Today marks 2 months that I have been in the Czech Republic. Two months full of many emotions, many experiences, and many memories. 

In the summer of 2018 my only goal was to go on exchange. As many people doubted it, I wouldn’t take no for an answer. With luck I made it to the first meeting on time, even though I was very late to sign up. The process happened faster then a blink of an eye. I told my parents that I’m going to be going on exchange, they were shocked at first and said, “are you crazy?” But then they supported me through every step of the way. They weren’t the only ones that thought I was crazy, my friends said that I would never make one year in a different country, and my family told me it was dangerous. Although the decision was briefly thought through, I knew that it was the right one. 

When I arrived I was scared, not knowing if my host family would like me, or if I would be able to make friends in school. As many people told me that Europeans can be shy, I was afraid to see if it was true. The first few weeks of school had proven the point. But I managed to push through the hardship by going to festivals, talking to people I didn’t know, and asking people to show me the best places in town. In just a few weeks everything had gotten better. The friends I’ve made here, are more like family I’d say. I know that I’m so thankful to have them in my life, and the best part is planning trips for them to come to my home country, USA! In the past 2 months, I’ve already experienced so many adventures and I know that the future has more to come. I’m so lucky that I came to the Czech Republic. Not only am I exploring this beautiful country but I’ve also gotten to see other parts of Europe as well. Including Austria, England and lots more to come. 

One of the best weekends of my exchange so far, was the first orientation meeting with the other exchange students. The orientation meeting consisted of various languages, inside jokes, dancing, and lots of pictures. As cliche as it may seem, all exchange students quickly form a certain bond that makes it seem as if we truly are family. Due to the fact that we are all experiencing the same challenges. Some may have it easier than others , while some may be having the worst. But no matter what, exchange students can always relate, and we are always there for each other.  We all wait patiently for the next meeting to arrive. 

The two months of my exchange have gone by so fast. When I was younger I remember my parents saying that time flies. And I agreed as if it meant nothing. But now, I am starting to realize that it is true. Recently I’ve been really thinking about how I need to make each day here count, because before I know it, I’ll be on the plane back home. I haven’t had the chance to write blogs, or even write in my czech journal because I’ve been so caught up with my life here. Although the language is still very difficult, it’s starting to really feel like home. 

Like I’ve said many times before, exchange is a wonderful experience. Through the ups and downs, I just keep thinking to myself that I’m very lucky to have this opportunity. So with that said, the first two months, were amazing, and I wait patiently, to see what lies ahead, while cherishing each and every moment through the process. 

The first picture is all of the exchange students at the first meeting.

The second picture, is on the Tower bridge in London!

As too many things have happened in this amazing one month I’ve been gone, I’ve decided to wrap it all up instead of write them Individually. The first few weeks as you could tell were rough. Like every exchange student, you go in thinking about only the exciting parts and forget about the homesickness, struggles, and loneliness, although you’ve been reminded about them many times before you left. So after I had homesickness I called out for help, to other exchange students, who had experienced the exact situation. They all told me their experiences and it seemed to be pretty common, so I asked them what the best thing to do was. The response from not only one of them, but each and every one was, “give it time.”

As I read that, I laughed because it was such a simple sentence and during the moment, it seemed useless, but in fact it was the complete opposite.

Back at home I am a very open person, I love hugs, meeting new people, and going on adventures. In Czech Republic, people are more enclosed with their own lives and it takes a while for them to open up. That was one of the hardest struggles, and the reason why it was hard to make friends at school. But then one weekend changed everything.

Tábor Festivals: The Tábor festival is a traditional, cultural festival with lots of food, people, fun, music, concerts and dancing. During this festival I met so many new people, people that are now some of my closest friends. It’s crazy how one event can change so much. During the festival not only did I meet fun amazing people, I also went to some Czech concerts, ate some amazing Czech food, and even met some well known Czech singers! So it was a pretty good weekend!

Then school started again. As much I as dreaded going to school, I started to want to go so I could see my new friends. Eventually I got to change my schedule to a more understandable one, with mostly English and Spanish. This was really helpful because not only do I understand the classes, but I am split in 2 classes so I can see more people! Even though school is still quite boring, because all my friends have to do work, I’m always looking forward to the one big break we have, for 20 minutes, where I head to a store with my friends, called the “Billa”and then I get to buy a snack, my personal favorite, pizza žemle.

As I lay in bed and write this blog, I smile because words can’t describe this experience. It’s so amazing and beautiful what exchange teaches you. The ups and downs, the mistakes and corrections, the people and experiences, each and every thing has a meaning, a reason. I’m beyond thankful for being able to meet the people I’ve met, for being able to have fun and infuse myself into a new culture and feel more comfortable and involved. I appreciate every offer to go somewhere even if it’s getting a coffee for the third time in one day, because little experiences lead to big memories.

