I think that the main reason why I have been avoiding my blog is because I don't want to have to admit that my exchange year is almost over. One year ago I wrote about my hopes and dreams and expectations for this year. Now, after experiencing hardships, euphoria, frustration, and transformation, I realize that all of those expectations were accurately inaccurate.
In the summer before I came to Germany, I obsessively tried to imagine the situations I would encounter this year. Based on stories from returnees, I imagined myself living this new life, in a new house, making new friends, learning a new language, and being a new person. But, no matter how hard I thought, or how far my imagination wandered, I could never have been prepared for the reality of exchange. Now, all of these expectations, hopes, and dreams have transformed into memories, people, photos, and a new personality.
It's so strange to be at the end of this experience and reflect on what I've learned from it. I would say that it has "fulfilled my expectations", but I don't think my original expectations can even compare to reality. What I can say, is that everything I have gone through has been completely worth it. I am so happy to have had the opportunity to do something so daring, vulnerable, and life-altering in my life.
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