Well, it's been a while since I wrote a blog post, so I figured I'd give some updates. I've been with my new host family for around a month. In this month, I've:
1. Learned how to rollerblade. Yeah, it's still a thing in Germany. Loving it.
2. Went to The Netherlands. THE NETHERLANDS. I'm lucky to live so close, it was a short car ride to Winterswijk, a town there. There were some really cool markets, and I was amazed at how the second we crossed the border (marked by a tiny blue sign that was hardly noticeable) the language changed. The next billboard we saw was in Dutch. I don't really know why this surprised me, but it was cool.
3. Went to a great Stadtfest. This featured people in traditional Dutch attire, music, candy, games, and of course plenty of sausage.
4. So, so much more.
My German is significantly better. I speak pretty much all German with my host family, filling in with English when I don't know the German word. In school, I still understand pretty much nothing. I think this has a lot to do with the speed at which the language is spoken and the vocabulary. I know almost no words associated with physics or history. That's okay, I'll get it eventually. I can understand more and more each day, and that always keeps me going. I can also laugh at myself like nobody's business. I've probably made some horrendous mistakes and am just not aware, but I think people understand that my German isn't exactly top-notch. Another exchange student came to my school this week, and she's from Malaysia. So it's me, a girl from Peru, and girl from Taiwan, and her. They're all great. I also went to my first English class at here, and there was a The Far Side comic in the textbook. Then we all drew cartoons about manners and politeness. I'm still taking German classes three times a week, which I really like, and as of today I'm off for two weeks for fall break! And, wait for it...I'm going to England! So. Excited. My host family is going to be in Turkey and I'll be in a town called Eastbourne, on the coast. I'll get to visit London at least twice. I'm with a program, and I'll have English classes too. I leave tomorrow evening and I think the bus ride is 11 hours. Anyways, really looking forward to it. If anyone has any questions about Germany or anything at all, feel free to comment or email me!
NOTE:
The application for CBYX 2014 - 2015 HAS come out for all organizations! I strongly encourage anyone and everyone to apply. I've been away from home for two and a half months and trust me, I'm glad I came. The website is usagermanyscholarship.org and, as I mentioned before, email me or find me one facebook and I'll be happy to answer questions.
