Lessons Abroad?

Aco · Post by **Aco** » Sun May 20, 2007 5:51 pm

Tubaguyjoe wrote:Why don't many people consider going out of the country to study? Doing an exchange program for a year in Germany opened my eyes to many different styles of playing as well as simply a new culture. It costs 500 Euros per semester to go to school here. Thats about 750 US dollars. A grad degree is about 2 years...and your only requirements are Playing with the orchestra, lessons, grad recital, and practice, practice, and more practice. You learn a new language, meet some beautiful women, drink some amazing beer, and get better at your instrument. Best expirience of my life...that's also why i'm still here! Not to mention there are simply 250% more jobs in this country than in America. It's only 12 hours on a plane away! Thats my 2 cents having lived it myself...seems to be working so far. But regardless of the country you decide to study in. The only thing that matters is your private teacher...nothing else. -Joe

After reading this post in another thread I am wondering if anyone has had any experience or advice on trying to take (tuba) lessons while studying abroad. I've been considering studying abroad in Europe for about a year now and am practically sold on the idea of pursuing it for next summer (Vienna especially). Thanks.

Tubaguyjoe · Post by **Tubaguyjoe** » Sun May 20, 2007 6:37 pm

Do it. America is not the only place with amazing tubists. You won't regret it. And if you have never been/lived abroad. It's quite an expirience. -Joe

djwesp · Post by **djwesp** » Sun May 20, 2007 6:43 pm

Tubaguyjoe wrote:Do it. America is not the only place with amazing tubists. You won't regret it. And if you have never been/lived abroad. It's quite an expirience. -Joe

So, how well did you speak Deutsch when you got there? What are the language hitches to going to Germany for grad school?

Ich spreche nicht Deutsches gut.

LoyalTubist · Post by **LoyalTubist** » Sun May 20, 2007 8:27 pm

If you are planning to go to Vietnam for vacation, I know a guy who can give you private lessons and he has good references. He has studied with no fewer than six of the greatest American tubists of all time. And he's a fraction of what you'd pay in America...

although the plane tickets to Ho Chi Minh City cost a fortune!

Me!!!

Tubaguyjoe · Post by **Tubaguyjoe** » Mon May 21, 2007 3:28 am

Ich spreche nicht so gut Deutsch! <----Correct

No, the german part is more fun than anything. They are still people here and most can get by with some form of broken english. The learning german part is the least of your worries...do the best you can before you come learning rules and grammar, then just wait till you live here. You learn it all by being surrounded by it.

The undergrad program is also great. Thats what im in the middle of right now. I did 2 years at Cal State Northridge with Doug Tournquist, and 1 year abroad through the Cal State system in Trossingen, Germany. The teacher there I didn't get along with so well so I transfered to Stuttgart. With the undergrad system I would say you need to have a better understanding of the german language. Much more is required from you(ear training, theory, music history), and if you don't understand whats going on...you will simply fail. But like I said. I'm doing it and I lived here for 6 months before I took any real classes. You just have to want to and try. -Joe

Tubaguyjoe · Post by **Tubaguyjoe** » Mon May 21, 2007 4:06 pm

Um....get a scholarship of some kind. I did that the first year. There are a few that are only for Auslanders(foreigners) making it a bit easier. Otherwise start saving. But honestly it's not expensive to go to school here. Housing/insurance is also quite cheap. Students pay around 55 Euros a month for health insurance. I live in the heart of Stuttgart with my own small place for 300 Euros a month. School again costs around 500 Euros pro semester. It's actually quite do-able. (ask the parents). -Joe

LoyalTubist · Post by **LoyalTubist** » Mon May 21, 2007 8:23 pm

As far as living in Vietnam, the biggest expenses are the transportation to get here (you must buy a round-trip ticket, using only half of it, to get a six month multiple entry visa) and the multiple entry visa. Once you get a semi-permanent job, your company will assist you with the visa, although you usually have to pay for it.

Housing is cheap, but so are wages. Few people earn over $1,000 a month. I am lucky in that regard. Be careful when looking for apartments. You need someone to help you with Vietnamese classifieds. If you look in the English language ads, the rents are over $1,500 a month, for two rooms. In the Vietnamese ads, the rents are under $300! When looking for a house, you must check with the police to see if foreigners are allowed to live in the house. If an area is deemed "too poor," you will be forced to move (been there, done that).

Remember, especially if you are an American, that laws are not the same overseas as they are in your home country. You, your house, and your property may be searched at any time for any reason. Laws are different--if you are suspected of a crime and go to jail, you are generally presumed guilty until proven innocent. In some countries, jail and prison are the same thing, as is the case in Vietnam!

Cultures are different--some are very different. But people tend to be the same everywhere.