When the language barrier diminishes even for a second.

Yesterday started out just like any other morning here in Switzerland. Up super early and running to the bus stop. I got to school a little bit early, so I sat in the cafeteria and read the German grammar books my beautiful mom sent me. As I was sitting at the table, I noticed two girls coming towards the table and couldn't figure out why they were coming to MY table when there were a hundred OPEN tables. Well, it turns out the two girls were my classmates and had noticed me sitting alone and invited me to join them at their table where a couple of other kids from my class where sitting. I was so relieved that they made this gesture. Even though it may be a small gesture, it speaks volumes when I feel so lost because of the language barrier. I sat at the table as they talked and worked on math, and even though I didn't really understand anything, the fact that I was part of something now made me smile from ear to ear. I have never really understood the feeling of inclusion until now, and it definitely is one of the most satisfying feelings I have ever had.


When class actually started, I sat through a lesson in History on the French Revolution (or at least that's what I think it was about...) and then it was off to a lesson of German. My German class is really interesting right now because they are reading Spring Awakening and have debates on certain topics that arise from it. And even though it is in German, I understand something every so often and when I piece it together it can be quite comical.


I didn't have my language class in Basel yesterday so I went to Caroline's host family's house for out 3 period lunch break. Caroline has the sweetest host mom ever (NEXT TO MINE OF COURSE) and she made an amazing lunch!


When we went back to school after lunch, my class was SO confused when they saw me because I am usually never there in the afternoon. We had Physics and Chemistry in the afternoon. If Physics doesn't give you a headache in English, try sitting through Physics in German (I swear my head was pounding...). Chemistry was actually the best class I have had in yet here in Switzerland. Some of the girls in my class invited me to sit with them, so I was elated. I introduced myself to the teacher and he said to me in German that he would only speak to me in German because that way I will learn faster - gotta love him! They started Organic Chemistry yesterday in class and I was able to understand it completely! I had taken it twice in school (once in class and once in an upgrade), so even though it was in a completely different language, it actually all made sense. So much sense, that my headache from Physics subsided and I was able to fill out the worksheet in no time. I was so happy to FINALLY fully understand something, so happy that I emailed my high school chemistry teacher just to thank him for teaching it so well. Here is the email I sent:


Hello Mr Hatala!

I hope all is well with you, Stacy and your new baby!

I know you said at the end of the semester that you wanted to hear from us and wanted to know how and what we were doing with our lives now. Well that was less than 8 months ago and already so much has changed. I am currently on Rotary Youth Exchange in Switzerland for a year. I arrived at the beginning of August and will return to Canada at the end of July 2012. This country is absolutely beautiful and I love everything about it...well almost everything. They speak German here which is a very difficult language to understand. I go to high school here although it doesn't count for anything (obviously) because I have already graduated and will attending University when I come back home. All of the lessons are in German, so by the end of the day I have a huge headache from concentrating so hard...well almost everyday. Yesterday was a little bit different. I had Chemistry yesterday afternoon and of course they were learning Organic Chemistry (just my luck), which is one of the reasons I am sending you this email. I just wanted to say thank you for being such an amazing teacher last year that I was able to understand everything the teacher was saying even though it was in a foreign language. I sat there with the biggest smile on my face and nodded along to the lesson because finally something in German made complete sense to me. And when the teacher handed out the worksheets, I was able to answer all of the questions - for once in my German school career. So thank you, thank you, thank you for helping me feel a little bit better about the language barrier I am currently facing!

Good luck with the new Biotech class, nothing can live up to us!

Madi

It may be a little corny, but it is the truth!

After Chemistry, I left the class really fast so that I could catch the bus to go into downtown Solothurn. As I was walking in the hall, a girl in my class Nadine came running after me and asked if I was going to the bus. When I told her I was, she asked me if I would wait for her and then that way we could go together. I obviously said yes and we walked to the bus together. 

Once on the bus I met up with Caroline because we were going into downtown to look at possible phone plans and buy some stamps for me. When we got to the post office, I waited in line and when my number was called I walked up to the desk and asked the lady in German if she spoke English. Unfortunately her answer was no, and my nerves escalated ten fold. I warned her that my German wasn't very good but that I would try anyways. She smiled and nodded. Turns out, I made sense, she was able to understand me and everyone and everything turned out a-okay. This was one of the best feelings I have had since I've been here in Switzerland. When the language barrier diminishes, even for a second, a wave of pride and confidence washes over you and you can't help but smile and give yourself a pat on the back. 

When I got home from Solothurn, we ate dinner and then headed over to our neighbour's house for a party. It was Beald's birthday and there were quite the festivities underway. It was a fun night, but I was exhausted when we got home. I didn't get to bed until almost midnight and man was I ever tired when I woke up this morning.

