Getting Ready for Germany: A Little About Me!

Aanshi is an American student studying in Germany as part of the CBYX (Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange) scholarship exchange program.

Hi! I'm Aanshi! I was originally born in Washington State, but I now live in Texas. Next year, I'll be spending the year in Germany as a CBYX exchange student, and I couldn't be more excited!

A little bit about me: I love baking, art, and science. Science might make me sound a little nerdy, but that's okay because it's genuinely something I love! One fun fact about me is that I've had the opportunity to work with NASA scientists through a research program, which has been such a cool experience.

Since this is my introduction post, I thought I'd share a little bit about what I've been up to as I get ready for my exchange year. With just days until I arrive in Washington, D.C., for orientation, I've officially started packing and gathering everything I'll need for my year abroad. I'm also spending as much time as I can with my friends and family before I leave and trying to enjoy these last few weeks at home.

Of course, packing has also meant trying to figure out what I'll actually need for an entire year in another country! I've been making sure I have everything from clothes to rain gear, because I'm definitely expecting to experience a different climate than I'm used to in Texas.

I'm especially excited about starting high school in Germany and experiencing what everyday life as a student there is really like. I found out that I'll be attending the same high school as another exchange student I met during my interview! We were placed in neighboring towns, which was a fun (and extremely rare) coincidence, and I'm really happy that we'll get to experience part of this journey together.

Outside of school and science, I love spending time in nature. I enjoy going on walks and hikes, and growing up in Washington State meant that I was lucky enough to have beautiful places like Mount Rainier nearby. I also have a dog and a brother, so I'm definitely going to miss my family, friends, and my dog (Milo) while I'm away!

There is still so much to do before I leave, but the excitement is definitely starting to feel real. I'm looking forward to meeting my host family, making new friends, exploring Germany, and experiencing all the little moments that will make this year so memorable.

I can't wait to see where this adventure takes me!