live in europe for a year

i think that i’ll spend a year in either berlin or budapest in the university. i’m not sure which study abroad program i will go through but i’ve already spent a semester in switzerland so i feel decently familiar with the process. i have to start applying in the next few months to leave next fall (2010). now, i am focusing on deciding.
i am nearly fluent in german (ignoring my child-like grammar, i can communicate and understand everything i want to) and it would be nice to achieve complete fluency. but hungary would be more culturally new and interesting to me…

I recently went to Europe with my German class, after High School graduation. I visited Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and France, and I want nothing more than to go back, and have a chance to really, and truly experience those countries - and more - as they deserve to be experienced. After I finish one year of University, I’m going to go work and live somewhere in Europe (probably Germany) for a year as an au pair, and I’m so excited to do something like that for myself. :)

probably when I retire

I love to drive and have covered around 20 states in the USA during my 14 years of living there. I have been on very brief trips (less than a week) to only 3 European countries so far (Germany, Netherlands, UK) and would love to cover 6 more by road/train. From what I learn from my cobrother, the best way to do this probably is by living in Europe!

I need it!

I’ve always wanted to do this but my mastery of the two languages I know (German and Spanish) aren’t strong enough for me to feel comfortable trecking off to these countries! I’ve dreamed of living in Germany ever since I was 12 years old. I’ll get there one day but for now I have 42 other things I need to accomplish :)

I’ve been here in Paris for a month so far and love it. I still feel like I haven’t even scratched the surface of what this city has to offer. But I’ll get to it. I have a year.

I moved away from Arkansas in January 2005, and have been in Switzerland ever since. It’s been an amazing year. I wouldn’t change a thing.