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 Morgan
Anderson
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2010-11 Outbound to
Switzerland
Hometown:
Gainesville, Florida
School:
Buchholz High School
Sponsor:
Gainesville Rotary Club, District 6970, Florida
Host:
Emmental Rotary Club, District 1990, Switzerland
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Bio
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| August 8 "Know
that it is okay to cry, perfectly alright to smile, and normal to feel a mix
of emotions you can yet explain." |
| August 24 "Everyday
I learn something new, I love it, everyday there is something exciting to
look forward to, some days are hard to get through, and others I don't want
to end, I love this life that I have begun, I am so very thankful to
everyone that has made it possible." |
| September 26 "Here you can not
wear your “outdoor” shoes inside so you have to change your shoes right when
you walk into school into “house shoes” I like this, because your feet are
so comfy all day. " |
| October 23 " I have never been
so interested in a language until I came here, it is nothing like learning a
language in school, it is the real deal. You feel so proud of yourself when
you can finally have a conversation with a stranger in their language and
not in your first language." |
| November 18 "...but
as one Swiss person told me is "If it sounds like we are choking on
something, you know we are speaking Swiss German" |
| December 21 "I went night
sledding the other night, what fun that was. You go up a ski lift around
10pm at night and sled down the mountain and reach the bottom at around
12am. Then after all this fun you get to go and eat fondu, oh the delicious
cheese they have here in Switzerland is die for. " |
| January 2 "We
all have good and bad days, but the memories good or bad will always be with
you and you will only gain strength from these experiences" |
| February 10 "I am taking a
yodeling class with my host mom and let me tell you how much fun it is. This
is truly the Swiss experience." |
| March 10 "I
think my parents back home
will be shocked, I don't think they will have a grasp on the world anymore
when they see me, they will be so proud, it gives me goose bumps just
thinking about how proud I am of myself." |
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Morgan's Bio
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 Where to start? Well, first off I was always the kind of kid that
loved adventures and new experiences, so of course when I heard about Rotary
Youth Exchange from an orientation at my high school I jumped at the
opportunity. The more I became informed about the exchange the more excited I
became. When I discussed this amazing opportunity that I had at hand with my
friends, to my surprise they didn't respond with excitement for me. I was thrown
questions like "Why would you want to leave your family and your friends to live
with complete and total strangers?" I thought about it and responded with "Who
wouldn't want to do that? (being the outgoing and adventurous type.)" Despite my
friends' lack of interest I was not discouraged, for I am as independent as it
comes.
I went through the whole process of being interviewed and questioned with
not only being nervous with the outcome if I was going to be chosen or not. So
with the nail biting anticipation I waited it out, and soon enough got an e-mail
and a phone call letting me know I was accepted and going to Switzerland! I was
and am beyond thrilled. My heart skipped beats and I probably went a few days
with a sore throat form screaming with excitement. Enough about how happy I am
for my upcoming year, let me explain a bit of what I'm all about.
I attend Buchholz High School where I currently am a
junior. I'm very involved in the Buchholz Varsity Debate Team. I have been
competing for three years (I love to talk, go figure I found my niche at
school). Along with being involved in that I also am a huge activist in the
community, a few places I help out with are: donating blood regularly,
working at the homeless shelter, and volunteering at the Humane Society. I
live with my Father and Mother. I have an older sister but she goes to
college in North Carolina. My favorite place in the world would have to be
Disney World, and my dad and I visit Disney (my second home) quite
frequently. I'm really going to miss that place when I leave, but I'm sure I
can handle it.
This program has and is going to open up so many doors for
me. I can't wait to get the show on the road and be placed into Switzerland.
I have to say to anyone who has the least bit of interest in this program to
check it out. This is an experience of a lifetime and I am so glad I have
been given the ability to embrace this new life. Thank you so much Rotary
for having the faith in me and giving me the opportunity that will forever
change who I am for the better. |
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This feeling no one will ever know unless they experience it. You step
onto the plane, looking over your shoulder at your family waving
goodbye, your eyes fill with tears of joy and sadness, everything will
be alright. The stranger next to you on the plane strikes up
conversation and you breath easy for a moment because you feel like you
are not alone, you make small talk and then they ask you of course about
your blazer and you get to explain your whole idea of this adventure you
are about to venture on. Their eyes widen and you know that they are
just as nervous for you as you are. The plane ride was long, but telling
your story that you have yet to experience makes it enjoyable, and
instead of looking at it with fear, when verbalized you realize that
this is an opportunity of a life time, you will see and do so many
things that you have never dreamed of, this trip, this journey you can't
prepare for, you are alive.
