Global Student Top 10 reasons why I want to study abroad.

So, with the scholarship, AYUSA is telling me I must complete this "Global Student" course before I leave to Germany, while I'm in Germany and when I come home!
I decided I better not procrastinate anymore.... because I seem to be able to do that quite well. My summer is already very busy at the moment, so I better go ahead and do this in my free-time. They gave me 10 reasons and now I must put them in the order I want. This is going hard because I have a hard time choosing sometimes... most the time. Here we go.

1. Learn a language in the country where it is spoken.
I am a firm believer in Americans learning a second language. Ask any American whether they speak a second language fluently. The likely answer is: no. Now ask them whether or not they took a language in high school, probably, yes. It drives me insane. Yes, a lot of people speak it as a second language... but, still... It just helps the stereotype of Americans being ignorant, proud, lazy and not very smart.
When a human learns to speak another language fluently, they not only know another language, they know another culture. As an American I find it extremely important to represent ourselves in good ways. By knowing another language and interacting with those people that speak that language, they will begin to respect you as an American and also a person. I could go on and on but I won't. Ich liebe Deutsch

2. Gain perspective on own country and culture.
When going to another country and experiencing it hands on, you not only learn about their culture but you learn about your own. When comparing Europe to America, we a lot of the time think it's about the same because we're so similar in technologies, dress, food and such. But, what we don't realize is, they have so many differences. Social differences, manner differences, life differences, transportation, style, thinking, what's right and wrong, etc. etc.
Most of the time, seeing the opposite finally helps us realize the real deal.

Sometimes, I feel like I understand the United States... or no, not really. I feel like a understand Utah (that's more like it.) But, I feel like Germany will really open my eyes and help me love people for who they are. I really do think I'll come back with a complete different vision.

3. Travel/Studying abroad is a life altering experience.
I feel as though this exchange will change my perspective on everything. Like, I mentioned in the previous post, this is probably the most courageous thing I'm going to do... and the most "life-altering" one at that. I want to not only grow more intelligent but I want to grow as a person. "Life isn't about finding yourself. It's about creating yourself" - George Bernard Shaw.
This experience will no doubt be life changing and I will talk a little bit more in depth about it in number 5.

4. Experience hands-on learning
This goes with language. What better way to learn a language than when speaking, reading, and hearing it 24/7 for 10 months straight. And what better way to learn culture? history? etc. Hands-on is by far better than any old text book or sitting in a stuffy 70's classroom in Timpview.

5. Learn about self and gain independence
I'm 16 years old. Still young. But, most definitely still growing. When it's time for college I want to be able to be independent. I know I could learn all this stuff at home. But, it's a heck of a lot funner and easier in another country.
Language, culture, and history is what I love. My dream is to work in the foreign service and living in Germany will definitely help me make my decision on that. I will make new friends, learn new things and "create myself".

6. See the world (or at least part of it)
Did I mention I love language, culture and history?... I'm thinking so. But, yes, and again if any of you know me, I absolutely love adventure, being outside, enjoying nature, enjoying architecture, watching humans, listening to humans, learning, Germany, Europe and so on. I love the world. I want to learn so much about it and most definitely travel it and experience it.

7. Make connections that last a lifetime.
It sounds a bit cheesy and kind of stupid. Because, honestly, you can make connections wherever you are, believe it or not, in Provo too. But, it's different when connecting with those of another culture. I can't quite explain it but it's different. Doing this exchange, I will meet so many new people. Not even Germans but those of my fellow American exchange group.

From observation, adults seem to remember the best times of their lives in High School. Or, let me rephrase that; the funnest times of their lives. I could have this in Provo or I could have it in Germany. Take your pick.

8. International travel and study is fun and exciting
I think we all get the idea that it is. New places and new things are always pleasing.

9. Resume builder
This was always a reason. But, it wasn't my top reason. It's just one of those things that is a good plus.
Now, that I think about it... I want to look look on a college application. Not only will it help with any applications but this exchange will help me so much educationally and that will be a huge advantage when taking the ACT or SAT or applying for a job.

10. Programs work with academic programs
I was a bit confused with this one. So, I'm going to interpret it into my own words. No, maybe not.

Well, now that I feel like I've written way too many not-entirely thought through thoughts, I'm going to bed.

Good night Neverland

Documentation

If it's any new news to you, I'm going to be living in Germany for 10 months starting in the middle of August. I got the scholarship, my belt is buckled, my shoes are tied and I am on the verge of being ready.

I will be departing Mormonville on August 14th to then arrive in Washington D.C to group up with the gang (exchange group). After that, I will arrive in Leipzig and then take off to a month long language/culture training camp in some really little village by the name of Hedersleben. After this, I will be arriving to my wonderful Host Family (The Schusters) in Forrcheim, Northern Bavaria in the middle of September.
I will be attending a German school, attending German culture, attending adventure, and attending the most courageous thing yet to come in my life. Am I excited? yes. Am I scared? yes. Am I ready? I'll find out.

