Conroe Rotary - YOUTH EXCHANGE Arensdorf 07/08

My name is Hope Arensdorf, and I have the privilege of living in Emsdetten, Germany this year as an exchange student with Rotary Club Conroe. I was home-schooled for six years and have graduated from high school. I am also excited and proud to say that I have been accepted at Texas A&M University! The Corps of Cadets interests me greatly, and I look forward to the unique traditions and atmosphere on campus. I love music, hot weather, and foreign languages, and greatly enjoy playing the violin, as well as all kinds of sports.

Ever since I was 12 or 13 years old, I have wanted to do an exchange year. My family and I love learning languages and we have always been curious about other countries. In coming to Germany, some of my goals where to solidify and perfect my German, try lots of German dishes, including Bratwurst and Sauerkraut, meet many new people and learn German perspectives, learn to play soccer, and even visit a refugee camp if I could.

Since arriving here last July, I noticed that I seemed to adapt relatively quickly to life here, especially the language. Of course there have been harder times or times when I don't understand why Germans do something a certain way, but I've learned that asking questions is one of the most valuable tools to understanding more. It has also helped me learn a lot of in-depth peculiarities about this culture that I never could have imagined were there.

I find my particular region, called Münsterland, very interesting. My Rotary Counselor tells me lots about the history of our area, different cities, the land, the old rulers, and so much more. He knows so much detail and I find it fascinating to realize that just a small section of a very famous country has such minute historical aspects. We even have a few castles here! The land is pretty flat, but we have a few little corners where it's hillier, with forests covering the slopes. It can be beautiful in very simple fashions. I've also completely fallen in love with the German cuisine!! We eat lots of bread, and there are so many types that aren't in America (I know I will miss them sorely). Also, there are also many very notable and delicious meat dishes: Frikadellen (like meat-loaf clumps), Rouladen (great slabs of beef rolled up with different spices and chopped up veggies, hence the name), Goulasch Soup (very thick stew with meat chunks and vegetables, eaten as sauce to pasta).

I've begun seeing many changes in myself in the last months. My language ability skyrocketed in a surprisingly short amount of time, and it is thrilling to realize that I am actually becoming fluent in another language! Speaking German has even both improved and impaired my English. (That is, I speak English often with very correct grammar but sometimes forget words or speak with German grammar, something that can become very humorous.) I also see that a year away from my native culture and life has allowed time for my personality, confidence, street-smarts and most of all independence to develop more. I've learned, from experience, that getting lost on the Deutsche Bahn is just an excuse to have an adventure. I now look at other countries with new interest, because I have made friends with several students from lands like Brazil, France, Finland, Thailand and Australia. I use the 24 hour clock system fluently. I could almost not live without a bicycle. By now I forget how one survives without separating the trash into at least 2 different groups. And last but not least, I look forward to seeing beat-up old trucks when I get back.

I have now been here in Germany for more than seven months, and I have just a bit more than four months to go. But I don't want to go. It has been a great year so far, and I am so looking forward to what is still to come. I've really valued my time here and tried to use it well. I have been thankful for the chance to come here not only since I buckled my airplane seat belt in July, but rather since all the way back in February when I originally heard that this year was possible for me. Thank you so much, Rotary Club of Conroe, for giving me this awesome opportunity. :)