You probably knew that.
My Exchange Life:
I'm a Junior at Emmetsburg High School in North East Iowa. I didn't choose my region when applying for EF and I'm so glad that I didn't.
I decided to be a junior because initially I was only meant to stay half a year, and then go to Germany, but I came to my senses and fell in love with Iowa. I don't regret being a junior, because I have a year above me, unlike in Auckland since grade / year 7 I'd been the eldest year level. Also, the Junior year level (grade 11) is the same age is me.
My experience in a small town has, so far, been amazing.
The first thing I thought when I found out I was going to Iowa, initially Mum told me I was going to Indiana, so after getting the State straight, I wondered "where is it?" So we pulled out the map and found it, pretty much right in the middle of the United States. The best thing about that destination? Well it was in the United States. I didn't really bother finding out about Iowa in general, I was just super excited to google map my school, my town and my house.
I won't deny it, I'm a first class internet stalker when it comes to stuff I want to know.
So before long I had google mapped my town, even gone down to street view. It looked unbelievable cute. But small. Now I had no problems with small cause it would be different from Auckland, but Mum was a little worried I'd be homesick because of the lack of shopping. I mean in Auckland I live five minutes away from a shopping mall, so Emmetsburg is definitely different. But it's great.
There are so many great things about a small town, it's hard to decide what I like the most. Whether it be walking to the supermarket (the winter now makes it a bit cold though) or being able to be involved in things at school. If I was in a big school, no way in the world would I have made Varisty Wrestling Cheerleading. I probably wouldn't have been told by a friend to try out, and I kinda wanted to do it but wasn't really sure, so I wouldn't have gone on my own. But I love love love it. I'm always tapping a tune, before I was always doing this too, but now they're to specific rhythms.
My host family is probably what has made my experience the most amazing. From the moment I arrived I've felt at home here. They're such amazing people. And my host sister, Veronika, from Austria is wonderful. We get along so well and she's become a sister to me. I'm going to hate to see her leave at the end of semester, but she's got to get back to her schooling. My host parents are both preachers so I've become involved with church, I go every Sunday and help with Sunday school. I really enjoy it. Never having been to a church before I wasn't really sure to expect, I kinda just imagined bible study in primary school. To sum it up, they're just amazing. Look up amazing in the dictionary and their picture is underneath it.
When people said to me "your going to have the best year of your life" it made me excited, I never actually thought they'd be telling me the truth.
My Home Life:
I'm 16 years old and I live in Auckland, New Zealand.
I'm going on a 1 year exchange to America with EF, Education First.
You probably knew all of that too.
I love music, dance, drama, debating and making friends. I enjoy listening to many types of music, some of my favourite artists are Kings of Leon, Owl City, U2, Paramore, John Mayer, Cobra Starship, AC/DC and Eminem.
I'm currently attending Albany Senior High School, on Aucklands North Shore and I'm in year 12, or 6th Form.
I'm friendly. If you want to know anything else, just ask. Or email me. My email's nicolealeisha@gmail.com
