Free Time in Deutschland - Lets Flyyyyyyy

Buat teman-teman yang suka terbang, berikut ada artikel menarik tentang kegiatan mahasiswa di TU Dresden. Silahkan disimak... ^^

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Gliding at the TU Dresden

At the TU Dresden, students reach new heights – literally. In a gliding course offered by the Academic Flying Group, students soar across the sky like a bird. On two days every year, new students have the chance to take a test flight in a real glider.

by Dominik Brüggemann

Im Landeanflug, Foto: Brüggemann/DAAD

The towing cable is latched and secured. The pilot checks the instruments, the rudder and stabilisers. Delta 54 is ready for take-off. The winch is released and the glider is pulled into the air at a speed of about 100 km per hour. With a light crosswind, the glider climbs steeply until it reaches an altitude of 400 metres. The cable unlatches and the two-seater “Twin Astir” sails silently over the Lausitz. Twice a year at the beginning of each semester, the Academic Flying Group, or “Akaflieg”, at the TU Dresden offers new students the chance to fly in their glider. About 30 flying enthusiasts showed up this semester at the Schwarzheide airfield to take a test flight with an experienced pilot.

One of them is the Geography major Nina Baake. “The club gave a video presentation about themselves in the lecture hall. That really hooked me,” she says, recalling the first time she’d heard of the group. But before she can take off, Vivian Rösler, the chairwoman of the club, gives her a briefing. She points out the most important instruments, tells her what to do in an emergency and shows her where the ‘barf bag’ is – in case she needs it.

Gliding is pure happiness

Im Cockpit, Foto: Brüggemann/DAAD

Luckily, Nina doesn’t need the bag. After her first flight, she can’t stop smiling. “Flying gives you an adrenaline high – a feeling of complete happiness,” she says. “I’m interested in this sport; I’ll be signing up with the club.” Her girlfriend is just as enthused after completing her first flight in a glider. “The view from up there is impressive and the feeling of floating quietly above the earth is amazing.”

“Akaflieg” is supported by experienced pilots like Lutz Plaumann. He has been flying motor-less aircraft since 1967. Because he was only 15 years old at the time, he needed a special permit which made him the youngest glider pilot in former East Germany. He proudly presents his logbook. So far he has logged a total of 1,327 take-offs. “The great thing about flying is succeeding at it. You’re overcome with a feeling of joy when you hit the thermic updraft and climb up to 2,000 metres,” he says, enthusiastically describing what makes this sport so unique.

The conditions are ideal in Schwarzheide, around 60 km northeast of Dresden. “It’s like an autobahn for gliding,” says club member Florian Herrmann. The former open-cast mines with their swaths of sand-covered terrain create excellent thermic conditions. This is where the sun heats up the ground especially fast. The warm air rises, allowing the gliders to circle overhead for long periods of time.

Flying in the summer, tinkering in the winter

Herrlicher Ausblick, Foto: Brüggemann/DAAD

To be allowed in the pilot’s seat, you first have to obtain a pilot licence and a physical. After an extensive examination in flight theory, you can pilot a glider in the company of an experienced flight coach. During this stage, you learn the basics of flying. Following your first solo flight, you must complete two more solo flights which are assessed by your flight coach. After you receive a radio licence and learn several additional flight manoeuvres, you can then obtain the basic A-level pilot licence.

Segelflieger, Foto: Brüggemann/DAAD

Flying is not the only thing the 35 members of the gliding club spend their time on. They have their sights on another goal – to build their own airplane which they’ve named D-B11. They are developing the plane’s hull, canopy and tail system all by themselves. The only parts they need to purchase are the wings and the tail construction. Student Maik Horneffer finds the project remarkable. “What makes it so impressive is that the students are developing a complete airplane from scratch.” Because the flying season usually ends at the end of October, there’s plenty of time to work on the D-B11 during the winter. The active members meet four times a week in their workshop located near campus. This is where they repair and maintain the three club-owned gliders and tinker on prototypes. If all goes according to plan, the D-B11 will be ready for take-off in 2015.

Source: study-in.de

Celebrating the New Year, German-Style

Does the “same procedure as every year” accurately describe your annual party? Perhaps you should try adding a little German flair to your New Year’s Eve, or Silvester, as its known in Germany. This means an obscure British comedy sketch called Dinner for One, jelly donuts, “fiery” drinks, and fireworks—lots of them—could be the highlights of your party this year.

