The main reason I've had such a rough time deciding is because of other people's opinions. I really do appreciate the help and guidance that everyone, most importantly my family, has given me regarding the place I should go. But when it boils down to it, it is my decision to make. I am the one going to be sent away from my high school, my friends/family, and everything familiar for a WHOLE year. *(And in case you didn't know, I have already been on one short-term exchange to Płock, Poland in the summer of 2012 for 4 weeks)*. But I feel like whenever I think I know where I'd like to go, someone has to find something wrong with it. And when that happens, it plants little seeds of doubt in my mind. Then I start thinking things like: "I wonder if that person is right about _________?" or "Oh, I never looked at it that way... Maybe I should rethink my options some more."
But so far the BEST advice I've gotten, regarding the exchange, was from my Dad. Here is what he had to say, "Mag, don't pick your country by population size or images you find on Google. Pick the one that has the most to offer you. I want you to get the most out of this exchange possible, but that won't happen if you go somewhere that doesn't have that much to give you in return". Great advice, right? And here is a strange analogy from my mother about the exchange, "Picking a Country is like trying to name a baby. People will give you their opinions for names and once you find one you like, someone will have to just ABSOLUTELY hate it. But once you've already chosen the name, everyone will just say how much they love it, because what's done is done and there is no going back".
So the point of this blog entry is simply this: I have mentally "Named my baby", but I've decided to not tell anyone what I listed until I have officially applied for the the exchange. Sorry to leave this at a cliff-hanger!
Until next time,
Maggie
