It's more than slightly exciting. Germany is always on my mind right now - and when it isn't, I'm sharply reminded of it. For instance, the other day I was thinking about classes available next year in my high school, considering taking a Physics class. I had concluded that I would change my course selection to include Physics, and then I remembered "Oh yeah, I am not going to be here to take that class..." I am not extremely saddened since there is always time to take those classes when I get back to Canada - hey, I might even be able to take, for example, physics or some other class I want to take while I am in Germany.
That being said, at the risk of being a little repetitive, I only have 48 days left until I board my plane to Germany. Which means I have a little preparing to do.
I heard that in Germany they speak a different language.. a strange concept, eh? So I have been learning German since last November, when I applied for the scholarship, and although I can proudly say my German is getting better I also must say that I have quite a bit to go. I have been using Duolingo to learn German, which is working pretty well. I would recommend it, but I also think that a person would probably want to supplement what they learn on Duolingo with some independent study, maybe from a grammar/word book.
I am starting a list of things to bring along with me in my suitcase and carry-on (neither of which I want to be completely full, to leave space for when I return), and if you have any, suggestions are more than welcome. Just yesterday I did a practice run of packing my bags, and I am honestly thankful for my somewhat sparse closet, since my suitcase fit all of my clothes with plenty of space to spare.
So far, I do not know much about what I am going to be doing while I am in Germany, but I do know what will be happening for the first month or so. As of the plans right now, I will be boarding ein Flug (a flight) with my sister on August 6th, landing in Germany on August 7th. Together we will be going to our first host mom's house for three weeks - the first week we will be getting accustomed to the area and time change, and possibly travel and see some of Germany. Then for the next two weeks, Elizabeth (my sister) and I will be going to a language school to learn even more German (because lets face it, even with my having been learning German since last November, that is nowhere near enough to be ready to be completely immersed in German 24/7 and understand what is happening). After those three weeks are over, meine Schwester (my sister) and I will say goodbye to our host mom, and go our separate ways to different host families for the rest of the year. A day or two after I have moved into my new host family's home, I will be heading off for my first day of school - which I am excruciatingly excited for! Meeting other German kids, (hopefully) making friends, and taking classes (yes, I am a bit of a geek). If I take it, I think English class might be one of my favourite classes. (I wonder why?)
I have no idea what to expect, but I am excited for whatever may come. I have been talking (in German!!) with the lady who is going to take me and my sister in for our first few weeks in Germany, and I must say, it just gets me more and more excited with each email. She seems super nice, and I can't wait to meet her in person.
In preparation for living in Germany (more likely in excitement, but I call it preparation so I have an excuse to do so) I have been stalking Germany, googling random facts about Germany, culture quirks, reading blogs and watching videos that are focused on Germany. While searching the internet, I found that there doesn't seem to be too many in depth student exchange blogs done by students going to Germany - blogs that not only talk about places gone to and things done, but that also explore different cultural aspects. Blogs that talk about differences between German and North American culture. Blogs that celebrate the little milestones in an exchange, and blogs that answer questions that those who are soon to go on exchange might have. So that is kind of what I am hoping to do with this blog, not only talk about the things I do, but also about my everyday experiences, answering those questions that others have (and that I have right now). If you have any questions that you want me to answer, seriously please just ask them, whether through the comments of my blog posts or through my contact page - I will sincerely try to answer them, and if I can't answer them in the moment, as I learn the answers I will gladly share them.
Right now, I am kind of in an excited limbo-like state, a transitional state, waiting.
Got any questions? Comments? Anything? Please, leave a comment - I would love to hear from you!
For now, that's all I have, so I'll sign off. I will make another post once I know more, or once I have done something else related to my exchange.
I hope you are all having a good day, and the rest of your week is even better than today was.
-Jason