Enlarge imageButler James, portrayed by Freddie Frinton, constantly trips over the tiger’s head in the sketch “Dinner for One.”(© picture-alliance/ dpa)Considered to hold the title of most frequently repeated TV show ever, Dinner for One, which is also known as The 90th Birthday, has been a popular New Year’s Eve tradition in Germany since 1972. While set in England and performed in the English language, it was actually filmed in Germany in 1963. It portrays the birthday dinner of 90-year-old Miss Sophie, who seems unaware that her butler, James, is playing the parts of all the other dinner guests. Cherished for its impish, slapstick humor, the show has attained cult status in Germany, and its catchphrase “same procedure as every year” lives on. Nevertheless, it has remained relatively unknown to native English speakers in the UK or US. (Click the link in the right-hand column to watch it online.)

Enlarge imageFeuerzangenbowle is a hot punch composed of mulled red wine with carmelized sugar that has been flambéed with rum.(© picture-alliance / dpa / Stockfood)Among the many drinks which may be consumed on New Year’s Eve, there’s one that is the star of the party:Feuerzangenbowle. This hot “fire tongs” punch takes the wintertime treat Glühwein, or hot mulled wine, and turns it into an event. Dry red wine is warmed with cinnamon, cloves, and orange peel. Then a large, conical piece of sugar that has been soaked in rum is placed in a holder above the wine and lit with a match. The sugar proceeds to caramelize and melt into the hot mulled wine, creating a drink which is as much fun to watch as it is to drink. The toast at midnight is still traditionally done, however, with a glass of sparkling wine, which is called Sekt in Germany.

Enlarge imageThe famous Cologne Cathedral is partially hidden by the New Year's fireworks during this celebration.(© picture-alliance/ dpa/dpaweb)As many Germans living abroad will readily attest, the loud cracks and booms of thousands of simultaneous fireworks are dearly missed at the stroke of midnight in the US. The tradition of welcoming the New Year and driving away evil spirits with the help of loud pyrotechnics is not unique to Germany. However, unlike the city-sponsored firework displays that many are accustomed to in the US, it seems that every man, woman, and child takes to the streets or the rooftops of the cities in Germany to contribute to the cacophony of sound and the showers of light.

Once the midnight bells have tolled and all the fireworks have all been set off, it’s time to bring out the jelly donuts. This donut is often called a Berliner outside of Berlin, because it is said they were created there in late 18th century. People in Berlin simply call them Pfannkuchen(pancakes). Whatever the name, beware of reckless consumption, because each donut may contain a practical joke – mustard in place of jam – which some say will bring bad luck. Should this happen, you may want to buy a few more marzipan pigs or a four-leaved clover, since these are said to bring good luck.

Enlarge imageStrange figures emerge after the molten lead is poured into cold water. Their interpretations vary greatly, too.(© picture-alliance / ZB)Some Germans also enjoy a bit of fortune telling amusement with Bleigießen(lead pouring). To do this, one melts a small amount of lead over a little flame and then pours the molten metal into cold water. The metal hardens, and the shape that emerges can then be interpreted with the help of a book to determine what the year ahead holds in store. Fortune cookies are another popular alternative.

After so much late-night fun, one looks forward to a hearty meal on the first evening of the New Year. There are many superstitions surrounding what should or shouldn’t be eaten. Poultry, according to some traditions, shouldn’t be eaten on New Year’s Day because the bird might cause your good luck to fly away. Many in the areas around the Rhine, however, look forward to their annual New Year’s goose. Other traditional meals may include fish such as carp or pickled herring. Keeping a scale from the carp in your wallet, says one legend, will ensure that you won’t run out of money during the year to come.

Lastly, in case you're wondering, the tradition of thinking up a few New Year's resolutions is also commonplace in Germany, but luckily one doesn't have to follow these until January 1.

Frohes Neues Jahr! Happy New Year!

© Germany.info

Duden Publishes 'Words of the Decade' Volume

Jul 20, 2011

A special edition of the iconic German Duden dictionary has just been published on the 100th anniversary of its creator's death that features a selection of new words to enter the language over the past decade.

