an exchanger’s Christmas

When preparing for exchange, one is introduced to the “normal” progression of emotions. At the beginning, most exchange students are excited and happy (the “honeymoon” stage). Next comes culture shock and homesickness. One of the normal low points of exchange is the holidays, and then it tends to get progressively better from there, until the end when students are sad about leaving. Normally.

WELL. I’ve never been one to embrace normalcy, and I have to say that this feels like one of the high points of my exchange up till now. There are definitely things that I’m missing about Christmas in New York, like candlelit Christmas Eve services (at least no burning hair this year!), pork pie and coffee cake, a full house, and, most of all, those crazy and wonderful people who make the house full. But it has barely stopped snowing in days, Germany is completely beautiful, and I’ve never felt closer to my host family. I’m so excited to be celebrating Christmas here with them, and I’ll see everyone on the other side of the ocean again soon.

Lots of love to all of my families, near and far, und ich wunsche euch ein fröhliches Weihnachten. ♥