Are you there, America? It's me, Lainie.
Time has just flown, I can't believe it has been over a month since my last blog post! I'm not saying the excitement of my exchange year died down (because it hasn't and probably never will) but I'm starting to feel like this is just my normal life, not some vacation or something that I can blog about. But I'll keep this going since I have limited resources when it comes to telling my family and friends what I have been up to (I really cannot email everyone).
So first and foremost, almost all things college-wise are said and done (save for some scholarships and whatnot). I applied to Duke Early Decision on November 1st and should be hearing back by December 15th. I had an interview in Bonn with a former Duke Alumni that, fingers crossed ("Daumen drücken!" Germans press their thumbs to wish someone good luck!), I think went really well. I applied to the University of Virginia Early Action and just have to fill out a few supplements before I submit to William and Mary and the University of North Caroline Chapel Hill in late December (of course, only if Duke doesn't happen- Early Decision is binding).
Finishing my college applications relieved so much stress and opened up some windows of free time in the past two weeks. I even started doing my German homework! School has definitely presented its challenges considering the constant attention I have to pay to language begs me to drink a cup of coffee a day. I wrote a 1 on my last Math Klausur last week (a 1 is comparable to an A in the American school system) and after talking with my teacher today, he said the words I was both dreading and a little bit excited to hear. "Lainie I can tell you are a little under-challenged in some of your courses." It's nice to hear that even through the language barrier I am a smart cookie ;) I think i will be making the switch into the class above mine next semester.
Maybe you noticed that I said I was talking with a teacher today. Despite the 6-hour time difference, it is Saturday in Germany today too and yes, I had school. it was the Tag der offenen Tür at SIBI, meaning everyone had to go into school for a lesson while parents of prospective students came to observe. I struggled to see the point of waking up at 6AM on a Saturday to go to school for an hour, wait for the bus for an hour, and ride the bus back home for an hour when no parents even came into my Math lesson (I'm assuming they were enjoying their breakfast and planning to come to a later period...) but I think this Saturday morning at school will be worth it when we take 2 days off in February for Karneval! I am living in the prime state for Karneval celebrations and just can't wait!
This week is Thanksgiving and I am planning to do my Ambassador's Project for CBYX. I have a meeting with a preschool teacher on Monday and am hoping to go in on Thursday to make crafts and give a presentation on the holiday to a class. I am also planning on cooking a Thanksgiving meal for my host family the following Sunday! (p.s. Recipes are appreciated!)
My host family has continued to be great, the week after my last blog post we had a fantastic trip to Bavaria and Southern Germany. I'll insert some pictures below. I got to see some iconic sites and hike the German Alps.
Well that's all for this post, it won't be a month by the next post! I'll try to post some pictures about my upcoming German Thanksgiving!
Tschuss! Lainie
Time has just flown, I can't believe it has been over a month since my last blog post! I'm not saying the excitement of my exchange year died down (because it hasn't and probably never will) but I'm starting to feel like this is just my normal life, not some vacation or something that I can blog about. But I'll keep this going since I have limited resources when it comes to telling my family and friends what I have been up to (I really cannot email everyone).
So first and foremost, almost all things college-wise are said and done (save for some scholarships and whatnot). I applied to Duke Early Decision on November 1st and should be hearing back by December 15th. I had an interview in Bonn with a former Duke Alumni that, fingers crossed ("Daumen drücken!" Germans press their thumbs to wish someone good luck!), I think went really well. I applied to the University of Virginia Early Action and just have to fill out a few supplements before I submit to William and Mary and the University of North Caroline Chapel Hill in late December (of course, only if Duke doesn't happen- Early Decision is binding).
Finishing my college applications relieved so much stress and opened up some windows of free time in the past two weeks. I even started doing my German homework! School has definitely presented its challenges considering the constant attention I have to pay to language begs me to drink a cup of coffee a day. I wrote a 1 on my last Math Klausur last week (a 1 is comparable to an A in the American school system) and after talking with my teacher today, he said the words I was both dreading and a little bit excited to hear. "Lainie I can tell you are a little under-challenged in some of your courses." It's nice to hear that even through the language barrier I am a smart cookie ;) I think i will be making the switch into the class above mine next semester.
Maybe you noticed that I said I was talking with a teacher today. Despite the 6-hour time difference, it is Saturday in Germany today too and yes, I had school. it was the Tag der offenen Tür at SIBI, meaning everyone had to go into school for a lesson while parents of prospective students came to observe. I struggled to see the point of waking up at 6AM on a Saturday to go to school for an hour, wait for the bus for an hour, and ride the bus back home for an hour when no parents even came into my Math lesson (I'm assuming they were enjoying their breakfast and planning to come to a later period...) but I think this Saturday morning at school will be worth it when we take 2 days off in February for Karneval! I am living in the prime state for Karneval celebrations and just can't wait!
This week is Thanksgiving and I am planning to do my Ambassador's Project for CBYX. I have a meeting with a preschool teacher on Monday and am hoping to go in on Thursday to make crafts and give a presentation on the holiday to a class. I am also planning on cooking a Thanksgiving meal for my host family the following Sunday! (p.s. Recipes are appreciated!)
My host family has continued to be great, the week after my last blog post we had a fantastic trip to Bavaria and Southern Germany. I'll insert some pictures below. I got to see some iconic sites and hike the German Alps.
Well that's all for this post, it won't be a month by the next post! I'll try to post some pictures about my upcoming German Thanksgiving!
Tschuss! Lainie