F-B: Caro, Leoni, me, Flo

 Two weeks ago, I had a class trip to Bonn, which is the old German capital (now it is Berlin). The trip was fun and informative. We left school in Zehdenick at 8:30 on Monday, and we did not arrive in Bonn until a little after 8 that evening. (I believe. I have a horrible memory.) We went to the Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland on Tuesday. That was my favorite [informatinal] part of the trip. I love learning about a country's history. The museum was about the Ost-/West- separation & reunition. Plus! There was a 1950's themed cafe (only a replica; non-functional) with a jukebox and a hippie's bus. If that's not cool, then I don't know what is.

During the trip, I stayed in a room with Leoni, Flo, Nastasia, and Caro. By the end of it, I was a bit exhausted because sharing a room [with so many people] is not something that I am accustomed to. Plus, that past weekend, I shared a room with three other girls at the Re-entry Orientation, so let's just say that I was freaking tired and wanted to be alone. Haha. But it was a nice week, nevertheless. 

L-R: Paul, Nick, Flo, Leoni, Luisa, Leah , Justin, Anna, Nastasia, me, Caro

We also visited Bonn's Weihnachtsmarkt on both Tuesday and Thursday, and we went to Köln's on Wednesday. Köln's was by far my favorite! I bought Mandeln (Almonds) at all three, and I have to say that it's a tie between Nutella and Vanilla Mandeln. Yum! Considering that the Weihnactsmarkts were in the middle of die Stadt (i.e. surrounded by shops), we shopped a lot. I bought some really cute and comfy house boots, mascara that I have been looking for, for about a year, an iPad mini case, fuzzy socks, and earmuffs. 

I love this wall in the museum! It translates to: "Your Christ, a Jew. Your car, a Japanese. Your pizza, Italian. Your democratic, Greek. Your coffee, Brazilien. Your holidays, Turkish. Your numbers, Arabic. Your signature, Latin. And your neighbor is just a foreigner?"

On Thursday, our group went to the Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung. There, we were given a presentation about unfair manual labor - how we pay for clothes, the store keeps most of the money, and the worker who actually made the clothes hardly receives anything. It was a bit boring, but I enjoyed the video that they showed us at the end. I have no idea how it was related to the presentation, though. It was about three people who exchanged to different countries to help them out in some way. 

If I were to move to Germany, I think that I would want to live in either Bayern or Köln. Although I did not see all of the city, I say a good amount (by foot, may I add), and I love it! The buildings, and colors, and water, and everything. I fell in love. 

We were outside the castle in Köln. 

From left to right: Conrado, Keegan, me, Gabriel, Jenny, Noah, Danielle

Three weekends ago, I had my YFU Re-entry Orientation. It was in Hamburg, which was about a three hour or so train ride from where I live. Axel took me to the train station in Gransee at 11, and I did not arrive in Hamburg until about 1 (if my memory serves me correctly). The train ride was pretty smooth. I had one stop in Berlin (tier), where I had to change trains, but that was it until I arrived in Hamburg. From Hamburg, I had to catch a bus to Lauenburg. (I'm too lazy to check and see if this is correct. Haha. I know it began with an 'L'.) 
Catching the bus was actually pretty hard for me. That's because I got lost - LOST. I originally asked a Bahn worker where I could find the bus at. He told me straight ahead and then to the left, so I went that way. But then there were so many people and because I don't normally catch the bus, the signs were seriously confusing me. So, I asked a man at the bus stop, who told me where to go, and I walked in a freaking 'U' shape until I came to another bus stop, which is when I looked at the map. I saw the number 31, which was the bus I was supposed to take, so I decided to walk until I could find that bus stop. All in all, I got a pretty rushed tour of Hamburg (very nice, by the way!) and had to ask about three people for directions before I came upon a place that was not necessarily right, but then again was not completely wrong. A woman helped me buy my ticket. Unfortunately, I got on the wrong bus after the sign showed that my bus arrived. Mine was the one literally after the one that I got on. #welldoneKrishaun

