USA mit AIFS Educational Travel

Being an exchange student is a journey you will never forget. It is a daily struggle between being the happiest you have ever been and struggling with the language and cultural barrier. The beginning of your exchange year is fascinating. Everything is new from the way the houses are built, to the huge variety in the grocery store and how people act. Everybody says it’s the best time of your life, which I can only agree to. Some days you just wanna go home, talk to your family and friends back in your home country. Other days you never want to leave your new home, even though you know that at some point the day will come when you have to pack your life into 2 suitcases and leave the place, that didn’t mean anything to you 10 month ago but now it means everything. You have to put yourself out there day for day, which may be tiring but it’s worth it every minute. You will have a second family and home for a lifetime on the other side of the world. The best advice for exchange students that I can give is, go out there, be you, have fun and enjoy every second of it. I’m so thankful for the experience and the friends I found. Kentucky will always be my second home.

This has been the best year of my life. Even though I was a bit afraid in the beginning it turned out to be an amazing experience.

Dear reader,

I have to admit that my exchange year was one of the most wonderful times in my life. I've liked to travel ever since but being on my own for such a long time was a challenge that I've successfully completed. My host family was caring and helpful in every situation. Thanks to my high school and its students I can now say that I am a proud mustang and cheerleader. You can't imagine how much I miss the friday night football games or swimming in our pool because it would barely get cold. Just being a part of a whole different culture and living a new life was giving me strength and confidence. You get to know so many things and the kindness of an american soul. My local coordinator has always been by my side and helped me where ever she could. I really do miss the time, my family and friends, and the high school life. All in one I have to say that I enjoyed every second of it and it went by way too fast. I will miss homecoming & prom, football & cheer, starbucks & chipotle, all the ford's & chevy's, friends from school & church, travelling & learning new things, my host parents & siblings, but mostly I'll miss my good ol' texas.

Mein Auslandsjahr mit Aifs war das beste was ich mir gewünscht habe. Sie haben mich bei jeder Frage gut Unterstützt und habe immer schnell ein Lösung für Probleme gefunden. Auch meine Eltern fanden es sehr schön das Aifs auch während meines Aufenthalts immer für sie da war 

Das Auslandsjahr ist wirklich eins der besten Jahre in meinen Leben!! Ich hatte so eine tolle Gastfamilie wir haben sehr viel zusammen gereißt, insgesamt waren wir in 12 Staaten in dem Jahr. Die Schule in den USA ist einfach und man finded schnell neue Freunde in verschiedenen Kursen! Ich habe es wirklich genossen und vermisse alle so sehr!!!

Going on exchange was the best decision in my entire life. It changed me forever in such a positive way. It changed a lot about me for example my comfort zone. After leaving my home country and moving to the other site of the world my perspective of what my comfort zone is completely changed. It always was a place and the people in it, but now it kind of is myself. Another positive thing about going on exchange is that I improved my english skills. At the beginning I had difficulties with understanding the southern accents but now I even understand them when they are talking really fast. I think I can say that I understand almost everyone no matter what accent and how fast they are talking. Besides that I am beyond thankful for my host family and my friends who became family for me. I miss them so much. A big thank you to my host parents, my host sisters and my local coordinator for making it the best time of my life, they are the cutest and most loving people I ever met, they treated my like their own daughter/sister from the moment I got off the plane, the showed my their culture, their country & will be my family forever.  I am also thankful for Charlotte itself for becoming my home.