It's been over a month since I found out I am going to Germany and it has gone by fast! It's been really nice because I have stopped thinking about it all the time and can kind of get back into my normal daily routine without constantly thinking or talking about CBYX. However, the process isn't over, and my feelings about leaving are still very mixed.
After I got my notification a bunch of emails followed talking about forms, conference calls, and other pre-departure activities. It's been pretty straightforward and I've been trying my best to stay on top of it all. The most exciting thing that has happened so far is my home interview. The same woman who organized the initial interview event and the one who called me to tell me I had gotten in came over to my house to ask some questions and get to know my family's dynamic a little better for placement in Germany. I was kind of nervous about it (mostly because I'm really nervous about my host family placement) but it ended up being super casual and nothing to worry about at all. We just sat at the dinner table and talked for about an hour. I saw everything that she wrote down on the form and she was very nice about the whole process and told me some stories from her son's time in Germany since he went on the same scholarship last year. It was actually fun talking with her and the whole thing made me just a little less nervous about it all, especially hearing about her son's experiences.
Besides the home interview, I emailed in three forms: an acceptance form, an academic credit agreement form, and an academic record form. After I sent in the forms, I got an email with a bunch of questions (about 5 or 6) about things mentioned on my application, such as my dietary restrictions, allergies, and braces. After sending in my answers, they sent back an email saying that my application had been sent to Germany to be reviewed by AFS Germany. I have no idea whether or not being rejected by them is something I should be worried about but I am trying to stay positive. Also, I completed the AFS culture trek course which was really simple and easy and also made me feel surprisingly relaxed about getting ready for exchange.
Considering how anxious I am about leaving, I'm glad that I've kind of stopped thinking about it all the time. I've been focused on my schoolwork and my social life and exploring Baltimore while I still can. I've really been trying to enjoy my time left here as much as possible without thinking anything about next year since I have no idea what my life will be like. I never really realized how much I love Baltimore and how much I still don't know about it. I've been going to new restaurants and spending a lot more time with my friends. Also the weather has been super amazing this past week so I've been out biking almost every day.
However, this month has also made me super sad that I'm leaving, and I've never wanted to go less than I do now. Of course, that doesn't mean I don't want to go. If I could hop on a plane tomorrow I would, but its really hard to think about being away from everyone. Last weekend was junior prom, and since I won't be here for junior year I figured I would see if I could go. I was able to find a date, and a dress and although it was an absolute blast I couldn't stop thinking about how I wouldn't be able to do this with the people in my grade. All of the juniors seemed so close and I couldn't believe that next year I would be across the world with a whole new group of people and not the people that I see every day here. All I could think was: Why am I even going? Why would I leave Baltimore? Why would I leave all of my friends and family? I had pretty much forgotten all of the reasons that I wanted to study abroad and all of the amazing aspects of the exchange that had gotten me so excited before.
But then something awesome happened. My friend, Jo, who had applied and had been an alternate was notified just yesterday that she is now a finalist and is going to Germany! I can't tell you how excited this makes me. We can talk about our experiences leading up to our year abroad and come back both speaking German! I am so happy that she got in (and honestly I was very surprised that she hadn't been selected at the beginning) and now we'll be able to go through this together! Also, we found out our departure date this past week. Having that date has forced me to realize that this whole thing is actually happening and that its not that far away. I have 4 months left and them I'm going to be on a plane to Germany. It's pretty crazy for me to think about. I am so ready for this school year to be over because this summer leading up to Germany is going to be absolutely awesome!
Besides the home interview, I emailed in three forms: an acceptance form, an academic credit agreement form, and an academic record form. After I sent in the forms, I got an email with a bunch of questions (about 5 or 6) about things mentioned on my application, such as my dietary restrictions, allergies, and braces. After sending in my answers, they sent back an email saying that my application had been sent to Germany to be reviewed by AFS Germany. I have no idea whether or not being rejected by them is something I should be worried about but I am trying to stay positive. Also, I completed the AFS culture trek course which was really simple and easy and also made me feel surprisingly relaxed about getting ready for exchange.
Considering how anxious I am about leaving, I'm glad that I've kind of stopped thinking about it all the time. I've been focused on my schoolwork and my social life and exploring Baltimore while I still can. I've really been trying to enjoy my time left here as much as possible without thinking anything about next year since I have no idea what my life will be like. I never really realized how much I love Baltimore and how much I still don't know about it. I've been going to new restaurants and spending a lot more time with my friends. Also the weather has been super amazing this past week so I've been out biking almost every day.
However, this month has also made me super sad that I'm leaving, and I've never wanted to go less than I do now. Of course, that doesn't mean I don't want to go. If I could hop on a plane tomorrow I would, but its really hard to think about being away from everyone. Last weekend was junior prom, and since I won't be here for junior year I figured I would see if I could go. I was able to find a date, and a dress and although it was an absolute blast I couldn't stop thinking about how I wouldn't be able to do this with the people in my grade. All of the juniors seemed so close and I couldn't believe that next year I would be across the world with a whole new group of people and not the people that I see every day here. All I could think was: Why am I even going? Why would I leave Baltimore? Why would I leave all of my friends and family? I had pretty much forgotten all of the reasons that I wanted to study abroad and all of the amazing aspects of the exchange that had gotten me so excited before.
But then something awesome happened. My friend, Jo, who had applied and had been an alternate was notified just yesterday that she is now a finalist and is going to Germany! I can't tell you how excited this makes me. We can talk about our experiences leading up to our year abroad and come back both speaking German! I am so happy that she got in (and honestly I was very surprised that she hadn't been selected at the beginning) and now we'll be able to go through this together! Also, we found out our departure date this past week. Having that date has forced me to realize that this whole thing is actually happening and that its not that far away. I have 4 months left and them I'm going to be on a plane to Germany. It's pretty crazy for me to think about. I am so ready for this school year to be over because this summer leading up to Germany is going to be absolutely awesome!