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? 

• I saw a lot of connections because the theory was pretty close to what we learned outside. By the way I found it really helpful to learn more about the culture before going on tour.

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

• I'm actually positively surprised because I didn't expect the course to be that much fun. I've learned a lot and I'm glad to have decided for it.

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

• No. Because I didn't know that much about the Amish/Mennonite people before I came. I just learned a lot about them.

4. How did you benefit from this experience?

• First of all I was surprised how interesting it was to learn about those people and their culture and second now I can better imagine how they live. And I know now that it's not always how it seems - not everybody who is dressed like an Amish is actually an Amish person. You need to look closer to see the difference.

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

• There's nothing I would change about my experience. But I think it would be a good idea not to give that much homework after a long day, especially when the students need 30 minutes or more to drive home.

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

• I would advise them a lot to sleep, because although it was interesting it was also exhausting and a lot to read, while being in the classroom.

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?

• I would tell them that the Amish people are talking Pennsylvanian Dutch and that they're living without electricity but they have everything to live a happy life. Those people just still know to appreciate the little things in life.

Saturday's reflection questions

1. Which moment from today do you think you will particularly remember? Why?

• I will for sure remember the bus tour and the Amish man at the Central Market. Wayne did a great job and made it a good experiance for me. And to have the oppurtunity to talk to an Amish man in Pennsylvanian Dutch was a great experiance. I couldn't imagine that we would understand each other that well. He was so nice, it was fun to talk to him. 

2. What sounds, smells, or sights come to mind when you think of today's trips?

• I still remember the sound of the hooves of the horses we passed by. I really love that sound. And as we stopped at the store during the bus tour, the smell was that bad. It was just terrible. But Wayne told us about the good quality of the Amish furniture. I have to admit that I was kind of surprised. 

3. What surprised you about today's experiences? Why?

• What actually surprised me today was that I was able to have such a good conversation with the Amish man at the Central Market. It was such a great experiance which I am really thankful for. What also has surprised me was that every Amish boy gets at the age of 16 his own buggie. 

4. When did you feel most comfortable? When did you feel most uncomfortable? 

• I felt most comfortable at the bus tour. It was comfy and Wayne was such a nice tour guide. I think he did a good job because he told it so interesting that I really enjoyed listening.
• I felt most uncomfortable during the house tour because our tour guide seemed not to be that much motivated. And especially as she said "I'm tired of talking"... 

 5. What do you imagine tomorrow's Amish Mennonite church service will be like? 

• I don't have any idea what to expect but I'm really excited for tomorrow. I hope at least to see the difference between the Amish and the Mennonite people and to hear how they sing. 

6. What questions do you have?

• I would like to know about the Amish/Mennonite people is if it's a religion or conviction to live without electricity.

Friday's homework assignment

1. What did you learn today that surprised you?

•  First thing I learned today was that both parents needs to be Amish if there is a baby on the way. If, for example, only the mother is amish, she has to raise the child alone. Otherwise a Amish couple has to adopt the child. The second thing that really surprised me was that the Amish fathers had to go to the prison just because they didn't send their children to school. I think it isn't a good thing neither but in my opinion it's no reason to get send to a prison. 

2. Which source of information did you find most interesting? Why?

•  For me the most interesting source was the movie. Because there was this young woman which made the decision to live a life in the public, outside the Amish culture. But than she came back just because of the bad words of her mother. 2 years and 8 months later she left again and got married to the man she dated before. I think she made the right decision because that was what she wanted her whole life.  
•  Another thing I did not know before that was what a shooting in a Amish school in 2006. For some reason the killer just shot girls. And after 5 died, some Amish people showed up at the house of the murderer's parents and they offered their forgiveness. I got pretty impressed of that. That's a big deal and it shows what a strong mind their had. 

3. What do you hope to learn on tomorrow's trips?

• I just want to learn more about their lifestyle and maybe see how looks a Amish house from the inside. I'm really excited about that.