Although I’ve travelled to a few places in the world before, my stay in Germany the past 7 weeks has been the first on which I tasted true independence.

I was accompanied on my adventure by an amazing guest family (friends of ours), whom we already met in 2000. I also attended the local school, where I got to meet some really awesome teens. It was enriching to listen to their point of views on matters I know oh-so-well. It adds another dimension to your understanding of not only the matter itself, but also that of your own viewpoint.

I have to admit that I underestimated my time. I was so busy exploring and enjoying everything that the first 5 weeks felt like three. Among other things, I got to know Hamburg, experienced a ‘white’ Christmas, played a few ‘German’ sports, baked cookies, went jogging at 3 degrees, travelled by train a lot, was treated to German-Swiss-South African hospitality (a combination of the three) in a small town in Switzerland, became a fan of Coldplay, visited the AIRBUS Finkenwerder factory in Hamburg (a personal ambition of mine), watched a brilliant musical, walked on a frozen beach, and got to know myself.

Although I missed my family and friends, the time alone allowed me to discover a little bit more of the person I want to be. It also gave me a few new perspectives on seemingly insignificant matters.

I probably won’t be able to be an exchange student again, but the memories will defintitely remain. And I will most certainly visit Germany again…