A ray of sunlight shined through the plane window, leaving a gleam on my heavy eyes. I let out a giant yawn as I stretched my arms and legs out as far as I could in the cramped up space. My eyes squinted as I peeked out the window to see Germany's rolling fields of green. I couldn't contain my excitement to finally be able to experience the language I've been learning in a tiny cramped classroom, now hands on. This experience pushed me far outside of my comfort zone. I learned how to let go of my reserved side, and introduce myself to so many new people who I am incredibly thankful to have in my life. Because I was able to overcome my shyness, I was able to create so many irreplaceable bonds. At the time I was staring out this plane window, I definitely did not realize just how much of an experience of a lifetime that I would be given.

In the Summer of 2016, after my sophomore year was finished, I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Germany for three weeks with my school. We spent a three days in Munich, and then finished up our remaining time with family stays from our partner school in a small town called Cham. During this short three weeks, I was pushed outside of my comfort zone and had the opportunity to try so many new things. From new foods, new activities, a new family and an entirely new environment, I experienced it all. I was able to immerse myself in the German culture and learn so many new things about the typical German lifestyle. I was also able to meet so many new people, as well get to know people I never really talked to who went to my school. This was by far the best part of the trip: all the new friendships and bonds I created.

Deciding to travel abroad has been one of the best decisions I have made. I clearly remember how at first the idea of staying in a brand new country with a host family I've never met terrified me. I can clearly remember the intensity of the mixed emotions I felt on the very first day. I could feel the amount of nervousness as well as excitement in the air as we were traveling on the bus to Cham. A million thoughts raced through my head, 'What am I going to say to them?,' 'What if her parents don't speak very good English?,' 'Will the first few days be awkward?' As the bus rolled up to the school, we all peeked out the window to see our German students standing and waiting to meet us. Right away, we filed off the bus and I got to meet my host student, Hannah, who embraced me immediately. A huge surge of relief passed through me as I realized how much I over worried about this moment.

The bond I created with my host student, Hannah, is irreplaceable. She made me feel so welcome and always wanted to make sure I was having a good time. The very first night I arrived, Hannah took me on a walk around her hometown. While pouring rain, the walk ended with us soaking wet and laughing uncontrollably as we sprinted back to her house. No matter what the situation was, we were always having a fun time. Even while she worked on homework I would sit with her while she showed me her favorite German songs. We talked about everything: our favorite foods, friends, and even life. We shared an endless amount of laughs together. It is the small moments like these that I will never forget. I realized that this was just the beginning of the great friendship that was about to form between us.

I also created such a strong connection with the people who I travelled to Germany with. We made enough memories to last a lifetime. I remember going to restaurants together and attempting to use the German we learned in class to order our food. We all laughed of embarrassment as we messed up our grammar. I also remember the nights we spent together, watching the sunset from the balcony on the roof of our hotel in Munich, or the train rides we spent with no cell phone service, telling funny stories and sharing many laughs. Many of us also had the chance to attend our first prom in Germany, where we all learned to ballroom dance together. This was something new for all of us. We all realized how much fun trying something unfamiliar can be. Getting to know new people and trying out new experiences pushed us all out of our normal boundaries. Coming from a small town and being immersed into a brand new culture was a huge opportunity for us all to grow together.

I enjoyed this experience so much, that when the German students traveled back in the Spring, my family decided to host. This time, the situation was flipped. I got to be the one to show her around my hometown, and make her feel welcome. This was such a wonderful experience, I loved having her meet all of my friends and family. We went down to the lake for sunrise, took a trip to Milwaukee, and even got to go to Chicago for the day! I loved meeting this huge group of German students, we all had such a fun time together doing huge things as a group! We all spent time as a big group having a bonfire, walking around town, and even going to a Haunted House in April! I made such strong bonds with all of the students at my school who hosted, as well as all of the German students. And, when they left I decided that I did not want this to be the last time that I saw them all again. After a while of thinking, I decided that I would return to Germany on the school trip this Summer after I graduate! I will have the chance to stay with Anna, the student that I hosted! I am so excited to go back to the beautiful country and make many more incredible memories.

I believe that everybody should have the opportunity to participate in a foreign exchange program. Traveling abroad is an experience that brings people closer together and creates irreplaceable bonds. It was such an amazing opportunity to travel to a new country, and be pushed to try so many new things. Being pushed out of your comfort zone may be a little scary and overwhelming at first, however, in the end I was incredibly grateful for the one in a life time experience!