What's up?!?

Hi! Two weeks of my American life is now behind. I still don't know what to say when someone asks "What's up". It doesn't matter. I have still managed with my English. My host-mom even said that my English skills have already improved. I haven't noticed that. I feel like I all the time when I am trying to say something I realize that I don't have enough words to explain what I mean. But as I said I have managed well. Sometimes trough maybe a little bit awkward moments when I have to ask what someone means when she/he is using some word, but it's just fun.

I love those school buses!!

School has been fine. US History is difficult because there is so much difficult words that are unknown even for them who have English as the first language. I just have to concentrate more on our text book (which is btw as heavy as elephant). Math and Chemistry are getting easier when I'm learning right terms and the ways to learn which they use here. Applied Music is fun. We are learning to play guitar and I finally feel that I can do it! I have always hated to play guitar in school because it has felt impossible for my fingers.

Few days ago hot weather became here. We have practice every day after school and I'm not yet used to 1. to run that much every day and 2. to run in hot weather. We decided to practice some days before school so it's not as hot as after school. Today we had our first morning practice. It was extremely humid but cooler. I really enjoyed it and it felt much better than few other days. I have my first cross country meeting (competition) on next Tuesday. I am so nervous but excited too!

A little article about cross country as well as the picture below, can be found here.

Shakamak high school girls cross country team: me, Mariah, Liz, Shayley, Kinsley, Brooklyn and Kaitlyn

I have been in church now twice, on both Sundays. We go to the Baptist church. It's quite close to my religion, Lutheran. Main points are the same. Going to church is just a lot different to Finland. I feel like it's more relaxed here and people are not so silent as I am used to. It might be so because people go to church usually very often. A part of service is "prayer requests and praises". Then everyone gets opportunity to ask others to pray for something or every now and then someone thank those who have prayed and something good has happened. I think that's interesting how freely people tell so personal things to whole church.

I have gotten to know many new friends and I'm looking forward to see new people. It's quite easy here because with whoever you are where-ever, you can be 120% sure you will meet someone, who the person with you knows and of course she/he introduces you to him/her. That's the one of many pluses of little town.

I already feel like this really is my other home.

- Maija -

The First Day of School

Yesterday I had my first day of this American school. Simply, I really liked it. Most of people were so kind and came to talk. If I was waiting for something and just standing in the hallway, there was always someone asking: "Are you looking for a classroom?" I absolutely felt like I am welcome to this school!

I go to Shakamak Jr./Sr. High School. I'm junior. The school is pretty small compared to usual American schools. I find it great because then it's easier to get to know most of the people and it feels more like an other home. It's also harder to get lost when school isn't so huge!

Everyday I have seven classes. My school day starts at 8 am and ends 3 pm. I chose my classes in the school office few days ago. I took Chemistry, Maths, Advanced Music, Study Hall, English, US History and Advanced PE. 

Chemistry and Maths are some kind of college classes. Now in the beginning they seems quite difficult. I now what topics we are talking about but when I don't know the right terms I'm little bit lost. But luckily just a little. I'm sure everything will be clear when I learn more!

In Study Hall we have opportunity to do our homework etc. Yesterday we didn't have any so we were allowed to chat with each other. Well then I really got the chance to learn a lot! Like not about any school subject but speaking English in real life. There were few boys and it seemed like it was the meaning of their lifes to ask questions! It was fun. I didn't got all (lol any of them) the jokes but that's fine. Now I'll understand more than before. I feel like I'm learning something new all the time.

Advanced PE is my last class everyday. There is actually just two of us! Me and then one senior boy. But there is freshmen's PE at the same time so we will do something with them and if we don't feel to be doing the same, then we will simply do something else.

After school I had cross country running practice. I was surprised how fun it was! I have never run in that kind of woods. We ran in the Shakamak state park which is quite near our school. It was beautiful and air was fresh!

I'm happy to be able to attend this school! Can't wait for Monday!

- Maija -

The Beginning...

My name is Maija. I'm 16 years old high school student from southern Finland. Next year I'll be an exchange student in Indiana, United States of America. I'm writing this blog especially for my family and friends who stay in Finland. I'll write in English to improve my English skills and so that my host-family and American friends are able to read this also.

I'll live in small town about 200 km from the capital Indianapolis. There I'll go to school which is located 5 km from my host family's house.

Before last Autumn I hadn't never thought about going exchange myself. I had just heard about other's experiences. Then I started to think what if I'd go. I was thinking that for a while and I was sure I WANT to go. As YFU's motto says (freely translated): "it doesn't matter where you go if you at least go". I wanted to learn about different cultures and language skills would get better at the same time. I decided that my first choise is USA, Great Britannia would have also been good but many organizations don't do student exchange there. My second choise was Germany but I thought I'd rather improve my English skills. Of course Germany would have been great too.

In Autumn I started to search information about exchange and I applied trought few organizations. I think I was little bit too late because in many countries there were no more places for exchange students. Luckily I still got mine. If you want to be an exchange student, I recommend you to start early, like in August or earlier. I have been filling in sooo much papers and stuff but I'm sure this year will be worth of it and much more!

Information about my host family came in April. I was so happy because I had no idea when they will come. It would be possible that I'll be flying to the USA and have no information about my host family. But I was lucky!

In the beginning of summer I was just really excited about next year. A month ago I realized how much I will miss everything in Finland. Well, now I haven't yet realized that after one week I won't be here anymore for ten months. I'm still very excited. I know there will be ups and downs but I know that this won't be just a year in my life, this will be my other life in a year.

- Maija -