Moving to a foreign country can prove to be an overwhelming experience for many a person. Cultural differences can confuse and that’s even before mentioning the idea of having to deal with a new language. As we get used to these differences, we learn and grow as people. For the volunteers who are heading to Halle to spend some time in Germany, don’t worry, there are plenty of tips and tricks to help with settling in and making your life In Halle easier.
Location, Location, Location
One of the first things to consider before even arriving in Halle is the location. The transport links in Germany are fantastic and it is certainly a good idea to have a look at a map and consider possible traveling opportunities in and around Halle during the volunteering period. The trams in Halle are reliable and cheap, as long as monthly or weekly cards are purchased. They service the whole of the town and run until late at night. You can buy tickets at automated machines within trams, so it is important to have cash when using the tram.
If the controllers catch you without a ticket, you will have to pay a 60 euro fine! One of the best things you could do to make your life in Halle easier, as well as moving around Germany is to buy a monthly subscription to the Deutschland Ticket. This ticket serves as a monthly ticket for public transport across Germany, and you can also use regional trains to travel across the country for free. Besides this, another thing to be careful about even if it is very rare is that jaywalking is illegal in Germany. Please be careful around police officers to avoid a lesson on crossing the road.
Halle and Food
When arriving in Halle one of the first things to cross the minds of the volunteers is, naturally, the food. The city center hosts a variety of restaurants for special occasions as well as a wealth of supermarkets and regular markets also. For people who have not traveled to Germany before the Pfand is worth taking note of when buying drinks.
It is a small deposit that you pay for most types of bottles in addition to the price. You can get it back when you return the empty bottles in automated machines you can find in supermarkets. A great thing about Halle is that there is a great selection of stores from Monday to Saturday. However, on Sundays, most places close early or even don’t work at all. Arabic markets are a great value option for volunteers on a budget and vegan options are plentiful, even in takeaways that specialize in falafel.
Around the Town
After spending some time in the town, Leipzig is a great place to visit to gain further insight into East German history and culture. The trains between the two cities go very often and are quite affordable, especially with a monthly ticket.
Leipzig, alongside Halle, has fantastic museums as well as other interesting sightseeing spots. However, we strongly recommend spending as much time exploring Halle to gain an understanding of the lifestyle of the refugees and the people who make up the city.
Halle and Languages
In terms of the linguistic barrier for life in Halle, the majority of the older generation of residents are not typically conversational in English. Still, English can be enough to get by. Younger Germans speak English very widely and often at a very high level. This makes it quite easy when, for example, you need to ask for some directions when out and about.
For those who speak German, you will face off with a great accent that might take some getting used to. At Volunteer in Germany, lots of the students can already speak good English and this will only be solidified by your contributions.
To conclude, there is certainly nothing major to worry about heading into this program, as all the points listed above are small things to keep an eye out for whilst in Halle. Our organization functions like a family and if any volunteer has any problems however small or big, they can discuss them with any member of the team.
