Farewell, Oklahoma

9. August 2014

Goodbye, home

One thing I will not miss about summers here in Oklahoma: the mosquitos. I went for a walk last evening to spend a little time with our animals one last time before I left, and was eventually driven back inside by about six mosquito bites. Despite the heat, the turkeys, goats, chickens, cats, and dog all seemed in high spirits.

Summer

I don't think I could've asked for a much better summer. I saw some beautiful scenery, in the Pacific Northwest as well as in Oklahoma and Florida. I've had memorable adventures with the people I love. It's been the perfect sort of transition. I've had time to appreciate what I've accomplished, but I don't really mean that in the sense you might think. Rather, I find myself in a really good mindset, which I have been able to enjoy with friends and family. I feel good about what I've done and what I'm going to do. Perhaps most importantly, I've been able to enjoy the most important moment: the present.

Now, though, I'm ready to be off! It's time to start the journey! I am writing this from my layover in the Dallas airport, on my way to Washington, D.C. Tomorrow afternoon we fly to Frankfurt and drive to the language camp. From what I can tell, I'll have minimal internet access while I'm there.

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Liebe Grüsse,

Abigail

Pre-Departure Introduction

July 28, 2014

Two weeks from today, I arrive in Germany to begin a 10 month adventure. I will be representing the U.S. and living with a host family, meeting people and attending high school. The scholarship enabling me to embark on this journey is the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program (CBYX), which was created over 30 years ago and is funded by both the U.S. Congress and the German Bundestag. 

I will travel with 49 other students from the southwest region, and spend the first four weeks at a language camp in the village of Hedersleben. Ability to speak German is not a requirement of the program, though I am lucky enough to have studied German in high school for the past six years, and so we will study German in groups organized by previous German knowledge.

After the language camp, we will head our separate ways to move in with our host families, which are located throughout Germany. I have not yet received my host family placement, though it could come any time. I look forward to finding out where and with whom I will be spending my year!

For now, I am enjoying my last days of life as it is now, in America. And packing, which has proven to be quite a task, considering I am taking just one large suitcase and a carry-on. It is a test in my knowledge of myself and my ability to pack what I think will be most useful and most important to me!

Bis später,

Abigail