Post-work questions

1. What connections do you see between any of the sources we used this weekend and your experience on one of the trips outside the classroom?

• We were talking about the mass shooting in one of the Amish schools a few years ago. We watched a movie were they showed us what happend and we looked more into the details with the texts we got. One was about the Amish and how they felt and one about the victims mother. In that case we got to know which both sides which I liked very much. And in that bus tour we did on Saterday Wayne suddenly mentioned that we just passed exactly this school. I didn't even know the school was so close-by. But it was great that I knew so much about it and even if it is something horrible I know a little about the history here.

2. What did you expect this course to be like? How was the reality similar to or different from your expectations?

•  I expected it to be interessting and that we gonna end this course and say 'wow I learnt a lot about the Amish culture'. And in the end exactly that happend. I learnt even more because we didn't just talked about the Amish we also talked about the Mennonite and even visited their service. The people we met have been so kind and open and welcoming I am still overwhelmed because of that. But I also expected not to have homework or post-work because we had a lot work before the class. So that is kind of bummer. But still the weekend itself was (even if long and exhausting) amazing!

 3. How have your opinions or thoughts about the Amish in Lancaster changed?

• Before the class the Amish were kind of mysterious for me. I mean I knew a little about them but still they were unreachable. But during this weekend we learnt almost everything about them, saw where they live and I even talked to them! And I know they are a closed circle but I feel them a lot closer than I did before. 

4. How did you benefit from this experience?

• First I made new friends which means a lot to me. Second I have found my new favourite sandwich at Panera which I ate already 3 times this week. And I have found one of the best strawberry jams from an Amish man. But like I already said I also learnt a lot during that weekend about the Amsih and the Mennonite. But also about other people, a little of their lifes and countries which is what this au pair program is about.

5. What is one thing you would change about your experience this weekend, if you could?

• There is almost nothing. The only two things I would change is first the homework after the class and second the length of the class. Friday was totally fine but on Saterday and Sunday, 8 am in the morning is just to early. I personally had to get up earlier than I have to get up when I have to work. And then from 8.00 am until 8.30 pm it's just to long. That's why I was really glad that we could leave a little earlier. 

6. What advice do you have for future participants in this course?

• That they should try the bagels. They were delicious! And that they really should involve themselves in the discussions and the whole class. Also they should ask many questions to learn as much as possible. 

7. When you return to your normal daily life here or talk with friends and family at home, what will you say when others ask you who the Amish are?

• The Amish are a group of religious people who just want the best for their community and people. They don't have modern technology because they believe it tears their community apart and seperates them. They think when they have mobile phones to talk to each other why should we visit us then? And they are kind of right. But even though a lot Amish are farmers there are also a lot who are working in a normal factory. They don't go to the Army because they don't believe in violence. And they don't have insurance because they believe that the community provides for each member. They don't drive cars. They use buggies pulled by a horse to get from one place to another. They don't let anybody in their community, you have to be born in there. But you can leave if you want. And as long as you are not baptised (which happens when they are older; mostly between 14 and 20 years old) you can come back and be a part of the community again. Being baptised is your own choice and it will happen when ever your ready. The Amish have a lot of rules but in the end they are just human like all of who try to survive.