My feet brace myself as my knees shake and I walk off the plane, and go
through customs and grab my bags, I am not so sure what my host mother
and brother look like, the pictures I was sent seem to be lost in my
mind mixed in with all the thoughts, "Will they like me?" "I hope they
find me." "If not I have my calling card to call someone, but who"
"Shush Morgan you will be fine."
I hear my name MORGAN! WELKOMEN! I feel at ease, I am found. I am
greeted with three kisses and a smile, this feels right. We go to get my
train ticket and everything goes smoothly except for the part where I
struggle to get all my things on the train and a nice young Swiss boy
helps me along and says something to me, but I was not quite sure what
it was, but I nodded to him and thanked him.
My host brother is a trip, he is so kind and always so funny, he is very
intelligent, I am glad he loves spending hours of playing chess, I of
course always lose, but I am learning.
The food, is amazing. Cheese has never tasted so good, and neither has
chocolate. A traditional Swiss meal is where you heat a slice of cheese
on a hot tablet in a stove looking thing on the kitchen table, and then
you pour it over potatoes, AMAZING!
Cows seem to be sacred here, they are obsessed with the "coo" it's
adorable. When I arrived in my town the first thing I saw were
hang-gliders, they glide all day everyday, it's amazing how relaxed here
and how people enjoy every second of their day and waste no time to be
bored, they always find something to do.
I ventured to the town of Bern yesterday with my host mother and
brother, we went to Einstein's house in Bern, Munster of Bern (Gothic
Cathedral), The Zytglogge Tower (Medieval Tower in Bern-Old prison guard
built in the 1300's), walking around in this new place is so
invigorating.
Speaking german is coming more easily to me than I thought, that is all
my host family speaks to me on exception if I really don't understand,
but I usually do, STUDY YOUR HOST LANGUAGE. I can't say that enough,
open your eyes to the world and it will open it's arms to you, close
your eyes and you will not know the direction you are going towards.
I have to say the change is not easy, it is exciting but it does cause
you to be a bit sad, and you do miss home. But then again it is
wonderful and an experience you will have for the rest of your life, I
have only been here for three days and I feel I have started to change,
for the good, I am becoming more aware of who I am and that it is
alright to feel lonely and to be alone, it causes you to tap into your
emotions and be alright with life by yourself, even though you are
surrounded by unfamiliar people you know that you are fine, society has
made of fear the feeling of being alone, but it's something special when
you can be alone and feel content. I will only get stronger.
They have really neat candy shops that specialize in sweets other than
chocolate, the Swiss have it all. Delicious.
The weather is so pleasant, there is no such thing as central air in
Switzerland, but you don't need it, you leave your windows open and
enjoy the fresh air, it does get a bit chilly at night, and from now on
it will keep getting that way. I will start school in 2-3 weeks, I am so
excited to try and make friends.
Know that it is okay to cry, perfectly alright to smile, and normal to
feel a mix of emotions you can yet explain.
Today is the day, embrace it and feel alive, I certainly do.
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August 24
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I
have come to the realization that this has to be one of the best things
that has ever happen to me, being on my third week here I have learned
more about so many different things than I have ever learned in my whole
entire life. I have started to learn a whole new culture, a whole new
language, well two languages because Switzerland has at least another
dialect of German, Swiss German, that I think I will master by my last
day here, hopefully, it is terribly hard, I have also learned so much
about myself.
Yes, there is no way to avoid homesickness, you will at
least feel it slightly, that is if you go running and talk with your
host family and make yourself very tired before you lay down to go to
bed, that is what I try to do, so you don't have time to think about
what is going on back home, and to be honest, you're most likely not
missing anything super important back at home that needs you to think
about it all the time.
I have said that I have realized a lot, and thus far I
think what I have realized the most, are things about myself, and life
in general.
