This is it. I said my last goodbyes to friends today. The journey begins tomorrow! For those interested, I hope to keep posting on this blog. But no guarantees. At this point I'm mainly writing this because it's a good way to avoid the last things that need to be done before I'm off. Apart from packing and saying goodbye to my family, I am looking forward to EVERYTHING else. I received my host family information and location about three weeks ago. As far as I can tell it seems we'll mesh well. Can't say I've met them yet, but I am veryyy ready to. I've exchanged a number of emails with my host mother Inger. My family sounds wonderful. I've always loved kids, and now for a change I'll get to be the older sibling. My house is red, the perfect house. As excited as I am for the orientations..I'm looking forward to meeting and moving in with my new family most. Bellingham is a beautiful place with some wonderful people, but I am off to explore the world. And I am as ready as could be. As soon as my clothes magically jump into my suitcase. Haven't figured out the trick to that yet though, so I best get to that. It's harder than I thought..buuut I have a lovely packing list to guide me, so all is well.
Farewell Bellingham! :) Don't forget me!
Monday, August 15, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
It's Just the Beginning.
Hello friends. I'm Lisa Collander. I am a sixteen year old, currently attending Sehome High School. I live in Bellingham, Washington right by the sea. I love it here. I live with my mom, pop, and brother. In town I also have grandparents, two uncles, two aunts, and three cousins. I love to make art, sing along to music, spend time with friends and family, and enjoy Bellingham. My favorite color is red, I love my Birkenstocks, and Coldplay is the best band. Little things, I know, but they all happen to be a fairly large part of my identity. Last spring I joined the high school sailing team, and I'm currently part of that again. A lot of my time has been devoted to sailing. I love to be out on the water during practice, and spending most of my weekends away racing. Throughout the years I've travelled a fair amount. Seeing the world has always made me want to see more. I'm a curious person. Exploration is the only answer.
Just in the past couple months I decided I wanted to be an exchange student in Sweden. My dad is a Swede and I lived in Sweden the first four years of my life. I've loved going back and visiting, even if I don't remember much about living there. I wouldn't say I'm entirely fluent in Swedish, but I could get along just fine. I've always felt the Sweden is an important part of my life. I'd never really realized how much I value my heritage and my desire to stay connected with it. The idea going there on exchange made me so excited. A chance to be able to live in another culture and experience the world outside of my home is such an opportunity. I want to improve my Swedish, and mainly just widen my perspectives. I love new experiences and putting myself out there. At this point it's so hard to know what to expect. But the best I can do is not have expectations, just let it happen. I know I'll have amazing experiences, as well as difficult ones. But they will all be just as important. There is no doubt I'll come back with a much better grasp on who I am.
I'm hoping that my experience living in Sweden for a year will benefit more than just myself. I can never decide anything for anyone else. But if I have my way, I hope to have an impact on the lives of some people in Sweden. Maybe even save a few trees while I'm at it. I am ready to go. Adventure and exploration. An open mind. An excited attitude. I'm readyyyyy!
Living abroad for a year is quite costly. I'm hoping to raise some money in order to help pay for the cost. With my brother Calvin going off to college next year, and myself going to Sweden, there is lots that needs paying for. I appreciate any support in any shape or form possible!
Thanks friends,
Lisa
To sponsor my AFS program now, please click the ChipIn button.
Just in the past couple months I decided I wanted to be an exchange student in Sweden. My dad is a Swede and I lived in Sweden the first four years of my life. I've loved going back and visiting, even if I don't remember much about living there. I wouldn't say I'm entirely fluent in Swedish, but I could get along just fine. I've always felt the Sweden is an important part of my life. I'd never really realized how much I value my heritage and my desire to stay connected with it. The idea going there on exchange made me so excited. A chance to be able to live in another culture and experience the world outside of my home is such an opportunity. I want to improve my Swedish, and mainly just widen my perspectives. I love new experiences and putting myself out there. At this point it's so hard to know what to expect. But the best I can do is not have expectations, just let it happen. I know I'll have amazing experiences, as well as difficult ones. But they will all be just as important. There is no doubt I'll come back with a much better grasp on who I am.
I'm hoping that my experience living in Sweden for a year will benefit more than just myself. I can never decide anything for anyone else. But if I have my way, I hope to have an impact on the lives of some people in Sweden. Maybe even save a few trees while I'm at it. I am ready to go. Adventure and exploration. An open mind. An excited attitude. I'm readyyyyy!
Living abroad for a year is quite costly. I'm hoping to raise some money in order to help pay for the cost. With my brother Calvin going off to college next year, and myself going to Sweden, there is lots that needs paying for. I appreciate any support in any shape or form possible!
Thanks friends,
Lisa
To sponsor my AFS program now, please click the ChipIn button.
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