For the past 10 days, my family has added a new addition to our household. A 16 year old guy from Germany. My school does a program where some students from Königslutter, Germany would come to Hudson and see the sights New England has to offer. In exchange, students that are in the music programs or have hosted a student previously will be able to visit the town of Helmstedt and Königslutter.
My German exchange student is named Hauke. He's very nice, though shy at times (who wouldn't be in a new country). I decided to write about him because he left for home today after school and I miss him. I didn't think I would as much as I do, considering how awkward I always felt around him when we were left alone with nothing to talk about. All the same, I feel like those silences and the fact that I interacted with him more than my brothers or my dad gave us more of a bond. And having a fifth member in the house again just felt more... complete.
Hauke has given me the courage to visit Germany myself this year. I could see a lot of similarities between us, so I see it that if he could visit a new place and enjoy himself, then so can I. My only hesitation has been about being surrounded by so many strangers in a completely new place. After meeting Hauke, I don't feel so nervous about going. I'm actually pretty excited about it. Sure, I'll miss some school work that will take me ages to make up, but right now I don't care.
