Final Update
It's been almost two years since I last posted in this journal. I apologize for my absence the last couple of months of my exchange. I regret not keeping everyone updated with my travels. Right now, I am in the process of college transfer applications. Because my experience as an exchange student is so valuable to me, I included it in my personal statements. I wrote this statement for the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, USA a few months back--and I would like to share it:
05. April, 2009
I began my international travels at the age of fourteen when I agreed to participate in a program called People to People Student Ambassadors. This program, founded by Dwight D. Eisenhower, enables students in middle school and high school to travel to all corners of the world. As I went to my very first orientation, the woman in charge of my delegation said, "This experience will transform you outside and as well as in. When you step off the plane and greet your parents after this experience, they will see a change in you that is for the better".
Her words inspired me and I signed-up for the program. Before I knew it, I was traveling through the Mediterranean Coast of France, Spain, Italy, and Monaco with fifteen other students.
Since I enjoyed my first European experience, I decided to participate in another People to People program the following summer. This time we went to the east coast of Australia where I now have many fond memories. When I was there, I met some of the most amazing people, saw some of the world's most beautiful places, and ate the most exquisite food. Australia is a country full of excitement, wonder, and fascination. I enjoyed my summer there greatly and would give anything to see the Sydney Opera House or Melbourne again.
At the end of my People to People travels, I began to contemplate my future. Instead of becoming a scientist or veterinarian, I knew in my mind that I wanted an international job. I was, on the other hand, unaware of the talents I had and the skills I could acquire in order to obtain a job like this.
I transformed as a person and became aware of my abilities during my experience living a year as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student in Oldenburg, Lower Saxony, Germany. At the age of sixteen, I went to this country knowing nothing of the language, having no friends or family, and having only a suitcase in my hand and a backpack on my back. Being the shy little girl that I was at the time, I felt completely lost in this new world. Though this experience was difficult, I would not change it for anything. Studying abroad for a whole year did not just educate me about diversity; it changed my view on the whole world, rid my mind of global stereotypes, and helped me grow mentally and emotionally.
I remember going to German school for the very first time. I was scared out of my wits! My peers would not even glance at me, let alone greet me with a warm "guten tag" or "hallo". As the American, or "Ami" as Germans call American tourists, I felt like an outcast. Living in the same town my whole life, I had no clue what it was like to be the new kid until then. I felt lonely--like a dunce sitting in the corner of a classroom. I remember coming home everyday crying my eyes out and wondering what I have gotten myself into.
As the year progressed, my new German life improved. By mid-year, I had friends at school and I was able to converse in German. By January 2008 I had enough courage to intern at Staatstheater Oldenburg, the local theater in town, where I sorted musical pieces and found props for upcoming plays. Two months before my exchange, I participated in Oldenburg Modeled United Nations where I represented the country of Switzerland and had the opportunity to collaborate with people from all over the world. Because I have had many experiences with diverse groups of people, I do not fear working in peculiar environments.
When I came back from Germany, I was a completely different person. Rather than viewing the human race as a group of stereotypes, I judged each person individually. Instead of thinking that every German wears lederhosen and that every South American parties constantly, I tell myself that the country of origin does not determine who a person is. Each person, whether they are from Germany, Ecuador, Korea, or India, is unique in their own way.
I also had empathy and felt a need to help the foreigners in my country. When I returned, I began to help children who were unfamiliar with the English language. During my High School Senior Project, I assisted a Dutch girl and an Iranian boy in learning the English alphabet. Now I tutor an international group of elementary children at the Northshore Family Center in Bothell, Washington every Tuesday. Also, I assist ESL students at my community college twice a week. My exchange taught me how to love all kinds of people and to care for them. I know from now on, my life is dedicated to making this world a better place.
During my exchange, I discovered that I am excellent at memorizing patterns in languages. I picked up German very fast and also began to learn some Spanish and Portuguese while conversing with the South American exchange students. When I discovered this quality about myself, I made a list of the languages I wanted to learn. I am currently learning second-year Spanish at Cascadia Community College, but I do want to learn French, Polish, Dutch, Japanese, and Afrikaans in the future.
Now that I am aware of my life's goals and have already graduated from High School, it is time for me to choose my ideal university. The University of Washington is my first choice because it has been a part of me since the day I was born. Since I was a little girl, I have participated in a program at this university called the Study of Early Childhood and Youth Development. Now that I am an adult, and have allowed this learning institution to record the first eighteen years of my life, I feel as if the University of Washington is piece of me that I am quite fond of and refuse to let go. As an adult, I want to continue helping the University of Washington with my unique skills.
I am hoping that studying linguistics at the University of Washington will train me to interpret other languages. I am hoping that I will be able to use this skill to help businesses and other organizations. Because we are living in an age where cyberspace is the norm for communication, this world is now more globalized than ever before. The human race needs bilingual human beings to communicate with organizations in other countries. The human race also needs human beings who are familiar with working in diverse environments.
By studying at the University of Washington, I am hoping to expand my international knowledge, contribute my skills to the university, and improve my global outlook. With a degree in linguistics, I am hoping to be an interpreter for the Peace Corps or any other international non-profit organization. In the end, I want to explore our planet and possess the eyes of a world traveler, linguist, and University of Washington graduate.