Germany Bound

In 1975, when I was 17 years old, I was sent to live with a family in Germany as an exchange student. I had not asked for this “opportunity.” Everyone filled my head with descriptions of the fascinating, exciting time awaiting me. When I arrived in Germany I felt abandoned, with a strict, older couple. I didn’t understand these people nor did they understand me. In addition to having difficulty understanding the culture, I quickly discovered my acquired language skills were woefully inadequate. I took to smoking, drinking alcohol and reading books as an escape. I made friends as I attended the German High School, the School for Women of the Land and evening classes, German for Foreigners. Through my new friends I entered the provocative world of pubs and discotheques. I wrote home with overseas airmail in a time before e-mail and cell phones. It was a year of depression, homesickness, unhappiness and tears, an experience which brought me closer to God.