Not only has Trump been elected president which has made me fear for our foreign relations, but it seems every class I've taken at university over the past two years has somehow been related to Germany AND many of my fellow exchange students have returned there once or twice; many are there right now. Plus, the class I was in at Gymnasium Leopoldinum (then in 10th grade) graduated just last week. Oh how I wish I could've been there to support them and congratulate them!
I feel like I'm left out. I had this AMAZING experience and it flew by so quickly. And yes, my time since has been wonderful as well but it's just not Germany. All my peers have begun to travel. Travel to places I've been or want to go. Many of them have traveled to Germany. I'm so happy for them because traveling can be such a joy! I just wish I were able to travel with them.
I hope this blog post does not sound depressing or sad, because it's not. I just want to get my feelings out there and make them known because I'm sure I'm not alone. I'm sure other exchange students have had similar experiences and I want them to know that they're not alone either.
University has taught me so many lessons. I thought I had grown and matured during my exchange year, and I had, but college helped me to grow so much more as a person. I've become more inquisitive and intentional. I've gained friends, lost friends, been introduced to new hobbies, new ideas. I've learned so much more about myself. I've learned that yes, I do like reading books other than brightly-colored YA novels. I like to learn. I like to explore. I like to get myself out of my comfort zone (most of the time). I've learned that trying new foods (probably) won't kill me. I like to challenge myself and to take risks.
Home has a greater meaning to me now. I used to tell people I'm from Christiansburg, Virginia. But now I feel like that doesn't do my experience justice. I'm not only from Christiansburg but I'm from Passau, Neukirchen vorm Wald, Boone, Asheville, Colorado, Italy, Sweden, and so many other places. Because those are the places I've been, or lived, or loved. Home can mean a comfortable bedroom with all my childhood possessions and my parents down the hall. Home can mean a tiny bedroom big enough to walk to my bed with seven dogs sitting outside my door to jump all over me. Home can mean sharing a room with your mostly-silent roommate who becomes one of your best friends. Or sharing a room with your best friend who is your adventure buddy slash dance partner slash sunrise-watcher slash bff-soulmate. Home can mean a retro 1950's A-frame that's very unconnected from the world wide web. Home can mean a small room in a house with three roommates who are all strangers to you.
I apologize if this post seems disorganized to you. I'm just writing down what I'm thinking without much revision. I feel that that is the best way for you to understand what I'm saying.
I began college at Appalachian State University, changed my major from Architecture to Global Studies to Interdisciplinary Studies to Planning.
My time at App was defined by my participation in Watauga Residential College which introduced me to some of my greatest friends, contra dancing, and new perspectives. I fell in love with contra dancing, joined swing dance club, went on a mission to Cozumel, kept in touch with my exchange friends as best I could, road tripped to Colorado, took a yoga class, learned fiddle, joined Appalachian Heritage Council, helped pull off App State's 9th Annual Fiddlers Convention, got the greatest group of friends I could ever ask for, participated in German club, took some German classes, had an internship at a planning office, worked at a pizzeria, hiked all the time, and fell in love with the most wonderful guy.
I'm currently on summer break from university. I finished up my last semester at App and am officially a Virginia Tech Hokie starting this fall. This summer I am living near the capital of North Carolina and working 40 hours per week as a Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) Intern at an international company. I hope to return to Germany within the next year and maybe become an au pair. I plan on graduating with my Bachelor's in Urban Affairs and Planning with a GIS Certificate in Spring of 2019. After that, I so hope I'll get the opportunity to travel again and maybe even return to Germany to complete my Master's degree.
Liebe Grusse aus North Carolina,
Lyndee