It's kind of finally hitting me that I am actually going to be living there for a school year... without my family, without my cross country/track races, without Timpview, without English, without Mormon culture, etc. But, let's take a step back from the bad things. Imagine what I'll gain. It's endless, my friends. They are the reasons why I am doing it.

You may just remember me titling this post with the name of Documentation.
Well, let me explain. This blog will be my documentation of my whole German living experience............ and probably other things too. I am not much of a blogger but do not fear; I will try to be. Whether or not you enjoy it, I do not care.

Well, readers.. If someone is actually reading this. I hope you will follow along with me on my journey and listen to my "not-so secret thoughts and happenings". Take my hand and I'll take you there.

Also, Happy Summer!

cheerio!
Miss McKenna Marie Anderson of Hertfordshire

Anne Frank

So, this lovely day which just so happens to be the day in which I finished school; My lovely Laruel's group got the wonderful chance to see the Diary of Anne Frank preformed at BYU. I saw this play back when I was.... 8? I think. I read the diary when I was 14. Which, let me tell you, was such a great experience, being her same age and being able to connect so thoroughly with her and understand her in such a.... weird way.

Anyways, now I'm 16 and I got the chance to go to her hiding place in Amsterdam only a month ago and today, today, I actually got to see it performed again.

Honestly, when I went to the museum, I liked it, and many thoughts went through my head... but, not like tonight.

Tonight, As I heard Anne Frank's name pronounced correctly, her talk of the glimmering canal right outside her window, them say WC and Prinsengracht, hear the trains, see her place the pictures of movie stars on her wall and feel as though I was back in Amsterdam and actually walking on those floors and seeing her bedroom and where she went through all those things. It was such a different feeling. I honestly can't even describe it.

My fellow humans, we must never forget History. We must never forget that being inhumane to one another never brings any good. A life is a life, just like mine and yours.

I'm so incredibly grateful for good theater, film, books, the ability to have information so fast, ability to travel, the ability to think freely, the ability to know what's right and wrong and the ability to have our souls touched once in a while.

More pictures to please mine and thine (?) eyes.

and to be continued......

To be continued because my mind is so scattered. Anyways, to your left you will find me biking. Yes, that was probably the highlight of the trip. We rented bikes in the village we used to live in (Wassenaar) and biked our way up to the North sea. Biking in Holland is simply exquisite. For, the land is flat and their bikes are surprisingly really comfortable. I am now considering to become a professional biker and bike my way across the whole land of Holland and maybe even europe.. ?

This below me is me in a, yes, wooden shoe. Thought it was clever enough, so I got a picture in it. Even bought me a pair, imagine that!

Next to the ravishing wooden shoe photo, I am on top of a ginormous Bell t

ower in the Mid-evil city of Delft. Delft is

home to the famous Delftware and Johannes Vermeer and also a hometown to William of Orange. An amazing city. Considered the one of the oldest cities next to Amsterdam, The Hague and Haarlem. And now I'm scattered again... So, I'm just going to make it simpilar and just post a bunch of photos, deal? good.

Simply... Holland

If you didn't know; This spring break, my loving father took me on a trip I was wishing for since I was the age of 1. If I must say so, it was the most exquisite trip I've ever been on, even though it was too short.

I have always had this va

st love for the country of tulips, windmills, orange, below sea-levelness, canals, bikes and don't forget the wooden shoes.. Yes you guessed it: HOLLAND.

What better time to be in Holland than the glorious spring time? (which I already ranted to you about). As you probably know, Holland is known for their tulips and tulips just happen to bloom in the spring time. I knew I would see tulips, but I was not quite sure how many I would see. They have farms and farms of tulips there.. and a whole 72 acres of 7 million tulip bulbs in The Keukenhof gardens meant for tourists like me. The smells.. the colors... Phenomenal my dear friends, phenomenal.

As for windmills, I got my share of windmills, trust me. Holland is literally below sea-level and should be under water but, thanks to the brilliant Dutch Engineers they separated their

country from the sea by the help of windmills and toooons of canals. I had no idea how much water they actually had. Canals are in fact everywhere. The picture shown below is the town of Leiden. Leiden happens to be where the Pilgrims of the Mayflower actually left before they arrived to the U.S... jus

t in case you were wondering.

bikes were also a surprise. You couldn't look anywhere without seeing a bike passing or a bike parked. It's the main source of transportation. Made me want to be Dutch, truly. I love those people.

and this story will be continued... Shortly. Because this Post is already getting really disorganized. So, hold on while I get my act together and my seat belt fastened.

My dear beloved ones...

It finally feels like glorious Spring time. My goodness it feels so good and fresh. I love new things and after having a long winter, this is exactly what I call new and overall good.

In my opinion, Spring time is when everyone is happy again, Mother Nature is happy, the birds are happy, and I'm happy! For, I am what matters most (just kidding...)

But, what I really wanted to say to you, my fellow Americans is....... Happy Spring! You deserve it. And, please make the best of it, nature wants you to.