Orientation camp and host family

Between 16th and 18th our first YFU orientation camp was held which was also the last camp for the students who have lived in Hungary during this school year. During the 3 days that I was there, I met a lot of new people, including both those who are going to abroad or came to Hungary in last August.

We were speaking about cultural differences, culture shock and how to keep in contact with our family back home.

In this camp I got the exact information about my departure. My plane is leaving on 8th August to Helsinki where the YFU volunteers will be waiting for us and then we're going to a camp for 4 days to get to know each other with the other exchange students. After the camp our host families will come to pick us up and then we're going home with them.

Host families are also volunteers so after we registered for the program, they can choose. I've known my host family since January so we could talk and write to each other thanks to the miracles of the 21st century. :)

Besides the host parents, I'll have a 6-year-old sister and a 9-year-old brother. Last Saturday I had the chance to meet them and the German exchange student who has spent the last year with them. It was amazing, they were so nice and helpful. Now I'm a bit more relaxed about my exchange year. The German girl told me a lot of useful things which can be new for a foreigner.

Overall, I'm really looking forward to my departure but I'm a bit nervous too, because I'm going to live far away from my home country and my family for more than 10 months. But during this time, I want to reach as many places in Finland as possible, learn about its culture and learn the language as well.