Tuesday, June 24, 2025

0: Pre-departure Reflection (Kendall)

    I'm most excited about the opportunity to experience everyday life in Germany. This will be the first time I'll be fully immersed in a new culture. I think the most challenging part of the trip may be communicating with my host family. In the email they sent, they mentioned that they aren't great at speaking English. At first I was more worried about learning to navigate a new town, but my host family said they usually show their guests around when they first get there.
    People in Germany may see Americans as ignorant to other cultures, but I want to show my host family that although I may not know everything, I'm willing to learn and take in as much as I can. A fun fact that always surprises people about my hometown is that there are wild horses that live on the beach!
    I'm feeling extremely grateful that I get to take advantage of this opportunity to spend my summer traveling and learning. From this program, I hope to gain the confidence to step outside of my comfort zone. I was scared to apply to this program at first because I've never done anything like it, but I think this experience will make it easier for me to be comfortable trying new things in the future.

2 comments:

  1. Howdy Kendall!

    Sharing this adventure with fellow Aggies will truly be a blessing! I hope that any worries you have, whether it’s about new encounters or being away from family, are replaced with unforgettable experiences and memories. I’m really glad you stepped out of your comfort zone and applied for this amazing opportunity. I hope you enjoy and learn as much as possible. Wishing you the best of luck!

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  2. Hi Kendall!! I loved getting to read your post and more specifically that you are stepping out of your comfort zone straight into the deep end. Furthermore, while you are staying with a host family that may not speak your language and might make foods you are not used to, you are approaching the whole situation with such optimism. I know this is going to be an amazing experience for all of us, and can't wait to spend this time with you!!

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