Moving to the Heidelberg area

Hi All

I am a 35 year old Irish Lad moving to Heidelberg area in June/July 2008.
1. My level of german is very basic, I am planning to go to a language school. Any Advice?
2. Any advice on where to get employment. I am a trainee accountant in Ireland but have worked in pubs and hotels previously for a number of years. Is it hard to get a job in hospitality?finance with only very basic german?
3. Any other advice would be appreciated?

Any help will be greatly appreciated and the giver will be showered in tayto or guinness or both.

Thanks

Why move to Heidelberg? It's quaint, cute, postcard-like. I think O'Reilly's Irish Pub was looking for wait staff. Quite a bold thing to do. Good luck.

As for learning German...

Thanks for the advice. I have sent my CV to O'Reillys.
As for the reason why, I have just got engaged to an Oftersheim girl

> Oftersheim

*cough* 25-minute ride on a Bus that goes once per hour *cough*

The buses to Oftersheim go every 30mins.

Not during the time he'd likely also have to work if he worked at a pub (i.e. after 8 pm, and on saturdays).

Hi,

I'm relatively new to the Heidelberg area and had a few questions.

1) Does anyone have any recommendations for a language school in Heidelberg? I'm currently enrolled in a course at the VHS and I hate it! I really need something with structure, which isn't present in my current course.

2) How about English speaking hairdressers? Any recommendations?

3) Finally, I'm an avid birder and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for birding hotspots or clubs in the area.

Any other advice on life in Heidelberg and meeting people would be much appreciated!

As for the Birds...

close to home, in Heidelberg: Wieblingen, south Neckar shore. Nature protection zone with some rarer birds.

Still trying to get this one identified myself btw. Picture was taken there on a walk.

Other than that, there are plenty of nature conversation zones along the Rhine river in the area, along the old bends that have now become islands with floodplain forests mostly. I recommend the Reißinsel in Mannheim, although that one will be closed till July.

Thanks for the tips! I'll definitely check out those sites. BTW, I think your bird is a Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo).

Aah, well working at an Irish pub & living in Oftersheim aren't really compatible!

Take a bike. You will save the money for the gym and it's faster.
There is a bicycle lane from Oftersheim to Heidelberg.

Thanks for advice, I will use either bike or car depending on the weather. Any info on further jobs in area or german language course.

Possibly this one: http://www.heidelberger-paedagogium.de/
I am a native German speaker so I cannot give any advice from experience. I think a friend of mine did an intensive Latin course with them. The level might be a bit higher there (which is a good thing in my opinion). About eight years ago I did Spanish at the VHS for a year and wasn't very happy with the level either (was a different VHS though).

Yeah, got that far too (that it's some kind of cormorant)
The interesting thing though is that this picture was taken in June, but according to what i can find on it, Phala. carbo in particular is only supposed to stay in this area during autumn and winter. Plus it looks a bit small compared to other cormorants i've seen around here - barely 30-35cm in length.

"Yeah, got that far too (that it's some kind of cormorant)
The interesting thing though is that this picture was taken in June, but according to what i can find on it, Phala. carbo in particular is only supposed to stay in this area during autumn and winter. Plus it looks a bit small compared to other cormorants i've seen around here - barely 30-35cm in length."
-Weird. I looked at the BWP and my Harrison "Seabirds" book and couldn't find any cormorants of that length. The closest species in size was probably the Pygmy Cormorant but the bill structure and facial color are all wrong. It's definitely not one of the N. American species (DC, Brandt's, or Pelagic). Hmmm, midget Phala. carbo? I'll forward your picture and your description onto my major professor (he's a big time birder) and see what he thinks.

Thanks, I'll look into that! I'm fine with working at a higher level (in fact, I prefer it).

Thanks for advice on language school. It looks good. Does anyone have any experience of this language school?
http://www.heidelberger-paedagogium.de/

How about English speaking hairdressers in or around Heidelberg? I'm not looking for anything special, just a trim (I'm tired of looking like Shaggy from Scooby Doo).

Since no one else has responded...I went to a trial class today and it was really good. It is a little more expensive than the VHS but the quality of instruction is much higher.

Thanks Wren.

hey! A few of us might be meeting up on friday night in Heidelberg for a few drinks and something to eat!

if your interested in coming along check out the fortnightly drinks thread.

Fortnightly drinks Heidelberg and Mannheim

hope to see some of you on Friday.

Jodiejo

Thanks for the invitation JodieJo. I have not moved over yet, but would be interested in meeting some TTs when I do get over. In the meantime have a good time.

Hi Wren

Went to a trial class yesterday, I have to say I was impressed with the instruction myself. I also found the staff very helpful (as you would expect but dont always get) I have registered for a beginners intensive course starting the 30th June. Have you went to any more classes or any additional feedback on this school.

i'm not sure if i'm posting this the right way.. but for the english speaking hairdresser request, if you are a military ID card holder, i have a friend in mannheim (20 minute drive) that was a hairdresser in the states and is now doing it out of her home on post (benjamin franklin village). she's really great. email me if you want more info... tammy_o7@yahoo.com. she's going to be working on the economy in a hair studio in a few months, but for now still out of her home. she's got a ton of happy clients here already though!

I've been enrolled for the month and it has been great. I've been really impressed with the instruction and I'm pleased that you've had a similar experience.

Nope, don't have a military id, but thanks for the info.

Thanks for the feedback Wren. Hope you enjoy the rest of your course.

@ Wren

I have been there for a week + 1 Tag now and I have found it to be very good. It has given me great confidence to try and speak german with Germans. I am just wondering how far have you taken your lessons. Did you do a second month?

Glad you are happy with the classes at the Pädagogium.

Thank you Mariposa for the initial introduction. It has worked out very well for me so far.. only 7 days gone out of 20 but my german is improving little by little.

I did 2 months daily, which was great. I'm now taking an evening class there because of work commitments. I'm glad you like it!