Everyone has their own story, this story is one called
life, your life. Everyone will choose to lead their story in which ever
direction they would like, I choose to lead mine in the direction of
happiness, success, and some failure. What some people don't realize is
that one day they will have to share their story, and think about it, I
mean really think about it, when you get older, yes we all physically
do, you will have to tell your story, and don't you want it to be as
interesting, and as amazing as you have dreamt it to be? This all
connects back to, don't sit in your room all the time and be antisocial
on your exchange, don't spend all your time thinking and missing home
and friends and family, live in the now, you are here, BE HERE. Don't be
somewhere else, lost in your thoughts, rather get lost on the train,
like I did on my first day venturing to school.
Everyday I learn something new, I love it, everyday there
is something exciting to look forward to, some days are hard to get
through, and others I don't want to end, I love this life that I have
begun, I am so very thankful to everyone that has made it possible.
I am indulging in the delicious food, drenching in the
amazing culture, and filling my mind with memories to last a life time.
My story will have more happy moments than sad ones, my
story will make people asking for more, my story will be all my own, and
I am the director and actor in this story, this story called life.
Lights, Camera, Action,
This story has begun, and it will be a success, get out
and make your story memorable.
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| September 26 |
Time
is already flying by; I can’t grasp many days it seems. I learn so much
everyday, my German is coming along wonderfully, I have never been so
proud of myself. School has begun, and let me tell you it is
interesting. Here you can not wear your “outdoor” shoes inside so you
have to change your shoes right when you walk into school into “house
shoes” I like this, because your feet are so comfy all day.
One thing I did find out is sleeping in class is unheard of, school
here is a lot longer than school in the United States. I go to school
from 8am to 5pm. One of my best friends here had a birthday, and a
tradition here in Switzerland is to make a huge sign for their 18th
birthday that says “We love you” you put this huge sign up on their
house the night before their birthday morning, well my friends birthday
happened to be on a school night, so I stayed up very late so my host
sister and I could venture to his house and place this sign on his
balcony without him knowing. It was around eleven or twelve at night
when we got to his house to put this sign up, we finished around one in
the morning, we had some problems, but then of course I had to wake up
for school in about five hours, I got to school beat tired and by the
last period I felt like a zombie, we were watching a film in class when
all of a sudden I was saying something to a class mate and BOOM I was
out like a light. I think I slept for around thirty minutes, and had no
idea until I woke up with all my classmates laughing and asking if I had
sweet dreams, in German of course. The teacher was not mad, thank
goodness, he thought it was funny, but when I told my host mom, she was
not so thrilled, I explained that in America I NEVER slept in class but
here I just have to get used to the longer days, and I promised I would
never sleep in class again, my host dad however thought it was
hilarious.
I love school, at first it was a bit awkward just because some
teachers did not even acknowledge that I was in class, I think that is
because last years exchange students left a sour taste in their mouths.
I have made a point to let them know I am here to learn even if I do not
understand everything. My German/English dictionary is my lifesaver; I
carry that thing around like it is my child. Chemistry has never been
more interesting, the names they use here for the elements are so
interesting, I however cannot pronounce the names just yet, they are
sure to twist your tongue. I have integrated quite well, my classmates
are so funny, the Swiss are nothing like the stereotypes we have for
them. They are amazing people.
I also found out that dogs here are very friendly where I live, I go
running about everyday and so far four times I have been chased by a dog
and its owner, and then in German the owner will apologize like crazy,
and it is so sweet, there are dogs everywhere here, I love it. I think I
will become a pro walker when I get done with this year, you walk
everywhere, no matter if you are going to catch the bus, going to the
train, going to school, whatever you do you WALK. I love this healthy
lifestyle.
My host family is the sweetest; I am so lucky to be living with
people so kind. I celebrated my 18th birthday here, you will never
believe what happened. I wake up to a huge kiss and hug from my host
mother, and later we have the most delicious “black forest” cake I have
ever eaten, then around 9pm my host parents say we have to get in the
car to go and get my birthday present, I was so confused, I got into the
car and we pull up to a building, and it is pitch black, we all get out
of the car and walk up to the building, my host mom knocks on the door,
and a lady comes and opens the door, we walk in and then she turns on
the lights, it is a jewelry store, then my host mom tells me to pick out
whatever I want for my birthday, I burst into tears, I have never
experienced something so shocking as this, I found a beautiful necklace
that I liked so they graciously got it for me and then my host mom says
“You need a ring to match that” I am even more shocked, I find a ring to
die for, and she says “Yes, this is perfect.” I appreciate all that my
host family does for me, they are by far some of the most amazing people
I have ever met. Switzerland is a great experience, it is everything I
could have wished for, but nothing I could have expected. I can never
thank Rotary and my parents and everyone else that made this possible
for me enough, you truly have changed my life, for the better, and I am
loving it more and more everyday.
