. . . and then I found 5 euro

On Wednesday, while walking with Professor Braun after scheduling my classes, I found a crumpled up 5 euro bill on the ground. This is one of many of the things in Würzburg making me bowled over with joy this week.

Monday I had my first class, an illustration course with Professor Nikoli Sarafov. Max, a fellow design student, told me on my first night here, “if you picture an old man, it will be Sarafov.” He is a round old man with a big smile and a very relaxed approach to teaching and life. People were shocked I first saw him sans-pipe, since he smokes them often despite the fact no smoking is allowed in the building. I later found out his office doubles as a clandestine pipe smoking refuge, where I sat and looked through old student projects while he smoked and read a newspaper.

Monday night there was a welcome dinner for the exchange students, where we ate Franconian and Würzburg specialties, onion cake and Fieder Weisen. (“white feather” in English, it is a very sweet wine and juice mix) It’s hopeless for me to remember everyone’s name, but some of the girls from Taiwan and I agreed as long as we are very happy to see each other, we don’t need to remember.

My first studio course was yesterday morning with Professor Chris Barth, former head of the German branch of Leo Burnett. I was nervous for this, since Denise told me there were many older and very talented students in the course. One of the students, Julia, was a finalist in the 2007 International Adobe Creative Awards. Since the course is in German, Professor Barth met with me afterwards to explain the course and agreed to meet with me each week so we can really discuss my project. The name of the course is “Attacke!” and the basic prompt is to find a problem you think is unacceptable and make a strong visual statement. I have lots of brainstorming to do, since the topic and media are completely open. At FH (the shortened name of my school) they emphasize the thinking behind a project, and push their students to think of innovative solutions, which I’m thrilled about.

All in all, this week has been a preview of the oodles of things I will learn while I’m here, inside and outside the classroom. I have been feeling very young, ignorant, and immensely fortunate to be here. I know I will be grabbing at knowledge and experience, and I can only hope my energy can keep up with the opportunities I’ve been given. Tomorrow morning, I hop a train to Hannover for a design exhibition and company party being held tomorrow night. Claudia and Denise both have projects in the exhibition, and I’m spending some of tonight translating a magazine Professor Barth gave me explaining the other projects. Hopefully I’ll learn enough to say things like, “yes, that concept is very interesting,” or “I agree, this solution is reminiscent of the designs of _______” auf Deutsch.