Let's go back to the beginning..
In late 2012, a lot in my life was changing. I quit soccer, a game I had been playing since I was six. I also received heart surgery (a very simple, outpatient, cardiac oblation) which made me kind of step back and look at my life. Now, I've always been that girl with all kinds of expectations and dreams and has her bucket list sitting on her nightstand. I decided that I wanted to do something incredible. Not just to do it, but to experience life, to find who I am as a person, to understand this world a little more. I began to look at study abroad programs.
At first, my father had a very hard time accepting the reasons why I wanted to do study abroad. However, we talked about how much it would help me long term. This experience could allow colleges to see that I have this desire of adventure and learning, maybe even get me a scholarship! I could learn a language, and for my occupation choice, this is a very good thing. If I could learn a second language, hopefully it would propel me to learn many languages. My dad was on board (:
My mom found a great program, Youth For Understanding. We read about the programs they had, the scholarships they offered, etc. Eventually I applied(: I applied for the fall semester 2013 program in three different countries: 1) Germany. 2) Ghana. 3) Italy. I also applied for some scholarships, though few worked with the area I live in.
I ended up switching my first choice from Germany to Ghana, and after a long process, I was accepted into the program. However, I then received a very nice Scholarship that only worked for Germany. I had a very hard decision to make, but since one of my goals were to learn a language, I chose Germany and the scholarship. This changed my 4 month exchange in an English-speaking area to a 6 month exchange in a tough-language-speaking area. It scared me a little, but for the most part, it just made me more excited!!!
Since getting accepted to the program and receiving the scholarship, I have met two other exchange students (both going to Japan) and I have met a few volunteers/workers. I have received my departure date, which is AUGUST 1st!!!!! I have also received information on my temporary host family. They live in Angersbach, Germany and I will be living with them the first three weeks of my exchange. This is because of the Language Orientation I will be attending those first three weeks. I was so excited to receive this information and they seem like a REALLY great family! (: I can't wait to meet them, it's crazy to think that I will in only 54 days!
Anyway, I went to an orientation a few weeks ago (that's where I met the other two exchange students and volunteers). They told me that I should not have any contact with home during my exchange. I was very surprised by this, but they said the best thing to do was to create a blog. Therefore, those who wished to know how things were going, they could just come to my blog and see what I was up to. Then I didn't have to worry about not talking to them but I would be able to share with them some experiences. (Of course, I won't be sharing EVERYTHING on here, cuz I want to save some stories for when I get home haha!). I promise tho, these posts will get more interesting and fun! Sorry this one is all information. I know a lot of you wanted to know why and what I was doing this fall, so, please enjoy! I will be posting here and there for the next 54 days on any new information I receive, and then once I arrive in Germany, I will be posting regularly. Hopefully this helps those who are close to me, and inspires others (: 54 more days!!!!!!!