You know how we say “Piece of cake” in English when something is simple,
well this Swiss guy was trying to tell me it was a “Piece of cake” to
ski on the “black” slope and instead of saying “Piece of cake” he said
“A cup of chicken” then he said “A cup of cake” and finally a “Piece of
cake” I have never laughed harder in my whole entire life, he enjoyed it
as well, he finds my German funny at times, and his English funny at
times as well, I love this culture, I love the language barrier and
watching it fall.
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October 23 |
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Switzerland, a wondrous place, a place where you can look out every window
and see something breath taking. The atmosphere here is a lot different from
the atmosphere in the United States, it is refreshing, mind blowing, and
perfect.
I have settled in quite well, I have so many Swiss friends, the Swiss
are not what the stereo-types have said they are. They are very warm and
sweet people once you get to know them. You do have to make effort in
letting them know you are interested in the way of life that they live.
I have become a coffee and hot tea addict, they do enjoy their coffee
here, as I have come to find I enjoy it quite well too.
The language is going great I am learning new things everyday, I have
never been so interested in a language until I came here, it is nothing
like learning a language in school, it is the real deal. You feel so
proud of yourself when you can finally have a conversation with a
stranger in their language and not in your first language. I now think
in German, I hardly ever use English, or even think in English anymore.
This is kind of funny because I have started to forget my English, and
in my English class I am asked questions about English, and sometimes it
takes me a bit to remember the word or how to properly say it. This is a
sign that I am truly immersing myself into the culture.
Switzerland is unique along with all of the people that live here in
Switzerland, this place is like no other I have traveled to, I think
that is because when you travel, you are in a way "a tourist" and you do
not truly get the feel of the culture, but I have had my hands full of
this culture and let me tell you it is amazing.
School is very long here, I have class for around 9 hours a day, but it
is so much fun. The sport class here I have twice a week and in sport we
have danced and made human sculptures and all sorts of fun things, I
have learned how to play basketball, volleyball, soccer, and courtball.
Also my classes are very interesting because you do not have the same
classes everyday like you do in America, you have different ones each
day. It mixes things up and keeps you busy.
I have fallen in love with the city Lucern, the whole look and feel of
the city is to die for, I love walking around in this city and just
enjoying the scenery.
I went to a Carnival type thing here called Määs, it was really fun,
shopping, riding rides, eating, talking, laughing, the Swiss know how to
have a good time. When they say they want to relax and have fun, they
sure do it.
I also have been to the Cinema here, very interesting, you have assigned
seats on your ticket when you purchase it, so the earlier you come to
get your ticket the better seat you get, also half way through the movie
you get a 15 minute pause to go to the bathroom, buy more refreshments
and all, it is nice because you don't have to miss any of the movie.
Little differences like that make you stop and think, and realize how we
all live our lives so differently but then again how similar we do
things, but with a twist.
I am no longer really homesick, your emotions do take you for a ride,
you will experience all the emotions you have ever felt in your life all
at once and then none of them at all, you will also feel emotions you
have never felt before and ones you can not explain, but that is the
life of an exchange student, and it is so interesting to push yourself
out of your comfort zone and see how you react, you will never be able
to prepare yourself enough for what you will feel, but you will also
never be able to know how much you will enjoy it and cherish it until
you do it. It can be tough and it can be nothing but beautiful and
amazing, you just have to remember when you get stuck in a rut and you
do not know what to do and where to turn to, remember tomorrow is a new
day, you may see the sun or you may not, but you will be stronger and
you will be one day more in tune and secure with yourself, because being
an exchange student will force you to grow up, and force you to be on
your way to finding yourself and you will find that you are a beautiful
person inside and out, and that you are doing something a lot of people
would not dare to do. Some days you may not want to wake up for, but if
you do not force yourself out of bed you will miss the days that are
truly worth waking up for and the days you will truly remember for the
rest of your life.
