Last Stretch of School....

Well, its the last 9 weeks of the 2013 School Year. Which means that now all of the projects in school are starting to pile up. (In fact, I have two of projects due tomorrow...).

The last 9 weeks of school are really my motivation for my exchange. Its always the last few months of school that seem to always just drag on. There aren't any days off, and classes seem longer, and the homework load seems heavier.

At this point, I really want to get my GPA and grades as high as I can before I leave for Finland. But there isn't much that happens during my weeks other than going to class, going to ACT prep classes, and then coming home and doing homework.

In the life of ANY outbound exchange student, the story is the same. At first, being an Outbound Student everything is new and exciting! You are new to the program and everything is fun. But as the weeks drag on in school and you get used to being a part of Rotary, the school work and legal forms for your exchange start piling on, and you have to take important tests a YEAR in advance at school...and before you know it, ALL you have time for is work. At this point when there are only 9 weeks of school, EVERYTHING counts.

 And this is something that other students at High School don't really understand. They don't understand how much your grades count compared to everyone else's. For everyone one else at school, they are just preparing themselves for another year of High School; while you are preparing yourself to live abroad for a year. Its very different. And most other kids at your school cant put themselves into your shoes. Well...at least I feel this way at my school.

My GPA for this year transfers over to my Junior year. (Not all High Schools are like this for their exchange students, however mine is.) So, my grades are VERY important for me during these last few weeks. This week is parent/teacher conferences; so hopefully my hard work in school is paying off.

So far my highlight of the week is State Testing. Generally, you take the State reading and math tests as a Junior. However, since I am going to be an exchange student during my Junior year, I must take them a year before the other kids in my grade. (Which for me is VERY stressful.)

It feels like my whole life consists of testing, school work and lectures in class. I cant complain though; I know that all of the other Outbounds feel the exact same way as I do. And of course all of this school work is worth it for one of the best years of my life!

Even if I knew that being an exchange student was going to take THIS much work, I would still do it in a heartbeat. Every school day and every home work assignment is worth it; and as the days count down I know that the more work I do, the more it will pay off and the more I have earned my trip to Finland.

In my eyes, all of the School work and studying I am doing is earning my exchange. To be an exchange student is hard work. You don't just become an exchange student taking the easy road for everything. A Rotarian once said to me, " As Outbound Exchange Students you are one in over a hundred. You represent ONE student in your school. You are not like other kids. You are going to be an exchange student, because you are the best your country has to offer."

Im excited for this last stretch of school to be over. At least I have the Scandinavian/Nordic weekend with Rotary to look forward to in the next few weeks!

My First Host Family and School!

Yesterday morning I got an email when I woke up that told me I was going to Oulu; Finland! With that email I got my got a picture of my guarantee forms! (Guarantee Forms are forms that allow you to get your visa for exchange. They state your school name; your host rotary club and district as well as your first host family!)

I decided to use the email on my forms to try and email my first host mom. I tried to use Finnish in my email; however I dont think that my Finnish was good enough to understand, so I switched to English. And the next day my host mom emailed me back!!!!

My host mom's name is Elise and my host dad's name is Hannu. They have three kids: my host brother, Aleksi; my host sister, Fanni and my other host sister; Milla.

Aleksi and Fanni are both older and are graduated from high school and are attending university; and Milla is my age and is going to be an exchange student in Colorado. My host dad is a police officer; and my host mom says that he loves sports (especially hockey.); and my host mom is a kindergarden.  teacher. I also have a host dog named, Roope! :D

My host mom said that my host siblings will be returning back to university in the Fall; and that Milla will be leaving for her exchange around the same time as I arrive. But; they said that I am always welcome to invite friends over after I meet some at school; and that the dog would be happy to hang out with me. :)

I am VERY happy with my host family! My host parents sound wonderful; and I am very excited to meet them and get to be a part of their family.

I am also attending school at Oulun Lyseon Lukio; and I start school August 12th!




Here is a picture of the inner court of my school


I am BEYOND excited for this exchange! I wish I could leave today! Now that I know my host family; and my school I am so ready for this experience. :)

I have a city!

I finally have a host city! I will be living in Oulu; Finland! Tervetuloa Ouluun! :D

I received an email two days ago that I will be living in Oulu on my exchange! Oulu is located in Northern Finland; and is the 6th most populated city in Finland. It is also one of the northernmost larger cities in the world!

To tell you the truth; I currently do not know much about Oulu. But from the pictures I have seen; it really does seem like a perfect fit for me! I will be living in Rotary district 1400.

I will post some pictures I have found online of Oulu:










Oulu looks like a beautiful city; and I am very excited to study there next year! When I find out more information about Oulu; I will be sure to post it!

Hei Hei!

- Jenna