Goethe Institut, Lüneburg

It’s the oddest thing: looking at this snapshot, taken 30 years ago this month, I can remember the name of only one person in the picture besides me, but I remember almost everyone’s nationality. Then again, the grundstufe 1 class at the Goethe Institut in Lüneburg, West Germany, in the summer of ’83 was a motley one, representing four continents and at least 10 countries. That must have made an impression on a lad traveling outside of his country for the first time.

I was traveling that summer with college friends Rich and Steve. It was their idea to study German in Germany, the better to read philosophy. My interest in 19th-century continental philosophers wasn’t as keen as theirs, but I thought spending five or so weeks in one place, taking classes in the morning and knocking around the rest of the time, would be a good idea. And so it was.

How they picked Lüneburg, I don’t remember, but it’s a fine Lower Saxony town near Hamburg. I ought to ask them sometime. They might not remember either. Rich and Steve knew some German already, so were in a higher class. I was in the beginner class, grundstufe 1. One day, the class went outside an lined up for a photo.

On the upper row, beginning on the left, are three Americans. The fellow on the farthest left was nicknamed Howdy Doody (by the other Americans) for his red hair, small stature, and childishness. Fourth on the left was Herr Witt, our teacher. A fitting name, since he was a lively, entertaining teacher. Next, and to the back, a Japanese fellow. Then me. Next to me, a Finn, who was something of a celebrity on Finnish children’s TV, if I remember right. I ought to remember his name, since he lived in the same building as I did, and we spoke fairly often, but I don’t. Behind him, a Frenchman, and then a South American whose nation I forgot. At the end is an Italian woman.

On the lower row, beginning on the left, two Italian girls; Howdy Doody in particular was fond of flirting with the girl second to left, and she was fond of brushing him off. The black fellow was from Canada. Next to him, another Japanese guy. I ran into him one day at the Lüneburg McDonald’s, and we had lunch together. Next to him, a Venezuelan, and finally a Hungarian, our only classmate from behind the Iron Curtain.

11 thoughts on “Goethe Institut, Lüneburg

  1. During August 1983, I also attended the “Goethe Institute” for few weeks – but I was in grundstufe 2 class. Thirty years later, I am now in Hamburg on a business trip and plan to visit Lüneburg tomorrow – for old memory’s sake. The only problem is I can not find the address of this institute on the map today! Do you remember the physical address of the school building please? I would be grateful for your help…

    • I don’t have the address of the Goethe Institut in Lüneburg after all these years, sorry. One of my classmates told me that the Lüneburg was slated to be closed after the summer, or the next year, but I didn’t confirm that. I haven’t been back myself since ’83 either. Have a good trip.

  2. Truly great memories from my Grundstufe 1 klasse, fall 1982. Frau Much was the instructor and she was very kind and a phenomenal teacher; prior to the 8 week course, I had 1-1/2 years in high school and 1 semester in college (101) and never earned better than a letter grade of C. Frau Much and my classmates helped me to learn German well enough that I can read, write and speak German as well today as the day I left in December of ’82. Do any of you recall the Diggi Diner or Kurtzentrum and the indoor wave pool? Perhaps the Argentinian Steakhouse? I’m still in contact with one classmate and a young lady I met at the Kurzentrum. How I’d love to return for a visit!

  3. I went to the Luneburg Goethe institute for a 6 week session in 1965. I still have lots of good memories and photos! At that session, besides students from many countries, Germany had paid to have a group of teachers from Central America brought in to study German. It was lively to say the least!

    • I was in Göthe Institut Lüneburg April to October 1980. Grundstufe 1 to Mittestufe.

      It is at

      Garlopstraße 2 Lüneburg
      Germany

      You can locate it on Google Map.

      Zhigang George Fan
      zhigang.fan@gmail.com

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