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This is over looking the
city of Bern |
This is my neighborhood
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November 18
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Switzerland, where to start, where
to begin. I can not stop saying how beautiful this place is. For all of you
students out there that are thinking about doing an exchange year, JUST DO
IT. It has been the best decision of my life so far and I have learned so
much in just under four months. Also Listen to Rotary when you go to all of
their camps to prepare you, every word of advice they give you is correct
and you can apply it to your exchange year. Rotary I will never thank you
enough.
Let's see, the culture here is pretty different from the US. I take a
train to school everyday, pretty cool if I do say so myself. Also you
can not joke with the teachers like you do in the US. This does however
leave me with some funny stories.
The other day I passed my art teacher and I waved to him and said "HEYYY!"
and to my knowledge in the US this is perfectly alright, well here, no,
DO NOT DO NOT do this. He got this sour look on his face and told me to
never do that again, that he was not a fan like Brad Pitt or something,
then I thought he was joking so I tapped him on the back with my hand,
haha, my host family thought this was very funny because you can not do
this here, your teachers are like older people that you have to keep a
straight face with most of the time, this does not make it less fun,
just very interesting. Anyway the art teacher walked away shaking his
head and said "crazy Americans" all of my class mates found this funny
and could not believe I did this, I did not find it funny that they do
not joke with their teachers as we do. Anyway to clarify my art teacher
likes me a lot, he just knows I am "American" a bit funny.
The snow has settled in here and it is not yet December, it is beyond
beautiful, as my other exchange friends and I have said "Every time you
look out the window it is as if you are looking at a postcard or a
picture" and this is so true, this place is one of the most beautiful
things I have yet to lay my eyes on.
Shopping, let me tell you, fashion here is huge, and the shopping is
grand, but be careful because you can burn a hole in your pocket quick,
as for I have sure made an impact on my wallet so far, I need to put on
the breaks, but the clothes here are to die for.
The food, you will have never eaten anything better, I am in love with
their cooking, my host mom is a killer cook, I have to keep going to the
gym or it will sure catch up with me, but you will enjoy yourself to
death here.
The people, they are so loving once you get to know them, it takes a
while for them to warm up to you, for you are an outsider, but once they
get to know you, they are very very loyal and true to you, the Swiss are
so fun, and so interesting.
Swiss German, let me tell you this will blow your mind, I am learning
"High German" as they call it, the German you all know of, but Swiss
German is in a whole other ball field, I am trying to learn this as
well, but as one Swiss person told me is "If it sounds like we are
choking on something, you know we are speaking Swiss German" this is so
true, it is so fun to learn though.
The atmosphere here is stunning, every time I walk outside I am taken
aback, because it feels so surreal sometimes.
I am so glad to be here, homesickness does happen, but you have to
always remember to find happiness in each and every day, and that
tomorrow is a new day, and that this year will flash by you so fast you
do not want to be stuck sad.
Thanks again Rotary, I love you all.
Mürren, Switzerland, the most beautiful
place in the world.
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December 21 |
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December December oh how I love you, I have never seen the real seasons and
how they change. Florida does have the "cold" days as we Floridians like to
call them in our "winter" time, but here in Switzerland I am really I mean
really experiencing what it is like to have cold weather, it can sometimes
become negative four degrees, but that is on a rare day, non the less this
is what the real cold feels and looks like. There is snow every where you
look and it is just amazing.
I have already gone snowboarding and let me tell you, I busted some but
and ate plenty of snow. I am taking a snowboarding class starting on
Christmas Eve, this should be fun and help me learn the correct way to fall
and get back up.
I went night sledding the other night, what fun that was. You go up a ski
lift around 10pm at night and sled down the mountain and reach the bottom at
around 12am. Then after all this fun you get to go and eat fondu, oh the
delicious cheese they have here in Switzerland is die for.
In a week or so I am going to go dog sledding, yes dog sledding. This is
with eight Huskies, my favorite type of dog, I am so excited, everything I
do here I think, wow this is really a once in a life time opportunity for
me.
I am enjoying every waking moment of it all. Christmas is around the
corner and I honestly thought I would be more homesick than I actually am. I
think the snow is helping me, because I know I will most likely never have a
white Christmas and if I do later in life it will most likely not be in
Switzerland although I do hope to come back.