(© picture-alliance/dpa)

Aptly entitled "Unsere Wörter des Jahrzehnts. 2000 bis 2010 - Von Abfrühstücken bis Zwischenparken" (Our Words of the Decade. 2000 to 2010 - From 'Breakfast-Devouring' to 'Inbetween Parking'), it traces the latest trajectory of the German language and incorporates new terms that have in many cases only entered common parlance due to societal changes.

In this vein, the first Babyklappe (baby flap) and first Castingshow (Popstars) were introduced to Germany in 2000. And gay couples have been permitted to live in legally recognized Lebenspartnerschaften, or official life partnerships, since 2001.

Ten Tips for Keeping Student Costs Down

There comes a time in just about every student’s life when money becomes a serious issue. Like, where did it go? And so darn quickly? One moment you’re living it up on double vanilla lattés and parties at expensive clubs, the next you’re scrounging for pennies to afford a bowl of stew at the campus food court.

An old German saying goes something like this: “Learning years are not master’s years.” To which all students enrolled at German universities and colleges will agree, especially when looking at their budgets. Nevertheless, some students develop the ways and tastes that come with a high-paying career – way ahead of that high-paying career. This, of course, can only hurt their wallets.

To ease the pain, Young Germany’s financial experts have compiled ten guidelines to help you get the most out of your euros without missing any of the fun. So read on if you are ready to take back financial control:

1. Stay on Campus

Think of your campus as a world of its own. A complete infrastructure that is geared foremost around you, the student. It’s a fact that the German government goes to great lengths to subsidize this quaint little enclave, letting you take advantage of prices that are unmatched (and totally unthinkable) anywhere in the outside world.

Take the food courts, for instance, serving a variety of warm meals up to six times a week. Thanks to funding by German taxpayer euros, you can get a complete three-course meal for as little as two euros. Argue all you want about the quality, but the price is hard to get worked up over. (And hey, there is always a free hot sauce or two to help spruce things up.)

Your campus also offers a wide array of services at unbeatable rates – or even free – including photocopying, printing, and internet access. Remember the golden rule: Before you buy elsewhere, see if you can find it for free on campus.

2. Extra Extra!

For after-hours fun, extracurricular activities are the way to go. Is your fifty-euro per month gym membership weighing down your account? Well, cancel today and join the campus sports program: Pump iron, play ball, learn martial arts or yoga, and even get jiggy on the dance floor for a couple of bucks – at the most.

And don’t forget, once the lights go out in the libraries, the campus is far from ready to sleep. Lectures, film screenings (mostly in their original language) and regular festivities by the many faculties offer ways to cut lose without cutting a hole in your pocket. Forget snazzy clubs; some of the most happening parties take place right here at school. And the promise of loud music, cheap drinks and a chance to meet attractive young students draws in not only members of the academia. “Yes, dear, I’m a student of engineering... mostly fixing cars.”

My First Week at a German University

You’ve suddenly found yourself washed up on the beach of an uncharted land called "German University." You may be disorientated and have a ton of questions, but have no fear, because our partner Young Germany has mapped out an info-packed route to ensure a hassle-free first week.


(© www.colourbox.com)

Step One: Make Peace with the Bureaucratic Natives

For international students, the first step towards surviving your first week is to register with the German authorities. Survival Tip #1: be prepared. Deutsche Welle on its special website Study in Germany details how to get the red tape, your appointment with the “Einwohnermeldeamt” and “Ausländeramt”, out of the way.

Inspiring People to Learn German

A teacher from Brandenburg, Germany, instructs a class of German students in Gubin, Poland. (© picture-alliance / dpa)

With the campaign “German – Language of Ideas” Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle aims to promote learning German as a foreign language abroad. Minister of State Pieper introduced the campaign at the Federal Foreign Office. German is the most widely spoken language in Europe.

Nearly 15 million people speak and learn German as a foreign language. However, in recent years there has been a decline in the number of people learning German. Pieper called this trend an “alarming sign” that the German Government was determined to counter. After all, language was a foundation for establishing good relations between countries.

Research Reveals an Active Brain Protects Against Neurological Injury

Apr 26, 2011

Peppy Nerve Cells (© picture-alliance/dpa)

Scientists at the University of Heidelberg have found a gene that protects against the consequences of a stroke. The discovery published in "The Journal of Neuroscience" is likely to have effects on therapies in the treatment of stroke and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Under the direction of Hilmar Bading, researchers at the Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences (IZN) found that increased production of the gene made nerve cells more resilient.