I live in Werndorf, where I also grew up, where my family lives and where everything is familiar to me. Until last year Werndorf has been my „only home“ – but in August 2011 everything changed.
After graduating from High school I decided it was time to explore the world and try something different. I thought about going abroad as an Au Pair – and since I’ve always wanted to go to the USA my dream destination was set. Everything worked out perfectly and Cultural Care (my agency) matched me with a family in Raleigh, NC. On August 14th 2011 I said goodbye to my family and friends and was off to the USA.
From the beginning my host family made me feel welcome and did not treat me like a stranger (which I actually was) at all and soon I felt like a real part of their family. I took care of two adorable boys – Micah was 5 and Nic was 4 when I arrived. They are now already 7 and 5 years old and cheerful, adventurous and absolutely lovely boys, who sometimes have just way too much energy. Even now, almost 5 months after I came back to Austria I still miss them a lot.
But it was not only my host family who made the year I spent in the USA as unforgettable and amazing as it was – I also met many people from all over the world, who became really close friends. Of course there were times when I missed my family and friends from Austria – but I never regretted the decision to go abroad for a year. It has been one of the best years of my life so far and I’m so thankful for everything I experienced, the people I met and the great times we had.
So to answer the questions above: For me “home” is a place where I have family and friends, where I feel happy, secure, welcomed and loved. But I associate all these things not only with my hometown Werndorf, but also with my (how I like to call it) second home – North Carolina. So for me it definitely is possible to have two homes, and a part of my heart will always remain in North Carolina with my family and friends, and I’m SO looking forward to seeing them (hopefully really soon) again.
Thank you guys for the past year, you are the best! ♥
But it was not only my host family who made the year I spent in the USA as unforgettable and amazing as it was – I also met many people from all over the world, who became really close friends. Of course there were times when I missed my family and friends from Austria – but I never regretted the decision to go abroad for a year. It has been one of the best years of my life so far and I’m so thankful for everything I experienced, the people I met and the great times we had.
So to answer the questions above: For me “home” is a place where I have family and friends, where I feel happy, secure, welcomed and loved. But I associate all these things not only with my hometown Werndorf, but also with my (how I like to call it) second home – North Carolina. So for me it definitely is possible to have two homes, and a part of my heart will always remain in North Carolina with my family and friends, and I’m SO looking forward to seeing them (hopefully really soon) again.
Thank you guys for the past year, you are the best! ♥
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