Living together

Social interaction is a main key of human life. Whether it is in talks, chats or nonverbal, communication is a main topic in the contact between human beings and especially between people from different countries and backgrounds. We decided to take this one step further and lived almost two weeks together in one house. This gave the exchange the very unique mood of a big family. We woke up together, yawned in the same room, ate at the same table. As in every family, there were some arguments about bed time and wake up time, but we were able to solve these constructively and with a solution that worked for all of us.

The two weeks of living in one house also created a special save zone, where everybody can be who he or she is and not what they are supposed to be. And, of course act. It was drama which brought the South Africans to Germany, and it was drama which bonded the group the most. During rehearsals, you can see the ups and downs of every participant and it was great to try together to overcome the same challenge, to create a piece in three days, and to be a part of one ensemble. But the connection through acting goes even further. The feeling of being part of something bigger. The possibility to drop a line of the play and make somebody smile.

Most of the Germans have been multiple times in the Heiner-Jannik-Haus, the place we stayed, so we were quite used to the house. And that was very positive, so we were in our comfort zone and were able to give our guests a feeling of safety and calmness. When both parts of the groups are new to a place as we were in Berlin, the mood of being welcomed is missing and the atmosphere can be strained. Everybody has to get around with the new impressions and the groups were separated again. Luckily, this changed back to normal when we came back to Oberschleißheim.

Communication is a key in social interaction, but it also was for us a challenge to overcome, as English was the first language for none of us. But the deep discussions about religion, age/maturity and the lovely cheerful chats at the breakfast, lunch and supper tables revealed that this was nothing to really worry about. In the two weeks we grew into a family and developed this very unique and safe environment which will forever have a place in my heart. It was a pleasure to share those two weeks with all of you and I hope from the bottom of my heart that we will see each other again!

Written by Jonathan Specht