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Travelogue
English Language

University, School

Berufsakademie Emsland

Grade, Teacher, Year

2011

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Silvia V. ©
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ID# 30302







My daily journal



Day 1.

This is my first entry of my daily journal for the Silver Bay Class. I gonna now write everyday for 3 weeks a little bit about my days here in america. About my experiences and how those affected my thinking, acting and my view about things.

I am already over 10 month here in america. I arrived on the 17th August 2009 in New York city. There we (au pairs form all over the world) got picked up and were brought to the au pair training school in the state of New York. I was surprised how many other au pairs were there. A total of 264 form over 16 counties. The most from germany. What my fear of not being abel to communicate reduces. In this 4 days I was overwhelmed with feelings, as excitement finally to meet my hostfamilie, sadness to leave my family and friends back and fear of not had make the right decision. But now, at the end of my year, I can tell honestly that it was the best decision I could have made.


Day 2.

The first day in my host family was unlike. Branda, my host mom, picked me up at the bus station and we drove home. Yes! That would be my home for the next year. Everyone else was out so I had time to make myself confabulate in my room. The first coming together with my kids, Jack and Iris, was something. They just turned 2 when I arrived but Jack just run to me and gave me a big hug. He was so exited to meet me. Probably just as much I was to meet him. Iris was a bit shy and kept a bit distance.

But since that day they be dear in my heart and I can not imagine to leave them. Thats gonna be one of my hardest doings.


Day 3.

In first weeks went by fast and I got used to the life as an au pair. When I arrived I expected a cultural shock. Everyone told me that america is something. Its way different than germany and so on. But honestly could not see that. Maybe on of the reasons is that I life now in the boston area. Of course there were differences with I still dislike. Like the appalling road conditions and that in every store somebody ask how you are. But on the other hand I can not really imagine go back to germany. I kind a feel like in a daydream here. Everything is so easy here. You do not really have responsibilities as an au pair, except of the kids. You are just doing what you want, you meet so many people, you have the possibility to travel around and just enjoy your life.


Day 4.

As a german in america. I made good and also bad experiences with that. If you tell americans that you are german they always, really always know someone from germany or been there. But they have always a story to tell. Once I told a guy in a store that I am from germany the only thing he could relate was “Hitler”. I think thats pretty sad that people are so ignorant. I know the National Socialism is a huge part of germans history. But still there is more than just that. And I refused to talk further with him. But that was probably the only negative event. I am still surprised that germany, as small is maybe is, plays such a big role over here. Its almost impossible that one day went by without that germany is mentioned in the TV oder somewhere else.


Day 5.

My home. I live in a little city named Townsend in Massachusetts. Its a nice home and surrounded by green. We have a big backyard. Its great a grow up as kid here. But it is not really close to anything. To see my friends here I have to drive at least 35 min. I do not really mind because I lived in a small town in germany also. But it makes hard to see friends during see week. Gas is cheep in comparison to germany but still expensive.


Day 6.

Friends. Friends are one of the most impotent things here. All by myself I would go crazy and homesickness would overcome. I found here some really great friends. I am sharing everything with them and there are always there for me.


Day 7.

Travel. As an au pair you are usually traveling a lot. Thats what an au pair life makes out. It is a cultural exchange and you want to see as many different cultures as possible. Until now I was visiting Niagara Falls, New York, Portland, Washington DC, Newport and a few more. I would love to go to the west coast but unfortunately the only time I could go there would be in my travel-month and I do not stay here for that because my sister is getting married this year. But I do not betray that I am absolutely sure about it that I gonna come back in this countries more than one time.


Day 8

The South. We are today on vocation in New Orleans. You feel that you are now in the south. The people are different and its get harder to understand them. New Orleans is beautiful!! With all that french influence the city is not like any other. We had some coffee at “Cafe du monde” A have to in New Orleans. The hole city is full of little antiquate shops and art galleries. And in the evening the Jazz clubs opening their doors. I am not a big musician but I was just pure-bred from the band. The bars are not big, but thats whats so great about it. The band is staying always for few more drinks there so you can talk with them. The day was awesome.


Day 9

We just enjoyed today New Orleans. The thing I noticed about this city is that people are drinking a lot. And they start to drink early in the morning and they drink and drive. And you see a lot of homeless people. I know boston for example has as many poop people but you do not see them in the center. Thats also makes me think about the hurricane Katrina form 2005. How horrible is “sturm” for the people was and still is. So many people lost their homes and even worse their loved ones. It makes you think how happy you actually are.