Many more adventures and stories have taken place, but the main struggles that I started with, I decided to show how every struggle comes to an end, with some advice and effort to try to solve it. Opening yourself up to a new culture and new people may be hard, but you just have to remember that you are where you are for a reason, so make the reason rememberable, and meaningful. Everything gets better when you give it time.

As I sit in the back of the class I stare. For a very long time. My brain gets filled with words I don’t know. I sit and wait every second , every minute , every hour, to hear the last bell ring. So I can be free again, but only for 12 short hours and then the ritual continues. As the other students sweat, stress, and panic for the big tests to come, I just sit and relax. Never would I have thought school would be this easy. And it may sound fun! To do nothing all day other then just sit. But fun is not the right word. Quite boring if we are telling the truth. Although I get to meet new people and experience a different school system, not knowing what is going on, can get old. And surprisingly, I actually miss learning something new. Something that I can understand. Somewhere I can feel included, safe, home. 

The first day was scary. I’ve been going to the same school for 11 years, with the same people and the same teachers . A small class of 15 and a grade of 30. A school that is kindergarten through 12th grade with a little over 400 students. Very small I’d say. Back in my little humbly home of Schenevus Central School, we are  all family. We know each other very well, we could tell if someone was having a bad day, we automatically knew if a new person had come to our school and we’d try our best to make them feel welcomed. 

Here in Tábor, Czech Republic, things change. And that’s a huge part of exchange, you have to get used to, or adapt to a certain culture that you’ve never been exposed to. As I took my first step into a new school I automatically felt fear, my gut telling me to turn back, to go home, curl in a ball and sleep. As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t. So I went through the day, as a statue trying my hardest to defeat the tiredness in my eyes. 

The next days got better. I finally found people who made me feel welcomed. Two girls with the same level of crazy. Right when I first met them I seemed to know they were going to be my friends. Since then, they’ve invited me places and helped me with classes. Even though it was hard at first, they made it easier.  I continue to tell myself that it will get better, everything happens for a reason, and soon I’ll be acting as if I knew my classmates for my whole life. As the weeks progressed I continued to make news friends, and day by day I felt just a little more at home.

As I continue to say in each blog, I learn something new every day, and even if they are small lessons, they effect me in a huge way. The decisions I make, deciding if I want to go to school, if I am going to participate, if I have the courage to approach a stranger, they all effect the rest of my life, no matter how big or small. And thats the beauty of it all. 

-The top picture is a picture of the school I am going to, Gymnázium Pierra de Coubertina.

-The bottom picture is with my two good friends , Tereza(left) and Simona (right).

The first week…

In a different country, alone, with people you’ve never met, not knowing any of the language, at the age of 15. Seems like a struggle. And it can be, at times. 

As I left the plane and entered a new world, I took a big breath and said to myself, “You’ve got this”. I was quite nervous to meet my new family. But the second I saw them, I knew it was going to be ok. I gave them hugs and admired the fact they were willingly giving up their home, and a year for me. As we drove away from the airport in Prague, the landscape seemed to be quite similar. Horizons of fields, trees, hills and green. The countryside of Czech Republic. It was beautiful, just like home. The first day was a lot of tasting new foods, meeting new people,  and seeing new things.

The first 7 days had gone by fast. I saw sights that had gave me a good feeling. The feeling that I know my dreams are coming true. I met new people every day. Although all I could say was “Dobry den!” – Good day in Czech – It was still interesting to hear them speak in an entirely different language that to me, sounded like gibberish. So I’ve learned to laugh when someone else laughs, and smile and nod. A typical exchange student rule. 

To put it all together in a short paragraph, I went to 3 different cities, very good tours of each, I saw an opera performance for the first time, experienced the bus life, went on a nice countryside bike ride, camped out and celebrated a 50th birthday, baked and cooked Czech meals, tried some delicious desserts, and hung out with new friends! It was all so so amazing! Then came day 7.

Day 7, the last day to the first week, the day before my birthday, 5 days before School. A lot going through my mind. As I woke up to the sun peeking its way through my half closed blinds, I was ready for the day. Unfortunately I had gotten a headache. Later in the morning Mamka (my host mom) had came home and we ate lunch and baked a cake. It smelled so delicious. My headache was getting worse so I decided to lay down. My plan was to go shopping and exercise with Mamka but instead I stayed home to feel better. And during that time I started to get a little homesick, which it is known that when you are sick in general you just wish you were home. Which together equals, homesick. So I decided to sleep it off. And when I woke up, its like God had healed me in just a few hours. My feelings had changed.

