#exchangeprogram

In order to join a japanese exchange program during my master program I need to have a TOEFL-IBT or IELTS certificate. Even though the TOEFL entry levels are super low (71-92), I still have to be overly prepared for it otherwise the anxiety will take over.

I took a quick trip to my new university's library and got some books. Any advice on how I can study for it the most efficient way?

Today makes a week since I first came to Germany for my exchange year, I can say I’m 100% sure that all the wait was completely worth it!!! It’s completely unbeliavable how happy I’m feeling in Germany, everything’s beautiful, the people here are the friendliest and my family, as we say in German, ist WUNDERBAR (Hopefully I wrote it okay).  I think I’m getting along so well with them, my brother and sister are also wonderful and I couldn’t be happier. I have another brother that I have yet to meet when I go to Köln (Cologne). 

If I’m not mistaken, a week ago at 12:34 PM, I was already on my way to my new home, my new city, new friends, etc. 

Mostly, what I have been doing for the past week is going to the “Gymnasium” not gym!! but to school. I find all the teachers super cool and everyone’s also wonderful. The Sunday after I first came, I went to some mines in Idar-Oberstein which I found to be super cool. 

Also, I started thinking that sometime soon (next year in January) I’ll have to go back to my home country and since this moment I say, I DON’T WANT TO.  PS. I’ll go to Trier soon, so more photos will come :) 

Hi again! 

It’s true I haven’t been posting a lot lately but the past few weeks/days have been HECTIC, running here, running there, doing this, doing that. Trying to get everything ready for the time I’ll be spending in Germany. 

Also, I got wonderful news from the German Embassy in San José, they called me Friday morning and told me that my residency permit was approved and that I could pick it up as soon as possible. That was quick!! (Less than a week)

This is so unbelievable!! A month ago I was thinking that maybe it wasn’t meant for me and that I would end up not going to my exchange in Germany, but here a I am, getting ready! I’m leaving in like 11 days and a few hours. THIS IS CRAZY. My departure date is right upon me! 

I can’t wait to meet my host family, see where I’ll live for the next few months, everything! I’m so so so happy and so grateful at the same time. 

NOW!!!!

Packing, I’m so worried about it. I’ve decided that I will not exceed my limits and I will not bring my whole closet or house, I’ll be bringing the essentials, things I know I’ll wear and that I can’t live without and some stuff that I need, either I wan’t it or not. I’ll make a whole other post about packing and packing tips. 

Right now I’m feeling some sort of joie de vivre mixed with other feelings. 

When I was in 9th grade, I started thinking “What if I go on an exchange program?”, at the time it seemed like a million years ahead of me and I was only starting High School, nevertheless, I went to the AFS National Office in San José, asked to be given more information and well, I became a little obsessed. My original plan was to go abroad in 10th grade, little did I know I was going to end up taking a sabbatical after High School but let’s not get derailed with my silly stories.

Going on exchange is a BIG decision, actually no, it’s a MASSIVE one. You’re given the opportunity of starting a new life, in a new country, new language, new people and new surroundings but as charming as that may sound, we feel a little threatened at some point and that’s when the what ifs appear.

 What if my family won’t let me go?

What if they don’t accept me?

What if I don’t fit in?

What if… what if & what if…?

 Simple, but very powerful words.

Luckily, my family was very open towards the idea of going abroad for a year. Back in the good old’ days my grandparents had the opportunity of hosting an exchange student from the US which was already mind opening and well, of course, my mom was thrilled to have a new sister so it wasn’t such a big deal if they let me go abroad.  

 If at this point, you’re sitting in front of a computer thinking should I really go? I would say, yes! Do it! Work hard for it, even if I’m not there yet, I know it’s going to be a wonderful experience and one can learn so much from it.

Starting a new blog is scary, tell me, I’ve written 10 words and my heart is already racing, but I’ll try to make this work. I guess it would only be correct if I start by introducing myself and why I am doing this, because writing is not as easy as it seems to be. 

Well, here we go! My name is José Alonso, I’m 17 years old and I was born in Costa Rica. A beautiful, but very small country in the middle of the Americas with imposing mountains, clear water beaches and rain forests filled with all sorts of wonderful creatures. Costa Rica is very little in land, but very big at heart, sheltering a 5% of the world’s biodiversity, has no standing army since 1948 and all of the funds now go towards education and health services. That’s something, isn't it? 

Growing up I’ve always been interested in world cultures, new languages, different forms of expression, different perspectives, etc. I spent my last years in High School learning French, Portuguese and Italian, Spanish already being my native tongue and speaking English since a very tender age. Long story short I decided to go abroad, for a year to Germany on an exchange program through AFS (American Field Service), a non-profit organization that started in 1915 with ambulance drivers. 

I submitted my application in March of 2016, been through all the preparation process and I’m just waiting to receive details on my host family and further information for my visa application.