Going on an exchange is not only high school, friends, and sports. It’s much more. It’s about learning who you are, what you want your life to look like and experiencing life from another perspective. It’s a lot and sometimes gets overwhelming with all the new stuff that’s happening in your life. But nevertheless it is an amazing experience and you get a lot out of it. This is what I learned during those first months as an exchange student:
- You might meet a new part of yourself: When you are surrounded with completely different people, customs and values you might be a different part of yourself too. People in general have completely different views on who you are. One might think you are super fun and loud while the other one thinks you are very shy and quiet. And all that is because, we as people tend to adjust to our surroundings. So sometimes there is a part of you that was somehow buried deep within you and could now finally blossom. ( I too, met another version of myself. I am a lot more extroverted here in the US and people didn’t already have a picture of me in their mind so I could shape a new picture of myself. )
- Home isn´t a place, it’s a feeling: I know that this isn’t a new revelation or something, but it’s something that I thought was worth mentioning. You hopefully get a second home, a place where you feel safe and accepted. And not only that, but even though I’m not in Germany in the house where my parents live, I always feel at home when talking to them. Home isn’t a house, or a place, it’s shaped by the people in it. The people are what give you the sense of home. So find the people that make you feel at home and keep them close.
- Don´t be afraid to change: It can be hard to leave behind everything you know and love. And you are sort of leaving yourself, the you that you were in that place, behind too. But don’t be afraid to change. To grow, educate yourself and make memories. The people that really care about you, will love you no matter what and will embrace your changes.
- Experiences > Things: We all sort of know this, but it becomes really clear when you have to decide what to spend your money on. And most of the time, when you’re on exchange, you spend your money on memories. Tickets for a volleyball game, sports fees etc. Everything you pay for is to experience new things and make a lot of memories.
- Time is precious: I can’t stress enough how precious time is. You spend so much time trying to get to Friday or to that one highlight of the week. But everyday is precious and you should treat every day as if it were your last. I’ve been in the US for about four months now and the time has gone by so fast. I honestly still think I’ve been here for maybe 2 months, but almost half of my exchange year is already over and that is just so mind blowing to me. Appreciate every second and live life to the fullest because time really flies!
MY THOUGHTS, MY LIFE, MY STORY 