I realized a lot. I was too caught up in my life at home. Always checking up on social media, watching Netflix, instead of studying more of the language. Although this only happened at night, because I was occupied with lots of things during the day, it still was a distraction. And it was time to move on. I needed to set those things aside and start to really focus on my new life. Its still all coming together. Maybe it was today that it hit me. No one goes into exchange fully prepared, but now I am. 

I am excited for what is to come. New school, new friends, new places, new experiences. I am truly excited. Thankful. 

So instead of explaining the exact details of all the things I’m going to improve on, I’ll just sum it up. I had a purpose to go on exchange a reason, or it wouldn’t of worked out. So with some advice from people at home, a few last calls, and one more blog post before school starts.  Ive made yet another decision. To focus on whats in front of me. To focus on the language and a new country. To not be afraid. To know that this is going to be the best year of my life, if I can make it be. And to not let go of my life before, but to keep it with me and use it as a motive and strength to move on. Because like I was told many times before I left, you can’t live in two worlds at once. 

Some of the beautiful sites I’ve been gifted to see.

Why is the human mind so complex?
A simple question that such a complex mind can’t solve.

With only a few days to go my mental state is going crazy. Some days I cry, some days I smile, some days I laugh. Though many emotions are going through my body I know that I truly am happy to be able to experience this. But the side emotions do play a huge part, just like the people on the sidelines.

I cry for the moments that I’ll miss when I’m gone, with family, friends.
Hugging my mom every day, watching movies with my dad, laughing with my siblings.
I cry while packing my suitcase, not knowing what to bring, and the stress weighs down on my shoulders heavier then the suitcase itself.
I cry while saying goodbye to my close relatives, the last saying, “I’ll see you in one year”
I cry just thinking of the moment of saying goodbye to my parents. The last 3D image. The last face to face goodbye. The last hug for one year.
I cry.

I smile for the moments I visualize in the future. The moments I see that will happen. Traveling around Europe. Being blessed with an amazing host family that I haven’t met in person yet, but I’ve spoken with them and they are truly amazing.
I smile that my dreams are coming true. That God blessed me with this amazing opportunity.
I’m so young and I’m able to say that Im leaving the country to go live in a different one.
I smile towards the reactions.
I smile towards the support that many people have given me.
I smile.

I laugh at the moments that I’ve made and I’ll never forget. The moments I get to bring with me to share to others. The moments that will remind me that it will be ok. From a simple hug and laugh in the morning to an amazing California trip. Moments like those will never be forgotten. Pictures I’ll bring with me to keep those moments bright.
I laugh at the fact that I worry so much about only a year out of my life. I shouldn’t be scared, or sad, even though it is normal, but rather, just be thankful.
I laugh that simple little things like a forgotten piece of clothing will worry me, that I stress so much over little things. And in the end, it all works out.
I laugh.

Emotions are things we can’t control completely. We can try to prevent some from happening or train ourselves to hide them. But they are just so strong, so real, that they can never truly be hidden.
Along the way of preparing to leave I’ve learned so much. That it’s ok. It’s ok to cry, to be upset, because eventually you’ll get better and then you’ll smile, and then you’ll laugh about it.

I write this blog because I think it’s important for people to know not only the ups, but also the downs of this crazy ride. You may think that living in a different country will be amazing, but I haven’t even left yet and here I am with mixed emotions. I know that when I get to a high peak of the ride, it will be the best.
Im sure other exchange students that are preparing to leave feel the same. Exchange students are like a family, a school of fish in a very very big ocean. Along this journey I’m prepared to hit many emotions. And not only just the journey of an exchange but also the journey of life. And that’s what this is preparing me for.

A few of the many pictures I’ll be taking with me! 🙂

Hello! Hola! Bonjour! Ahoj! Kon’nichiwa! Thank you for joining me! This blog will be about my amazing adventures across the world. This August I will be going to Czech Republic as a rotary youth exchange student. The mixed emotions stir as the date for departure inches its way closer and closer. As a young 15 year old girl I feel honored to be able to have the opportunity to go to so many exotic places that truly show you what the world has to offer. Although I have only traveled throughout North America and across the USA, I am determined to travel to many more countries and continents. As I dream about all the places I could go, I am excited to soon write about the vast destinations I’ll be able to cross off my bucket list. Throughout this blog, I will be posting the ups and downs of a very fast, bumpy, and adventurous ride, the life of an exchange student. Stay tuned!