Darmstadt, City of Science

Pencil Sketch of the Wedding Tower

Blog 14


Darmstadt is in the southern part of the Rhine-Main-Area. It is the City of Science with many world-renowned scientific institutions, universities, and high-tech companies.

Even though Darmstadt is as close as Mainz from Nauheim, where I lived since I was seven years old until early adulthood, we never went to the city until I started the two-year programme at a language school to become a Foreign Language Correspondent. Suddenly, I went there every day. However, it was only after my move to Canada that I saw more than the school building and the shopping area of the city centre. I had no idea of the gems at the Mathildenhöhe, the artistic neighbourhood with many Art Deco buildings, exhibitions, and the richly decorated Russian Chapel. It became a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2021. If you want to learn more about the Mathildenhöhe, check out https://www.mathildenhoehe-darmstadt.de/en/mathildenhoehe/.


 

During my 2022 spring trip, I only saw the train station and the place in front of the building as one of my friends picked me up for our mini-class reunion. I stayed in touch with half of the 12 students in our language class. Even though most of my former classmates have returned to the Rhine-Main Area, I have been the one to organize the reunions. The group, including our beloved Spanish teacher, only meets when I come for a visit. Since the pandemic, our bond has become even stronger because we meet every Thursday for a virtual chat. We actually reached out to one of our classmates who moved to Switzerland, and she has joined our weekly get-togethers and also this year's reunion.


Community is crucial for me. I thrive around friends. Lack of connections was a big reason for suffering so much homesickness at the beginning of my time in Canada. Despite joining the local Newcomers Club, I struggled to build lasting friendships. Many new acquaintances left when their military spouses transferred to a new location.


One of my visions for my business is to have supportive and inspiring relationships among my group of students that extend outside of learning to build friendships. It is not surprising that many of my former clients have become friends.

Are you looking to be part of a creative community? I meet virtually every Friday from 3 PM to 5 PM with a group of women for Crafters Afternoon, and you are welcome to join us. If you are on Facebook, please send me a DM or contact me at info@KerstinPeters.ca.

 

What else do you want to attend? Maybe a German art session? I am not ready to have students in my studio during the fall and winter. However, we should still have a couple of weeks to meet outside for a chat or to create art together if you are in the Ottawa/Rockland area.