#afs effect

[frankaeline]

Zaandam, the Netherlands

[itsmyadventuresabroad-blog]

To go or not to go

When I was in 9th grade, I started thinking “What if I go on an exchange program?”, at the time it seemed like a million years ahead of me and I was only starting High School, nevertheless, I went to the AFS National Office in San José, asked to be given more information and well, I became a little obsessed. My original plan was to go abroad in 10th grade, little did I know I was going to end up taking a sabbatical after High School but let’s not get derailed with my silly stories.

Going on exchange is a BIG decision, actually no, it’s a MASSIVE one. You’re given the opportunity of starting a new life, in a new country, new language, new people and new surroundings but as charming as that may sound, we feel a little threatened at some point and that’s when the what ifs appear.

 What if my family won’t let me go?

What if they don’t accept me?

What if I don’t fit in?

What if… what if & what if…?

 Simple, but very powerful words.

Luckily, my family was very open towards the idea of going abroad for a year. Back in the good old’ days my grandparents had the opportunity of hosting an exchange student from the US which was already mind opening and well, of course, my mom was thrilled to have a new sister so it wasn’t such a big deal if they let me go abroad.  

 If at this point, you’re sitting in front of a computer thinking should I really go? I would say, yes! Do it! Work hard for it, even if I’m not there yet, I know it’s going to be a wonderful experience and one can learn so much from it.

That’s all I can say for now, ttyl!

[madame-airlock]

Fuck, I miss Honduras

[aaliyasblanket]

This is when our young intercultural learners were having a first test as a requirement before flying to their targeted country. Keep up the good work, exchangers :)

[take-kelleyrose-around-blog]

Progress in learning Danish!

I've been working in my free time to learn Danish, as the school unfortunately doesn't teach us. I'm so proud of my progress! My best friend, Johanne who is a Dane, has been helping me immensely. In fact, just yesterday we had a conversation in Danish about what my favorite book is and that she should read it! It's amazing that I've only been here five months and I'm improving! I can feel it! Its really exciting 😁

[take-kelleyrose-around-blog]

End of fall semester 2016

The end of the first semester was tough... saying goodbye to all these incredible people from every corner of the world was not an easy task. I had lived with these people for 5 months; we laughed together, cried together, danced and sang, ate too much, swam in the ocean, went on crazy camping trips, got too drunk, took care of each other when someone was sick, held them when they cried, applauded them when they succeeded, made big messes and then cleaned them up, made art together, wrote poems for each other, we laughed and laughed and laughed.... I will miss everyone with my whole heart. We truly became a big, 50 person family. Each person holds a piece of my heart with them as they travel back to their home countries. I feel nostalgic, as I am still here in Denmark, looking forward to a new semester with new people. I hope there will be people from countries we didn't have last semester! I'm sure there will be. I look forward to meeting my new roommate, a girl named Eva from Belgium! 🇧🇪 It's hard to say goodbye, but I feel so lucky to have met these amazing friends. There's a word in Portuguese that my Brazilian roommate taught me - 'saudade' - it basically translates to missing someone but knowing they're happy and feeling happy for them. That sums up how I feel... I will forever LOVE the 2016 Brenderup Højskole class ❤️🇩🇰🌏

[take-kelleyrose-around-blog]

I’ve been in Denmark for over 100 days now!