So this is officially my first blog! *Applause*
Ha ha, okay so bear with me, I am not exactly sure how this works =/
Confucius has a wonderful point doesn't he? One single step huh?
So its only fair that I explain to you how this journey of a thousand miles (to Denmark) began(my single step)
Here it goes....
One day, as I was strategically dodging my Spanish teacher from calling on me to say something with much enthusiasm in spanish and with a solid accent (which may I add, I strongly lack), the clock struck 10 minutes before the hour ended. Praise Jesus. So anyways, my teacher noted something important. A presentation she had to make about an exchange program.
Instantly, I relaxed, knowing I could finally sit up straight, and not be cowering behind the student in front of me!
She told us to get a piece of notebook paper out and to take some notes on what she was going to say... and what she said drastically caught my attention.
She explained to us, what Rotary Youth Exchange was, and of the possible countries. I was really intrigued by the idea of being an exchange student, however, when I found out it was for a whole year I was kinda repulsed by the idea. Until she began speaking about the advantages, which significantly outweighed the disadvantages. And when my teacher was done with her speech, (I swear on my guinea pig's grave) she was looking RIGHT at me, and she said, "You will always remember this day as the one that changed your life forever"
Guess what?
It did.
I was one of 10 people who took out an application
And I was the ONLY one at Coon Rapids High School to have turned one in.
I passed the GPA requirements
Went on through the the local club interview, and was passed through to the state/district interview.
I was incredibly nervous. But I made it through to all my interviews, and sessions.
Then it was the moment of truth: What country would I be going to?
Luckily, Rotary is the best, so they set up a country fair of all the potential host countries.
Even before I walked into the gym I knew my # 1 choice, and that was Italy, my lifelong dream.
My dad, being a full blooded German, wanted me to go to Germany or Austria. But I guess I just had different plans for myself =)
Somehow, the crazy, full of life, country of Brazil ended up as #3
Still #2 left blank
I ruled out countries like South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan because they are highly educated, and I didn't feel like I could keep up, especially with the language!
I was almost sold on S. Korea however, the exchange student was a doll, and she advertised her country beautifully!
But I knew my heart was set on one thing, and that is my love of Europe, and my love of people.
I was previously interested in the Faroe Islands because of the beautiful scenery, but tourist websites can be deceiving; they showed little pictures of their winters.
And for those who aren't aware. The Faroe Islands are apart of Denmark.
So for the fair, they placed the islands and Denmark together. Instantly I was drawn to the Denmark board, it had a newspaper article titled, "The happiest people on Earth".
I kinda laughed to myself, because why wouldn't it be the Italians? French? Or maybe even the Americans, I mean we have a lot of the luxury don't we? Hollywood? Ancient Artwork? Award winning food?
So once I began talking to the student from Denmark (who now is a good friend), I began falling in love with this "hyggeligt" kind of attitude, and their free sense of personality. it began to make more and more sense to me as we got deeper into conversation. And they had something I wanted, what we all want, happiness! Plus, all the danes I've gotten to know have a very "chill" personality, and the little things rarely seem to bother them. And if you know me, I'm the polar opposite of that personality! Haha I hope to acquire that trait within my year abroad!
Long story short, my list ended up like this
#1 Italy
#2 Denmark
#3 Brazil
#4 Spain
#5 New Zealand
I got my letter 3 days before Christmas that said
"We are happy to inform you that you are tentatively assigned to, Denmark"
Thus began my journey of a thousand miles!
At first I was disappointed that I didn't get Italy because come on, who wouldn't?
But Italy is lacking a huge aspect, that Denmark so abundantly has
And that's a population of the happiest people on earth.
How could I say no to that?
As I'm ripping out my heart, and posting it on the Internet, only one thing comes across to me. Is that I'm leaving in 3 weeks. And this story keeps me going, and knowing that its not by my hands, but by the hand of God that I'm going to Denmark.
I'm not saying its going to be a field of butterflies and roses, but I know that this experience will make me stronger, and that I will get to experience life outside of my own country. It is still life however, but its the moments in which we have to be strong, that we gain strength.
Tak, Thanks, for all those who are supporting me. All 4 of my beautiful host families, Henrik Mikkelsen, Lynn Keillor, my parents, my sister, my grandparents, Taylor, Megan, Kathleen , Kaitlin, Courtney, Karina, my youth group, Bob and Brigitte, and of course Rotary.
Most of all, praise be to Jesus. He is my strength, and he is the one who's lead me on my journey of a thousand miles. How I decided to take the first step, was a miracle.
