So, nothing really new to update, other than I officially have a host family! It's possible I might even be able to meet them this weekend, because they'll be in Jasper for a few days to pick up their daughter Shannon, who studied at Jasper High School for the year.
Rather exciting news! Also, less than 100 days until my flight departs for Germany! Excited! I'm attaching a link to a countdown I have going. Cause I'm a nerd. :D
Departure Countdown!
Friday, May 23, 2014
Monday, May 5, 2014
Preparations
So, now that my Spring semester is basically over, here's an actual update of my preparations.
First of all, a brief summary of my scholarship/financing situation. Seeing as none of my music scholarships will apply to my overseas study (since it is a performance scholarship and this is a non-music study abroad), financing my time abroad has been a serious concern. I've been super lucky with this so far. I'll be living with a host family, which is FANTASTIC for multiple reasons. 1) It eliminates the cost of monthly rent. 2) I'll get an inside look to real German culture, not just the student life culture. 3) I'll be away from Americans, who will try to speak English with me. It's pretty much accepted that a home stay experience is better for foreign language acquisition. So, not only will that cost be eliminated, I've also received a few scholarships, which are currently paying for 2/3 of my tuition. All I have left in terms of expenses up to this point is the rest of tuition, my flight over there, and then the daily spending money of life. That's not bad at all, if I may say so. And who knows, maybe I'll be lucky and score some more surprise cash!
Secondly, I'd like to discuss my preparations with the language. In anticipation for a year abroad, I took on three classes at IU this semester. A grammar course, a literature course, and an intermediate conversation course. It's been, by far, the best semester in terms of furthering my language abilities. They're in no way close to the level I am aiming for, but I made some serious progress. I'm planning on doing some independent reading this semester, which will hopefully continue to help me! I've got a couple of ideas. Either I'll read one of the Harry Potter books in German (I have all seven :D) Or I'll read this murder thriller book I found a couple of months ago at a used book store. I'm excited about that.
Finally, the office work of preparations. I've had a few forms to fill out here and there. A couple of orientation meetings and such. I feel like there hasn't been much official office work to do. I'm sure it'll come. I've also been searching flights and such, aiming to leave around August 27 or 28. The program officially starts the 31st.
So yeah, that's about all I have for an update now. I promise it'll get more interesting around the end of August! Keep checking back! :D
First of all, a brief summary of my scholarship/financing situation. Seeing as none of my music scholarships will apply to my overseas study (since it is a performance scholarship and this is a non-music study abroad), financing my time abroad has been a serious concern. I've been super lucky with this so far. I'll be living with a host family, which is FANTASTIC for multiple reasons. 1) It eliminates the cost of monthly rent. 2) I'll get an inside look to real German culture, not just the student life culture. 3) I'll be away from Americans, who will try to speak English with me. It's pretty much accepted that a home stay experience is better for foreign language acquisition. So, not only will that cost be eliminated, I've also received a few scholarships, which are currently paying for 2/3 of my tuition. All I have left in terms of expenses up to this point is the rest of tuition, my flight over there, and then the daily spending money of life. That's not bad at all, if I may say so. And who knows, maybe I'll be lucky and score some more surprise cash!
Secondly, I'd like to discuss my preparations with the language. In anticipation for a year abroad, I took on three classes at IU this semester. A grammar course, a literature course, and an intermediate conversation course. It's been, by far, the best semester in terms of furthering my language abilities. They're in no way close to the level I am aiming for, but I made some serious progress. I'm planning on doing some independent reading this semester, which will hopefully continue to help me! I've got a couple of ideas. Either I'll read one of the Harry Potter books in German (I have all seven :D) Or I'll read this murder thriller book I found a couple of months ago at a used book store. I'm excited about that.
Finally, the office work of preparations. I've had a few forms to fill out here and there. A couple of orientation meetings and such. I feel like there hasn't been much official office work to do. I'm sure it'll come. I've also been searching flights and such, aiming to leave around August 27 or 28. The program officially starts the 31st.
So yeah, that's about all I have for an update now. I promise it'll get more interesting around the end of August! Keep checking back! :D
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