I recently went to Germany and I realized how thrilled I am to be in
Switzerland, in the beginning of all of this I wanted to go to some country
that spoke German and my fist thought was Germany, then I thought oh
Switzerland what a neat place, when you first think of Switzerland what do
you think of? Chocolate, Cheese, Swiss Alps. Exactly the best things in
life, and the only things you need to survive on, =) The whole deal with
them speaking mainly Swiss German here, and making it a bit harder to learn
"correct" German did scare me a bit, but now having traveled to
Germany I now see that Switzerland is really really something special,
Germany is as well, but there is just something about Switzerland that is
like no other place, nothing can be compared to it. I am so grateful to be
here, even with the challenge of Swiss German, in Switzerland you can
honestly be ANYWHERE here and see nothing but a picturesque landscape. You
can with out a doubt stand and do a 360 and every place you look, looks like
a postcard.
This exchange has brought nothing but a wonderful learning experience
thus far, everyday I learn something new, or see something spectacular, if
any of you "newbies" have any questions or are in the least bit interested
in going to Switzerland, or already know you are coming to Switzerland and
would like to talk, I am here with open ears and eager fingers to type and
chat with you, do not be hesitant or afraid.
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So January is already here, I have already had a wonderful start into
this new year, 2011 will be something that I can not forget, I know this
for sure. I got the opportunity to go Dog Sledding, and if you have this
opportunity in the country you are going to, please please do so. You
have no idea how much fun it is, it is nothing like you see in the
movies, but so much more fun. The dogs are nothing but power animals
with so much energy and love packed all in one. I also built my first
snowman in my life here in Switzerland, that was a lot of work but so
worth it, I keep learning how to snowboard better and better everyday
since I live right in front of a ski lift, so nice, I am really soaking
up this luxury. Time is now flying faster than ever, I am completely
comfortable in my country, I can say everything I want to say with no
language restraint now. I can breathe easier. I have made so many
friends and have really acclimated into the school. I feel as one of the
Swiss, I do get mistaken a lot for a local and that is just so
refreshing.
I would just like to say, push your limits, step out of your comfort
zone, feel completely vulnerable and live. Life is not supposed to
always be easy, life is not supposed to be everything bliss. We all have
good and bad days, but the memories good or bad will always be with you
and you will only gain strength from these experiences, find a smile
everyday, find some happiness, and watch yourself grow into a person you
had no idea was inside of you, and I can thank this exchange year for
that, I am changing and learning new things about myself everyday and it
is so interesting to see.
This year, no matter what you think now, will change you for the better.
You will learn so much about yourself and about things in your life that
you want to accomplish, you will make life long friends, special bonds
you never knew you could make all because of this exchange year. Do not
hesitate to feel nervous or to feel uneasy. This year will bring so many
emotions you never knew were within you, and it is healthy to tap into
yourself like this. You have to realize how lucky you are to have this
opportunity because so many people would kill to be in your position,
you will meet people so many other people that will tell you the same
thing, and really take it into consideration, you, yes you, are one of
the luckiest people alive to have this experience, do not take it for
granted.
Hope everyone has a wonderful new years and stays safe and healthy.
Thanks again Rotary, you are truly a blessing.
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So
it’s finally February, I have been in Switzerland for officially six months,
wow this time is going by so quickly. I have learned so much thus far, I
can’t even begin to imagine what I will learn in this last half of my year.
I am doing some traveling in my last half. I will be going to Berlin, Rome,
Paris, Amsterdam and other parts of Italy. I am taking a yodeling class with
my host mom and let me tell you how much fun it is. This is truly the Swiss
experience. All of my friends here think I am crazy for wanting to do
something such as yodeling but why not? I only live once and I only have one
year for my exchange to make it the most memorable year of my life. So I
will yodel my heart out.
I am over homesickness full blown, that is a shock to me, because
homesickness would come and go like the wind blows, but now I am one hundred
percent comfortable in my country and I know how everything works such as
the train system, the eating habits, and just the way of living life in
Switzerland, when I think about coming back to the States it is a totally
odd feeling, I can not even begin to explain, only other exchange students
know how I feel. I am enjoying every moment here, I will not and am not
taking this for granted.
