Tomorrow (July 3rd), I embark for my “journey across the pond” to Brussels, where I will stay with a few foreign relatives, and have a pre-program adjustment to the culture and time zone. After touring Belgium for several days, I plan to take a train to Dusseldorf to meet my host family. My host family and I have been shooting e-mails back and forth, so I already feel that the living situation is going to be an unforgettable experience. I am looking forward to having conversations with the family, to learn more about life in Germany. Although I have been to Europe in the past, I was 9 years old. Now that I am older and more mature, I plan to embrace the European culture and become a “cultural sponge”.
Aside from the positive expectations, there is one overwhelming fear I must face—I fear that I will not get an English copy of the new Harry Potter book before the story is spoiled for me, ahhh! In reality, I do hope I can pick up on the German language relatively quickly, so I can show a subtle appreciation for my host family’s hospitality. I hope that I pick up on the German customs as well, so I do not accidentally offend anyone overseas.
Overall, I believe I will leave Germany with a more profound appreciation of the many diverse cultures, and will create new friendships in the process.
-Joey Stafford
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