The Great Transition: To My Host Family

Broadcasting live to you from Geringswalde, Saxony!
 

Boy, has it been a week! After finishing out at Language Camp -with lots of hugs, exchanging of numbers, and anxious excitement- I am at long last with my wonderful host family! 
 

Today, I am just going to give you a brief overview of the first impressions from my first week experiencing real-world Germany. 
 

The journey to get here has been long, tiring, stressful...and TOTALLY worth it. My host family consists of my two host parents, their 15-year-old daughter, and their 21-year-old son (currently doing an internship in Sweden for university). As much as I liked language camp, I almost instantaneously felt more at home here. My host mom picked me up from the Leipzig train station, and, despite the language barrier, we chatted it up on the drive home. I am exceedingly glad that I have some basic German, although I am quickly learning that my grammar is really not so good as I once thought ;). She is really kind and extremely patient, which makes my life SO much easier. My host sister speaks amazing English, is extremely interested in the US, and is a major fan of the music artist Pink, just like me. We hit it off instantly! We are also in the same class at school, which is just perfect. My host dad speaks only German, which makes communication harder, but at the same time forces me to practice speaking German. But he is patient also, so it works out. I definitely hit the jackpot with these guys. 
 

Monday was my first day of school, and I have to say, it was, all things considered, really good. My host sister took great (and I mean GREAT) care of me, helping with translations, finding seats, etc. I hang out with her and her friend group, which really makes things better. Socially, I couldn't have asked for a better situation. Classes are going well, too, but it's definitely a big adjustment. I was pleasantly surprised by how much the little German I do know helps. When I am fully engaged and concentrated, I can somewhat follow what we are doing. It's very exhausting, but also so fun! That being said, often the afternoons prove a struggle to STAY engaged. But I suppose that is all part of the experience. :)It is also really helpful to be able to read the school books we got -that way I can pick up some of the specific vocabulary. But the thing that will help the most is simply time. I must be patient. Learning German -really, this whole year- is a marathon, not a sprint. 
 

On a typical school day, I wake up at 5:25 and eat breakfast with my host family. We then all get ready and are off to work or school by 6:30. School starts at 7:30, and depending on the day, is either done at 12:40 or 2:50. The afternoons I like to spend doing homework, going on a run, reading, and sometimes napping -mostly just doing what I need to decompress after school. At 7ish, we all eat dinner together, and then I usually go to bed at around 10:00. The weekends will always be different, but the critical point is I get to sleep in! 
 

Homesickness is still an ongoing battle, but I have gotten used to it by now. It's a roller coaster,  and I knew that going into this. That being said, it has gotten significantly better since I have been with my host family. The best I can do is brace myself for the next wave by investing in and strengthening my support system here. 
So, all in all, it's been a great week! Adjustments are tough, but I am a girl who loves a challenge, and so far this one has been a roaring success! 

Bis später! (Until next time!) 
-Ally Haddick