Inez Bye - NSW to Germany

Tue 22 Dec 2009

Inez Bye, from Atarmon NSW, is currently on a summer explorer program in Germany. She writes:

"I am really happy with the way the things worked out, I have lots of great stories about exchange and I have no doubt that it is one of the best experiences you can have. But I have also heard a few dodgy stories so I have to say I was a bit worried about what type of family I would get. The family I am now living with is wonderful! They even make sure to buy me weet-bix and have asked what I would like for Christmas! We get along really well and I am comfortable with them and enjoy doing normal family things like shopping with my host mother, figuring out how to catch the trains with my host father or playing board games with my host sister. We don’t always see eye to eye with all things, but I guess no one does and this isn’t really an issue for us.

The school is lots of fun too now! At first I was really lost as my host sister is nine and I am 15, and I didn’t have any friends in my year. The school didn’t assign me a buddy or anything so it was very hard at first. Now, over a month later, it is my last week of school. Just when I started becoming comfortable with school and finding my spot there, I have only a few days left. But at least all the girls at my school (I go to an all girls school) have said they would like to meet up in the holidays which will be good! They have all made me feel welcome, by taking me to places for lunch, catching the trains with me, telling me about the good shops in Germany and general stuff.

I love the fact that everyone rides bikes here it makes it so easy, for instance my friend and I yesterday wanted to bake biscuits, but we forgot eggs so we quickly rode our bicycles to 'Netto' bought eggs and were home within 10 mins.

This weekend I am going to Freiberg with my host family to visit my host father’s mother. It should be good as on Saturday I am able to visit my grandparents and uncles, auntie and cousins in Switzerland. Should be interesting as well, as there is not enough room in the mother’s house for all four of us to sleep so the host mother, father, sister are going to stay at a friends house whilst I stay at the mother’s house for the night. We will also be eating breakfast, just the two of us. Though I am sure we will get along great, my host father is pretty sure of it too!"

Inez

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