Dong Qiangqiang's Story of Leaving Germany

Chapter 1036 1036. Chinese Week (22)

The two of them walked across a smooth lawn that was quiet, green and shrouded in water vapor, greedily breathing in the fresh air with the scent of rain and earth.

"In fact, I was really envious of you last year." Dong Qiangqiang pointed to the stone steps with a drop of nearly ten meters surrounded by different low green plants and reminded, "Be careful of the water on top, some of the stones are very slippery."

"Thank you. What do you envy me for? Getting the admission letter earlier than you?"

The moss-covered stone steps had been moistened by several days of rain and were as slippery as satin. There was indeed a risk of falling at any time. Wang Shunan did not dare to be careless and stepped carefully on each step. Dong Qiangqiang noticed that although her body had grown in size, her steps were still agile.

"Do you see those six buildings of varying heights and ages hidden among the green plants? They belong to the first dormitory area of ​​the university. Beyond the hillside behind the willow trees in the distance is the geography department teaching building and dormitory area 2." Dong Qiangqiang continued the previous topic after introducing the university's layout. "Last year, I was always worried that I would not be able to go to school and would not be able to go back. I was so depressed every day that I almost cried in my bed."

"Haha, you actually cried for a long time every day, right?" Wang Shunan laughed maliciously, "No need to explain, it must be true."

"You still have sharp eyes. (I) not only cried, but also cried my heart out and felt like dying every time." Dong Qiangqiang cooperated very well and laughed at himself, "I only realized now that the so-called difficulties are only difficulties in the present. Looking back, they are not a big deal. I can only smile and treat them as a joke when I am nostalgic."

"Are you trying to pick me?" Wang Shunan successfully walked halfway up the stairs. He looked down at Dong Qiangqiang who was also walking up carefully, then looked up at the tall bronze statue standing not far away from him and asked, "Remind me that my current suffering will be a topic of conversation in the future."

"That's not the case. I just spoke out of my feelings as the conversation came to me. I don't mean to guide you. Don't think too much about it." Dong Qiangqiang hurriedly clarified.

"It's okay. I like to listen to it too. I came out this time just to learn from great people like you." Wang Shunan said with emotion, "In retrospect, it's still your twists and turns in getting the admission letter that are impressive. For someone like me who received the admission letter in a routine way, I can't even remember how excited I was at that time."

"You are just showing off and making people hate you. You should be a kind person." Dong Qiangqiang pretended to be dissatisfied.

"What happened next? I remember you said before that your admission letter had actually been mailed a long time ago, but the university got the address wrong."

"Yes, from now on, if anyone tells me that Germans are rigorous, I will not believe them." Dong Qiangqiang finally reached the same step as Wang Shunan. "Then I took the notice and hurried over to register and get exempted from classes."

"You studied in China, so you can be exempted from classes (here), right? I didn't receive higher education in China, so I can only start from the first semester. What is the process for exempting classes?"

"Take the original and notarized copies of your previous university transcripts to the professor and the university course accreditation committee, and answer the questions they raise based on what you have learned. If both parties approve of your grades and answers, you will have the opportunity to be exempted from the corresponding courses here."

"It doesn't sound easy, but I'm sure you'll be fine."

Dong Qiangqiang smiled and said that it was indeed not easy to get exempted from classes.

"The result of the course exemption is not known immediately after the negotiation. It takes some time. I was not sure how many courses I could be exempted from, and I was too lazy to stay and wait for the result. I rushed back to Hanover to prepare for the move. Come to think of it, you were actually busy with the same things at that time, but I was going south and you were going north. Moving to a strange city is relatively simple, but finding a suitable place to live is a lot of hard work. Before I found the place I live now, I talked to five landlords a day, and the first four rejected me directly. If it wasn't for the last one who accepted me, I might have to sleep in the train station. But this landlord has a lot of restrictions. He doesn't allow me to cook Chinese food, and forbids me to install an internet connection."

"Aren't there youth hostels?" Wang Shunan was puzzled. "Besides, you have District 1 and District 2 here, with so many student dormitories, why don't you apply for one?"

"I've applied, but I have to wait one or two semesters. There won't be a vacancy for me right away." Dong Qiangqiang analyzed, "In addition to German students, there are many students from other European countries who enroll every semester. For example, many of my classmates are from Eastern and Southern Europe. Although there are many dormitories, there are even more applicants, so there are more applicants than rooms. What about you? You got a room right away after you applied?" "Kiel is the largest port city in Germany and one of the larger cities along the northern coast. Although the University of Kiel is one of the top universities in Germany, there are far fewer students studying in Kiel than in developed cities, probably because the winters are cold and the city's economy is not as developed as in the south. You can apply for a dormitories close to the sea without waiting, provided that you can tolerate the lingering salt smell in the summer air and the sea breeze in the dormitory in winter."

"So are you living in a student dormitory now?" Dong Qiangqiang raised his hand and pointed upwards, signaling Wang Shunan to continue walking up.

"No, the student dormitories are all heated and include water and electricity, which is too expensive for me. I found a cold-rent private room that does not include water and electricity, which is much cheaper than the dormitory."

The two continued to move towards the top of the stairs.

"By the way, if you don't live in the dormitory, where do you live now? Is it far from the university?" Wang Shunan asked, "Warm rental or cold rental?"

After she asked, she waited for a few seconds but heard no response from behind her. When she turned around, she saw that Dong Qiangqiang's umbrella was motionless.

  Although he has drifted away from Lao Bai and was almost removed from the list of shareholders of Le Bai, when Dong Qiangqiang hears about a new place he has never been to, he will still reflexively consider whether it is possible to design a fun travel route. However, as soon as the idea comes to his mind, he realizes that he is worrying too much and is foolish. The current Le Bai is no longer the same as the Le Bai that was full of vigor and possibilities last year. Today's Le Bai is more like a lone boat in the roaring waves, and it may be buried at the bottom of the sea at any time. As a little sailor, he is powerless because the rudder is not in his hands, and the captain often drowns his sorrows in alcohol. For him at this time, is the direction still important? How to keep the ship from sinking is more important, right?

"What are you thinking about?" Wang Shunan stopped and said, "Did I say something wrong?"

"Well, no, it's just that when I heard you say that just now, I suddenly remembered that I have never been to Kiel." Dong Qiangqiang wiped the rain off his face, "How many fun places are there in your place? I hope I can have the opportunity to visit Kiel in the future."

"Okay, welcome. Come see me during the summer vacation. I'll be your tour guide for free." Wang Shunan said with a smile, "There are many fun places and various marine entertainment projects in the port city. There are countless fishing, sailing, swimming, surfing and diving competitions. In addition to these, there are also many marine-related concerts and art performances. Of course, there are also many marine and military-related memorials. After all, it is a military port. But unfortunately, I haven't played any of them yet."

Dong Qiangqiang really didn't know whether he had time during the summer vacation, so he didn't dare to agree rashly. He just slipped the invitation by reminding her to be careful of the slippery road.

"You haven't answered my question yet."

"what is the problem?"

"Where do you live now?"

"It's on the mountain, a little far from the university. I'll take you to see it this afternoon."

Before they knew it, the two of them walked to the library. Before he could introduce them, Dong's mother called.

Wang Shunan tactfully said that it was a good opportunity for her to visit the library alone and check her emails online. Dong Qiangqiang gave her his computer room account and waited for her at the library entrance while making a phone call.

"Qiang Qiang, how is the situation over there? Is SARS serious?"

"Mom, it's pretty much the same here as before, not much has changed, and not many people are wearing masks."