What always seemed surreal is finally real. My
plans that were once just a far off dream, are now a reachable reality.
In only 40 days I will be on a plane on my way to Washington DC to meet
thousands of other teen exchange students like me, all of us embarking on a
life changing experience abroad. It is a very exciting thought but is also
equally as nerve wracking.
Preparation for my time abroad in Germany is a
difficult thing. There are surely many things to prepare for, 95% of them being
mental. To be honest, physical preparation is the easy part- bring a 50 lb bag
to Dulles airport and you're golden.
Mentally preparing on the other hand, is a
whirlwind process of constantly changing emotions. It changes from excitement
about the wonderful host family I’ll be living with (who I have had yet to talk
about), to being scared by the idea of having to make entirely new friends,
then sadness about leaving my family friends and community, then nervousness as
I realize all of it is going to be in a foreign language. Although I can’t face
all of these emotions, I am as ready as I will ever be for the journey ahead of
me.
With such a wonderful host family already
welcoming me, I know acclimating to a new life in Germany will be much easier.
I will be living in the city of Arnsberg in Nordhein Westfalen. This is a Bundesland
that is in the far west of Germany, with major cities including Düsseldorf and
Dortmund. Arnsberg is especially gorgeous as it contains beautiful traditional
German architecture and is located in the mountains. My family includes meine
Mutter, mein Vater und drei Brüder. My 3 brothers are ages 9, 15, and 17,
though my 15-year-old brother will be abroad so I will not meet him. My family
has taken great measures to make me feel welcome such as sending me birthday
gifts and coordinating Skype sessions. I already feel like part of the family!
I feel very comfortable staying with this family because they speak English,
live in a good part of town, and have experience with hosting students and
being exchange students. My older brother went with AFS to America as a
sophomore, so not only is he fluent in English but he will be a great mentor
for me in my time abroad. I'm very happy with my host family placement and
living in a male dominated household will be an interesting change for me
because I have never had brothers.
With only 40 days left, the goodbyes come more
frequently, starting with teachers or upcoming seniors who will graduate before
I will see them again. Many people said goodbye to me at school, which felt
nice to know I would be missed. I've had all summer to spend with my friends
and family so I have tried my best to give them my attention in the few weeks
we have left together.
It's all bitter sweet but I am happy that the
people who surround me now are supporting me no matter how much they will miss
me.
Everything in my Scituate life is coming to a
slow, temporary, close as I prepare for an entirely new beginning! It’s very
scary but I am ready to finally do what I have always dreamed of!
Bis später
Until later
Jenna
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