Day 10

On my flight back home form my vocation I met a very interesting person. Michael. He is from Italy and is sharing my passion for traveling. We talked a lot about things we want to do or to see in our life's. For example diving in the great barrier reef or a backpack tour true India and walk on the great wall from china and a lot more. There are so many things I want to see. And I think I made the first step with my au pair year here in the USA. I hope I will have the possibility to see as much as possible of our planet.


Day 11

Today I saw a documentation about overweight in america. They said that every second one is overweight. And that what I expected when I arrived. But when I a look around me I can not see that. When I am in the mall or in a supermarket I see non of them. Its seems to me that the people are watching what they eating. Trying to eat organic. But I also see many people going to eat in fast food restaurants. And I see it on me too. I increased my weight to. My hostfamilie is cooking healphy but the portions are just to big. And the bad thing is that I got used to it. I thing that is the problem of america. The portions.


Day 12

A big difference I noticed between germany and america is that everyone in america shows how proud they are of their land. To every holiday the americans decorating the streets with flags and even in everyday life you see a lot of flags. In germany it is unthinkable. Except it is the world cup. Than germany goes crazy with his flags. It is a nice to imagine to be proud for your country. As german its hard to be that because of our history. Even if the dark age of our history is over 60 years ago. We and the others think it is still inappropriate. I hope sincerely that will change one day.


Day 13

Electricity. The americans really do not save any electricity. In my hostfamilies home are some lights with nobody turns out. Or the fan is running in summer and in winter. The air conditioning in some houses is so cold that you need a sweater. The price for electricity is so low you do not really feel a difference if you save but with the global warming it is just responsible to save. You are saving for the hole world and not just for yourself. I think that the germans are much more aware about this than here.


Day 14

I had yesterday a diction with my hostdad about college. In germany you do not pay a lot for it. Just around just around 1600 dollar a year and that is nothing compared with what you pay here in america. To graduate form collage you pay up to 250 thousand dollar. Just was much as for a house. So the most parents start to safe for their kids when they are born. I can not imagine how people are feeling when they have 3 or more children. Of course there are programs like scholarships but you have to be one of the best to get some. So I am kind a relieved that I life in germany:).


Day 15

Today I spend my hole day in just one building. The mall. You have there everything. Food. Clothes. Entertainment. Malls are were reare in germany. I just know of one mall around my house in germany.

We have more like shopping streets. The stores are are all close to each other, often they are in one street or at least in the same part of the town. But here its a hole new world. Everywhere are malls. What I kind a like. You never get wet if its rains outside. And you do not have to walk so much.


Day 16

America the sports nation. I already mentioned that germans love soccer. But thats more or less the only sport they really like and with is popular. Americans have so many different sports. Like football, baseball, basketball, golf and so on. I am at most interested in baseball. Football is nice too but just to aggressive and its hard to learn all the rules. I didn't had the chance to see a game life but I will do that in the next few weeks with are left me here in america.


Day 17

Today I meet at the playground an au pair from germany. I thought how small the world is. But actually its just so common in america to have a au pair or babysitter. I do understand that an au pair is for the most families a great thing. They can use us as driver, teacher, cook, best friend and “mom”. I thing that is one a great deal for everyone. For the families and for the girls/boys. I thought already about how nice it would be to get an au pair for my children too:)


Day 18

Did I change? Yes I think that my au pair year changes me. I am much more open now. I go to people and ask things. In germany I was shy and thought to much what other people will think about me. But now after 11 month I don't give a damn think about other peoples opinion. I'm living my life how I want and do not try to please other people. I believe that this a good change. Now I am a step closer to how I am really are.


Day 19

My mother asked me today how good my english got improved. I think its a lot better even if I still have problems with my grammar. I took a evening english class and had there a lot of fun. I started here to read books in english. What I would had never, ever done in germany. And that was one of my reason why I came. Because english is playing such a big role in our lives and that all over the world. It does not matter if in germany or in peru everywhere english is unavoidable. I still have a lot to learn but I am on the best way :)


Day 20

Do I regret my au pair year? NO!!! I think that this year was one of my best. It was all what I imagined and much more. I was lucky go get in this family. They just match my personality. And my twins are awesome. All of them are so close to me now, that I am so sad that I have to leave in just 1 month. But I also can not wait to see my real family and my friends. But the Stubblefields will be always my secound family.


Day 21

One day to silver bay. Today the “girls” will pick me up from home after I am off and we will drive to silver bay. We will drive around 4 ours. What will be probably the worst part of our weekend. I am also exited about the classes. They all sounding very promising. And they covering all kinds of peoples interests. And so there will be all kinds of people. Thats what my au pair year is about: meet new people and enlarge your horizon.


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