Student Writings
What I liked the most so far
Now I am already since one year part of the Access program, and I can say that I really do enjoy it. When I read the assignment of my essay “What do you liked so far the best”, it was really difficult for me to decide. However I have chosen two things I liked the best about the program, which I am going to name in the following part.
One thing I really do like is the contend of our classes. Most time it is really interesting and we learn a lot of the US and the people which live there. In my personal view its always the most interesting when we learn something about the lives of historical persons. For instance it was great to learn something about president Lincoln, or to learn more about the amazing Rosa Parks.
From our excursions I liked the most when we went, really far in the beginning of the program, to the Cascadas bar, and saw how Ms. Thomas performed. That was gorgeous, just unforgettable! Also I liked caroling a lot. It was fun to sing all together, and we become a nice and calm Christmas feeling. Also I was excited about performing in front of so many people I never met bevor. It was such an honor to meet the consul General and the Ambassador! - Konstantina Manou
Essay: 'Christmas'
Many Christians and non-Christians celebrate Christmas or so called 'Christmas Day' on the 25th of December. They decorate their houses and get themselves a nice Christmas tree. Large numbers of Christians go to church to sing carols, to recreate the birth of Jesus Christ in a scenario-like play or to read loudly the Bible. At home people, friends and relatives get together and gather around the Christmas tree happily, sing songs and exchange their gifts with each other, which is something very exciting and joyful. Therefore this annual festival, Christmas, brings a great pleasure and happiness.
There are many preparations made for Christmas. People go to Christmas Markets to buy festive and traditional Christmas objects. You find there many delicious dishes and a very festive atmosphere to cheer up your mood. Millions of people try to make a lovely Christmas atmosphere in their houses so they put lights on walls and try to find the perfect songs for a good Christmas time. The hardest but the most satisfying part is finding of an appropriate present for the receiver. Most people get happy when they receive a present for Christmas. For these reasons Christmas brings joyfulness and contentment.
Many countries have recognized and accepted Christmas as an official annual celebration. Countries like Germany, Italy, Russia, Spain, etc. celebrate Christmas depending on their own culture and traditions. In Germany kids write their wishes to 'Christkind' -the Christ Child or to 'Weihnachtsmann' -Santa Claus. In Italy, Befana and Bobbo Natale (Santa Claus) come to give presents to the little children. People in Russia know 'Ded Moroz' (Santa Claus) for Christmas and in Spain, three magic kings come on the 6th of January to bring presents for the kids. Children are happy that their Santa Claus brings them presents. That is why this annual festival brings enjoyment and satisfaction.
All in all Christmas is an annual festival, which brings a lot of joy and happiness. Mankind needs Christmas to feel that Christmas spirit, to get together with the beloved ones and to have a good time celebrating. It doesn't matter how old you are, there is always going to be something for you for Christmas and don't forget to write your wish letters to Santa Claus.
g.i 21.01.2017 #Christmas-Essay
Christmas caroling on the 2nd of December, 2016
our Access Program was invited to the American Consulate to sing Christmas songs. We were there around 16:15 o’clock and first sang outside. Everybody who came there had the opportunity to stop and listen to us. After that we went upstairs where we waited until the ambassador finished his speech and turned the Christmas tree lights on. We then sang from the balcony and had a 30 minutes’ break. At the end of the break we met inside and sang there as well. For me it was a great honor to sing in the American consulate during such an important event. -
Silviu C. Stavarache 15.12.2016
On Friday the second of December our access class was invited to the Hamburg American consulate.
About one month ago the students began to learn Christmas songs, which were chosen by their selves, together with the teachers Ms. Thomas and Ms. Swanson.
About one month ago the students began to learn Christmas songs, which were chosen by their selves, together with the teachers Ms. Thomas and Ms. Swanson.
We were very excited and happy to receive the opportunity to be able go there and visit the American ambassador personally and sing Christmas songs.
Finally it was second of December.
We went all together to American consulate.
When we arrived, there was a line of people, who had been invited to the Christmas tree lightening festival.
So we too stood in the waiting line, but after a while, our teacher Ms. Swanson picked us up and we went inside before the other guests.
We started to sing our songs first outside on the stairs.
All of the guests were surprised when they saw us.
We were all very excited.
After singing all the songs outside we went inside and visited the American ambassador and did a group picture together.
Then we sang two other songs, one was "O Christmas Tree " and the other one, " O Tannenbaum " it was a great moment.
We sang two other songs also inside on the stairs so everyone sang with us and they encouraged us so much!
After singing the songs we were free to celebrate and eat there.
It was a beautiful party and a wonderful experience for us.
Finally it was second of December.
We went all together to American consulate.
When we arrived, there was a line of people, who had been invited to the Christmas tree lightening festival.
So we too stood in the waiting line, but after a while, our teacher Ms. Swanson picked us up and we went inside before the other guests.
