Adventures as an Exchange Student in Germany Essay Example for Free

Adventures as an Exchange Student in Germany Essay measuredly placing yourself outside of your comfort zone will do one of two things make you into a stronger remedy person, or cause you to shutdown and not accomplish the task at hand. While most proud school juniors spend their socio-economic class studying, excelling in sports, hanging out with friends, and thinking about colleges, I pushed my boundaries and embarked on the adventure of a lifetime. No, I did not go skydiving or join the US subject Volleyball Team. I accepted the challenge of the relation back Bundestag Scholarship program to spend a year in Germany living, instruction, and experiencing life in another land. The life skills and memories that I acquired in the past twelve months pose put me a step ahead of my peers and shown me that if I put my mind to it, anything is possible.In October 2002 as I was sitting in my first year German class, my teacher recommended that I apply for what she called the prest igious Congress Bundestag Scholarship to spend a year in Germany. Taking into consideration that I would discombobulate to add everything I had going for me behind, made me a little leery of the idea. However, when I realized what an honor and prospect it was to take part in an exchange, the mounds of paperwork manipulatemed to shrink into a dinky homework assignment with a twist. afterward the final interview, reality put on me. I might actually spend a year in Germany Along with the excitement came the panic I cant actually speak German. What should I pack? How do I say goodbye to everyone? What if I get homesick? Do the Germans really besides exhibitioner once a week? These questions all came at once, and no matter how much I searched, the scarcely answers I could find told me to wait and see.Before I k bracing it, I was boarding a 737 an route to capital of Kentucky with 60 of my new best friends who, like me had the courage to enter into the unknown and spend a year i n Germany. It was this group of teenagers that I spent a month in language camp with exhausting to learn the basics about German life and culture. We were like infants who had to do 18 years of maturement up in 30 days. We worked together trying to learn the basics such as learning to eat and trying to work a toilet to gaining the most complicated issues such as diplomacy, political debate, and how to be an ambassador for America. During this time, I grew as a person, learning empathy for thosewho were homesick and becoming blustering minded to people and activities that to me were not the norm or routine. Little did I know, these kids would be my lifelines in multiplication of need. They could always relate to what I was experiencing, and they were also flying on the roller coaster of emotions.When the time came to leave my new friends and move on, I was extremely excited to immerse myself into the German culture. The language, a new school, new friends, and a new family seemed like a dream come true, but in reality it turned into a nightm atomic number 18.When my host family picked me up, we had a three-hour ride home. Make that a SILENT three hours without air conditioning and tailfin people plus four suitcases crammed into a small Passat. At home, we unloaded the car and I went to see my new room. As I looked out of my window something white and black caught my eye, whoa cows less than 10 feet from my window. I could not believe it, my organization said I would live in the country, but I did not realize that the next closest town was an hour away.As my stress level hit a high, my new host mom put me over the edge. She began to unpack my suitcases that were filled with unwrapped gifts for her and the family. It was at that point that I counted to ten and reminded myself that it was a different culture, and possibly that was one of their customs. The only problem was, my German skills were not good enough to politely ask her to stop. So she continued a nd I smiled and hoped my rocky bring would smooth into a healthy open relationship.Three weeks later, I was getting into the swing of things. Going to school, go my bike and the bus, making friends, and yes getting used to the smell of cows. I was adapting well, being responsible and beginning to read the German spoken in school. I had gone beyond everyone elses expectations and mine. Life was good, even though the Germans only showered twice a week.After the honeymoon phase was over, my host mother turned on me. She supposition I was being disrespectful and not telling the truth, where as the problem was that I couldnt fully understand what she was saying, causing a lack incommunication between us. When I realized this, I worked pleonastic hard to regain her trust and persevere through what I perceived as a small bump in the road. When things worsened and I could no longer adapt to the situation, my community representative intervened and dictated me with a new family. Even t hough my first host family was a challenge, the experience showed my true character. In the face of adversity, I was able to handle myself maturely and attempt to find a solution to the problem. It was not a failure by any means, but an opportunity to grow.Not only did I expose in times of trial and hardship, but I learned just as much in a nurturing situation. During the last six months of my stay in Germany I stayed with a truly wonderful family. I was treated as an adult, and I assumed full responsibility for myself. My host parents generosity of welcoming me into their spunk and home made me appreciative of all I had accomplished in the last year, and encouraged me to conk back. Through this pattern of giving and receiving I gained a sense of for presumptuousnessess and consideration for others. I border my self with positive people which in turn brightened my spirits and reminded me that when the going gets tough an optimistic attitude can make a world of difference.When I boarded the plane at the end of my year on that point were only 52 of the original 60 students who completed the program. My commitment and perseverance helped me overcome adversity and take after in a situation where the odds were against me. Not only did I accomplish the task at hand, but I had the time of my life while doing it. The rewards of spending a year abroad are endless, but I was most affected in a few ways. I learned compassion and acceptance first hand by being treated by others with kindness when I was down.I have become accountable beyond my age by being entrusted with responsibilities that are typically given to a person 22 and over. Now as I move on, I am discover prepared for what awaits me. I have a whole new set of life skills and memories to keep in my quiver and use when called on. Pushing myself out of my comfort zone was the best thing I could have done, I was up to the challenge and I passed with flying colors.