"Electric Feel"

Annika, Germany

When I decided that I would like to apply to experience an exchange year, I was 15 years old. Now at the age of 17, I look back and I realize that there are more than 2 years between my dream and the reality and I see a completely different person who only has 2 more months left.

In the middle of August 2010, I flew towards 1 year of new experiences, new people, a new home with a new family in Virginia, a new country and a new school. I have never been so nervous in my life before. I just left my family seconds ago, yet I was so excited and happy to meet my new host family and -honestly- a completely new life.

It was my first time in the US and my first impressions were overwhelming. So many nice, friendly and caring people, a beautiful countryside and the American lifestyle made me fall in love with the country I chose for my exchange year over 2 years ago.

During my exchange year, I had the luck to explore the Eastern part of the country. I went to Canada, Ithaca (NY) and New York City, Gettysburg (PA), Washington D.C., and I went to the beach in North Carolina and New Jersey. I visited several famous universities like Duke, University of North Carolina, North Carolina State and Virginia Tech. I am really grateful that I had those chances to travel, which made my year even more exciting and interesting.

Before I came to the US, I wondered if I would change. I asked myself that if I would change so much, would I fit into my “old life” again. Those concerns accompany nearly every student from the whole world.

An exchange year is about learning, learning how to live. It is not a vacation or an amusement park where you always have fun. It is not like the learning in school. You have to learn how to listen, to talk and to think . It is about getting to know who you are, to trust your inner feelings and to realize what is really important to you. An exchange is about tolerance, acceptance, friendship and love.

I learned incredibly much throughout my time that I spent in the USA. I am happy to have gained a second home, amazing friends and a memory I will never forget. I will return as a new person, but I know that I will fit in just fine.

The hardest moment in my exchange year has yet to come. It will be the moment I have to leave everything behind.

Thanks to all that made it happen :)