Yesterday was my 4 month mark. Time has gone by fast. It is a bit sad to think I am almost half way done. I am starting to like it here though. I switched families last week. This may be a little mean, but I am really relieved. Things didn't click so well with that family.
On the other hand, my new family is awesome. They are a lot like me, and super nice. We have a lot of fun. The kids actually talk to me in this family too! The sister is 15, the brother is 22, and the older sister is 23. The older sister isn't ever here, but the other sister still lives at home and the brother is home 4-3 days a week. He doesn't go to school very far.
Lately I have just been going to school and studying and what not. I take the ACT Saturday, so that is a big excited. I hang out with my host brother and sister a lot on our free time. And we all play instruments so we all practice those too. The host parents are professional instrumentalists for the orchestra here.
Things that I have done.... I went to a Thanksgiving. It was interesting: it was hosted by an American and German couple, and there were about 50 people there. The food was amazing.
I have also been to an Opera. That, was a big boring, I will admit, but it wasn't the most exciting opera. I like several operas, but this one wasn't my favorite.
I went backstage with my host mom while she played in the orchestra for an opera. It was cool to see how all that works.
I have been to the Weihnachtsmarkt here in Bonn. It is a huge market they set up for all of December, and all sorts of people sell things that they make.
Our Rotary Club had a Christmas party, which was really nice. It was in an old Church and there was an organ concert. The food was amazing.
I think that is all for now....
Mittwoch, 10. Dezember 2008
Sonntag, 9. November 2008
November 8, 2008
I don't know how long it has been since I have written in this blog, but I can guess a pretty long time.... I apologize profusely.
Well, since the fall break (the Beginning of October) I have been to the Netherlands for a weekend. It was a very interesting city to go to, Maastrichts. It was the oldest city and also the city with the most tourism (contrary to popular belief that Amsterdam is). It is the city with most tourism because it is on the Border of two other countries: Belgium and Germany. The town had many Romantic style buildings and churches. There is also a big University there, all in English. The city is also located on the Maas River.
I have mainly just been going to school here, it's getting quite decypherable now. It is very strange how I will just magically know how to say things or what I read or hear means. The three month mark of me being here is tomorrow, and it's out of this world to see the dramatic changes I have went through, not only with the language but as a person. To come to a coutry not knowing a language at all and to be extremely proficient with it in three months is a great accomplishment (in my eyes) and I never thought it was possible, seeing as with 2 years of French I barely know anything.
Is is also very interesting to live in a completely different atmosphere on the other side of the world, you get a great perspective about how much the world is really similar, yet with subtle differences that make each region unique. Another part to this adventure that it seems everyday I have some sore of life revelation, it's nice to have a new outlook on life or see yourself becoming the person you will be (for the most part) for the rest of your life. I can also see some of my social, maturity, independence, and leadership skills evolving to a new level.
Some things I have done with my Rotary club lately are a hike, seeing a fashion designer's store, and a hopsital. I rotate families soon, I think in about 2 weeks or less. I will have more then.
Thanks for reading,
Jess
Well, since the fall break (the Beginning of October) I have been to the Netherlands for a weekend. It was a very interesting city to go to, Maastrichts. It was the oldest city and also the city with the most tourism (contrary to popular belief that Amsterdam is). It is the city with most tourism because it is on the Border of two other countries: Belgium and Germany. The town had many Romantic style buildings and churches. There is also a big University there, all in English. The city is also located on the Maas River.
I have mainly just been going to school here, it's getting quite decypherable now. It is very strange how I will just magically know how to say things or what I read or hear means. The three month mark of me being here is tomorrow, and it's out of this world to see the dramatic changes I have went through, not only with the language but as a person. To come to a coutry not knowing a language at all and to be extremely proficient with it in three months is a great accomplishment (in my eyes) and I never thought it was possible, seeing as with 2 years of French I barely know anything.
Is is also very interesting to live in a completely different atmosphere on the other side of the world, you get a great perspective about how much the world is really similar, yet with subtle differences that make each region unique. Another part to this adventure that it seems everyday I have some sore of life revelation, it's nice to have a new outlook on life or see yourself becoming the person you will be (for the most part) for the rest of your life. I can also see some of my social, maturity, independence, and leadership skills evolving to a new level.
