My Last Three Months

Three Months in Germany:

It’s hard to believe I’ve already been in Germany for three months. Time has flown by so quickly — sometimes it feels like I’ve been in a whirlwind of new experiences, challenges, and unforgettable moments. Reflecting on it all today, I’m filled with a mix of gratitude and awe at how much has happened in such a short time.

My journey began with language camp in the hills of Bad Laaspe, a small town tucked away in the heart of Germany. The camp was held in a yellow Schloss perched on a hill, overlooking the town below. I was surrounded by about 50 exchange students from all over the East Coast, and we spent the month hiking, learning German, and immersing ourselves in German culture. It was intense but incredibly rewarding.

I shared a room with three other girls, and we quickly bonded over late-night talks and with my other friends I quickly made in the schloss we had hiking adventures, and German class together. One of my favorite memories from camp was on the last day, when a group of us woke up early to catch the sunrise one final time. It was a peaceful moment of reflection, knowing how much we’d learned and how much we’d grown.

Throughout camp, we spent time in the Aula, a large gathering space where we’d learn about German customs and systems — from the train system to the complex trash sorting system. (Let’s just say it’s much more intricate than the single trash can and recycling bin system back in the U.S.) One of the most memorable parts of camp was the teamers — the camp counselors who were always there for us. I remember several times going to them for advice or simply for someone to talk to. They made the whole experience feel like a community, and I’m still in touch with them today.

Camp was also where I met Isabella, a fellow exchange student, who is now one of my closest friends here in Germany since we go to the same school together here. Saying goodbye to the camp and heading to my host family was bittersweet. I had just started to feel at home, but the next chapter awaited.

The day I left camp and boarded the train to Hannover, I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. I had never met my host family in person, and my German was still quite basic. But when I arrived in Hannover, my host family greeted me with warm smiles and open arms. They made me feel welcome from the start. My room, decorated with a painting from my host sister and a sign that said “Hallo Briana,” immediately made me feel like I belonged.

The very next day, I was thrown into the school routine. To be honest, I was nervous about my first day, especially because I had to bike to school (not something I’m particularly skilled at!). But my host mom was amazing, taking the time to introduce me to my teachers before school started. My classmates were so kind — by the end of the day, one girl had already asked if I wanted to hang out. There was also another student in my class, Manzi, who helped  translate things when I couldn’t quite catch what people were saying in German. Having a friend like him has made the transition much smoother.

Over the past couple of months, school has been a lot of fun. I’ve made several close friends, and we’ve even hung out outside of school, like when we celebrated Halloween together. The key has been staying open, friendly, and willing to step outside of my comfort zone.

My host family has truly been amazing. From the very first day, they’ve made an effort to involve me in everything. I’ve done so much with them already — from going to a theater performance with my older host sister, to baking cookies with my younger host sister, to jumping on the trampoline with my younger host brother. One of the highlights was when we went to a famous rollercoaster park near Hannover. I rode my first drop tower — something I never thought I would do, but I loved it!

One of the best parts of being with my host family is our nightly dinners together. We always sit around the table and talk about our day — it’s those small moments that have truly made me feel like part of the family.

Things weren’t always perfect though. A couple of weeks ago, my host family went to America for two weeks, and I had to stay with my host grandparents. I was a bit anxious about being away from my host family again and staying with strangers. However, it turned out to be a wonderful experience. I stayed with my host Oma and Opa in Göttingen, where we went hiking, had delicious meals together, and even attended a dance class with Oma’s neighbor.

Then, I moved on to Düsseldorf to stay with my host uncle, aunt, and cousins. It was so much fun! I played Uno with my host cousins, rode scooters around the city, and even got to visit Köln and meet up with some of my exchange friends. After two weeks, I was really excited to return to Hannover, but I was also so grateful for the time I spent with my extended host family.

Now that my host family is back and life has returned to its usual rhythm, I’m really enjoying the balance I’ve found. During the week, I go to school, attend track practice, and have dinner with my family. On weekends, I spend time with my friends in the city, go to trampoline parks with my younger host siblings, and occasionally my host Oma and Opa come over for brunch. I’ve even started running with my older host sister, and we sometimes even watch reality tv together, we actually just finished Perfect Match a couple days ago now we’ve moved on to Too Hot Too Handle.

Of course, I’m also focusing on my German studies. My goal is to reach a B1 level by the end of the year, which is a bit daunting, but I’m determined to make it happen. It’s a challenge, but it’s one I’m excited to take on.

Reflecting on the past three months, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. Every day here in Germany has been an opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with amazing people. From my host family’s kindness to the friendships I’ve made, everything about this experience has exceeded my expectations. As I look ahead to the rest of my time here, I can’t wait to see what comes next. I’ll be sure to keep you updated as I continue this incredible journey.