German exchange student Clara joined the Freefall group back in November 2011, read her thoughts of English life and the journey she is travelling:
“WHY, for heaven’s sake, am I doing this to myself?”, I thought desperately when I hugged my best friends, sister and my dad one last time at the airport in Germany. I was on my way to England, where I was going to stay seven incredibly long months with a host family I didn’t even know. I remember the moment when I boarded the plane, it is still clearly in my mind: This one small step into another life, a new life.
At first, everything was a little bit difficult for me. The new language wasn’t even the biggest problem, no. What was confusing me mainly was the loss of my home. I did miss the people at home, but more than that, I just missed that warm, homely feeling you have when you get home after a long school day: Your annoying brother opening the door just being annoying, as usual. Your dad’s shoes already standing in the hallway and the noises of him whistling from the kitchen. I think this feeling of not being used to anything, was the worst.
However, all those feelings vanished in the days that passed. I got to know my host family, my school and the people more and everything was just great. The sun was shining nearly the whole September long, which made trips to the English Riviera a wonderful thing to do. Eating ice cream, laughing with your new friends and listening to the waves… It couldn’t have been better!
The days came, the days went and the new life slowly became normal. But I think people who go abroad expecting a lazy time full of fun, joy and happiness will be disappointed. The sense of an exchange year for me is to live a life far away from home, and realise it differs but is also kind of similar.
An amazing time for me was the half term break: I met my sister at my auntie’s house in London and we spent a week there doing loads of shopping, sightseeing and chatting. The best think during the week definitely was both Camden and Portobello Market, as my sister and me loved the quirky and relaxed atmosphere there and found some extraordinary things. I know how negative it sounds, but after half term, at the beginning of November, I started counting the days till I was going to go home for Christmas. I wasn’t sad, no, I was happier than ever. Still, the pure thought of spending this special time of the year with your family and all your friends made me really exited. Christmas time went really quickly and suddenly it was the 19th of December and I was flying home with the thought that I would lay in my own bed again that evening. The following two weeks were a truly wonderful time, but still, I was looking forward to going back to Exeter and wasn’t terribly sad when I had to leave home again.
And while I write this, I have long returned again to Exeter and am enjoying my time here so much. I tried many different things, like the great FREEFALL group, which I never would have the opportunity to at home. Everyday life provides new surprises and although I now have been here for over 4 months, England still has a lot left to explore and find out. Maybe many people wouldn’t think so, but the English culture is actually is very different to the German culture. The English people are just special, in every single way. And that is why I love England so much: It has its own, unique charm, which makes it a wonderful place to be and live.
And I know, that the day I leave England in April will be a very sad day. While I missed Germany when I first came here, I will terribly miss England when I’m back in Germany again.
Clara 
[:)]
Clara Sonneborn January 2012
A short Guide to the Art and Culture of Hong Kong, New Zeland, and Oz!
Week 1. The first part of my trip was a 4 hour coach trip to Heathrow! This was really boring but I was so excited I forgot about how long it was and fell asleep. When I woke up we were there and then it sort of felt like the beginning of my huge trip. After 5 hours of waiting in the departures lounge we were finally ushered through to the boarding lounge and, quickly, to the plane. the flight was quite good, we had movie screens and i slept for about 7 of the 11 hours.
hong kong
The airport was huge and we had to walk a mile just to get to another terminal. once we got out of the airport we caught a taxi to our hotel. the first thing that struck me was the size of all the buildings. They were huge! Gold, red, blue, also the writing, its like an art form itself, with over 2000 symbols and characters. over the next few days we traveled around Hong kong island. we saw the sights, such as; the peak and the polin monestry. alot of art in Hong kong was carvings(mostly ivory) sometimes based on the writing, symbols.
Top 5 must sees:
5. aviary
4. night markets
3. monastry, gondola, buddha
2. light show
1. peak tram.
by Felix Holt (2011)
