Since October, I couldn't wait to leave for Hamburg and was beyond excited for the experiences I would have abroad. However, just a few days before my flight I got so nervous and terrified about leaving the country for a month that I considered staying and missing the trip. Luckily, I have an amazing support system in my family, friends, and boyfriend who all gave me encouraging advice and helped me realize what an amazing opportunity I would miss if I let my fear get the best of me.
My family surprised me the night before my flight by driving all the way to Chapel Hill to take me out to dinner. Then the next day, my mom and sister drove me to RDU to catch my flight. My sister almost made me cry when she pulled out her most prized possession out of her bag; her teddy bear, Elmer, who has traveled with her everywhere she's ever been. (I had jokingly asked if I could bring him along to Germany with me and received a death stare.)
My flight from RDU was delayed for about an hour and Bjorn, Alicia, Amy, and I almost missed our connecting flight from Newark to Hamburg. The flight was long and tiresome, but we finally arrived in Hamburg at 6:30 in the morning. My host mother was waiting in her pajamas to take me to my new home for the next month.
My family surprised me the night before my flight by driving all the way to Chapel Hill to take me out to dinner. Then the next day, my mom and sister drove me to RDU to catch my flight. My sister almost made me cry when she pulled out her most prized possession out of her bag; her teddy bear, Elmer, who has traveled with her everywhere she's ever been. (I had jokingly asked if I could bring him along to Germany with me and received a death stare.)
My flight from RDU was delayed for about an hour and Bjorn, Alicia, Amy, and I almost missed our connecting flight from Newark to Hamburg. The flight was long and tiresome, but we finally arrived in Hamburg at 6:30 in the morning. My host mother was waiting in her pajamas to take me to my new home for the next month.
My host family's home is close to the airport and absolutely beautiful. Olcay is my host mother and she owns 2-3 Turkish restaurants in Hamburg; her family operates them. Didi is my host father and he was a former soccer player and now works for a soccer league in St. Petersburg. My host sister is Carla and she is four years old and attends the kindergarten where I will be teaching.
When I arrived I was asked to take off my shoes at the door and wear slippers in the house. Olcay gave me a tour of the house and showed me my room, which is up in the loft area. Didi was still in bed and Carla had stayed the night at her grandparents' house. Olcay made everyone coffee and began preparing a Turkish style breakfast; I was scared about trying the food because I have never eaten Turkish food before. We ate breakfast in the dining room and began getting to know each other. After breakfast was over, I helped clean up and went to my room to get settled. After an hour or so, I came back downstairs to meet my host sister, Carla.
She was very skeptical of my presence and did not speak much around me (in any language). Olcay suggested we play together in Carla's room to get to know each other. We played with her Barbie dolls and began watching Shrek 3 in German. I got very tired from the jet lag and went up to my room to nap for a couple of hours.
After my nap, Olcay and Didi were preparing food for a barbeque on the terrace for a late lunch/early dinner. We had sausage, different types of bread, and grilled vegetables. It was a beautiful day to sit outside and have a meal together. That night, Didi took me to Olcay's restaurant. He kept offering food and beverages, but I was still stuffed from breakfast and lunch so he had a beer and I had a water. I met his daughter (we are the same age) from his previous marriage because she works at the restaurant; I also met many of Olcay's extended family members.
On Sunday, I got to sleep in to try to recover from the jet lag. The family got ready to go have brunch at Olcay's brother's restaurant in Wilhelmsberg. Brunch was delicious and I regret not taking pictures of the food. After brunch, we visited a recreational park for a few hours while enjoying the beautiful weather.
On Sunday night, the Hamburg University students welcomed us to the city by having a potluck dinner in our honor at one of the schools. We enjoyed good food and good company while learning about differences and similarities between American and German culture. The Hamburg students also recommended places to visit while we are here and even offered to take us places.
Finally after a very busy weekend, it was time to get ready for bed so I could have a great first day in a German kindergarten.
When I arrived I was asked to take off my shoes at the door and wear slippers in the house. Olcay gave me a tour of the house and showed me my room, which is up in the loft area. Didi was still in bed and Carla had stayed the night at her grandparents' house. Olcay made everyone coffee and began preparing a Turkish style breakfast; I was scared about trying the food because I have never eaten Turkish food before. We ate breakfast in the dining room and began getting to know each other. After breakfast was over, I helped clean up and went to my room to get settled. After an hour or so, I came back downstairs to meet my host sister, Carla.
She was very skeptical of my presence and did not speak much around me (in any language). Olcay suggested we play together in Carla's room to get to know each other. We played with her Barbie dolls and began watching Shrek 3 in German. I got very tired from the jet lag and went up to my room to nap for a couple of hours.
After my nap, Olcay and Didi were preparing food for a barbeque on the terrace for a late lunch/early dinner. We had sausage, different types of bread, and grilled vegetables. It was a beautiful day to sit outside and have a meal together. That night, Didi took me to Olcay's restaurant. He kept offering food and beverages, but I was still stuffed from breakfast and lunch so he had a beer and I had a water. I met his daughter (we are the same age) from his previous marriage because she works at the restaurant; I also met many of Olcay's extended family members.
On Sunday, I got to sleep in to try to recover from the jet lag. The family got ready to go have brunch at Olcay's brother's restaurant in Wilhelmsberg. Brunch was delicious and I regret not taking pictures of the food. After brunch, we visited a recreational park for a few hours while enjoying the beautiful weather.
On Sunday night, the Hamburg University students welcomed us to the city by having a potluck dinner in our honor at one of the schools. We enjoyed good food and good company while learning about differences and similarities between American and German culture. The Hamburg students also recommended places to visit while we are here and even offered to take us places.
Finally after a very busy weekend, it was time to get ready for bed so I could have a great first day in a German kindergarten.