Today was just like any other day. School in the morning, Basel in the afternoon and a hell of a lot of public transportation mixed in there. Today at school I had sport (gym) where we did high jump - definitely a unit I failed. I looked like a complete and utter idiot, but hey, I already stand out, don't I?! One thing that is different here is that the gym class in co-ed because they same group of kids have the same schedule every single year. After Sport, I had Biology. And once again, thanks to Mr. Hatala, I actually understood what was going on. Well thanks to Mr. Hatala AND the fact that the text was in English and translated to German...

Then off to Basel it was. Thankfully Caroline has recovered from the flu and was able to be my side kick once again. We also discovered the world's largest juice box at the station today, caught up on lost time and had a few laughs.

Not kidding. The size of a freaking pencil. What is this?

Tomorrow is going to be another busy day, so I must go to sleep now!

Until next time, 

Madi 

A dying lion, a city train and a steam boat!

First of all, I just have to mention that I keep waking up really freaked out. I have dreams where I am with my family and friends and then I wake up and I am not in my room. Then I have to remember where I am, and I'm no longer frightened. So odd.

Today I trekked back to the absolutely beautiful city of Luzern with my German class and our teacher. It was a mini field trip and it was definitely one of the best I have gone on!

I missed my alarm this morning, so I was in a rush to get out the door so I could catch the right bus to meet up with others at the Olten train station! And thank goodness I caught the earlier bus and not the later bus because we got stuck in crazy traffic behind farm equipment. What normally takes 25 minutes or half an hour took over an hour! I was running like a mad man to my platform but luckily made it with time to spare!

There were 3 of us meeting up in Olten and the rest of the class was on a train from Basel because they all live close to one another. We saw them through the window of the train and got on the same car as them. There was no where for me to sit, so I stood and pretended to "surf" the whole way to Luzern. It reminded me of being on the TTC during rush hour.

We got off the train in Luzern and headed out of the train station to the beautiful arc outside. The arc is the only part of the old train station that survived a major fire in 1971. It is really interesting looking and is the center mark of the transit square.

Our teacher took us for a small walk around the city and on the famous Kappel Bridge. The sun was shining strong and the water was a beautiful shade of blue and green and it reflected the sunlight. The water is also very clear and at some points we could see the rocks on the bottom. The buildings are very old, but are incredible to look at. The architecture is ridiculous and the mountains in the background make everything that much more beautiful. I still feel like I am living in a dream and that my life is not actually real.

After we walked on the bridge and through part of the town, we went on a little train and took a tour of the city. It went all over the city and we were able to turn to a station in English, so we understood everything! The city of Lucern is so beautiful and it is even better when someone explains the history behind everything to you as well! 

After our train train trip, we ventured over to the famous dying lion statue and took pictures and laughed at how touristy we were being. This time when we asked someone to take our picture, we made sure they got the statue in the background...

Reppin' Canada hard here in Switzerland

After our adventure to the dying lion, we went on a boat trip on the "Lake of 4 Cantons". It was so beautiful and we were able to see things up close. The boat we were on wasn't a steam boat, but many of the tours boats are. We sat in the bow of the boat and there was a Swiss flag off the back and when it would wave in the wind, it was a constant reminder of how lucky I am to be where I am.

The boat trip was amazing and lasted for one hour. After the boat trip we walked around the city a little bit more. I stopped at a little shop and bought some post cards to send home and picked up a few badges for my Rotary blazer. Because Luzern is a tourist city, many things are quite expensive - but hey, you only live once right?!  

We stopped by the lake and sat for a couple minutes and there were 2 swans that were swimming in front of us. They honestly sat there with there bums in the air for 10 minutes. It was so funny, I had to take some photos and a video.

I kid you not!

It was an amazing day in Luzern and I can't wait to go back again soon!

When I got back to the apartment, there was a wonderful package waiting on my bed! The package was from my mom and had so many goodies in it! A beautiful card from her complete with kisses on the seal! 

Books, Maple Sugar Candies, German Grammar books, Peanut Butter, Canadian Salmon, my phone
and my famous mother on a CrossFit Ancaster flyer (you go girl!)

Kisses on the outside and on the inside!
Love you Mamaa!

Until next time, 

Madi

Expanding the Family.

Please don't get the wrong idea from the title. I am not physically adding anybody to my family and neither is anyone else... By "Expanding the Family" I mean that I have successfully expanded my exchange student family. 

