Greenheart Travel

Author: Laina Ciacciarella

Friendships, Personal Empowerment and Why I Fell in Love with Germany

by Rachel Anderson, Greenheart Travel High School student in Germany

It’s hard to believe that my exchange trip to Germany is over. I have learned so much about myself and the world. The experience as an exchange student is so rewarding in so many ways. It was by far the best part of my 12 years of being in the school system.

Learning alongside wonderful people about an amazing culture helped me develop ideas of what I am hoping to do in my future and what I would like to see as an independent person. I feel so incredibly strong and empowered at the moment.

This feeling is accompanied by a huge hole in my heart because now I am supposed to live in a life where some of my best friends are living across the world. I am so thankful for what those friendships have taught me. It makes me realize how amazing the world is and how many people are eager and excited for an adventure.

I feel so comfortable in my own skin and I feel completely aware of who I am. With a new sense of what makes me happy I feel so excited for the future because I know that I will be happy very easily with the simple things. Over the past three months, I ate some of the best food I have ever tasted, danced with incredible people, laughed at all my mistakes, expanded friendships into life-long friendships, and fell in love with Germany. I already plan on going back as soon as possible because I can’t imagine living a life where those people aren’t in it.

Coming home after this experience has been very difficult. It was amazing seeing my family, friends, and home again. Yet it seems so weird to not share this experience with my friends in Germany. I just want them to be right beside me. I already miss them like crazy and I am so excited to keep in contact with all of them.

Once I got home I noticed ways which my lifestyle has changed, it’s really nice because I feel a greater connection to my home and I always want to keep busy because that is the way Germans live there life. I am so grateful for this opportunity and I would recommend it to everyone who is even slightly interested.

April 28, 2016
What I Will Miss Most About Studying in Germany

by Rachel Anderson, Greenheart Travel High School Student in Germany

This is my last week in Bremen, Germany studying abroad. I will miss this place so much. There are little things which I cannot imagine living without. Such as the tram, the amazing bread, the park I run in, the car rides with my friends, etc.

Then there are the big things I will miss, which seem to be impossible to live without. Such as my friends, my city, my host-family, and hearing German every day. Over the past three months, I have learned so much about Germany as well as other countries which I am now extremely excited to visit as well.

My good friend here asked me the other day when I would be coming back. Without hesitation I thought, well why do I have to leave? Honestly, I feel like I have known this place and these people my entire life, and it’s only been three months. There are so many little things which make me so happy here, like eating really good potatoes, or speaking somewhat understandable German. These small things wouldn’t usually bring me so much joy, but now they have so much more meaning to me.

I have met three girls here, who I can honestly say are some of the best friends I have ever had. Two of them are German and have these incredible families with their own traditions and lifestyles. We are barely ever separated and we have promised to each other that we will see each other very soon. The other girl is not in my class, she is another exchange student attending my school, and we are also always together because we help each other with different situations since both of us understand what the other is going through with exchange. These three people I feel so lucky to have met because I know that they will always have my back even from across the world.

I am extremely excited for the next couple of days because I get to be with the people and the city which I love so much.

April 20, 2016
Appreciating New Friendships in Bremen, Germany

by Rachel Anderson, Greenheart Travel High School Student in Germany

For the past few weeks, there have been many adventures here in Germany. Even though, I have only been in Bremen, I feel like I have been to many different cities within just a few weeks because there is a new place to see almost every day. I am amazed by how quickly the time is flying by.

It feels like I just got here, and yet I leave so soon. I am meeting some of my best friends here and with every day I spend with them, I learn so much more about them and myself as well. At points, it is hard to learn all this information. Sometimes I will lay down, and then find myself sleeping in the middle of the day because I am so tired from all the activities and the experience in general.

I have become attached to oranges as well. I think this is due to the fact that oranges remind me of my sister. Whenever I eat an orange, I think of her immense love for oranges, and it fills me with happiness. There are markets and stores here with really wonderful oranges, which I didn’t really expect to be the case, but it is by far one of my favorite foods here. My friends have also started eating more oranges which is what we bond over.

Over the holidays, which started a week ago, I have had lots of time with my friends here. I am so thankful for this time because we have been able to get to know one another on a deeper level. The group of people is so unique because the personalities are so different but blend so well together. It’s amazing that everyone is practically friends with everyone. I really appreciate this because it has made it easier to get to know others as an exchange student.