Some things I have done with my Rotary club lately are a hike, seeing a fashion designer's store, and a hopsital. I rotate families soon, I think in about 2 weeks or less. I will have more then.
Thanks for reading,
Jess
Mittwoch, 1. Oktober 2008
6 weeks in
Ah, 3 weeks later and I write again.
I don't remember what I did the last few weeks, I have it written down but I will just write what comes to the top of my head.
The Herbst Ferien (fall break) started this week. Two school-free weeks! Woohoo! So I moved to another place for the break because my family went on vacation and didn't take me. So right now I am living in an apartment with a Rotarian. She is a laywer, and isn't married and has no kids. It's a fun time, she is a nice lady.
The two weeks at school were pretty much the same. I go and sit there, see what I can understand, translate everything that comes my way, and bam. Done. I am also starting to make some friends, I went out with some girls last week. But now for the fall break everyone goes on a vacation, except for me of course.
I love sleeping in, then shopping. When Isabella (the woman I live with) comes home from work she usually takes me somewhere cool to see. She is also taking me to the Maastichts, Netherlands on Friday for two days. Next Tuesday she is hosting a Rotary meeting at her apartment, and we have to cook for it. We'll see how it goes...
I have also started a scarf collection phase. And boots. And leggings. I guess they are the trend in Europe, maybe because it's so cold here?
I don't remember what I did the last few weeks, I have it written down but I will just write what comes to the top of my head.
The Herbst Ferien (fall break) started this week. Two school-free weeks! Woohoo! So I moved to another place for the break because my family went on vacation and didn't take me. So right now I am living in an apartment with a Rotarian. She is a laywer, and isn't married and has no kids. It's a fun time, she is a nice lady.
The two weeks at school were pretty much the same. I go and sit there, see what I can understand, translate everything that comes my way, and bam. Done. I am also starting to make some friends, I went out with some girls last week. But now for the fall break everyone goes on a vacation, except for me of course.
I love sleeping in, then shopping. When Isabella (the woman I live with) comes home from work she usually takes me somewhere cool to see. She is also taking me to the Maastichts, Netherlands on Friday for two days. Next Tuesday she is hosting a Rotary meeting at her apartment, and we have to cook for it. We'll see how it goes...
I have also started a scarf collection phase. And boots. And leggings. I guess they are the trend in Europe, maybe because it's so cold here?
Montag, 8. September 2008
Sorry haven't written in awhile. I have been site seeing a lot, so far I have been to Sea Life, a famous Aquarium here, Phantasialand; an amusemant park, and just having a lot of fun in other towns, checking out Germany.
Today I started my first day of real school. I didn't really understand anything, because well, I have only been learning Germany for a month. But I am in 10th grade and I will be in 11th next week. I am not sure why I am even in 10th grade. I am taking 6 language courses which is stupid because I dont even know the German to understand it yet, but I dont think I will be in them for long. I am taking 15 subjekts for my first week, here is the list.
Math, English, French, Deutsch, Biology, History, Religion, Geography, Politics, Chemistry, Spainish/EL, Latin, Physics, Messe (Mass), Sport (PE), Art, and Italian.
Today was a but unorganized. IT was like they didnt even know I was coming, hopefully I well get stuff sorted out and join the band and choir, which arent classes. ITs on your on time here. And a ballet klub. But everyone has told me I speak German VERY well, and when I tell them I have only been learning for one month they are amazed, so that is a good sign.
I am also started to forget English!
Today I started my first day of real school. I didn't really understand anything, because well, I have only been learning Germany for a month. But I am in 10th grade and I will be in 11th next week. I am not sure why I am even in 10th grade. I am taking 6 language courses which is stupid because I dont even know the German to understand it yet, but I dont think I will be in them for long. I am taking 15 subjekts for my first week, here is the list.
Math, English, French, Deutsch, Biology, History, Religion, Geography, Politics, Chemistry, Spainish/EL, Latin, Physics, Messe (Mass), Sport (PE), Art, and Italian.