Yesterday afternoon I headed to Luzern to meet up with exchange students that I hadn't met in person yet. Sure we had been Facebook friends for a couple months and we knew what each other looked like from photos and what each other was up to thanks to lovely status updates, but it is always different meeting someone in person and having a real conversation with them. And so it is by this that I mean I have expanded the family. No one is pregnant - I promise. Just a simple play on words. 

A few of the "Crazy Canadians"
Left to Right: Emily (Nova Scotia), Carly (British Columbia), Me (Ontario),  Kim (British Columbia)

We walked around Luzern for a little while and I think it may just be the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. A big lake in the middle of the city with old steam rolled ships giving tours, tourists everywhere and a magnificent back drop of mountains and mountains and more mountains. The buildings are a sight to be seen and the sunset was spectacular. We visited the famous "dying lion monument" and had someone take our picture in front of it...too bad he missed the monument. The "oldies" as we call them gave us a small tour of the city and then took us to a park by the lake where we sat and talked for hours. There were probably 20 of us and we sat and talked like old friends. We talked about homesickness and sight seeing and how long a year seems right now. Then we realized that before we know it, it will be the end of June and we will be asking each other where our year went. We will all be fluent in German (hopefully) by then and can have the same conversations in a different language. A couple of us got hungry and headed back to the train station to buy braid bread and the cheapest package of ham we could find to eat for dinner. We came to the conclusion that the life of an exchange student is similar to that of a college student - hungry and poor. We obviously split the loaf of bread with as many people as possible so that we still have money for tomorrow's dinner and next month's lunch. Food is a necessity to life, but man, is it ever expensive when you're living in Europe for a year on a budget. The evening was really fun and I am so glad that I met everyone! I am definitely looking forward to doing it again! 

The Gang in front of the Lion Monument.
Did I mention the photographer missed the monument...

I am excited to be able to think and dream in German and understand the ridiculously difficult dialect of Swiss German. I'm sure this will all come with time, and although I want it all to happen right now, at this instant, I keep reminding myself that this is a growing process and a journey. I have to savour every moment of it and live my year to the fullest because before I know it, I will be on a plane on my way back to the (lousy) continent of North America.

See guys, I can cook!

 

Yesterday morning I made my host family pancakes for my host mom's birthday and they loved them (- see Mom, I CAN cook more things than KD)! This was such a relief because I was so nervous about cooking for my family. They also loved the maple syrup and kept asking how much to put on the pancakes - so cute! My host mom took pictures of me cooking so that we can prove to everyone that I actually did cook something!

Just like Canada, complete with Pure Maple Syrup! 

Celine and I eating the Pancakes

Today is just a "lazy day" as my host dad said. I have been looking forward to a lazy day for a while! I am always so tired! This morning I was homesick for a little bit, but as the day progressed everything is good now! I ate brunch with my host parents and host sister and then watched fairytales on TV with my sister for a little bit. Now I am updating this, chatting with friends and learning German all at the same time - look at my multitasking abilities, haha.

Tomorrow I am going to Luzern again with my Language class for the day. We are doing a boat trip and a tram trip so it should be a good day! I'll be sure to keep you all updated! 

Much love from Switzerland, 

                                                                                    Madi <3

Time heals everything.

Just thought I would let everyone know that my day today was much, much better.

I had the first 2 periods off because they are classes that I am not required to take, so I was able to sleep in today and take a later bus to the train station. I got lost at school once again (surprise, surprise) but I managed to run into a bunch of people from my class so they told me to stay with them and all would be fine! They took me to class and hopefully I won't get lost again. I don't have a phone here yet - or handy, as they call them - but when mine arrives they said they would give me their numbers so that if I get lost I can ask them where they are and how to get there!

People told me before I came that it would take time for the Swiss people to warm up to me and not to expect theme to be my best friends right away. I can see that in the past week, a lot of them have warmed up to me more, so I hope that when I start going full days to school that everything will work out and I will make friends in my class faster. We are both trying, so I hope that in a couple of weeks, I will be able to speak more German with them so that they don't have to speak with me in English - although they do like doing that.

That's all for today and I have a busy day tomorrow! It's my host mom's birthday, so I offered to make pancakes for breakfast with REAL maple syrup and everyone is quite excited! Then my host parents are going out with friends to celebrate her birthday so I am heading to Luzern to meet up with some other exchange students! Should be funnnn!

xoxo,
Madi

There's no place like home.

Today was hard. I was overwhelmed, lost and all I wanted was home. I felt a little pit like Dorothy and wanted to click my heels, and say, “There's no place like home" and end up in my mom's arms. This feeling was only temporary, but it was strong. So strong that I didn't know what else to think. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love it here. I love my family - I like to believe that I have the best family in Switzerland actually. I don't want to ever come home, but today, was really rough. 

