Generally there is no such thing as ‘school spirit’ in German universities. College sports have no relevance for anyone but the ones who do them, and they’re most definitely not shown on national TV. That is something I loved about going to school in the US.
Luckily, as far as collegiate merchandise goes, German universities are catching up. So the other week, I went to the university store and bought a few things. Aside from the rubber ducky that you already got to see in the previous post (isn’t it freakin’ adorable?) I also bought a hoodie and a tshirt.
I am leaving Heidelberg in just three short weeks so I wanted some souvenirs to remind me of the town and of my time here.
I would also love a hoodie of the University of Oklahoma. I bought one when I lived in Norman, but unfortunately the hoodie’s body has shrunk and now is a little short. What a shame, because I doubt I will be able to find an OU hoodie anywhere in Europe. And what with how expensive collegiate gear is, I am a little hesitant to order online. Maybe I will just have to wait till I am in the US again. Whenever that will be.
Until then, I will proudly be wearing my Heidelberg hoodie.
Did you keep your tshirts and hoodies from when you went to school? Do you still wear them?
Ha, I couldn’t agree more! I loved the “school spirit” during my time in the US and how involved everyone was in sports, even if just to cheer or whatever. If I had to tell you something typically American, that is it. High school or college sports and everything surrounding it.
In the Netherlands, where I attend university, no one gives a crap about school teams, either. I don’t know if there even are any teams…?! But, fortunately, there are a few hoodies, shirts and sweatpants to choose from as far as merchandise goes – so naturally I own two hoodies thus far. And whenever I’m back home in Germany, I strut around proudly with the big MAASTRICHT UNIVERSITY phrase across my chest. :)
I like them! The hoodie is especially cute. Our university wasn’t like that either. We don’t have a mascot. We don’t really have slogans. And I wouldn’t buy a shirt to advertise that I went there, haha. It’s just not something we really do. It’s kind of sad, I wish we had as much school spirit as the stats seem to do.
You’re totally right – there is no “school spirit” at German universities and it’s a shame really. I really liked that about Campus life in the US and I own a few items from my time at UC Davis.
I know that my (German) university (HHU Düsseldorf) has merchandise now, but I never bothered to go back and buy a hoodie or shirt… although it sure would be cool to have one.
Woo! Being proud of what school you went to totally rocks! I have 1 or 2 hoodies from my university & the rest are with my sorority letters. Although I haven’t really found myself wearing them that much these days anymore. I use my sorority shirts when I work out (better than not wearing them at all!) :)
The first thing I did after I graduated was to go and buy my Universitaet Muenster t-shirt! I think the shop selling university merchandise had only just opened. And I still have a hoodie somewhere from my semester abroad in Wales (unfortunately, it’s too large rather than too small!). Am loving the picture of your rubber duckie by the way.