3rd Month Update!

I am in my third, already going on fourth month of exchange!! I cannot even begin to tell you how wonderful everything is in Germany! The food is probably my favorite now, along with the music, culture, weekends, the people. Basically everything. I hit a rockwall of homesickness in October, mainly from it being my birthday. It was hard to get through, a lot of emotions, but I did it. It helps to get out, keep busy and enjoy the life I have now. Let me start off by saying, GERMANY IS COLD. Really cold. Mornings are the worst, getting up in a cold room, previously being covered completely by blankets, and then having to stand in freezing, foggy weather for the bus, which is also cold. No worries! I bought a jacket, and I have my gloves (Handschue)and Hat (Motze) ready always. School is going good! I will take you through a regular day of school from start to finish. I begin my day by waking up at around 5:30, snoozing until about 6:05, and then getting up and going downstairs to have breakfast with my host family. At around 6:30, we go and walk the 200m to my bus stop in my village, where the bus usually comes at 6:40 (On average). We get on the bus, and all of the kids push to be the first there, even though there are enough seats for everyone.. (Who am I kidding, it's fun to join in pushing :D). We drive for about 15 minutes or so until we get into a town called Freren, which is the half way point between Schapen and Handrup (where my school is) and pick you up about 40 people on our already full bus. These people have to stand the rest of the way, and are always tightly packed into the bus. We get to Handrup at about 7:15 and my first class begins at 7:25. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays I have 6 periods in school, so I am usually home at about 1:30. Tuesdays and Thursdays I have 9 periods, which means a comfortablely late 15:30 (3:30). Usually when I get home, I eat with my host family, and then participate in the holy ceremony known as Nachmidtagschlafen (MID DAY SLEEP). I usually head to bed at about 22:30 (10:30) and then repeat. My days are good here in Germany! I have been to many different places already, experienced so much.. I still feel like my head is in America, and my feet in Germany though. I am slowly losing the feeling of this exchange being a dream, and starting to realize that this is reality, with college applications, financial situations, etc. becoming more and more apart of a daily agenda. I am learning how to become an adult, manage my time, my space.. It feels bittersweet to know this happening, because I still feel like a kid. I feel like this year is going by so fast too. I need to make more use of my time here in Germany, and really live it up. You only have one shot at this kind of thing, and I don't want to waste it. Much love to all, Jakub

November Update

Hello everyone :) It is I! Jakub, in Schapen, Germany, about to enter my 3rd month of exchange. Time is flying by so fast that I didn't even realize it is November already. Things are still holding up over here, I was blessed to have my birthday in Germany, as not many people get to experience that, but with celebration also comes homesickness. I miss everyone terribly, and often think of everyone in Aurora, Seattle, and elsewhere likewise. I continue to remind myself that I am doing this for myself, and it will help find who I am in life. A year is a long time , I didn't have a perspective of how long it was until now. I have already made so many friends and connections, while still keeping those at home strong. It is difficult, VERY difficult doing this. But I am keeping strong, and making the absolute most of this exchange. Once in a lifetime opportunity, and I'm making it happen. In the meantime, SOME PICS :D We went on our German tour over Autumn break with my Rotary district, and it was absolutely a blast.. We spent 6 days travelling around Germany, mainly to Erfurt, Weimar, Buchenwald (Concentration Camp), Wolfsburg, and finally 3 days in BERLIN! :D Here are some pictures that have surfaced from : In Potsdam! (By Berlin) :

On top of the Fernsehturm in BERLIN!

In front of the Reichstag with a part of the group :D