It’s crazy to think that we have already been in Germany for over a week! So far, I have had the best time! I have loved getting to know everyone on this trip and get to spend time with them. It is so cool to me how quickly we all bonded and how it feels like everyone is included all the time without any drama or cliques. I am so thankful that I have 4 more weeks to grow and learn with this amazing group of people! Some of my favorite memories so far have been the very spontaneous ones, like deciding to spend the evening in Köln and even making a spontaneous trip to Luxembourg after spending the day in Trier just to grab a quick dinner and then head back to Bonn. These are memories I will cherish forever!
Another favorite part of this trip so far has been getting to know my host family. I could not have asked for a better fit. The Klein family is amazing! They have three kids- Leonie (8), Julian (5) and Max (1) and they are all so precious. Even though they do not speak English, I have found ways to communicate with them and play with them when I am at the house. My host mom and dad have been so kind and caring and are really making me feel at home. Something so special about my host family situation is that Victoria lives next door with my host mom’s parents so I even have an Oma and Opa next door. Oma has been cooking for us each night and it has been so good. I could not have asked for a better host family!
So far, I think the most challenging thing for me has been trying to balance sleep, fun, and time with my host family. There is so much that I am trying to fit into each day that I feel like I never have time to just sit down with my host family. Especially after being in Norderney for a week, I just feel like I haven’t seen them in a while and I want to make sure that I prioritize my relationship with them. I desire to know them well and stay connected with them after this trip and so while I do want to fit everything into my day, I also just want to find time for them.
The thing I have enjoyed most about this trip is the spontaneous adventures I have made with the people in this group. Like I mentioned above, my favorite memories have been the most random things that have been planned day of. I love that we have the freedom to have our own adventures and travel to other countries and cities while we are here. It is such a cool opportunity.
I think so far I have grown the most in realizing that I can’t plan everything and things will not always go how I want. Back home, I am very type A and plan everything, but here I have learned to just go with the flow. There will always be another train, another bus, or a place to sleep at night and I just have to realize it will all be okay. It has changed my mindset in a lot of ways and made me feel less stress. It has been such a great trip and I am so excited for the rest!
Howdy Ali! I noticed the same thing about how kind everyone on this trip is to each other. I have loved all the little trips we have gone on together. I’m so happy you love your host family. I love that you really appreciate your relationship with them. The adventures we take are always so much fun! I have realized the same thing about myself that I am becoming more relaxed instead of planning every minute. I’m excited for the rest of the summer with you!
ReplyDeleteHey Ali. Your description on how your mindset has changed in learning how to go with the flow is inspiring as you are learning and becoming a world traveler! Spontaneity is definitely a personality of an explorer, and seems to be the theme of this blog post. I am excited to see how you grow this trip.
ReplyDeleteHowdy Ali! That’s a really good point you brought up there about the balance between sleep, fun, and time worth the fam but if there’s anyone who got it it’s you! Without you trying to go on some of these excursions would not be possible and im grateful to have someone like you on this trip! Hope for more spontaneous trips in the future and who knows we might just have lunch in Lichtenstein next innit! Cheers!
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