I have made so many friends and I am shocked at how close some of them
and I have become. I just know I am going to have a ton of Swiss friends
come to America, you really do make unbreakable bonds with people on your
exchange and it is so heartwarming to see and feel. I would just like to say
Rotary has prepared me so well for this year; I can not thank them enough.
The homesickness chart is right on cue, they know exactly what we will
and are feeling due to the months. They really have this down to a “T” So a
little bit about how I have changed because I am dying to try to put it into
words.
I have grown a tolerance for so many people, and so many things. Before,
when I was living in the States I talked fast, walked fast, thought fast,
everything I did I could not slow down. Here I am forced to stop and rethink
everything, I am forced to speak slower and to think slower due to having a
new language in my brain to use. It has been like a breath of fresh air. I
have come to realize that we are all so different but then again so much
alike, we all get sad, we all laugh, we all smile no matter what language we
speak.
I have grown to really strongly dislike stereotypes, I may find them
funny at times but now they just become something like an itch that you
can’t scratch when I hear them. I have become way more open minded and open
hearted than I used to be, and most of all I have grown a huge respect for
myself, I really do finally appreciate who I am and who I have become and
who I am on my to becoming.
This year has open so many doors for me not only in the outside world but
also in the “inside world” such as mentally. I am just amazed at how much
you change and progress for the best in this year. Any parent reading this;
smile, please, and do not fear that your child has changed in any way for
the worse, but for the best.
Smile because your child really does have a grip on life; smile because
your child is not like many other kids their age. We all will come back
different from our year and only us exchange students will know exactly what
we all feel and that we are different from most every kid in our age group.
That will cause us some challenges but do not doubt that we won’t be able to
handle the challenges, look at us, we are making it through a year in a
whole different country, pretty much on our own, we are invincible, nothing
can and will stand in our way, we have conquered what most people call us
crazy and weird for.
We are exchange students changing the world one journey at a time.
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Let's say someone has pressed the
fast forward button on my exchange year, officially. I was told how it would
go so fast right before you eyes, but I never ever began to actually
contemplate the idea until now, I AM IN MARCH. This is almost mind blowing
how insanely fast it is going from here on out.
So let's see if I can recap on
a few things I have gotten to do. I am in love with Penguins, and I read in
the newspaper here that the Zürich Zoo was having a "Penguin Parade" it's
where they let the Penguins out at a certain time and you can walk WITH
THEM, so of course I HAD to do this, I quickly organized how to get to the
Zoo and believe it or not I got to walk with the Penguins, what a cool
experience. They were just so adorable.
Over my "Fasnacht" break I was
taken to Berlin by my host family, wow that was an experience of a life
time, I enjoyed myself more than I have ever in a long while. For those who
are wondering what "Fasnacht" is, it is something that is very special to
Switzerland, it's a bit like Halloween in the states but with a twist. It
lasts a whole week long and you wake up, put on a costume, does not matter
what, just something that is ridiculous. Then you can go to different towns
and what not and there will be parades in the morning with "Guggenmusik"
(that is some form of loud music with trumpets, drums, cymbals, anything
instrumental that you can think of. Then at night there are party's with
this music as well, and it can last all night and it's just a crazy
experience, they hold this true to themselves, everyone, all ages goes and
does this for a full week, some dedication, I know. Anyway I was so thankful
to get the opportunity to go to Berlin, that was a must see on my travel
list...along with the rest of the world.
School is going well, I am
fully 100% intergraded, I feel like I am really living the true Swiss life.
I love love love my host family, I can not stress this enough. I really got
lucky. This year so far has been like a dream, it goes so fast and is
everything and more than I ever wanted or thought of. In two weeks I will be
going to Rome with Rotary, then in May I will be going to Amsterdam with my
school class for a week, then in June I will be going to Paris with Rotary,
these last few months I would not pass up for the world. There are always
ups and downs, but let me tell you all, stick it through, you will see what
I mean, you will know exactly what I am feeling when you get to this point.
I know I will remember this year for the rest of my life.
I've gained friends, life long memories, confidence, I've matured, a
lot, I think my parents back home will be shocked, I don't think they
will have a grasp on the world anymore when they see me, they will be so
proud, it gives me goose bumps just thinking about how proud I am of
myself. Most of all though, I have gained an appreciation, respect,
patience, and acceptance for everyone and everything in this world, we
are all blessed with this life no matter how bad it can get sometimes,
but I am so very thankful.
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