I figured out why my first two blogs were originally written at some odd hours and posted like that, but now they show a different time (the actual time that they were written at). It’s because I had the time set to US Pacific Coast time. Who would have thought that there were actually time settings on this blog? (Certainly not me, oops)

When I write ‘my thoughts’ here in this blog don’t think that I don’t like, or enjoy what I’m doing here in Europe or any of the experiences that I’ve had. I think that the blogs are more of an information session to tell my thought and what I’ve experienced. I most certainly enjoy living abroad, and having the opportunity to travel and see the world. I’m usually writing what strikes me as ‘odd.’

So, my next 'information session’ is how the German Bureaucracy works, or again ‘my thought’ on the German Bureaucracy.

German Bureaucracy

Yesterday I had to register for classes. Now I’m an official ‘University of Bamberg’ student!!! (Yeah, happy day) But I actually didn’t register for classes, but rather register at the university. I’m not to sure how you register for classes (and I’m sure that will be another tail when the time comes), but as of now I’m an official student in Bamberg, with a student ID, and a school e-mail account. (Don’t worry though I’m still going to be using my CSU e-mail account).

You’re probably thinking, what does registration have to do with German Bureaucracy, oh don’t you worry, there’s a point behind my story.

The hours of offices in Germany are rather inconvenient. Everything is almost only opened from 8/9 am and closed by 12:30 or 1pm. And some places are open for about 3 hours one afternoon a week. Not bad hours, right? Well not if you have to get things done at these offices. I’m in class everyday from 9am to 1pm, and to register at the University, or if I have to go to any other important office I have to skip class (currently I’m taking an intensive German class). So yesterday I ventured to the registration office. When I got to the registration office I found the ‘line’ and it was yet another amazing long line that was out the door and around the corner. It made sense though to see a line this long because everyone needs to register, but I would have never of thought that this line would have taken 3 hours to get through. (It was a long painful three hours of standing and waiting).

One of the main reasons that it took 3 hours was because they only had 2 people registering people. And it takes about 10 to 15 minutes to register. (Now times that by about 50 something people) During my ‘3 hour’ wait I was able to chit chat with other exchange students, which helped pass the time. During the middle of my wait, a lady came out to announce that they would be taking a half hour break, because they were just so stressed. (Well then why not hire more people and open another window so there isn’t so much stress?) But this is how things work, ‘very slowly.’ After I got registered, then I had to go wait in another line to pay for the University for studying here in Bamberg (only 58 Euros for a whole semester, so amazing!). But I wasn’t even done after that. I then had to wait for someone to call my name. I waited about another 10 minutes for that, and this is where I received my new e-mail address, my student ID and other important information (that I now have to read with a German/English dictionary).

The German Bureaucracy System is rather slow and there is no customer service. The Germans have different systems on how things have to be done and I guess I just have to learn to be patient.

Example: Moving to Bamberg; First I had to open a bank account, then I could go to the International Office and get my key to my dorm room and proof of living in Bamberg papers, then I could register with the city. Problem is, you can’t get a bank account without registering first with the city, and you can’t register with the city until you have proof of living in Germany, and I couldn’t get proof that I was living in Bamberg until I got a bank account. Life is so complicated here. (Don’t worry though, I have a bank account and I did get my keys to my room).

When I go grocery shopping, you are expected to bring you own bags (no problem with that) but you are also expected to bag your own bags. There is usually one cashier (no matter how long the line is), who is never excited to see you.

As I said in my last posting, I am learning my way around the city, and I’m starting to see friendly faces (of people I know, because Germans usually don’t smile or say hi to a stranger on the street) when I’m cursing around the city.