L-R: Gimena, me, Jenny, Noah, Danielle, Conrado

L-R: Conrado, Kaylee, me, Keegan, Jenny, Gabriel

Not too long after that, I walked to McDonald's because I was tired of lugging a large bag around and wanted some junk food. It's okay because I have only had McDonald's about 5 times total while in Germany. There is not one close to me, so ahah, I guess that's a part of it. Anyways, after getting food, I walked around and finally came upon the correct place o be. That is where I met Ioana, another girl with YFU. She is from Romania. As we loaded the bus, we met two more YFU girls, Kate (South Africa) and Kaylee (Canada). 
Once we arrived in Lauenburg (I'm just going with it), we signed in and were assigned to a room together. We also met three guys: Gustavo (Mexico), Ricky (Mexico), and Azande (South Africa). The YFU people gave us a tour of the hostel, and then we just sat around talking until literally everybody started pouring through the doors. I saw Keegan again, which was really nice. I miss my OSK buddies. And I met a lot of really nice people. Eventually, "der coole Tisch" was created. It is ", which is an inside joke between those of us who sat at the corner table: Gimena (Uruguay), Gabriel (Chile), Conrado (Brazil), Jenny (South Africa), Keegan (Canada), Kaylee (Canada), Noah (Texas), Danielle (Maryland), and me (Michigan). Very international, right? Aha.   By the time  the orientation ended, we had friends worldwide, and we had a lot of fun. Oh! And those of use non-Spanish speakers there (1% of us, haha) pledged to start learning Spanish next year, in addition to German. 

This was our first snow in Germany! November 22, 2015! We were at the Hamburg Hbf.

 

This was the goodbye song that my group wrote. It's made off of Cro's song "Bye Bye".

I was interviewed for and featured in the German newspaper The Märker. 

I haven't written anything over here in what seems like forever. I guess living your actual life in a foreign country will do that to you. It's not all pretty pictures and nature walks and going to big cities and trying new foods. It's my actual life that I am living here. Studying abroad may seem like a novel concept, but in reality, it's really difficult - rewarding, but really hard, nevertheless.
You have to be open-minded because you are in a new culture, and you can never know what to expect next. You might have to try new foods, or interact with people who don't speak any of your language (although that's kind of the goal so that you can immerse yourself better), or do things that you never thought you would do in your life.  You have to get out of your comfort zone, which can be extremely tiring. For example, I am the type of person who enjoys meeting new people and doing new things; however, having to constantly translate what someone says and figure out the appropriate response is seriously exhausting. On top of all of this, you still have to live your normal life. Just because you're in a different country does not mean that all of your responsibilities back home have disappeared. I still have to apply to colleges and scholarships. I still have to stay on top of what needs to be turned in for my senior year. Living in a different country during study abroad also does not mean that you are on "vacation". You still have to attend school, do chores that are a part of your host family, and do whatever the heck you enjoyed doing back home. You're literally living a normal life, only in a completely different place and culture.

But aside from that little rant, I have been doing well. I really love my host-family. I have a host-mom, her boyfriend, a host sister, and a host brother. My host sister and I are the same age, and we attend the same school. I think that we mesh pretty well. At this point-in-time, I feel comfortable enough around her to start saying/doing weird things...I'd call this a success. Ahaha. We also have this language exchange going on where she speaks English and I speak German. And, my host brother is 13, but we still get along well. He's quite funny. And my host mom and her boyfriend are really nice and helpful - I can talk to them about problems as well as simple conversations. Plus, they don't speak English with me really, which is pretty amazing because it forces me to use German. 
I also enjoy the transportation here in Germany. It's really convenient and healthy. Leoni and I ride our bikes to school every day, minus one day when it was too rainy, and Axel (host mom's boyfriend) drove us to school. However, if it rains or snows, we will usually have to take the bus. Also, the trains here are so quick and convenient! Leoni and I took one to Berlin when we went shopping (I needed a coat). 

I am starting to read + translate this book. Wish me luck!

