^ Song of the day.
An argonaut's life isn't always about having an adventure by traveling to various cities and countries. The life of an argonaut is revolved a certain quest, far or near, that challenges his or her abilities to withstand the conditions of the quest.
Expectations: I learned to never have too high of an expectation early on in my exchange year. High expectations prevents one from enjoying what is given to them, having a person constantly seeking for more excitement and joy. Coming to Germany, I expected everyday to be an adventure -- traveling to different cities every weekend or visiting another country once a month (fully tackling the European Union). It was definitely disappointing, considering I haven't yet travelled to another country.
Take it as its served...
If anything's important during a gap year, it's this: learn to enjoy what you have right now, and don't be afraid to find ways to achieve your dreams.
In truth, I haven't had much time to go off to a different place every weekend; however, that hasn't stopped my fun. I learned to enjoy my time in my little city of Bramsche. During the weekday, I go to school and participate in wild, interesting, and sometimes a little immature conversations with my newly made German friends. On Mondays, I play badminton at school; on thursdays, Choir at a local church. Once a month, I volunteer at the local movie theater, Universum Filmtheater (or something like that). And, starting this week, I will be going to a body pump class every Sunday with a friend from school and her sister.
My higher expectations for my year in Germany made the beginning of my stay in Bramsche relatively stressful and boring. I was drowning in my own self-pity that I couldn't have the life of an "argonaut." After my mid-year orientation in Cologne, however, I realized just how lucky I was to have such amazing friends and teachers in my gymnasium, especially since they accept me for my strangeness with bouts of "American craziness". I don't need constant traveling to be an "argonaut." I was one in my own right. My quest was to challenge myself by living in a different country and learning its culture by fully immersing myself within a community.
If that isn't an adventure, then what is?
I was thoroughly challenged this year. I had to learn how to compromise with a new host family and friends and protect myself from harmful weather. I was seen as a foreigner, and trust me when I say it is the most awkward thing. I tried to take it in stride as much as possible. Suggesting that I am still in Germany after being bullied, discriminated against, and greatly pissed off, I guess I'm doing alright.
The life of an argonaut isn't always going to be fun. Seventy-five percent of the time, it's a pain, a downright challenge. Sometimes, you wish you were back home basking in California sun and eating from a diverse menu that didn't have potatoes or pasta in every dish, but once you look past your homesickness, you can find so much more positivity in your exchange year.
My Quest for YOU: If you can't stop the negative aspects from existing, then try to fill the negative voids with positive aspects. Find something you really enjoy, such as hanging out with friends, learning a new instrument, or playing a sport. Don't be afraid to look close, something cool might have been right under your nose that whole time!
With many happy wishes to your wonderful year,
Erica the Argonaut
Expectations: I learned to never have too high of an expectation early on in my exchange year. High expectations prevents one from enjoying what is given to them, having a person constantly seeking for more excitement and joy. Coming to Germany, I expected everyday to be an adventure -- traveling to different cities every weekend or visiting another country once a month (fully tackling the European Union). It was definitely disappointing, considering I haven't yet travelled to another country.
Take it as its served...
If anything's important during a gap year, it's this: learn to enjoy what you have right now, and don't be afraid to find ways to achieve your dreams.
In truth, I haven't had much time to go off to a different place every weekend; however, that hasn't stopped my fun. I learned to enjoy my time in my little city of Bramsche. During the weekday, I go to school and participate in wild, interesting, and sometimes a little immature conversations with my newly made German friends. On Mondays, I play badminton at school; on thursdays, Choir at a local church. Once a month, I volunteer at the local movie theater, Universum Filmtheater (or something like that). And, starting this week, I will be going to a body pump class every Sunday with a friend from school and her sister.
My higher expectations for my year in Germany made the beginning of my stay in Bramsche relatively stressful and boring. I was drowning in my own self-pity that I couldn't have the life of an "argonaut." After my mid-year orientation in Cologne, however, I realized just how lucky I was to have such amazing friends and teachers in my gymnasium, especially since they accept me for my strangeness with bouts of "American craziness". I don't need constant traveling to be an "argonaut." I was one in my own right. My quest was to challenge myself by living in a different country and learning its culture by fully immersing myself within a community.
If that isn't an adventure, then what is?
I was thoroughly challenged this year. I had to learn how to compromise with a new host family and friends and protect myself from harmful weather. I was seen as a foreigner, and trust me when I say it is the most awkward thing. I tried to take it in stride as much as possible. Suggesting that I am still in Germany after being bullied, discriminated against, and greatly pissed off, I guess I'm doing alright.
The life of an argonaut isn't always going to be fun. Seventy-five percent of the time, it's a pain, a downright challenge. Sometimes, you wish you were back home basking in California sun and eating from a diverse menu that didn't have potatoes or pasta in every dish, but once you look past your homesickness, you can find so much more positivity in your exchange year.
My Quest for YOU: If you can't stop the negative aspects from existing, then try to fill the negative voids with positive aspects. Find something you really enjoy, such as hanging out with friends, learning a new instrument, or playing a sport. Don't be afraid to look close, something cool might have been right under your nose that whole time!
With many happy wishes to your wonderful year,
Erica the Argonaut
