School was big fun in Canada. The classes show a much bigger variety than they do here in Germany with practical background and subjects like wood work, food studies/cooking or metal work. Teachers and students were super nice. At school you’re the one that has to open up and go to talk to the people and that was the best thing I could have done. I am so thankful that I met incredible people that I get to call my friends. It’s so important to get out of your comfort zone and go talk to the Canadians, not just the internationals, because they mostly won’t come talk to you first. I was lucky to have so many Canadian connections and got to know their culture.
My family was super nice. I was fully integrated in their family life and we did a lot of stuff together. Doing sports, hanging out together, watching movies, go to the lake or work out at the gym. We even spend a week of vacation in Florida together, which was awesome. But having all the fun together also meant having responsibilities and paying attention to the household rules like helping with dishes, being home on time and communicating what my plans for the day / weekend were. All together my family couldn't have been better and therefore the goodbye after one year felt very emotional.
I was lucky enough to been picked for the school team at the volleyball tryouts at the beginning of my 1st school term. After the season ended, I started going to the gym for workout with friends and also with my family. Besides going to practice and the weekend games on a regular basis I meet with friends pretty much every day and did all sorts of activities. We went to the lake, went snowboarding in winter on the weekend, hung out at the mall together, meet for movie nights or went to parties at the weekend. I have to say it never got boring at any time, there was just so much to do.
My family sometimes was kind of strict regarding the rules for where to go and when to be home, but on the other hand I understand why, since they have all the responsibility from the time I start to live with them.
Doing an exchange year was the best decision I have ever made in my life!