Let me explain myself a little bit more. 

Because I live really far away from the school I go to, I would have to wake up at 5AM in order to get to class on time. And for the time being I attend a German class in Basel every afternoon. I spend almost 5 hours a day on public transit (which is very efficient I must say) and by the time I get home it is almost 7PM. So because of my schedule with the German course, Rotary told me that I need not got to school until 8:30, so that I am not absolutely wiped by midday. Rotary told the school and I thought everything was clear with all parties. 

So this morning I took my usual route to school and arrived at 8:20, which is normally plenty of time to get to class before the lesson starts. Well today was different - very, very different. I had never been to this particular class before and therefore didn't know where the classroom was. I looked at the school map on the wall in the cafeteria to find the class. I read the map, knew where I had to go and was on my way - or so I thought. I got to the area of the school where I thought the room should be and to my surprise it wasn't there (have I mentioned that the school is hugeeeee - 4 floors, almost 2000 students, 200 teachers - ya, very, very big). By this point, the bell had already rang and the students were in class, so the hallways were empty. I continued to wander around for a little bit just to make sure I was in the right place - well I wasn't, but I'll get to that in a minute. 

After wandering for a little bit, I saw a man down the hall and ran up to him. I asked him in German "Where is room B103?" and of course he answered in German - duhhh. I do understand quite a bit of German, but when people talk very fast, it is often very difficult to understand them. So I then asked him in English if he spoke English and unfortunately he said "Nein". So I replied with "Ok, vielen danke!" and we both walked our separate ways. 

At this point I was beyond lost, very confused and very late. I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes, but I kept telling myself not to cry. I didn’t know what else to do, so I went up the stairs to the second level to talk to the Secretary in the office. I went up, walked into the office and started talking to her. I asked her were the room was and how I could get there and explained that I had been wandering around for a long time and couldn’t manage to find it. She took my schedule, saw the room number and the look on her face was not one of pleasure. She asked me where my friends from my class were and I explained to her that they are in class already, but I live far away from the school, so there was an agreement that I could come for the second period for the time being. She then explained to me that in Switzerland, it is very important to be on time for everything and that the class I was supposed to be in started at 7:35AM and lasts for 3 periods, so it was not alright that I was showing up halfway through the class. And I understand where she was coming from, but at the same time, my schedule was never explained to me, the agreement had been made and I had no idea that this class (drawing and painting) started earlier (the schedule is in German and might as well be in gibberish right now…).

The secretary then continued to inform me that the class I was supposed to be in is located in another building about a 10 minute walk from the main campus – more NEW and IMPORTANT news to me. She called for the Headmaster of the school who was in his office working. They had a conversation in Swiss German and I just stood there wanting to cry. I knew they were talking about me and they were talking a different language, so not only was I completely and utterly confused, I was also extremely overwhelmed and being an emotional person to begin with, it was hard to just stand there and listen. I wanted to cry and the tears began to well up even more. But I sucked them back and stood there.

After their conversation, the Headmaster said that he would take me – by car nonetheless – to my classroom. At this point all I wanted to do was go home (to Harkingen) and have my Canadian mom give me a big hug and tell me everything was going to be ok. And I knew that everything was going to be ok, but sometimes when things are overwhelming, I lose all rational thoughts. I could feel the tears rolling down my cheeks, but I quickly wiped them away so that the Headmaster wouldn’t see. In the car he asked me how I was adjusting to Switzerland and if I was enjoying my stay. I told him that I love the scenery and that I have an amazing family (both in Canada and in Switzerland), so everything together was making the adjustment much easier – well everything except for setbacks like this.

We pulled up to the other building and the Headmaster showed me to my class. I was so grateful to him for taking me there, but being so overwhelmed, I didn’t know what to do. We went upstairs to the room and went inside the room where my class just looked at me, smiled and then went back to work. The Headmaster explained the situation to the teacher in German and I could understand most of what he was saying which made tears roll down cheeks again. I took my seat, thanked the Headmaster and then started to cry. I didn’t want to cry, but I couldn’t do anything else. And if being the new exchange student wasn’t enough, I was now the new exchange who was cry during class.

One girl in my class Aline (my sort of friend), gave me a big hug and told me in English that it was ok. She was an exchange student to Arizona 2 years ago, so she’s been in my position and knows what being lost in a new place feels like.

This morning was tough, but I got through it. I might look like a fool, but I think my class understands for the most part. I have always wanted to get lost in foreign country, but for some reason it has lost it’s charm. I am thankful to everyone who helped me today. Sometimes emotions just get the best of me and I can’t do anything but cry.

