Last year at the end of March I received an e-mail that changed my life: Congratulations, you have been accepted to the German Master's Program at Bowling Green, with an assistantship.The first year will be abroad in Salzburg, Austria.
It's what I had always wanted. I had seen posters advertising the program through Bowling Green several years before and had always thought of applying. But as soon as I was accepted, I got excited and nervous at the same time. A whole year away? I wasn't sure if I could handle it.
While making the decision my mother supported me without telling me what to do. She told me what I keep with me every time something here doesn't go the way I planned: you have waited your whole life and worked so hard to do this, and you're going to have the time of your life. She's right. Who better to study abroad in a German speaking country than me? After considering it it for about a month, I accepted.
The hard part came in June right before I left (I spent 3 months in Germany before going straight to Salzburg). I got nervous, panicked, and remember sitting somewhere crying, telling my mom I couldn't do it. She told me that I could, that I made the decision and that it was right for me. She said it was now or never.
I remember the day I left being particularly difficult. I looked at my parent's house and wanted to cry. I felt like I was leaving childhood behind, and that I would come back a different person. As I hugged my mom on the stairs, I felt like I was saying goodbye forever.
First, I headed to Northern Germany. Things went well- I was babysitting for a family that I knew. The trouble came when I was on my own in Germany, spending August studying abroad in Tübingen. The change was difficult, but mom was right there with me, on the phone, telling me I could do it. And she was right: I had the best 4 weeks of my entire life. I was with students from all over the world that shared my love of German, I got to spend a month living in exploring beautiful Tübingen, and met new friends that I still keep in contact with.
After that things got easier. I switched from host family to host family for a few months without incident, and I headed to Salzburg with an open mind.
I have had the most wonderful year of my life, and, with it coming to a close, i have mix emotions: some days I am so excited that I will be going home that I want to jump on a plane right then and there-other times I am so sad that I'm going to leave I almost burst into tears. But no matter what mood I'm in, I always thank god for this experience, and that my mother helped me to realize that I could do this. I am strong enough, and I did it, and I couldn't be more proud of myself.
Mom, I love you so much. I don't know what I'd do without you. You are my best friend and no matter how far away I am from you, I hope we will always be close.
Yours, Molly
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