Cincinnati Ohio
USA
My life in America started on July 21, 2002. First I had to spend two weeks in a Language and Culture Camp in Boston, Massachussetts. My friends would say: "It's a funny way to waste your time." Surrounded by other exchange students from all over the world, we had to go to school instead of enjoying our summer break. Sounds like fun, but it isn't. I need my sleep...
I have to admit that, after I finally arrived in Cincinnati, things were turning out to be really great. My host-family was nice, school was easy, and I met a lot of nice people. Even the weather was playing along. Could it be more perfect than that? No, it couldn't, but everything was about to change.
After only a month and a half I had to switch families, not once, but twice. My stay in the U.S was only vague and I was already planning on going home, which really bothered me, because it was my goal to stay. But fighting pays off!
A new host-family was found, loyal and brutaly honest. First I was scared, but after only a week I was pleasantly amused. I went to Homecoming and ice skating downtown. I had my first Orchestra Concert and was able to hang out with some awesome people.
The time was flying by, Christmas and New Years were already over. We started thinking about going back home... I admit, a pretty scary thought. I really enjoyed school. I am still glad that I didn't go to a normal high school, but to an art school. Because the students are artists and have to "express" themselves, we were much less limited in our "space."
And the people were so much nicer and tolerant. We were like a big family, no hard feelings at all. School was awesome, too. The classes were easy (no math!), almost too easy. Without any effort at all I made it to a straight A average and a GPA of 4.0, better than the local students, which was kind of scary.
It was also my first time to play in an orchestra. A hard lesson, but it opened my eyes. I had to work a lot to keep up with the others, but I learned a lot, especially about myself and my own priorities. A very worthy experience.
Overall I can truly say that this year was the best of my life. I learned so much about people and myself and I think I can say that I've grown as a person. It really opens your eyes for the important things, like my family. You definately become more appreciative. Sure, it wasn't always fun, but I still had the "foreign status," which can be truly helpful... you get away with everything ;-)
I was lucky. I came to the perfect area, to the perfect school, with the perfect people. Okay, it wasn't a true "American experience," because it differed too much from the "typical" life in the States, but it was the best for me. Sure, you have to adapt (...), but that's a sacrifice you have to make. The food IS better in Europe...