ezza444

I was totally excited to arrive in Germany. I had been to Hannover once before on exchange while in high school, and my host family and I got on so well they offered their house to me for 6 months during my gap year!! I couldnt wait knowing it was going to be even better then the last time I was here. I had made a deal with myself that I actually would try and learn the language this time and see as much of Europe as I could.

My 3 beautiful host sisters were at the airport when I arrived waiting for me. I actually felt like I was coming home when I saw them. Life in Germany turned out to fit into a regular routine. I started a German class and attend that 4 times a week while 2 of my host sister went to school. The oldest one had just graduated and was living up the out-of-school life. I hardly ever saw her.

The language barrier was a lot harder the 2nd time around. I guess this was because everyone knew I had been to Germany before and thought they could speak German this time. Which was so not the case with me, I had lived in Hannover for 2 months and because everyone spoke perfect English I never tried very hard to learn the language at all. I was pretty much starting from scratch.

Weekdays were very uneventful and I spent a lot of time on the computer or sleeping. Then on the weekends we would go out clubbing normally Friday and Saturday. The days we spent sleeping.

My intentions on arriving in Germany was to apply for a visa and then get a job. However, I figured that no1 would hire me if I cant speak German, so there would be no point in getting a visa. This shortened my stay to 3 months plus an extra month I could apply for as a tourist. I hadnt done the best job of saving while in the states and what I had saved was spent in expeno England. My funds were disappearing quickly and I missed the snow something chronic.

I tried applying for jobs all throughout Europe but without a visa it wasnt easy. So I thought that the snow season back home had started, maybe I could get a job there. I applied to every ski resort in Australia even though there were very minimal positions available seeing as it was a month into the season.

While I waited for a reply from someone I figured I had to see some more of Europe in case I did leave. I booked a tour to Paris, and that same weekend I was on a German speaking tour of Paris. I absolutely loved Paris. I saw all the touristy things possible and was amazed and dissapointed in how tiny the Mona Lisa was!! It was so small!! Although a word of advice to the travellor going to France. Dont eat Macdonalds!!! My chicken nuggets had rat/mice droppings in them. I am still amazed now that I didnt spew in there. There was a lot of gagging and leaving asap tho. I havent gotten over that and havent eaten nuggets since. Being in France made me realise my German was a lot better then I thought. I found it difficult to speak to the French because I would start to speak German, then realise I had a better chance speaking English and then would get really confused with the 3 languages.

After arriving back in Germany, I had a job in Falls Creek Australia. It was at a ski rental shop, good pay and a ski in-ski out place to stay!! Thje only catch was I had to be there within the week. I rang mum, the travel agent and broke the news to my host family. They were really upset to hear I was leaving I hadnt given them any warning. So after 2 months of living in Germany and passing my German Basics A course I left and headed straight for the snow. Changing my flights cost me 50c haha. I was not expecting that.

I did wish I could have been there longer but with a shortage of funds made life very boring. I know I will be back tho. I love my host family and the country so much.