At Goethe University Frankfurt
[17 May] This was the final “working day” of the tour as tomorrow we won't have any visiting activities. After a series of school visits, today we had the opportunity to visit a university. It was Goethe (pronounced as GOOteh) University Frankfurt, which was more than a century old.
According to the international student who brought us around the campus, Goethe University Frankfurt was famous for the subjects of finance and business. While these global subjects are taught in English, other subjects are mainly taught in German. But as the German government funds all university students, it makes studying in Germany very attractive.
According to the international student who brought us around the campus, Goethe University Frankfurt was famous for the subjects of finance and business. While these global subjects are taught in English, other subjects are mainly taught in German. But as the German government funds all university students, it makes studying in Germany very attractive.
 | Walking between buildings in Goethe University was supposed to be relaxing and refreshing in the morning with the whispering wind, swaying trees and inquisitive birds, only if you didn't mind the bird droppings all around your feet! |
 | The university campus was simple-looking. We visited a few buildings and had some tea time in one of them. We listened to the introduction from the international student and finished the tour at their Psychology Department. The weird thing was, no university staff came out to receive us. They were too afraid of Mrs Lam's “Infinity Shirt” perhaps. |
To end the tour we had the fortune to have bought tickets for a concert at the Alte Oper (Frankfurt Opera House). We listened to Shaham & Mälkki with Frankfurt Radio Symphony. The concert had Gil Shaham as the Principal Violinist and Susanna Mälkki as conductor. These professional musicians were flawless!
I was in awe entering such an enormous and beautiful concert hall; I was in awe seeing a house of German-speaking audience with almost no interest in playing with their mobile phones; I was in awe witnessing the self-discipline of the audience who knew when to clap and when not to and the time to leave for intermission without any announcement at all!
People here seem to have developed a respectful culture in attending classical music concerts. My experience tonight was much better than the one I had in the Golden Hall of Vienna which was filled with 70 percent Asian with loud talking noise and mobile phone playing habits. While I might not have totally enjoyed the music tonight, this German experience of attending a concert gave me a great impression. And I think it was a very important lesson to learn, musically and culturally.
I was in awe entering such an enormous and beautiful concert hall; I was in awe seeing a house of German-speaking audience with almost no interest in playing with their mobile phones; I was in awe witnessing the self-discipline of the audience who knew when to clap and when not to and the time to leave for intermission without any announcement at all!
People here seem to have developed a respectful culture in attending classical music concerts. My experience tonight was much better than the one I had in the Golden Hall of Vienna which was filled with 70 percent Asian with loud talking noise and mobile phone playing habits. While I might not have totally enjoyed the music tonight, this German experience of attending a concert gave me a great impression. And I think it was a very important lesson to learn, musically and culturally.
I'm closing this journey with two questions for you:
 | 1. This status at Goethe University Frankfurt has a great name and meaning behind. Without further search on the origin of this statue, can you give this art work a name and explain why choosing such a name? |
 | 2. I came across this bookshelf at a random street corner in Frankfurt. What was the purpose putting it there? |
That's all for my 7-day adventure and travelogues. Please continue to use your imagination and creativity to respond to my writing contents and questions, if you haven't done so. When I'm back next week, I'll discuss with you further (if you are in my class!) and look for high quality comments from you. Of course, I will continue to interact with you online through your comments. In fact, I have replied several.
As said, I will bring back a few tokens of thanks for those who have read my writing with heart and responded with thoughts and diligence. And next time when you travel, please don't forget to be hungry, reflective, and generous in sharing. See you all very soon.
Dr H C Lee
As said, I will bring back a few tokens of thanks for those who have read my writing with heart and responded with thoughts and diligence. And next time when you travel, please don't forget to be hungry, reflective, and generous in sharing. See you all very soon.
Dr H C Lee