Everything is better now though, and I look back on the situation and realize that every experience teaches a lesson. Some are big, some are small, but all are useful. The lesson learned today: where room B103 is located.

I hope all is well with everyone at home and all I could think abou today was home and my friends and family. I am so lucky to have such a great host family who listened to my story tonight and laughed with me (and at me).

Until next time,

Madi

Aare, Aare, Aare!

This morning I had the "Welcome Meeting" with half of the exchange students who are in Switzerland right now. The other half had their meeting later in the day, so I still haven't met them! Booooo. It was so awesome to meet them and I can't wait to get to know them better later on. We exchanged pins for our blazers and I have to say, I did get some pretty cool looking ones from all around the world! Can't wait to decorate my blazer with them later! The meeting was long and hot because there is no AC here and it was almost 30 outside - so crazy. We were separated into groups and did skits based on different aspects of our exchange like the 4 D's, the 6 B's, sexual harassment, homesickness, yadda yadda. It was funny to see everyone perform and we all looked like dorks doing it, but it was really fun!

I also met my counsellor for the first time today. Her name is Christa and she is an absolutely lovely lady! Her and her family will be my next host family, so it was awesome getting to meet her instead of just communicating through email! She came to the meeting with my host parents and I today.

After the meeting, I went with some of the other exchange students to Marzili near Bern for the afternoon. The Aare river runs through it and there are pools and tons of people everywhere! We jumped into the river and swam/floated as the current pushed us through the river. We jumped off a bridge into the water and it was so crazy but so fun at the same time. The water was freezing and it was a shock to our system every time we jumped in but we kept doing it anyway. The current is super strong and it was so hard to get out but it was part of the thrill of going in. It was a really fun day and it was awesome meeting everyone!

Anna, Carly, Me, Sammy and Kim at Marzili

xoxoxo,
Madi

SORRY IN ADVANCE FOR THE EXTREME LENTH OF THIS POST. IF YOU MAKE IT TO THE END, YOU ARE A TRUE CHAMPION.

I apologize for being so MIA the last week or so, but I have been extremely busy - but a fun busy of course! I'll try my best to catch you up on my day's happenings! 

Tuesday, although still sore from my Alps adventure, I trekked into Basel for the first day of my German language course. I felt so independent using the public transit system in a foreign country all by myself. And the public transit here is NOT as easy as it looks. To get to one location, I have to take 3 different modes of transportation, and make sure I don't miss any connections and yadda yadda. Anyways, Tuesday was my first day at my language class in Basel and it was my first time actually meeting some of the other exchange students (not just through texting and Facebook and Skype). Meeting everyone made this experience that much more real and it was really fun to interact with everyone. There are eight of us in the course - me, repping Canada hard all by my lonesome, one Finnish boy (Juuso was quickly nickname Juu-Juubyy because it is much easier to remember and pronounce), Marena from Ecuador, Rocio from Peru and Larry, Anna, Caroline and Kourtnie from the USA. So far we have only learned the basics but everyone has to start somewhere, eh?

After language class on Tuesday, I met up with a bunch of other exchange students (the oldies) from New Zealand and Australia (they are called oldies because they have been in Switzerland since February because of their school year). We met at the train station and then travelled into Basel so we could participate in the Basel Rhinschwimm which is an event where people jump into the Rhine and "swim" (more like float) down the Rhine for 1.5km. We were all speaking English while we were in the Rhine and people kept asking where we were from and what we were doing in Switzerland which was pretty cool. The whole evening was really fun because I was able to get advice from people that have been through what a of us "newbies" are experiencing and I was able to ask tons of questions and get legitimate answers from experience. We noticed people were walking around with medals around their necks and we obviously wanted one too so we went on a hunt to find them and now we are all gold medal holders, haha. We had a cute little Migros picnic (Migros is a grocery store) because exchange students are like college students - poor and unable to afford nice sit down dinners. Myself and 2 other exchange students had to get back home so we left everyone else at the Rhine and headed home on the slowest freaking train possible. 

On Wednesday I had language class again in Basel and made the almost 2 hour trek yet again. After language class I had to go straight home because my host parents were taking me to my school so that they could show me the way by public transit. When I got back to the apartment, my host dad drove the route of the bus and showed me where to get on and where to get off and where to transfer to the train and where the train stops and yadda yadda, you get the idea. On the way home, we stopped at a house and when we got out he said to me in English "This is your new home." I was scared for a second because I thought he was kicking me out, but he wasn't, we were just going to visit my third host family and pick up my GA (a transit pass that lets me travel through all of Switzerland for FREE - that's what's up!). My third host family lives in another village in a house that is in the Jura (the mountain range that goes from Geneva to Germany). They have 2 children who are in their 20's so when I live with them I'll be an only child. Both the mom and dad speak perfect English but by the time I live with them, I hope to speak perfect German (keep your fingers crossed for me). They also told me that in March we will be going to Austria for a week to go skiing and I am super excited for that! 