"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope, and a future"
Jeremiah 29:11
Ha ha, okay so bear with me, I am not exactly sure how this works =/
Confucius has a wonderful point doesn't he? One single step huh?
So its only fair that I explain to you how this journey of a thousand miles (to Denmark) began(my single step)
Here it goes....
One day, as I was strategically dodging my Spanish teacher from calling on me to say something with much enthusiasm in spanish and with a solid accent (which may I add, I strongly lack), the clock struck 10 minutes before the hour ended. Praise Jesus. So anyways, my teacher noted something important. A presentation she had to make about an exchange program.
Instantly, I relaxed, knowing I could finally sit up straight, and not be cowering behind the student in front of me!
She told us to get a piece of notebook paper out and to take some notes on what she was going to say... and what she said drastically caught my attention.
She explained to us, what Rotary Youth Exchange was, and of the possible countries. I was really intrigued by the idea of being an exchange student, however, when I found out it was for a whole year I was kinda repulsed by the idea. Until she began speaking about the advantages, which significantly outweighed the disadvantages. And when my teacher was done with her speech, (I swear on my guinea pig's grave) she was looking RIGHT at me, and she said, "You will always remember this day as the one that changed your life forever"
Guess what?
It did.
I was one of 10 people who took out an application
And I was the ONLY one at Coon Rapids High School to have turned one in.
I passed the GPA requirements
Went on through the the local club interview, and was passed through to the state/district interview.
I was incredibly nervous. But I made it through to all my interviews, and sessions.
Then it was the moment of truth: What country would I be going to?
Luckily, Rotary is the best, so they set up a country fair of all the potential host countries.
Even before I walked into the gym I knew my # 1 choice, and that was Italy, my lifelong dream.
My dad, being a full blooded German, wanted me to go to Germany or Austria. But I guess I just had different plans for myself =)
Somehow, the crazy, full of life, country of Brazil ended up as #3
Still #2 left blank
I ruled out countries like South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan because they are highly educated, and I didn't feel like I could keep up, especially with the language!
I was almost sold on S. Korea however, the exchange student was a doll, and she advertised her country beautifully!
But I knew my heart was set on one thing, and that is my love of Europe, and my love of people.
I was previously interested in the Faroe Islands because of the beautiful scenery, but tourist websites can be deceiving; they showed little pictures of their winters.
And for those who aren't aware. The Faroe Islands are apart of Denmark.
So for the fair, they placed the islands and Denmark together. Instantly I was drawn to the Denmark board, it had a newspaper article titled, "The happiest people on Earth".
I kinda laughed to myself, because why wouldn't it be the Italians? French? Or maybe even the Americans, I mean we have a lot of the luxury don't we? Hollywood? Ancient Artwork? Award winning food?
So once I began talking to the student from Denmark (who now is a good friend), I began falling in love with this "hyggeligt" kind of attitude, and their free sense of personality. it began to make more and more sense to me as we got deeper into conversation. And they had something I wanted, what we all want, happiness! Plus, all the danes I've gotten to know have a very "chill" personality, and the little things rarely seem to bother them. And if you know me, I'm the polar opposite of that personality! Haha I hope to acquire that trait within my year abroad!
Long story short, my list ended up like this
#1 Italy
#2 Denmark
#3 Brazil
#4 Spain
#5 New Zealand
I got my letter 3 days before Christmas that said
"We are happy to inform you that you are tentatively assigned to, Denmark"
Thus began my journey of a thousand miles!
At first I was disappointed that I didn't get Italy because come on, who wouldn't?
But Italy is lacking a huge aspect, that Denmark so abundantly has
And that's a population of the happiest people on earth.
How could I say no to that?
As I'm ripping out my heart, and posting it on the Internet, only one thing comes across to me. Is that I'm leaving in 3 weeks. And this story keeps me going, and knowing that its not by my hands, but by the hand of God that I'm going to Denmark.
I'm not saying its going to be a field of butterflies and roses, but I know that this experience will make me stronger, and that I will get to experience life outside of my own country. It is still life however, but its the moments in which we have to be strong, that we gain strength.
Tak, Thanks, for all those who are supporting me. All 4 of my beautiful host families, Henrik Mikkelsen, Lynn Keillor, my parents, my sister, my grandparents, Taylor, Megan, Kathleen , Kaitlin, Courtney, Karina, my youth group, Bob and Brigitte, and of course Rotary.
Most of all, praise be to Jesus. He is my strength, and he is the one who's lead me on my journey of a thousand miles. How I decided to take the first step, was a miracle.
"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope, and a future"
Jeremiah 29:11
