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The German Experience
Ever since I was a child, I wanted to go to Germany. I think it
all started in primary school, where I was asked if I wanted to go there
with a friend for the Christmas holidays. The trip never happened but I
got it into my mind that one of these days, I was going to Germany…..
Through the internet, I found many au pair/nanny sites that I
could leave a profile on and if families were interested, they would
contact me. I started corresponding with a family who lived near Munich
and after a couple of months, they asked if I would like to come work
for them.
I was so excited. I organised my visa and my plane ticket
straight away. I didn’t tell my family until it was too late for them
to do anything to change my mind. At first, they were horrified that I
had organised this over the internet. But there was nothing they could
do….
Those two weeks were the best time I had in Germany. When I share
my story, people are really surprised. They ask: Why Germany? What is
your interest in that country? Can you speak the language?
I tell them I have always been interested in the country. Its
history fascinates me. If we don’t learn from our past, how are we to
move into the future? And no, I don’t speak German. I can understand a
little but don’t ask me to speak the language. I
often get told they’ve never heard of any Aboriginal person who has
travelled overseas. Most times, I am the first Aboriginal person they
know who has. When people exclaim, “Oh, I didn’t know Aboriginal
people travelled overseas!” it’s an insult. I don’t like being
stereotyped into a category. It makes me wonder. Do people really think
that all Aboriginals walk around naked in the bush, with their spears?
It makes me wonder who really is the ignorant one? Yaritji Green |