Open up to new opportunities

“I remember when I was waiting for the information if I am going to the States, full of stress and excitement. Now, it is my eighth month in the state of Illinois and the exchange year is slowly going to end soon, even though I feel like it just has started.”

What a year! My exchange definitely helped me to grow up and made me responsible and independent. I understood that nothing’s perfect but it’s always possible to conclude. My host family is a good example; we had to go through many situations together to have great relations now, full of understanding. I’m already planning when I’m going to visit my second home again. From the very beginning, my host parents were calling me their daughter and I have a special place on a family tree. 

Volunteering had a huge impact on my exchange. It has helped me to open my mind and go out of my comfort zone. In a nursing home, I have gained a lot of empathy and in “the breathing tree” studio I have met wonderful people and started my adventure with yoga and meditation. Volunteering has given me a lot of satisfaction. The team in the studio has warmly welcomed me and accepted as a part of their family, which gives me the feeling that I create this place with them. I received a lot of words of appreciation and gratefulness, even for the littlest things.

The beginning of the spring started with our musical performance “MAMMA MIA!”. The musical has shown me my hidden talents and in the end, my host parents congratulated me and gave me beautiful flowers! The exchange helped me to become myself. I am thankful for every experience I have had and I wouldn’t want to change anything!