Back Home

"Are you talking to me? Sorry I was not listening! Could you repeat what you said please?", these have been my first words at my hair dresser saloon.

This would not be anything special, but it is. This situation happened to occur, a day after I came back home from Canada. I was back in Germany, but my brain was not quite ready to accept this fact.

While my long lonely flight back home, I reflected about my year. The thought of "hey why so upset? You are flying home. Is that not what you desired for such a long time?" seemed so unreal and useless. While sitting in this big airplane, the only satisfied thought was "Do not worry Laura, they are just taking a longer way until you are back in Prince George."

But reality did not look like that. When I was served in the aiplane I could already feel and smell German mentality. These really unfriendly stewardess... how was I suppose to live with these people again, after getting to know so kind and open-minded people in Canada?

But let's start at the beginning. Throughout my exchange student year, it happened to be tough sometimes and there was the big wish to go home. To be in a familiar country, with familiar people, with your family and friends around. To not have to worry about so much and to be less independent (because honestly it is nice to get your breakfast done instead of doing it youself as I had to do it in Canada. Do not take me wrong, I knew I had to do it and it was fine but once in a while there was the wish not having it to do myself everyday)

I would say that I was just used to certain things and sometimes it was hard to accept things in different aspects.

Well as time passed I was sort of happy to fly back home. But then the shock.

After being home about 6 weeks now, the wish to be back is bigger than ever. It is not about the fact that you want to be rude to your family and friends. That is not the point, I just want to spend time with my Canadian family and friends as well. Now being back in Germany I really recognized and learned to appreciate what I had in Canada. Unfortunately now it is too late.

I would love to live the positive things of Canada and Germany. Most likely I need to buy an island for myself and rebuild a social system, because such a country does not exist yet.

While walking through the streets I will look for things I had in Canada, but recognizing that they do not exist in Germany as for example Tim Hortons, Booster juice, my school, my house, ...

I would like to honor my words to the exchange students of this year. Do not fear the unknown, be open-minded and flexible. Enjoy this year. Seize the day and every moment. Do not think about why did I have to go to Canada, instead make it to your life experience. Afterwards when you are home, you will not be saying "Why did I not go to that museum, to that birthday party, to that event,..." but you will say "This was an amzing year. Such possibilities I was able to live was a wonderful chance, I might never get a chance like that in my entire life again." And when you had such a good year you might even think " I am ready to pack my luggage for my next experience, soon when it is time for it, and after I enjoyed some time back home with my family and friends".

Push all the negative thoughts away and try to make it to a positive one. At the end of the year you will be glad when you are able to say "Canada became my second home and I found a second family and another best friend".

Take care and enjoy your time!