
High School USA Blog
Settling in
It’s nearing the end of September. The air is finally starting to become colder and crisper. And it’s nearing the two-month mark of being in Germany. Settling in has been... keep reading
A Short Guide to Deutsche Snacks
I have now been in Germany for nearly two whole months. Two, exquisite months full of new experiences, friends, and most importantly; snacks. This post contains (in my opinion) a definitive guide to some of the best German snacks!
Barbie, Cologne Cathedral, and Food: Two Weeks in Cologne
Take a look into a hectic - but amazing - week in Germany. This post covers some of the highlights, from attending a concert in Bonn to watching Barbie, to climbing to the top of the Cologne Cathedral. The post also includes some advice on how to handle homesickness and the activities I use to help distract myself from those thoughts!
New Beginnings
Finished with high school and headed into college... right? What I envisioned my first year after high school looking like didn't exactly happen; instead I found myself following a path that interested me more- Germany.
Living in Schloss Wittgenstein
Before I traveled to Germany, I heard many times that the days would go by quickly. I didn’t know how true this was until I realized that I am sitting... keep reading
Host Family Life
Just a quick view into my first full day with my host family. This post is a quick Saturday/Sunday coverage of meeting my host family members and experiencing the city-life of Cologne! This post also features a bit of insight on how to combat the awkward-ness of unintentional isolation of being the new family member when abroad.
The Door Destroyer
Sometimes important lessons are communicated orally, sometimes they might involve an activity or game, and as I came to find out, sometimes they smack you right in the face. I... keep reading
Pre-departure Thoughts : )
Hello, hallo, how has your day been going? Or, how has your week been? Or, how has your month been? I really hope it has been going well, seriously. My... keep reading
Packing My Pet Duck, Steven
Soon I will be heading to Germany for a 10 month exchange program. As I embark on this adventure, I have contemplated what to bring and what not to bring... keep reading
Preparing for a Year in Germany: A Checklist
Hallo, ich bin Zoe! I am writing this about two weeks until I board the plane to Germany, my new home for the next year. My life has become a... keep reading
Germany’s Beautifully Different Nature
First of all: I’m from Columbus, Georgia. In Columbus, an inescapable, yet soothing, buzz perpetually flows through the trees. In Columbus, the trees are tightly tied together by interlooping vines... keep reading
The Adventure Begins!
Terrifying. Exciting. Life changing. There are many ways to describe the beginning of an exchange year.
Farewell USA
Two years ago, I received devastating news: I was rejected from the Virginia House of Delegates Page Program. This is one of the programs I had applied to which I... keep reading
A Preview of Real Life
“Wait, I’m… accepted?” Around me, my family goes wild. From the cheering and slaps on my shoulder, I could barely make out what Katie, the CIEE Grant Programs manager, was... keep reading
Leaving for Germany
The feelings, the emotions, the joy, and the sadness just before heading off to Germany. Read all about the CBYX DC trip and our pre-departure thoughts!