May Gilon

My name is May Gilon, I am soon to complete my M.A. in Language and Cognition at Tel Aviv University. During the month of September, I was lucky to receive the Dr. Gustav Winkler Scholarship by the DAAD-Stiftung and take a language course in Berlin. My experience in the course and the country was great, and recently, I volunteered to talk about my time in Berlin in a major conference in Israel, representing DAAD-Stiftung in front of other Israeli students.

My connection to German had started in high school, when I chose Yiddish as one of my major fields of study. Initially, my intention was to deepen the connection with my grandparents and my family's history. However, while gradually learning the language and its history, I was fascinated by the combination of languages that Yiddish emerged from and its broad influences on modern Hebrew. Years later, in my graduate studies, I was still curious about the relationship between German and Hebrew and decided to take German classes in my university. I enjoyed learning German and practiced it regularly. When the opportunity to practice it in 'real life' came by, I knew I had to take it. I applied to the DAAD-Stiftung scholarship for a month-long language course in Berlin.

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Above the rooftops of Berlin

International experiences were something I was familiar with. During my B.A., I studied for a year in the Netherlands, so I already knew how it's like to make friendship with internationals or having to explain how life in Israel looks like. I was familiar with the shocked faces of others when they hear I served in the army, but at the same time saying that Israel is a safe country and I do not live in a warzone. However, the language course was a whole new experience. I had to use all the knowledge I've gained before, but this time in German. Learning German for two years helped me understand basic grammar and communication, however, learning it in a Hebrew-speaking environment discouraged me from speaking in German with my classmates. Nothing had prepared me for the language shock I had upon arriving to Berlin.

My first feelings arriving to Berlin were enthusiasm and excitement. Signs around me, in the airport and public transportation, were in German – and I was able to understand them! The language I saw in my textbooks was coming to life, and I just loved the feeling of being surrounded by it. This feeling of ease was soon to be disrupted by arriving to my host's apartment. My host, a young woman, and my flat mate, another student who got the Winkler scholarship by the DAAD-Stiftung, spoke only German. Not just as a learning tool, but as the sole means of communication. My flat mate did not speak good English, leaving me with no alternative other than practicing my speaking skills.

At the beginning, speaking German 24/7 was exhausting. I felt like I never had enough words and my mind was getting easily tired. I enjoyed my formal class, but then coming back home I felt like I just want to convey my thoughts smoothly. With time, it was like something magical had happened. I didn't even understand my brain's mechanism, but suddenly words have started to come out of my mouth. I got these little 'wins' throughout my day. There was nothing like the feeling of being asked to buy something at the supermarket, and actually bringing in the right thing, without translating the message. I was able to order drinks at a bar, food at the restaurant, but most importantly – share my experiences with my host and flat mate.

Being able to express myself better also allowed me to talk with my classmates and to share more about my life in Israel and the history of my family. I am a granddaughter of four holocaust survivors who were lucky to stay alive while their families were erased. My grandmother always said she would never visit Germany after what happened, but for me, I feel like learning the history and roots of where she came from is enriching and bringing us together with peace. Walking around Berlin, I have seen many reminders for historical events. I visited museums and monuments together with my international classmates and shared my family's history with those who were interested. It made me even more connected to my history and roots than I was before.

I have learned so much in my time in Germany, both in the formal classroom and in my free time. The program hosted many social events, and the other students were determined to practice the language even on a field trip to a different city. I loved experiencing the country as more than just a tourist. I was able to make small talk on the subway or going out for a drink with my local host. It felt like I was lucky enough to experience this glimpse into a different universe.

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Dance event in front of the Bode-Museum

Being back in Israel, I go to Tandem events and try to keep the language "alive" in my life. I already planned my next vacation to Austria, and picked this destination so I could practice my German in its natural surroundings again. I also agreed on speaking about my time in Berlin and presenting my scholarship to other Israeli students at the conference "Germanit in the house" which was organised by the Cultural Section of the German embassy at the Beit Ariela library in Tel Aviv on December 8th 2022.