On Thursday I had my first day of school...yes, school. And if going to school in a foreign country where everyone speaks a foreign language and where you don't know anyone or anything isn't enough, try waking up at 5AM to get there. My school here starts at 7:35 and I have to take 2 buses and a train to get there, so my mornings start very early. I have never been more nervous and full of anxiety than I was on Thursday morning on my way to school. I am normally a very social person, but when I don't speak the language and am the new kid, going to school is VERY overwhelming. When I finally got to school, the nerves in my body were so crazy that I honestly just wanted to run, hide and cry. I even found myself questioning why I did this whole thing in the first place. But then I remembered that this exchange is something I have wanted to do for a very long time and that in the end, experiences like the one I was I having would be something to laugh about in the future and would make me a better and stronger person later in life. So with that, I picked myself back up and wandered the school completely and utterly lost. The school is very confusing because there are 4 levels in the main building and 2 other buildings outside. I had to go to D16 to meet the Secretary who was going to direct me to where I was supposed to go, but unbeknownst to me the rooms are numbered based on floors (so 09 is on the main level and 19 is on the second level, etc). I was so lost and feeling extremely anxious and there was no one in the halls that I could ask and I didn't know what to do with myself. I wandered around for a little while until I saw a man walking the hall and in my broken (very, very broken) German, I asked him to help me find the room. He started talking to me in German and I just gave him a blank stare because I had no idea what he was saying at all. Then I recognized the words "up the stairs, left and right" and I felt so relieved! I said thank you to him (in German of course) and hurried to the Secretary's office. When I got there, 2 of my exchange friends were already there and were being taken to their classes. I was so nervous and the Secretary told me to sit down and she would be back for me. As I sat there, I nervously fiddled with anything I could and every thought possible was running through my head. Before the Secretary came back, the Headmaster of the school came up to me and started talking to me in English (thank gooodnessss). He took me on a tour of the school and explained to me how things worked and told me that the school has almost 2200 students (pretty much 3 times the size of Ancaster High). During the tour, everyone stared and gawked because I was the "new kid" who was being shown around by the principal. This was such a weird feeling for me because I have never experienced anything like that before. He took me to me class - music (seriously, really, what the hell!) - and introduced me to the teacher. As the students started to come into the classroom, they all stared at me and whispered to each other and I'm pretty sure my face went redder than it ever has before. I sat down beside 2 girls who introduced themselves to me (in English!) and one girl, Melissa, told me that she has always wanted to go to Canada and asked me if the heat was something new to me - I can't even count how many people have asked me if Canada was cold when I left and I guess everyone is learning something new! Music class was so difficult because not only is it taught in a foreign language, it itself is a foreign language. I don't know why I was put in a music class because all of these kids have been playing instruments for a very long time and are very advanced (I asked to change the class and thankfully the Secretary said that it was ok and I could go to art instead). My music teacher was very nice though and he tried to explain everything to me in English after he put the class to work. He even told me that his wife was a Rotary Exchange Student to Canada 15 years ago. I asked him where she went and when he didn't know, he called her to ask! So funny! Turns out she was in Sault Ste Marie. 

After class I followed the students into the hallway and stood there awkwardly as everyone stared at me again. Then 2 boys from my class told me to come with them, so I did. They took me to my next class, English (thank the lorddddd!) and once again I sat there awkwardly. I sat there, in the front row (like the biggest nerd in the world) for what seemed like forever until a boy came and sat beside me and started talking to me. At that point the anxiety had subsided a bit and I finally was able to breathe a little bit easier. When I introduced myself to my English teacher, pure joy spread across his face. He was so excited to have a "native speaker" in the class and asked if I could be his "assistant" for the year and help the other students when they were having difficulty. Such a big task, but one that I am happy to help with because hopefully it will help me make friends faster (and learn a little German as well). My teacher made me do a 3 minute presentation in front of the class about who I was and where I'm from and thank goodness I was allowed to do it in English. Everyone here speaks really good English but they deny how good they are and say that they "only learned it in school, so they aren't that good" to which I reply with an eye roll and "whatever". English class was good because I understood everything (for the first time since I've been here) and the teacher asked me to explain a few things as well. 