School here is also different. I have twelve classes, but we do not meet daily. It's more like a college schedule if anything. On Monday, I have 2 lessons of English, a fifteen-minute break, 2 more lessons of English, 2 Math lessons, a thirty-minute lunch break, and then 2 Biology lessons, so I am out by 2:35. On Tuesday, I have 2 English lessons, a two-hour break (Leoni & I bike home), then 2 lessons of Economics, a thirty-minute lunch break, and then 2 lessons of German (out by 2:35p). On Wednesday, I have 2 lessons of English, a fifteen-minute break, 3 lessons of Sport, and 1 lesson of French, so I am out of school by 12:30 pm. On Thursday, I am also out by 12:30, with 2 lessons of History, a fifteen-minute break, 2 Economic supplemental lessons, and 2 lessons of German. Finally, on Friday, I have 2 lessons of Physics, a fifteen-minute break, 2 lessons of French, 2 lessons of Math, a thirty-minute lunch break, and 1 lesson of Politics, so I am out of school by 1:45 pm.
While I enjoy the school schedule (I am getting so spoiled), I am also exhausted by the end of the day. Try learning new things in a completely different language, and then you will see what I mean. It's helpful to be exposed to German all day, but it's truly hard. I never expected it to be easy, but I never expected this either. Like I said early, you never know what to expect. Also, in school, I have friends who try to help me understand, which I really appreciate.
On the topic of language, I might as well update you all with how I am doing. I am understanding a little more and more every day. For a while, I was a bit disappointed in myself because I felt like I should be a little better by now. I felt that I should not have to continuously ask for help with understanding things. But I had to remind myself that 1) it has only been almost two months that I have even started learning the language, and 2) people understand - they are happy that I am trying and are willing to help. Plus, as I reflect on my progress, I am actually much better in the language than I give myself credit for. I know a nice amount of  words, sentence structures, and things that I never would not have thought I could learn before I came to Germany. 
Well, seeing how this post has turned into a long ramble, I am going to end it here. Ciao! 

Today was my first day at school in Germany. It was actually both mine and Leoni's first day. We were really nervous this weekend about starting. After all, she was leaving her old friends and starting anew at a new school, and I was going to a school that spoke an entirely different language! But now, we are both at ease, I would say. A little, at least.

We woke up at 6 AM and got ready for today. We already had our outfits planned out because we did that last night while "watching" Sinister in Deutsch, but neither of us could really focus.  Instead, she painted my nails and then went to take a shower, while I started figuring out my outfit. Anyways, I'mm digressing. This morning, I kept waking up before I had to get up because of my nerves. I had no idea what to expect. We left the house at 7:30 and biked to our school. Along the way, we met one of Leoni's friends who also transferred. (A lot of students actually transferred because they wanted a longer time in high school to prepare for their future plans. This is called a gymnasium.)
When we first arrived at school, we had to lock up our bikes. Then, we went to the main entrance (which is more like a side entrance) and met up with some people that Leoni knew. At about 8:25, we all went inside and "Schule" began. We pretty much did ice-breakers (that was pretty hard for me because I understood nothing; however, one of Leoni's friends speaks fluent English, and she helped translate for me; Leoni helped as well). The tutor for our class (11th + 12th graders have tutors to help them prepare for exams because these years are really hard) even introduced me to the class, which was a bit embarrassing, but it was nice. :)

During school, we also received our schedules. I was pretty confused at first, but now I understand it well. On Monday, I will have English for the first two hours (class begins at 7;25), have two hours off, then math for two hours, and then biology for two hours (ends at 2:35). Then, on Tuesday, I have English for the first two hours as well, and then a two hour break, and then I'll have Economics for two hours, and my last class of te day will be German. On Wednesday, things will get funny. I have music for the first two hours, and then sports fo three hours (what the heck!?), and French for my last hour (ends at 12:30).  On Thursday, I will have Economics for the first two hours in the morning, and then an unknown class for two hours, and then German for two hours, and then Biology again for two hours. Finally, on Friday, I will have Physics for two hours, French for two hours, Math for twohours, and then Politcs for the last hour (ends at 1:45). 
I think that I'll get a little spoiled with the breaks and the various hours of school ending for me.  Today, school lasted until 12:10, or something like that. After we left, Leoni and I went to a supermarket, and I bought some lotion, noodles, and Tobasco sauce. When we got home, I was nearly dying because it was super hot today (almost 35 degrees - Celsius, which is about 90 Farenheit), and I hadn't rode a bike in about a week that strenously. Hahah. #gettingfit, eh?
I'm kind of nervous to see how tomorrow plays out because of my non-Deustch speaking skills, as well as the fact that 11th and 12th grade are super hard here. Meh. I'll see.