Today was a but unorganized. IT was like they didnt even know I was coming, hopefully I well get stuff sorted out and join the band and choir, which arent classes. ITs on your on time here. And a ballet klub. But everyone has told me I speak German VERY well, and when I tell them I have only been learning for one month they are amazed, so that is a good sign.
I am also started to forget English!
Sonntag, 24. August 2008
I am in my second week and moved into my host family. I really miss my councilor´s family, I like them a lot. I am not so close with this family. The keyboard is Deutsch oriented and keeps messing me up! I dont get internet on my computer here so I must use the family computer. Today I went to an inbound meeting where I met all the other inbounds from the other countries, the majority is from Mexico and other Latin countries. There are also a lot from Brazil and den USA. My jacket is getting pretty full :)
I go to Rotary meetings for my host club (Bonn Muesemile) every other Tuesday. Every other Tuesday is night meetings, and the others are day meetings and I cannot make those, except on occasion, they also decided to raise my monthly allowance to 100€, that was very nice of them. :) I guess I made a good impression :)
A few things I have noticed: It is very diverse here. There are so many different cultures here. Also, I am much smaller than everyone. For example, when I sit on anything like a bench, chair, or toilet my feet can´t touch the floor. I also get mistaked for so many cultures here (as so I in the USA). The Europeans ask if I am Spainish or Italian and the inbounds ask if I am Mexican or Brazilian. AH! I get a few other guesses too.
I have two more weeks of Spracheschule (language school) and then real school at a private Christian school called Liebfrauenschule. :)
I go to Rotary meetings for my host club (Bonn Muesemile) every other Tuesday. Every other Tuesday is night meetings, and the others are day meetings and I cannot make those, except on occasion, they also decided to raise my monthly allowance to 100€, that was very nice of them. :) I guess I made a good impression :)
A few things I have noticed: It is very diverse here. There are so many different cultures here. Also, I am much smaller than everyone. For example, when I sit on anything like a bench, chair, or toilet my feet can´t touch the floor. I also get mistaked for so many cultures here (as so I in the USA). The Europeans ask if I am Spainish or Italian and the inbounds ask if I am Mexican or Brazilian. AH! I get a few other guesses too.
I have two more weeks of Spracheschule (language school) and then real school at a private Christian school called Liebfrauenschule. :)
Mittwoch, 13. August 2008
Week 1
So far I am living with my councilor Dr. Helmut Klippert and his family for a week before I move into my first host family's house. I like this family very much and I have experienced many things with them so far. I have a 15 yr old host brother and two host sisters 11 yr old and 9 yr old. Mats (my brother) and I get along very well. I have not met anyone but this family and a 17 other exchange students at my language camp, so he is my best friend so far. My host mother is wonderful and very nice too, and helps me a lot with everything. :)
Most of the other exchange students here are from Mexico, and we are all spread out in different towns. I think I am very lucky to be in Bonn/Cologne because I love it very much. So far I am learning German very fast (so they tell me). I must go to my language camp for 4 weeks, after the camp I will attend regular school.
The things I have done so far is; I have visited many monuments in Cologne, gotten my cell phone, bank account, been to a Rotary meeting at a German Winery, and I will get my visa tomorrow. My host brother and mother like to show me around the town.
At the Rotary meeting I met all of the Rotarians in my club, well all the members that were present. They all spoke English and were very classy. I felt very under dressed in my Rotary Blazer and jeans. They are all very nice and show much interest in me, which makes me feel Sehr Gute! :) I have only been here 4 days so there is not much more I can write for now! Tschuess!
Most of the other exchange students here are from Mexico, and we are all spread out in different towns. I think I am very lucky to be in Bonn/Cologne because I love it very much. So far I am learning German very fast (so they tell me). I must go to my language camp for 4 weeks, after the camp I will attend regular school.
The things I have done so far is; I have visited many monuments in Cologne, gotten my cell phone, bank account, been to a Rotary meeting at a German Winery, and I will get my visa tomorrow. My host brother and mother like to show me around the town.
At the Rotary meeting I met all of the Rotarians in my club, well all the members that were present. They all spoke English and were very classy. I felt very under dressed in my Rotary Blazer and jeans. They are all very nice and show much interest in me, which makes me feel Sehr Gute! :) I have only been here 4 days so there is not much more I can write for now! Tschuess!
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