We started to sing our songs first outside on the stairs.
All of the guests were surprised when they saw us.
We were all very excited.
After singing all the songs outside we went inside and visited the American ambassador and did a group picture together.
Then we sang two other songs, one was "O Christmas Tree " and the other one, " O Tannenbaum " it was a great moment.
We sang two other songs also inside on the stairs so everyone sang with us and they encouraged us so much!
After singing the songs we were free to celebrate and eat there.
It was a beautiful party and a wonderful experience for us.
Zahra
Every year, there is a special tradition at the American Consulate called " Christmas Tree Lightning".
December the second was amazing! Our Access Class was asked to sing some Christmas songs at this event. We all met so many interesting people from America and from Germany even the American Ambassador John B. Emerson talked to us and we took a photo together!
Being a part of this tradition was such an honor for every one of us.
Anna
December the second was amazing! Our Access Class was asked to sing some Christmas songs at this event. We all met so many interesting people from America and from Germany even the American Ambassador John B. Emerson talked to us and we took a photo together!
Being a part of this tradition was such an honor for every one of us.
Anna
Christmas Caroling
On December 2nd, the ACCES program had the chance to experience atypical American Christmas tradition: Christmas caroling and Christmas tree lighting. We sang Christmas songs in front of high ranked guest who were invited to join the yearly Christmas tree lighting ceremony, in the US consulate, where we were greeted very kindly. At the beginning of the event, we stood in front of the consulate´s entrance and sang on the stairs the songs “ Feliz Navidad” and “ Walking in a Winter Wonderland „while the guest arrived. While singing, we had a beautiful view over the Alster, where the lights of the city are magnificently mirrored. Then we had a break and met the American ambassador John B. Emerson and gained a view into the US consulate. Right after the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, we sang the American and German version of “Oh Christmas tree „on the balcony and admired the beautiful Christmas tree decorated with lights which lit up the area and generated a festive atmosphere. Being a part of this event was amazing but it got cold so we went back inside, where we enjoyed the Christmas party in the festive decorated rooms of the consulate. In the consulate we sang one more time on the stairs “Feliz Navidad “and “Rocking around the Christmas tree” , but this time we sang them acapella. However, we gave our best and everything went quite well. We are even all the opinion, that we sounded even better without music in the background! Christmas caroling and the Christmas tree lightening were overwhelming experiences which will stay unforgettable for all of us. It was a great honor to be a part of it and it was a lot of fun. Now we have a better idea of how these traditions are practiced and we understand why they are so indispensable for the Americans.
Evdoxia
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Labor Day 2016: Why do we celebrate the holiday? Meaning, history and more
Millions of Americans will be celebrating Labor Day on Sept. 5, a day that marks the unofficial end of summer. It's celebrated with parades, parties and – of course – barbecues.
But why do we celebrate Labor Day and what is its history? Here's some information from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Always the first Monday in September, the Labor Day holiday is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of the American workers.
"It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country," the Labor Department said in its history of the holiday.
History of Labor Day
Labor Day was first created by the labor movement in the 19th century and was marked by cities and towns before becoming a federal holiday in 1894.
The day came about as massive changes were underway in American manufacturing. During the Industrial Revolution of the late 1800s, there were few restrictions on the treatment of workers and many people worked 12-hour days and seven days a week. Children – some as young as 5 – worked in factories and no one was guaranteed a minimum wage. Working conditions were often unsafe and there was no recourse for employees.
It was during this time that labor unions – groups formed to represent workers – grew in prominence. The unions organized strikes and rallies to protest poor working conditions and pay and, on Sept. 5, 1882, 10,000 workers in New York took time off without pay to participate in what's believed to be the first Labor Day parade in U.S. history.
The idea of celebrating American labor spread and states began passing legislation for similar holidays.
Then, on May 11, 1894, employees of the Pullman Palace Car Company in Chicago went on strike and union officials called for a boycott of the railway cars. Federal officials dispatched troops to Chicago, where the two groups clashed and more than a dozen workers were killed.
In the wake of the massacre, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year Labor Day, a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.
It was approved on June 28, 1894. All states later made the day an official holiday, with state, federal and most city and county offices closed.
Who founded Labor Day?
No one really knows who first suggested a day to celebrate American labor.
Some believe it was Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor. Others think it was Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, who founded the holiday.
Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., reportedly proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York.
"The problem with declaring a single "founder" of Labor Day is that, at the time, no one realized that a new national holiday was being born. It was only after the fact that people tried to pinpoint a single founding father," said Linda Stinson, a former U.S. Department of Labor's historian. "So the historical conundrum seems to hinge on the fact that the two names sound alike and were probably mixed up in the common consciousness. Toss in the years of bitter rivalry between the American Federation of Labor and the Knights of Labor and, of course, you're going to have multiple heroes emerging in the legend of Labor Day."
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