the over 100h of volunteer-hours (Soccer Manager, Ice-Festival, Habitat For Humanity, and even this speech). I did forget to include my BUBW experience in the first nomination though.

This time I hope that this video might be a way to let the Department of State know about my role as an Ambassador and that I try to fulfill it as best as I can!

If you are working for AFS, a Volunteer or part of a Host Family and agree that I'd be the right person for this "title", you can also let them know! But if not, you don't have to, I still like you! :)

PS: Good luck with the AFS photocontest, I hope that the winner will be one of you. :)


If someone wants to nominate and support me, here are the "official criteria"

"Each month throughout the academic year, the U.S. Department of State’s selects a Student of the Month for each program they fund.  One candidate per month is nominated by each placement organizations (for AFS, that would be me).  What does the Department of State look for???

• In selecting the Student of the Month, the Department of State considers such factors as the impact your activities have in the community and/or at school,
• How well your represents your home country,
• Whether you have shown a positive and thoughtful spirit within your host family and community, and
• Evidence of personal growth and development on program. 

Include where possible specifics such as the number of community service hours you have performed, impact of community service, number of presentations you gave about your home country, awards or recognition you've received, and any other relevant information. 

Who can nominate a student for Student of the Month??

• YOU can nominate yourself (or another student, including FLEX and YES friends hosted by AFS)
• AFS Staff
• Volunteers
• Host families

The nomination should describe the qualifications and achievements of the candidate in a narrative of 300 words or fewer and must include a photo of at least 300 dpi in a JPEG file.  The winner will receive a certificate and a small prize, and the announcement of Student of the Month will be publicized on State Department websites and social media."

BUBW 2015 in Orlando: Ended. Better Understanding for a Better World:just begun.

I left the Better Understanding for a Better World Conference 2015 about 48 hours ago. The Conference, where we talked about Global Citizenship, Religious Diversity, and many other things, might have officially ended, but the main part, the “Better Understanding for a Better World” has just begun.

My Name is Jonathan Thurow, I am 18 years old, in Germany registered as a Christian, but actually more of an Atheist.

Before I talk too much about myself, let me briefly explain, what the BUBW actually is.
The “Better Understanding for a Better World” is a 5 day long international and –cultural Conference for young students from all around the world who are participating in an exchange year. The Conference gives these possible future leaders of tomorrow the unique opportunity, to discuss about and learn from other cultures, as well as to clarify misconceptions, which are often a reason for conflicts and a lack of respect.
Led by volunteers with different backgrounds and religions, you will also have the chance to visit different places of worship and to talk to representatives of all three Abrahamic religions.
The BUBW emphasizes Global Citizenship, Cultural & Religious Diversity, and leadership skill. Or, to use a quote from the official website, the Conference mission is to “facilitate mutual understanding and appreciation between students from diverse regional, economic, social, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.”


To attend the Conference, I composed an Essay where I try to outline the importance of cultural exchange, and exactly this cultural exchange took place at the BUBW. It showed me that on the one hand, the world is, compared to the universe, just a small dot, and we are all an even smaller part of it.
On the other hand, it doesn’t mean that our actions and behavior cannot change anything, it is the exactly opposite: The way to a Better World is, as the name of the Event already reveals, Better Understanding. And where does it start? It starts with us, with us all, every one of us, and the BUBW Conference is the perfect place to experience the significance of better understanding, and that it can lead to something wonderful!




My point of view about religion has always been very critical, and before the conference I was pretty sure that I was quite enlightened about what is happening in our world.
Now, after the Conference, I realized that “I know that I know nothing”. Although the Greek philosopher Socrates stated this about 2400 years ago, the World, this extremely small spot in the universe, is still fighting bloody wars. Wars about who has “the right God”, the “superior race”, the right to use resources. Basically about: Who is “right”, who is “wrong”.
The BUBW gave me and about 50 other exchange students from all over the world the great opportunity to meet people from all these different, and unfortunately often battle-scarred countries. People from Ukraine, Kosovo, Israel, Palestine, and many more. Muslims, Christians, Atheists. Separated from each other for so many various reasons, but still united. United through the shared belief in humanity, in Global Citizenship, in the Hope to make the world a better and more peaceful place.

yea, I took this picture, and I'm proud of it! haha

These 5 days at the BUBW-Conference in Disneyworld, the “most magical place on earth”, is not comparable with a normal trip somewhere. It was not just about enjoying ourselves with riding rollercoasters and eating waffles that look like Mickey Mouse. It was a program filled with presentations, performances, videos, discussions and the visit of a mosque, a synagogue, and a church. All this was fortunately sponsored by the Department of State, and led by the Founder of the “Civilizations Exchange and Cooperation Foundation” (CECF), Imam Mohamad Bashar Arafat and his lovely family. At this point it is important to mention, that he didn’t lead the conference as an Imam, but as a warmhearted global citizen who wants to support my generation, the future leaders of tomorrow, to achieve the goal of a Better World through better
Understanding.


Although every one of us experienced the past days differently, they had an important impact on all our lives. We shared our culture, we listened to others, we discussed about conflicts, we learned, and we removed misconceptions.

At the beginning we were strangers, based on the different governments back home sometimes even enemies, people you shouldn’t be with.
Today, we are friends. Israelis & Palestinians, Russians & Ukrainians, Muslims, Christians, Atheists. Almost 30 different Nationalities from four Continents, speaking dozens of different languages. We are all standing side by side, no matter what race, nationality, religion, gender, gender preference, or what else might be a difference, aware of the responsibility we all have, the responsibility to achieve a Better Understanding for a Better World.
Or, how one of my new friends, the 16 years-old muslim Moroccan Houssam Metni wrote: “Exchange students, leaders at their young age that will make a change in the world.
We are only 0.000000001% of the population of this world, but we are capable to bring the world the understanding it needs. Why would that be impossible if you look at people from countries that are considered "enemies" or "rivals" enjoying themselves and having so much fun with each other? Aren't we all humans?”
Thank You Department of State, Thank You CECF, Thank You every one of the wonderful people I was able to meet at the BUBW-Conference 2015!
Danke! Teşekkürler! Дякую! شکريا!  Terima kasih! Рахмат

To everybody who wants to participate at a BUBW Conference: The next BUBW will take place on April 22nd to April 26th in Baltimore, Maryland and is open for International Exchange students and American High School Students!
For more information about the BUBW Baltimore, check out this page: http://www.cecf-net.org/downloads/bubw/2015-BUBW-Baltimore-Flier.pdf

For more information about the BUBW in General, please visit one of the following pages:
http://bubw.org/
and
http://www.cecf-net.org/

I am proud to say that this article got published by the MoCo Student, a student run paper for a mayor county in Maryland, the state where the next BUBW is taking place! 

http://mocostudent.org/2015/04/bubw-conference-to-take-place-in-baltimore/