Bremen in general is extremely diverse, and my school in particular is very cultural. This is fun for me because I hear so many languages and also their appreciation for culture is much greater. I really love this group of people and I can tell that most of the friendships will last beyond the exchange.

March 25, 2016
Germany Has My Heart

by Rachel Anderson, Greenheart Travel high school student in Germany

Germany completely has my heart. I am so happy here! I have bad moments ( where I am terribly homesick), but I haven’t had any bad days. I think my last day will be very difficult because I am already very attached to the people here.

I have also united some groups of friends here which makes me happy because I can imagine them hanging out even after I leave. I really love just all the laughter and memories which are being generated from this opportunity and I am so thankful for the chance which I got to study abroad.

On Saturday, we went to Oldenburg, Germany. I went with 13 of my friends and we took the train, which was a new experience. When we were in the train station it was very spirited because there was a soccer game.

When there is a soccer game in Bremen it is very chaotic and everyone is dressed in the colors for the team Werder. They were chanting and the police were standing around making sure that everything wouldn’t get to out of control. Overall the day was amazing and I felt so lucky to be surrounded by such amazing people.

March 9, 2016
Making New Friends in Germany

by Rachel Anderson, Greenheart Travel high school student in Germany

Everyday here in Germany gets better and better. I went ice skating the other day and so many people were pro ice skaters. I was slightly was embarrassed because I can’t ice skate for the life of me, many times I fell. Yet, it was so much fun and everyone was laughing and singing the whole time. This really speaks to the character of this place because everyone just embraces the moment.

School has been going really well because so many people are so sweet to me and always joking around. There has not been one moment on this trip where I question if there is anyone there to talk to me. I can always find someone who is interested in my culture and my life. This makes it very easy to talk with people and gain amazing friendships.

I am learning that communication can go beyond verbal communication, since most of the time I can’t find the word to express what I want to say. There is always a way to act out what I am trying to say and usually it ends up in a historical laughing fit because its so ridiculous. The city and the people are so amazing!

February 23, 2016
Adjusting to Life Abroad in Germany

by Rachel Anderson, Greenheart Travel High School Student in Germany

Germany has created such a warm place in my heart. Over the past week and a half, I have been welcomed by so many people with open arms. No matter what room I walk into, there always seems to be someone who is smiling, laughing or full of life.

The biggest adjustments I have had gone through is adapting to a more busy life. Even just staying home has its own aspect of activity. Every day I feel very exhausted once the day is done. I have really grown to appreciate this feeling because I feel like I am living each day to its full potential.

One thing which really speaks to Germany’s character, is the different people which you meet. On the first day of school, I met so many people with so many wonderful personalities. Each person was so engaging and patient with me while I attempt to speak German. I am inspired to bring the best representation of myself throughout each day which I stay here.

The family which I am staying with is extremely sweet and have the biggest hearts. Its so wonderful to have two sisters here because they are constantly hugging me and making sure that I have a smile on my face.

Learning German is the hardest and most stressful part of this experience so far. It is difficult because I have to think through what I will say in both English and German, yet I am catching on to more and more German every day. Hopefully, towards the end of this experience, I will be able to participate in a full conversation in only German.

My two biggest goals are to increase my knowledge on Germany and the language, as well as to continue to socialize with the wonderful people who are here.

February 10, 2016
Student Spotlight on Rachel Anderson: Looking Forward to New Possibilities in Germany

As part of our ongoing student spotlight series, all of us at Greenheart Travel are thrilled to introduce our featured high school abroad student, Rachel Anderson! Read a little bit about Rachel and her reasons for studying in Germany!

Name, Age & Home:

I am Rachel Anderson, and I am travelling to study abroad in Bremen, Germany. I am from Bellingham, Washington and I am 17 years old.

Favorite thing to do in your free time?

Laughter and adventure are what I live for. Anything which includes those two things intrigues me. Through many years of living in Bellingham, I have grown to love the outdoors, whether its backpacking, running, swimming, hiking, skiing, walking, etc.

What do you think you will miss the most from home?

One of the biggest things I will miss about Bellingham is the people. I have created friends I know I will carry throughout a lifetime, and I have an amazing family.

What got you interested in studying abroad?

I chose to go to Germany because I believe that a huge part of education is learning about where you fit into the world. Germany offers a beautiful scenery, a wonderful second family, and exciting new possibilities.

What do you hope you will learn during your time abroad?

Through travel, I hope to gain independence, strength, new connections and a new appreciation for life. I could not be more grateful for such a wonderful opportunity, and I am excited to watch it unfold.

January 20, 2016