So, I got home from school today and checked the mail (as usual). However, today, there was a packet from YFU! In it was a bunch of information and some forms related to visas. Also, there's a packet with information specific to living in Germany (which I will read through soon!). Most importantly: I have more information about my OLC and my temporary host family!
This family lives in a small town called Harra. There is a mother, a father and two daughters (one aged 23, the other 19). So, I'll still be the baby in this family, but I'll still have sisters! However, I'm not sure if they live at home, based on what I've seen on facebook. Regardless, they seem like really great people!
My OLC (Orientation and Language Camp) will be in Bad Lobenstein. I'll go there Monday through Friday for 4 hours of language training and 2 hours of orientation training, each day. I've been placed in Level III-IV (hopefully, I'll do well there!). I'll eat lunch with my peers at a local eatery. Sounds like fun!
The pre-departure orientation in DC goes from July 19th to the 21st, and I've found out I'll arrive at the OLC on July 22nd. I'll be there for about a month, and then leave for my permanent family on August 20th. I'm going to be traveling by train across almost the entire country!
Just under 50 days until this crazy-awesome-amazing-insane-exciting-scary-fun adventure begins! I can't wait!
Bis später!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
Thoughts
I always find it so surreal how both very real and at the same time so very dream-like this whole thing can feel. I like to think of myself as someone who very much lives each day to the next. Sure, I plan ahead. I do things in the present that will make the future easier and less stressful. So, most of the time, I tend to not really think about what my life will be like in just a couple of months. I haven't often thought about what it will be like to have a sister and younger brother. I haven't often thought about the different rules and responsibilities my hostfamily will have for me. I haven't often thought about how challenging and strange it will be to live with a foreign language almost 24/7. All those things and more just still seem too far away, too separate from the life I live now, for me to really think about them.
However, there are times when I do try to wrap around those concepts and situations. It's during those times that I feel a mix of both elation and anxiety. While I know this can be one of the greatest years and experiences of my life, I can't help but feel trepidation about what I'm actually getting myself into. I'm going to a whole other country, by myself, to live with people I can't really claim to know. I'm going to be living where people don't necessarily speak my native language. I'm going to be moving away from everything and everyone I have come to know, love and appreciate my whole life. But it's kind of funny. It's these things - which give me such worry and sometimes almost cause me to doubt what I'm doing - it's these things that make me that much more excited for exchange.
Exchange is something I have to do for myself. I'm the one who needs to challenge myself and persevere through it. I'm the one who needs to learn all the lessons exchange has to teach. I'm the one who needs to make the memories that will last a lifetime. I can't ask anyone to do it for me, because no one can do it for me. It's up to me to make the very most of this incredible experience. And I know I'm ready for it.
Bis später
However, there are times when I do try to wrap around those concepts and situations. It's during those times that I feel a mix of both elation and anxiety. While I know this can be one of the greatest years and experiences of my life, I can't help but feel trepidation about what I'm actually getting myself into. I'm going to a whole other country, by myself, to live with people I can't really claim to know. I'm going to be living where people don't necessarily speak my native language. I'm going to be moving away from everything and everyone I have come to know, love and appreciate my whole life. But it's kind of funny. It's these things - which give me such worry and sometimes almost cause me to doubt what I'm doing - it's these things that make me that much more excited for exchange.
Exchange is something I have to do for myself. I'm the one who needs to challenge myself and persevere through it. I'm the one who needs to learn all the lessons exchange has to teach. I'm the one who needs to make the memories that will last a lifetime. I can't ask anyone to do it for me, because no one can do it for me. It's up to me to make the very most of this incredible experience. And I know I'm ready for it.
Bis später
Friday, May 20, 2011
Beginnings of Goodbye
Last night at work, I talked to my boss about my leaving in July. I told her I'd like to have the three or so weeks before I leave just to myself; that I'd like to have that time to just enjoy my last few weeks in America. I told her I'd like to have my last day be June 30th. She understood completely and thanked me for giving her such notice. While I'm glad she was so understanding, it was kind of sad to think that after June 30th, I may not see the majority of my co-workers again. I don't even know when I'll be back there again after that. So, in a way, by setting the date of my last day, I feel like I've begun the process of saying goodbye. It's kind of bitter sweet (yes, I know I've used that term a lot!).
Bis später
Bis später
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Ich werde nach Hambergen gehen!
I got home from school today and found in the mail one of the best things I could have hoped for: information about my host family! They live in Hambergen, which is just north of Bremen. There's a mom, a dad and two children. I'm going to have a sister and a younger brother! Plus, either they or their grandparents have dogs! I really think this is going to be a great family for me! I'm so excited!
Bis später!
Bis später!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
74-Day Countdown
Yep, that's right, folks. Seventy-four days until I leave for Germany. And there's only 70 until I leave Wisconsin. It's amazing to be able to give a number of days, instead of a number of months. It makes things seem so much closer and real!
