I am so unbelievably excited for the adventure that awaits. I don't know if I have ever felt this certain about any decision I have made in my life. I have decided to leave an amazing job doing what I love (advising college students about study abroad opportunities), and I am moving to Germany...
I am moving to Germany!
Since I am disconnected from the worlds of Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, I have decided to document and share my journey through this blog. I have no idea if I will maintain it. But that's ok. I'm incredibly comfortable with the unknown. It's interesting to make that statement - amazing how much I have changed in the past couple of years. Thank you grad school!
Just to bring everyone up to speed-
I graduated on May 5th, 2012 with my Master of Science degree in Counseling and Student Personnel (with an emphasis in College Student Affairs) from Minnesota State University, Mankato (hereafter MSU). Immediately upon my graduation, I began working full-time at MSU in the International Programs Office as the Interim Education Abroad Advisor. I have held an impressive amount of responsibilities in this role, and I absolutely love my job. In fact, when people ask me "What is your dream job?" I feel so privileged to be able to answer "I'm already doing it". Good grief, I'm only 24 years old!
Alas, I'm leaving this. I'm leaving Mankato. I'm leaving my family and friends. I'm leaving a comfortable income. In short, I'm taking a risk - and I know this.
While updating the website for the International Programs Office at MSU one day in May, I came across an organization called AIDE Abroad that offers a program where participants can live with a host family in Germany (as well as other countries) in exchange for teaching English 15 hours/week for up to 3 months. The price was too good to be true. I work in the field of international education, so I consider myself pretty well-versed in these types of opportunities. However, this was a right-place-at-the-right-time kind of situation. My job here at MSU is only for a short-term contract. I don't have anything tying me down. As long as I can manage to continue paying off my student loans, I can do anything! I took hold and ran with it.
Fast forward to today, and I'm merely 37 days away from my last day of my job and 38 days away from a new life in Berlin living with a wonderful German family. We have been able to video chat on Skype several times, and I've even had a tour of their house and seen what will become "my" bedroom. I think I should probably get their permission before posting their pictures on the internet, but I can give you a written snapshot of my first impressions:
Lutz - my host dad: 46, some type of engineer, barely speaks any English, seems like a funny guy, always smiling (but maybe that's because he has no idea what I'm saying)
Barbara - my host mom: 46, elementary school teacher, HILARIOUS, hyper, full of life!; she seems very committed to improving her English and making me feel at home
Jakob - my host brother: 17, just started 11th grade, speaks English fluently, spent a year going to high school in Mississippi, great sense of humor, seems like we will get along really well
Anne - my host sister (sorta): 21, lives with boyfriend and goes to university, haven't officially met her yet...her birthday is one day after mine, so maybe we could have a joint party :)
Emma - my host dog: I've been told her bark is worse than her bite
Cat (name?) - the family claims the cat lives outside except I've seen it inside both times we have done a video chat over Skype. they are like "oh no! the cat should be outside! grab the cat - get it outside!" ha I find it hilarious.
2 chickens - have yet to see/meet them, but I plan to eat their eggs. Jakob says they're good :)
The house seems very nice. I will live in Anne's bedroom since she doesn't live with her parents. Jakob gave me a shaky tour of the house from his iPod, but I got the jist. I can't wait. I can't wait! I CAN'T WAIT!
That is definitely enough for now. Perhaps I will write more as I learn more. I just wanted to get this blog up and running. I promise to include photos, and maybe even videos if I can get smart with my iPad ;) Thank you for reading. Thank you for your support.
