By Dorothea Mladenova, Leipzig University

Branch news from Germany, January 2017

By Dorothea Mladenova, Leipzig University

Happy New Year! This newsletter is to inform you about recent activities at Chiba University Alumni Association Local Office Germany in Leipzig.

The main activities of CUAA Leipzig involve assisting exchange students from Japan. Last fall, we welcomed 16 students from all over Japan. All activities are organized entirely by student volunteers. In September and October, we organized a Welcome Week for the new students from Japan, bringing them together with freshmen from Germany. During a “Tandem speed dating” the students could find partners for language exchange. There was also a visit to the Japanese house (Das JapanischeHaus and a welcome party at the famous student club Beyerhaus.

On November 2, former exchange students from Germany presented their Japanese exchange universities at the “Let’s go to Japan!” fair. Around 30 students who are interested in going to Japan in the future learned about each university’s program, the local conditions and how to apply for a year abroad.

(Lets go to Japan fair)

In December, we dedicated a whole week to the Christmas season: the Christmas Week. We visited an alternative Christmas market (Dec 12), baked German cookies (Dec 14) and organized a Christmas party (Dec 15). Below you find reports in English and Japanese on the events, each written by students who organized them:

(Baking Christmas cookies)

(Christmas market)

Sarah Schmidt (former exchange student at Kobe University):

The Christmas market at ConnewitzKreuz is a charming treasure away from the crowed and busy streets at the Christmas market in the city center (see our blog for more information Each new stall offers a variety of unique and handmade goods, ranging from clothes, bags, candles to jewelry. From the goods to the people and environment, everything is different from the usual Christmas markets and if you are looking for something special, that is definitely the place you should visit.The whole place has a homey and calming atmosphere - all in all the perfect Christmas spirit.

Connewitzのクリスマスマーケットは都心にある、せわしなく混んでいるクリスマスマーケットとは異なり、魅惑的です（詳しくはこちらご覧ください

Jacqueline Thiel (former exchange student at Mie University):

On Wednesday of the Christmas Week, German and Japanese students baked traditional German Christmas cookies together (see our blog for more information worked hard to prepare cookies in the shape of a heart, a star or a Christmas tree and decorated them with sugar and chocolate icing. On the Christmas party the other students could enjoy the cookies.

クリスマスの週の水曜日にドイツ人学生は日本の留学生と一緒にクリスマスのためのクッキーを作りました（その伝統についてはこちら

Marvin Sachse(former exchange student at Chiba University):

On Thursday of the Christmas Week the German students organized a Christmas party for the Japanese students. We talked, sang songs and did a lot of fun stuff together. Besides, we exchanged presents according to a German custom (“Wichteln”

クリスマスの週の木曜日にドイツの学生は日本の留学生と一緒にクリスマスパーティーを行いました。話をしたり、歌ったり、色々な楽しいことを一緒にしました。それに、ドイツの習慣にならって、プレゼントを交換して、学生達が楽しい経験をしました。（ドイツのプレゼント交換文化についてはこちら ）。