I am on my way!

AFS Germany- 1 year!
I have been planning on this for several years... and now it is here. As I'm preparing to study abroad I wonder what will happen. What new experiences lie ahead? Where will I be placed? What will my host family be like? What will my school be like?
My hopes are that my host family is very nice, and i get along with them very well. my main fear is school, and the language. Altough i do not know very much german yet I will not let that stop me from talking, but it will be hard for a while until I learn more of the language.
I have choosen to be an AFSer now in high school because I believe it is an experience i just could not wait to have. I have been wanting to be an AFSer for several years. I have been a youth volunteer going on my third year now. I have hosted several times, and have been a part of the liason family many times as well. I see how much the experienece has affected each student, and I didn't wnat to wait til i was older to have my experienece.
I live with only my mom when we are not hosting. My mom is very supportive in my decision. She ahs always told me that i am not pushing you to do this and if you want to say i do not want to go anymore then you can. I woudl always respeond..."Mom, i want to go and i am going to go." My mom has supported me every step of the way. The rest of my family I believe think it is cool, but don;'t really express a feeling. My friends have mixed feelings. Most of my freinds think its very cool, and encourage me more and more. they also help me know I am making the right decision. Stil there are a few that do not understand why i am willing to leave my life in the US for a year to go to another country. I don't think I will ever be able to convince them that what i am doing is a good thing. Maybe once I get back, but I do not let them hold me back at all. This experience is somethign I have wanted more than anything since i was in 5th grade. I am now a 10th grader and it seems almost unreal that i am about to leave, and finnaly have my turn as an AFS student.
A spewcial thank to the schoalarship sponsors who are helping make this experience more affordable for my mom and I.