After English class, I walked outside the school to see if I could find the other exchange students so that we could all travel to Basel for language class together. I wandered around for a little bit until I saw 2 people and a bike in the distance. I walked towards them and realized that they were my friends (thank goooooodnesss). When we met up, they told me that they were looking for Caroline's house so that she could drop off her bike before we headed to the train station. The thing is, Caroline couldn't exactly remember where her house was, or how to get there or what the address was. We were officially lost in a foreign country (checked that off my bucket list). After wandering around for a while, Caroline remembered that she had her address in her bag. We took it out and in broken German, asked a few people if they knew where the house was. And of course, they replied in German - very fast German - so we nodded our heads, said thank you and walked away with no real idea of where were supposed to go. So we wandered around some more when Caroline recognized the van driving towards us. Her host mom had come looking for her - sooooo adorable. We all got in the car and her host mom drove us to her house to drop off the bike and then drove us to the station so we could catch our train to Basel. 

After having a day of school in a foreign language and then going to class for that foreign language, I had the BIGGEST headache I have ever had. I think it's because I have to concentrate that much harder and pay attention that much more intensively hoping to understand just one word every 10 minutes! I get home around 6:45 every day and I am so tired when I get home it is incredible. 

Yesterday (Friday), was the same as the day before. School, school and more schoooool, then some language school and then a trek and half home. When I got home from school yesterday, we had a visit from Tommy and Andrea who live in the apartment building behind us. Even though I don't understand everything, I still sit outside with my family and pay attention to the conversation. I have to say that I understand a heck of a lot more now than I did when I arrived here. I can usually walk away understanding the gist of the conversation. I study body language and hand gestures a lot as well, which is really helpful in helping me to understand. 

Today was another amazing Saturday in Switzerland. I woke up at 11 (so late, and I felt so bad), had some breakfast and talked in the kitchen with my host mom for a little while. I went into my room to clean it up and read my book but instead, I fell asleep on my bed. Clearly, my daily adventures make me exhausted. When I woke up from my afternoon siesta it was almost 2 in the afternoon (ooooppppss!), but it was time for the fun to begin. My host mom and host sister and I were going to the Burgaschisee (a glacial lake really close to our house) for the afternoon. The lake was packed and there were a ton of people, but the the water was really warm and the sun was really hot. The water in the lake is green, not blue, but it is extremely clear. My host mom explained to me that the water is green because it was once a glacier millions of years ago but that they do tests regularly and the water is really healthy for the skin. There was an anchored raft in the water that moves when you stand on it depending on the weight distribution. My host sister and I were playing on the raft for a long time and were the oldest ones by a long shot - but hey, kids will be kids will be kids. She kept pushing me off and laughing and then I would chase her and splash water and then push her off and laugh. It was so much fun and it proved that even though there may be a small language barrier (and I say small because she can speak English better than I can speak German), we can still have fun and be friends. 

When we got home from the beach, we had dinner (corn and steak, yummmm) and I practiced my German with my host family. It is no where near perfect, but it is getting better than when I arrived two weeks ago. I also Skyped with my family tonight and it was so amazing to hear their voices and see their faces again! It's only been two weeks, but when you are constantly doing something and are always occupied, you never forget about them but sometimes you forget what they sound like. 

Tomorrow I have a Welcome Meeting with other exchange students and will be meeting my counsellor for the first time. I am really excited to meet the other exchange students in person! We are going swimming in Bern after the meeting and I can't wait! 

I apologize for the length of this post, but I want to keep all of you updated on my adventures in as much detail as I can! If you read this far, congrats, I love you. I'll try to update more often, instead of in one big post, but I am so busy with school and language classes, but I will try my hardest - promise! 

Until next time,

Madi

xoxo <3

The Burgaschisee

Me and Larry (from Oklahoma) waiting for the Tram after language class

ps. check out my YouTube channel (fromcanadatoswitzerland) for videos of my adventure in the Swiss Alps!

Welcome to Switzerland...Let's climb the Alps!

Wow, where to begin.

Yesterday morning I began a once in a lifetime journey that was truly incredible.

My host family has 4 daughters. Two of them live at home, one in Olten and another in the Alps as a shepherdess. Yesterday was Lara's birthday - the daughter who lives in the Alps - so my host family and I went to visit. And by visit, I mean hike up the Alps, which are the steepest mountains I have ever seen. We hiked up for 2 hours and then down on the other side for 30 minutes until we got to the house. The party had already started and there were about 20 others already there. There was a Swiss accordion and everyone was singing songs and dancing and have a fantastic time. It was truly incredible...except that I didn't understand a thing.... The language barrier is really frustrating right now, but I hope that there won't be one at all in a little while!

