Thursday, November 29, 2007

Goethe Institute, Prien and my teacher Herr Ochs


Flash back to 1975. I studied German language in Goethe Institute at Prien am Chiemsee, a beautiful resort town near Munich, the Bavarian Capital during Dec.1975-Jan.1976. Mr.Ochs(Ox) , a bearded Austrian bachelor was my teacher. At that time, I was 29 years old and Mr.Ochs was about 45 years old. He had mastery over the English language too. This made his teaching more effective. While teaching us German, he spoke to us on a wide variety of subjects. He was very international in his outlook. He even took us to restaurants in nearby villages and introduced us to authentic German cuisine, though as a vegetarian I chose to forgo opportunities of getting to taste much of the German food. Herr Ochs had become an indispensable part of our daily life at the end of the two months.

Cut to 2007 April. I was making a visit to Germany on my way to the United States. I took a train to Prien from Munich. Prien had changed a lot in the intervening 32 years. More shops. More crowded Railway station. I did not remember the way from the Railway station to the Goethe Institute any more. With some guidance from the passers-by, I managed to locate the institute. It was heart-breaking to learn that the Goethe Institute had closed down its Prien branch. All that remained was the building, uninhabited . And Herr Ochs who had retired long ago, was no more. Some thing sank in me. The old care-taker of the by-now empty Goethe Institute building was nostalgic and sad. His wife, he said, had worked in the kitchen of the institute for several years. She is no more. He lives alone. I said with a sigh , " Every thing seems to have changed in Prien". He shook his shoulders and countered, " Has not the entire world changed upside down?". True. To lighten the atmosphere, I said," But the German beer has not changed. It still schmeckt gut." The care-taker laughed and the heaviness on my heart eased a bit.

Have you any time wondered why we all suffer from pangs of nostalgia? Why that wistfulness? Why that tinge of regret for times gone by? As if a part of us has vanished for ever, never never to return? Is it because it reminds us of passage of precious time? Our mortality? That we are living on borrowed time ? Will we ever come to terms with the truth that we are living in a time-defined ephemeral world?

226 comments:

«Oldest   ‹Older   201 – 226 of 226
sanjana said...

Thanks for sharing this interesting and amazing blog!
Medical Coding Courses in Chennai

Shubh said...

This is a beautifully nostalgic piece, filled with personal memories and the passage of time. The contrast between the vibrant learning experience in 1975 and the bittersweet visit in 2007 gives it a poignant, reflective tone.

The way you describe Herr Ochs makes him feel like a real, warm presence—someone who not only taught language but also broadened perspectives Medical Coding Courses in Kochi

Judith said...

Footloose and Free site gives us information on peoples personal experience onTravel, Health, Personal Finance, Politics, Internet, Movies, Books and Society.
Medical Coding Courses in Bangalore

Judith said...

This blog gives information on real life experiences on Travel, Health, Personal Finance, Politics, Internet, Movies, Books and Society.
Medical Coding Courses in Bangalore

IIMskills ( Premkumar vattanavar) said...

The Goethe-Institut in Prien offers German language learners a warm, immersive experience. Herr Ochs, my teacher, is exceptional. His teaching style is engaging and thorough, blending cultural insights with language mastery. His patience and humor make learning enjoyable and effective. I highly recommend him to anyone serious about German.
Thank you for your post.

Medical Coding Course in Hyderabad

iim skills said...

Medical Coding Courses in Kochi Thanks for sharing this helpful post!

IIMskills ( Premkumar vattanavar) said...

What a wonderful post! Your insights are always spot-on, and I love how you encourage deeper thinking. Keep up the great work!

Medical Coding Course in Hyderabad

IIMSKILLS said...

Amazing post beautifully captures the essence of nostalgia and the emotional connection to places and people from the past. Your reflective storytelling evokes a heartfelt journey through time, resonating deeply with readers.

https://iimskills.com/medical-coding-courses-in-delhi/

shreya said...

"Most insightful post! I loved how you have connected the threads of history, personal connection, and cultural insight. Your writing took me back to another time and place. Well done!
https://iimskills.com/medical-coding-courses-in-bangalore/

IIM SKILLS (Pushpa) said...

This nostalgic reflection beautifully conveys the personal connections and cherished memories associated with the Goethe Institute in Prien. It offers a heartfelt perspective on how time and change impact places and people close to our hearts.
Medical coding courses in Delhi/

IIM SKILL Yashaswi said...

The author clearly explains the full view of this topic and it made me more knowledgeable in this domain.
https://iimskills.com/medical-coding-courses-in-hyderabad/

hktechdiary said...

This nostalgic reflection beautifully captures the author's experience of learning German in Bavaria, highlighting the impact of a passionate teacher. Herr Ochs' international outlook and immersive teaching approach left a lasting impression, making the language-learning journey unforgettable. Medical Coding Courses in Delhi

Aleena K said...

Really enjoyed the post. Very informative. The language used is simple and conversational. Really appreciated.

Medical Coding Courses in Bangalore

mohd shoeab said...

"I was amazed by the depth of knowledge I gained from IIM SKILLS’ Digital Marketing course. It covered everything from SEO to email marketing."

Medical Coding Courses in Coimbatore

IIM SKILLS (Pushpa) said...

Thanks for sharing! Your story beautifully captures the nostalgia of cherished memories and reflections on life's fleeting nature—truly heartfelt.
Medical coding courses in Delhi/

Abdush Samad said...

Students learn the intricacies of supply chain management, operations efficiency, and process optimization to streamline business processes.
Medical Coding Courses in Chennai

Abdush Samad said...

This post was a great read. I’m looking forward to implementing some of these strategies.
Medical Coding Courses in Chennai

Ayush said...

Nostalgia reminds us how much the world changes, yet learning remains timeless. Just like your time at Goethe Institute, gaining new skills—like medical coding—can open doors. In Delhi, specialized courses are helping professionals stay ahead in this evolving world.
Medical Coding Courses in Delhi

tushar kaushik said...

. Excellent advice, I’ll be sure to apply it!
Medical Coding Courses in Delhi

Monisha said...

A very poignant reflection on nostalgia and the passage of time. Life does indeed change in ways that can be hard to accept, but such moments also remind us to cherish the present and find meaning in each stage. Time slips away, but the memories and experiences shape us.

Medical Coding Courses in Delhi

Monisha said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
tushar kaushik said...

I’m really enjoying how you present your ideas in a clear, concise way. It’s refreshing!" Medical Coding Courses in Delhi

Keerthi said...

Interesting article, engaging story ,thanks for sharing.
Medical Coding Courses in Delhi

Thrisha said...

Thanks for sharing this valuable information.
Medical Coding Courses in Bangalore

Ayush said...

Well written!
Medical Coding Courses in Delhi

Siva Balan said...

Your post was exactly what I needed to read today. Thank you for your thoughtful content!

AWS Training in Bangalore

«Oldest ‹Older   201 – 226 of 226   Newer› Newest»