(I wrote this post one week ago, on the 23rd about the 21st + 22nd!)
This past week has been really exhausting.  It was the last week of our OSK in Deutschland, which means that everyone starts to ship off to their permanent host families. (Except for me, Shaurya, and Keegan - the latter stays in Schwabmünchen permanently, and Shaurya and I leave one week later.) The departure to our permanent families also means that new friendships separate as well as quick bonds with our temporary host families. The ending of these 3-weeks is completely bittersweet.

From left to right: Asad, Elsa, Keegan, me, Daelin, Savannah, and Shaurya

Yesterday night, the entire OSK + their Gästefamilies had an Abschied (farewell party). It was fun! Everyone cooked something from their country, which was especially gracious to my stomach. Haha. I made taco salad, which turned out to be a hit. I did not make it the way my mom makes it back home (with Catalina sauce) because we did not have all of the ingredients; however, I made a traditional taco salad. Making it was quite humorous, too, because we did not have taco seasoning at first, so it was not...taco meat. It was just meat, for, say, spaghetti. But before it got too late, meine Gästemutter und ich went to the grocery store and quickly bought some seasoning and salsa for the chips. 

 

My host mother made some Schnitzel, which was delicious! It is pretty much what we call pork chops back home, but it is traditionally made with Käse (cheese) and egg. At the Abschied, there was also Garlic Cheese Biscuits (Asad), pancakes (Daelin + Keegan), Brownies (Elsa), Devil Eggs (Savannah), Wurstsalat (my favorite - Elsa's host mom), and so much more that I cannot even name it all. And we were also able to drink. That is something I don't think I will be able to wrap my head around for awhile. Elsa, Keegan, and I had about three beers, and we really liked them. 

This was our OSK orientation teacher, Thekla.

This is who organized our OSK/OLC: Muriel. She also picked us up from the airport and lent me her bike to ride around Schwabmünchen every day.

During the Abschied, we also exchanged "Ssecret-Santa" gifts for when/if we get homesick during our time abroad. We are not allowed to open the gift unless we feel homesick, or we are back home from our exchange. Thekla and Dominque (our orientation + language teachers) gave us a little gift of candy, an eraser, a pencil, and a notepad for school. We also received a photocopy of a photo of our OSK, which was really sweet. I love that I can have a photo of my friends.

The one in the center is Dominique. She was our language teacher.

And then, today. Today was fine, as usual. We got out of school early enough (12:30). I went to Elsa's house and "helped" her pack. She leaves for Dusseldorf tomorrow with Daelin, who is going to be an hour outside of Cologne. And by "helped," I really mean I told her when she should roll her clothes and also pointed out more stuff for her to pack. Hahah. We obviously have a good friendship.  Once she was done packing, Elsa, Tamara, Alexandra, and I started on the way to the park, where we were going to meet up with our friends. On the way, we ran into Asad, and we all continued to the park together. At the park, we hung out, took pictures, and enjoyed our time together before we are all separated again. At about 4:00, Elsa, Daelin, and I went to a bakery, and I bought myself a chicken sandwich with a pickle and mayo. Elsa bought musli. 

Keegan's obsession with black hair.

This is Alexandra, one of Elsa's host-sisters.

This is Simona, Savannah's host sister!

At about 5:30, we all biked to a climbing park, which was really fun. This is when our group started to break off, sadly. Asad left to go back to his family so that he could spend time with them before he leaves. The rest of us went to go get Döner, which is heaven in a sandwich. I got a spicy Döner, which tasted one hundred percent better than what I assume a regular Döner would taste like.  We all biked to another park and ate there. Once we were done, it was time for sad goodbyes. I'm super surprised that I did not cry. I'm going to miss everyone so much. I have become quite fond of my OSK friends. However, before Shaurya, Keegan, and I go home (we're only here for a semester), all of us are planning to meet up one last time, which is super exciting. 

This is Tamara, Elsa's oldest host-sister. 

This is Fabian helping Asad translate the good-bye and thank you letter Asad wrote for his host family.

Rebecca! She was the youngest sibling of Elsa's 3 host-siblings.