Germ-Afri-Merican

    When I arrived at the train station on Friday, my host parents from my exchange year greeted me with smiles, chocolate, and my favorite beer. First thing my host father said, "Finally I have my favorite Germ-Afri-Merican back under my roof!". It's been so nice to have these few days to reconnect with them and to get my German back to where it should be! I've been staying in my host sister, Hanna's room because she is in France at the moment visiting her own host family! She turns 15 on Sunday so  I will be coming back to see her :) Another birthday coming up is Alexandra! Can't believe she turns 16 tomorrow- very scary idea.
    I was very excited because on Saturday I was invited to a birthday party for my friend Svenja, who was in my class now almost three years ago! I went with some other friends, and it was so weird to see my old class again! For the most part, none of them have changed. Most are actually about to leave to go abroad for a year. They all want to work and travel. About six of them said they were going to New Zealand! I've never know it to be such a popular destination.
    When I first arrived at the airport, I found out that my luggage hadn't been brought with me- however it was eventually delivered to my doorstep this morning while I was asleep. Now I am reorganizing my things in preparation for tomorrow. That marks the beginning of my new life at Jacobs. Tomorrow I will finally be able to move in to my dorm room, meet my roommate( so anxious to meet her!!) and meet all these people who I have been relentlessly stalking via Facebook these last few months!
    After camping out in New York for so long and then having such a long journey to get here, I am quite exhausted. These past few days have been so nice, not having to run around like a chicken with my head cut off! Will hopefully have an update soon on how my first day in college went! Lots and lots of love xoxoxo

Ziet fliegt schnell

So here I am, the final week. It's strange that my countdown to college now consists on one hand. Time seems to have escaped me once again. I now have one week left on this continent, and a lot of things to accomplish. Packing is becoming an issue, because every time I try to repack my suitcase, I think of another thing that I'm determined I'll need (because who can live without their five year old sweater that lives in the back of the closet?). 

In the time since my last post, there have been several new developments. I paid my tuition for the first semester (YAY!) so I am officially enrolled and have dotted all my I's and crossed all my T's. I have also been in contact with my new host family. Jacobs is very good about anticipating problems before they occur, so they've organized for each student to have their own German host family, to show them around the area and get them accustomed to the new lifestyle. I won't be living with them, but I will be spending a lot of free time and holidays by their side. They are Stefanie and Jürgen Fried, and are a seemingly nice couple. They're in their forties, no kids, but lots of precious cats. I am looking forward to meeting them during orientation week! I'm also in contact with my student advisors, Lara and Louie, both of whom are third year students. Their main purpose is to ensure that I won't get lost during O-week. 

I have also had the pleasure of having contact with my old host families and friends from Germany. I even have a birthday party to go to my first night there! I can't wait to be back in the swing of things. As relaxing and nice New York has been, it's been quite boring because I don't know anyone but Alexandra and my mom. I'm excited to start getting to know my classmates! 

So to wrap this up, I fly in six days, arrive in seven days and in eleven days I start O-week. All very good things. I'll keep you posted! 

xoxo Katherine

40 Tage bis the start of mein neue life

1. Trials: a test of the performance, qualities, or suitability of someone or something.

      a. A.K.A the competitive atmosphere in which I will be attending school.

      b. Who can stay up til 2 am and be up and functioning at 7 am? 

2. Terrors: extreme fear.

      a. Having to look the scary Doner men in the eye to receive the greatest meal of all time. 

      b. Being a responsible adult -no mommy, lots of trouble.

      c. German Public Transport Workers

3. Misconceptions: a view or opinion that is incorrect because it is based on faulty thinking or understanding.

      a. Basically everything about College. 

      b. Mostly everything everyone thought of me. 

And last but not least is little old me, the Germanized American. I find myself once again headed to Europe, embracing my inner German, and way too excited for Christmas Markets and Gluhwein. Only 40 days left until this new chapter of my life begins, and no one can tell what will unfold as these next three years fly by.