Its so hard to believe how fast time has gone. I have been doing as much as i can.
These two months were mainly about settling in...
Settling in at home, settling in at school, making new friends and exploring the "local" area.
It has truly been an unbelievable experience so far, but naturally there were also minor down times during the 2 months.Those down times were mostly because i missed my friends back in Australia. I felt like i was missing out on what was happening back there with the "school certificate", formal shopping and school. But whenever i got the chance, i would facebook them or skype them. (thank god for INTERNET and SOCIAL NETWORKS!)
I've also been attending dancing classes in the local 'town' ! It really is a great opportunity to learn how to dance and understand some instructions in German! I now know how to do the Wiener Waltzer, Cha Cha Cha, Rumba, Boogie Woogie etc.
In my opinion, you have to try everything and anything if you are an exchange student or else you will regret not doing it because time really flies by.
Learning another completely different language is a CHALLENGE. Before i left Australia, my vocabulary of German words were very sound. The most i could say was how to introduce myself.
Being surrounded by the language everyday definitely helps me improve my knowledge. Although my German speaking skills are still horrible... my listening skills are improving more and more each day. I can understand what most people say to me and i try my best to use as much German words as possible in conversation.
But it really astonishes me as to how much i actually can understand! In only 2 months, my knowledge has built up so much. One of my doubts before i went on exchange was learning the language...and obviously this fear is slowly going away :)
The hardest challenge each day in Austria is WAKING UP FOR SCHOOL.
I wake up every morning at 5:50am and have breakfast with the family at 6:15am.
It takes 35-40 minutes to drive to school and classes start at 7:45am.
On Monday, school lasts up until 5pm. It is quite tiring and my energy gets drained out so fast!
But as usual, slowly getting used to it.
I have been to Innsbruck for a weekend to watch a frisbee tournament of my 'host step brother' as well as Linz for the 2nd Arrival camp of AFS. I have also been in Germany (very very very border part of Austria) to sleepover a friends house :D
There has been so many things that have happened that'll forever stay in my memory.
Definitely not regretting my decision of going on exchange!
ICH LIEBE ÖSTERREICH!
