Das Magazin für Bildung und Karriere im Ausland - Itchy-feet

the dance steps and song lines, but I met new
people and made wonderful friends. We had
three performances in the school assembly
hall, and my host family and friends came to
watch. Afterwards, we had a party with all the
cast members. I still watch the video and listen
to the CD all the time:
“Here’s to us – here’s to us.
Here’s to all we have in store.
Here’s to you – here’s to me,
You’ve made my life worth living for.”
There are countless details and memories
which will influence your future and keep you
remembering the wonderful time abroad. They
just come to you and create a feeling of pride
and happiness. But, of course, my stay wasn’t
only sunshine and sparkles. A tough situation
I had to go through was changing my host
family. At first, everything seemed perfect
with my first family. Long before my departure
in Germany, I stayed in contact with my host
mom and sister and was glad to be part of a
family in which I felt welcome and comfortable.
But after a while I realized that the love I was
used to from my family at home, wasn’t the
love I got from my host family. It was a typical
patch work family. More and more afternoons
I stayed home alone and my homesickness
kept increasing, the calls to my family became
as numerous as the tears when I tried to fall
asleep. The whole situation was topped when I
learned that my host parents had problems and
that a divorce was about to happen.
A week before Christmas, I moved to a family
that was related to my actual host family. This
was the best decision ever! They understood
the circumstances and took care of me so that I
experienced the rest of my High School Year in
a stable and harmonic family. I shared a room
with the two oldest girls of the family, and they
turned out to be not only the best host sisters
I could ever wish for, no, there were, and still
are, like best friends for me. This family was
similar to my German family, and maybe that
is another reason why I got along with them
so well. My new host dad made me laugh all
the time, but he still showed that he was the
boss. My host mom was open and listened to
problems we girls had, no matter if we worried
about grades or boys. She took care of things
like school issues and doctor appointments.
Of course there were arguments, too, but
talks and the love for each other made the bad
mood always disappear; and a family without
arguments is not a normal family anyway. It
is important to talk about problems and to be
open, even if the people are strangers to you
at first, they will become part of your life. You
have to learn to trust them, and then they will
trust you. Don’t run away from conflicts. Solve
them with words and not with silence or a
phone call home.
Rules and chores are subjects to deal with
as well. As a member of the family, you have
to accept to do things like cleaning, doing
laundry or feeding the dogs. Don’t wait until
you get instructions. Try to integrate yourself
in the household. My family was very pleased
AIFS_highschool_210x65 15.03.2006 11:28 Uhr Seite 1
WELTWEIT LERNEN. KLASSE!
and positively surprised, when I served them
a typical German dish. American families do
not get money for hosting a student. It is pure
friendliness and the curiosity to experience
a different culture. Teaching them about
different traditions is much appreciated and a
better way to express your gratitude than an
expensive present.
High School – 7
The big final school ball was definitely one of
the most exciting experiences during my stay.
The whole school went crazy as the prom got
closer and closer. Only 11th and 12th graders
we bring
the world together
Deine High School im Ausland:
Australien, Neuseeland // Argentinien, Brasilien, Spanien // USA, Kanada // Südafrika
Freecall 0800 – 777 22 99 // www.high-school-international.de