antidive

Very nicely written. Keep updating the post as you make progress.
I didn't know that there was a possibility to give the B1 exam directly at GI. Or that GI offered such a kind of course. It is perfect for people who want to learn German in a short time frame.

Even with C1, I faced the same difficulties in the beginning. Getting used to the pace at which native Germans speak is really a challenge. I had to use a lot of "Wie bitte?"s in the beginning. The trick is to never give up and continuously keep trying to hold conversations completely in German. Getting drunk also helps. You start losing the fear of being incorrect. Plus at parties you can meet a lot of native speakers and hone your skills there.