The Countdown Begins

9 Days before I arrive in Washington D.C. for a three day long orientation.
The CBYX Scholars will then head to the State Department to meet with their individual Congressmen. Next there will be a series of workshops designed to a.) prepare us for adapting in a new environment, and b.) get us better acquainted with our travel mates.

Am I nervous? : No
Am I excited? : Yes
Am I prepared? : Define prepared.

I'm mostly packed.
I don't speak German.
I'm up to my ears in anticipation and excitement.

I learned how to say "I'm cold, I'm hungry, I have a contagious disease" in German.
Baby steps.

I have been in contact with my host family, and I am fairly certain that we will get along really well. My parents have "met" them via skype, which was nice.

When I arrive in Frankfurt, Germany the morning of the 10th, I will then take a train to Hamburg. My family will pick me up at the station and then it's a 30 minute car ride to my new home in Brackel, Germany.

I will attend a language camp in Hamburg 5 days a week for 4 weeks in order to receive 80 hours of German language instruction. After those first 4 weeks I will attend my host sister's school in another town. I will be in the 11th grade. (I've graduated high school in the United States, but due do Germany's advanced school system I am a junior again).

Time to learn. Time to live. Time to travel!