Anyway, here's a new list for my countdown (now with some more specific items):
May:
•20th - 22nd I'm going to the Mall of America with my awesome Danish exchange friend, her host sister and her host sister's friend. I can't wait!
June:
•6th - 9th Exams are happening this week. While that's not really something good, it means that's the last week of school. Let me clarify: That's my last week of high school, in America. Ever. I feel a case of senioritis coming on...
•28th The day my awesome Danish exchange friend leaves (I believe. Am I a bad friend for not remembering?). Her birthday is the day before. So, we're probably throwing her a combined birthday/going away party the weekend before.
July:
•4th I think this one is pretty self explanatory as America's Independence Day. However, it's also the last holiday I'll have with people here for a year. I think that's a good last holiday to have. I'm looking forward to it!
•15th The second part of Harry Potter comes to theaters. I know it's a really small thing, but I'm kind of excited that I'll be here to see it for the first time in English. ^^
•16th This is the day I'm most likely going to have my going away party. It's a ways off, but as long as nothing changes with YFU, this will be the date!
•18th This will probably be the day I fly out to Washington DC for the CBYX orientation. It will also be my first time in a plane. Kind of exciting!
•19th - 21st The CBYX orientation will last these days, with all of us flying setting off for Germany on the 21st. It will be fun to meet the other CBYXers with YFU. I know they're going to be amazing people (aren't all exchange students?!). Not to mention that actually leaving for Germany is going to be great!
So, basically, that's about all I've got for specifics. I might be doing a few other things in that time span, but nothing's been officially talked about. We'll see, though!
Bis später!
Anyway, here's a new list for my countdown (now with some more specific items):
May:
•20th - 22nd I'm going to the Mall of America with my awesome Danish exchange friend, her host sister and her host sister's friend. I can't wait!
June:
•6th - 9th Exams are happening this week. While that's not really something good, it means that's the last week of school. Let me clarify: That's my last week of high school, in America. Ever. I feel a case of senioritis coming on...
•28th The day my awesome Danish exchange friend leaves (I believe. Am I a bad friend for not remembering?). Her birthday is the day before. So, we're probably throwing her a combined birthday/going away party the weekend before.
July:
•4th I think this one is pretty self explanatory as America's Independence Day. However, it's also the last holiday I'll have with people here for a year. I think that's a good last holiday to have. I'm looking forward to it!
•15th The second part of Harry Potter comes to theaters. I know it's a really small thing, but I'm kind of excited that I'll be here to see it for the first time in English. ^^
•16th This is the day I'm most likely going to have my going away party. It's a ways off, but as long as nothing changes with YFU, this will be the date!
•18th This will probably be the day I fly out to Washington DC for the CBYX orientation. It will also be my first time in a plane. Kind of exciting!
•19th - 21st The CBYX orientation will last these days, with all of us flying setting off for Germany on the 21st. It will be fun to meet the other CBYXers with YFU. I know they're going to be amazing people (aren't all exchange students?!). Not to mention that actually leaving for Germany is going to be great!
So, basically, that's about all I've got for specifics. I might be doing a few other things in that time span, but nothing's been officially talked about. We'll see, though!
Bis später!
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Good News!
I have quite a few good things to post about!
First off, I was awarded the CBYX scholarship! I'm so happy! I didn't think I would react too strongly, but I hugged my dad and started crying. Then I started laughing because I was crying (I'm not sure if any of you have experienced this, but I can say it's a weird mix of emotional release!).
Related to that, I pretty much have a departure date. With my congratulatory letter, there was a slip of paper that said I have an orientation in DC from July 19th to the 21st. So, I'll have to leave Wisconsin at the latest on the 18th. Having a real date is making things feel that much more real!
Then my prom was last night. I had a dress that fit me well, looked great and I loved my hair. Plus, my mom surprised me and my exchange friend with corsages that were beautiful (we both went alone). Prom itself was fun and post-prom was great, too!
So far, this is shaping up to be a great weekend!
Bis später!
First off, I was awarded the CBYX scholarship! I'm so happy! I didn't think I would react too strongly, but I hugged my dad and started crying. Then I started laughing because I was crying (I'm not sure if any of you have experienced this, but I can say it's a weird mix of emotional release!).
Related to that, I pretty much have a departure date. With my congratulatory letter, there was a slip of paper that said I have an orientation in DC from July 19th to the 21st. So, I'll have to leave Wisconsin at the latest on the 18th. Having a real date is making things feel that much more real!
Then my prom was last night. I had a dress that fit me well, looked great and I loved my hair. Plus, my mom surprised me and my exchange friend with corsages that were beautiful (we both went alone). Prom itself was fun and post-prom was great, too!
So far, this is shaping up to be a great weekend!
Bis später!
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