When I think of Switzerland, I think of the Alps, yodelling, sheep, cows and cheese. And man did I ever experience the real Swiss life. I was so lucky to have gotten to do this because as my family kept saying, it is not something a tourist would get to experience - ever. My legs still feel like jelly and my clothes are still covered in mud, but it was such a crazy 2 days! I wish I could post more, but my brain isn't thinking right now. I am uploading videos of the trip to YouTube right now and am putting pictures on Facebook - so hopefully they can speak for themselves!

I start language classes tomorrow and then start real school on Thursday, so this is bound to be a busy week! I am nervous but excited and get to meet other exchange students for the first time tomorrow!

I will keep you all updated, but until then, Adio!

xoxo,
Madi <3

A typical Friday in Harkingen

Yesterday (Friday), was a whole lot of fun! In the morning my host family and I lazied around; but for some reason being lazy in Switzerland is more fun than being lazy in Canada, why, I don't know, it just is. I went shopping with my host mom for groceries for lunch mid-afternoon. After lunch, I asked my host parents if I could take one of their bicycles for a little bit and obviously they said yes :)

I went exploring through the village (and surrounding villages) for almost 2 hours. I got lost a few times, but I was able to find my way around eventually. The villages in Switzerland are breathtaking and so different from the Canadian countryside. I took a couple videos, but for some reason YouTube won't let me upload them - but I'll try again later.

Upon my return from my bike ride my host mom told me to get ready to go out because this weekend the village of Harkingen has it's annual festival. I spent the beginning of the night with my host parents and their friends until later when my host sister Natalie came from work and I spent the night with her and her friends. Most of her friends speak English, so it was fun spending the evening with them because we could communicate. They made fun of my accent when I spoke in German and they kept trying to get me to take the "test". They make all new comers take the "test" which is to say kitchen cabinet in Swiss German. But the word is a lot of guttural and throat noises and I can't do it, so they all just laugh. But I told them I'd report back in 10 months and have it perfect (fingers crossed everyone!). The village festival was really fun because unlike at home, there are not drunk teenagers roaming the streets and making fools of themselves because they are legally allowed to drink and know how to handle their alcohol.

My host sister and I got home around 12:30 and went straight to bed, but we both woke up around 4am when my host parents came home. My host dad, Ernst, had sliced his hand open on a glass at the festival so they were about to go to the hospital when they got home and just wanted to let us know. He had to get stitches and his hand is all wrapped up. So grosssss.

This morning has been pretty relaxed and my host mom and I went over all of the information for my school and my german classes. My host dad is still sleeping because he had a pretty rough night....

This afternoon I'm meeting my host sister in Olten and we are meeting up with some of her friends for the evening and then we are going back to the village festival again tonight!

Should be a good day, and I'll keep you all posted on everything!

xoxo,
Madi








P.S. Early tomorrow morning my family and I are headed to the Alps for the night so I won't be posting again until Tuesday!

Bus, Zug und Tram!

Today my host mom, Rita, and I ventured into Basel so that she could show me the way to the language camp that I start on Tuesday. It is about an hour and half commute and I have to take a bus, a train and a tram (streetcar) to get there. 

Basel is the northern most city in Switzerland and Germany is on the other side. It is a beautiful city full of old buildings and bustling with people. I can't wait to explore Basel more with my exchange friends next week! On our way back from Basel, we stopped at a small cafe to grab a drink because it was so hot outside. And guess what...to use the bathroom, you need a code. So crazy. 

My host dad, Ernst, and one of my host sisters, Celine, met us in Olten and we toured yet another beautiful city! I am almost positive that there are no "ugly" places in Switzerland. We stopped for dinner at an outdoor restaurant and had the most delicious burgers ever. Sorry Dad, but you've been upstaged and outdone. Over dinner my family and I talked about the differences between Canada and Switzerland - like how you don't tip the wait staff here and how the money grows in size as the denominations get larger. They are just as interested in Canada as I am in Switzerland - it's like we were meant for each other. :P

Looking out over the bridge at the city of Olten

The view from the Restaurant in Olten

When we got home from our adventure my host dad and I sat out on the balcony and he tested my german with the flash cards I had. He was so excited because he is "able to learn English at the same time!" All night I've been learning High German (the dialect spoken in Germany) and Swiss German (the dialect spoken here). It is so fun, but I swear no one can understand me because I can't pronounce anything properly. My host mom keeps assuring me that it will come with time. I hope you're right Rita, I hope you're right! 

I also had my first Tim Horton's in a long time tonight (well since I've been here) and it tasted even better than at home. I also brought maple tea with me and my host family is loving it which makes me happy! 

It's getting late here and Im still a little bit jet lagged, so I'm off to bed! 

Talk to you all later!

xoxo, 

Madi