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In 1987, the Congress-Bundestag Scholarship gave me the wonderful opportunity to live and learn in Germany for a full year. Although I could not speak German in any way, shape or form, I was up for the challenges.

In Germany, I was placed in a temporary family for 1 month while trying to learn something of the German language (in other words, 5 days a week, 8 hours a day for 1 month, they tried to cram as much German as possible into my head, along with about 10 other non-german speaking American students). This family gave me my first opportunity to live and work on a farm, with cows, pigs, and chickens, in the outskirts of Hamburg in a town called Winsen.

After a tearful goodbye, I moved on to Helmstedt (east of Hannover)and my permanent family for the rest of my year. I attended school at Gymnasium Julianum. I started in the 11th grade and moved down to the 10th when my class went on a trip I couldn't participate in at that time. This was the perfect class for me, and I received permission to remain in this class. My only regret is having lost touch with them.

Finally in 2001 I had the opportunity to go back to Germany and visit BOTH of my families for the first time in 13 years. I still felt as much a part of those families as I did when living there. And good-bye was not any easier the second time around, although I won't be waiting another 13 years to go back!!!

It was by far the best year of my life! If you have stories or pictures to share with our class, please let me know!!

Tina Barr
tinalynn777@jgco.net