From: "Inga Baars" <inga.baars@gmx.de Hi Kompass! I've never found the time to respond to the email..now I'm already back in Germany since 2 weeks, but I don't think it's too late to send some pictures and tell you guys about my exchange year . ;) Even though I love being back in Germany, it's pretty hard to get used to everything and everybody. I miss my American family and friends, and especially speaking English. But from the beginning: When I finally moved to my 4th hostfamily, I started to feel more comfortable in the US. Not that I didn't like it at all, it was just so stressful not to no where I would stay at. My new family was great, I have a new brother (15) and sister (12) now. We started to act like siblings soon too which was sometimes a little loud. ;) But we had some great times together. Both my hostparents are great too, it's always fun with them and they really tried to make me feel comfortable and show me everything. Now I don't feel like it was such a bad thing that I couldn't live with only one family for the whole time. I learned a lot about myself that’s for sure and also a lot about the differences between all families in the same country. I'm glad I was able to see a lot of the US and even Canada. Since I lived so close to NYC, I've been there a bunch of times and I love it. It's my favorite city ever and I miss going there so much. I went on the Empire State Building, to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Wall Street, Ground Zero, Southstreet Seaport, ice-skating at the Rockefeller Center in January, Central Park, Times Square and some Broadway Musicals, like Billy Elliot. Those where some of the best times I had in the US. :) Then I went to Canada (Montreal & Quebec) with some friends from school and my French teacher. It was about a 8 hours bus ride, but not too bad with all the fun we had. I've made some great friends on that trip and took soo many pictures. And then we had a blizzard in Quebec which was so funny. I mean it was April and none of us expected to have snow. But we made the best out of it. :) When our summer break started I went to visit my "hostnana" in Florida with my sister. She lives right on the Gulf of Mexico, so we went swimming it the way too hot water. On the other days we went to Busch Gardens with many roller coasters and animals and Adventure Island, a water park. One day we went on a boat trip, and saw a dolphin which I thought was so amazing, went shelling and snorkeling. After that day I was more careful in the sun because I got like the worst sunburn ever. I didn't think it would be that hot and humid down there. We also went to drive over to Orlando and stayed there for 2 nights to go to the Universal Studios and Disney's Epcot. Both parks where so great, we all had so much fun on the rides and everywhere. In Disney we saw the world's showcase with many countries, like Mexico, China, France, and also Germany. It was just too funny. :) Then we had to hurry to all the other countries to see them before the park closed and then watched the most amazing fireworks. So Disney is not just for kids, but for everybody. :) I guess I just can't write short texts.. haha On my last day I went to the mall for the last time and to all my favorite stores. They really have better shopping in the US then here haha. Then I met Anna and her boyfriend at 7eleven for a slurpee (some really good stuff), we walked to my house and hung out. Another best friend of mine, Megan, came. We walked to Red Mango where you can get Frozen Yoghurt and choose toppings like oreo, fruit, chocolate,... yourself. Later, it took me a long time to say good bye. Especially to Anna. But I know I will see them all again at some point. :) I did my last packing Thursday morning, then went to the beach again with my dad and brother and then out for lunch with the family. My sister was at camp already, I said goodbye to her a few days before. At JFK I checked in both my suitcases and took my 3 bags, pillow, and 2 pullovers through security. I wonder how they let my through haha. Saying goodbye was okay.. it's an exchange year and you know before that you have to say many goodbyes. It's all good, like my hostdad says. ;) After many hours in the plane and some waiting in Paris, I finally saw my family again in Hannover. It was great, and honestly, it's like if always been here. Oh, but I miss the hot weather. When I arrived the pilot said, it was 15° Celsius and raining, not the best welcoming weather. ;) Something I would tell other exchange students is that they should just enjoy their year no matter what, it's such a great experience and I wished it wasn't already over. I've learned so much about other people and many cultures, about myself and the maybe best thing to speak a foreign language fluently. There might be hard times, where you wish you were at home and everything seems easier there, but those times pass and at the end you always want to stay longer and because you've found another home. :) I wasn't able to go to any orientation meetings this year, but I would love to go to one next year to tell about my experiences. I hope that would be possible. ;) Thank you so much for your help and everything! See you soon, Inga So here are some pictures:
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