OT:foreign exchange daughter is homesick.

Ooooh that is sad. I know how much that hurts. I think she will get o.k. with it after awhile,when she is feeling more oriented I can remember instances with all of my kids where they were so homesick that they called me and begged to come home but we just kept telling them that they had their commitment and it would be time to come home before they knew it. We tried to stay in touch and reassure and try to keep them focused on the reason they wanted to go. I think I cried each time I hung up with each as it happened. All of mine were fortunate to be able to travel to Europe and they are all now glad they did. It is a growing experience as well as learning. Will keep you in my thoughts. Hugs,

Sabrina :-)

Well, that's what we had hoped, but she has been in Germany since August 19 and she still seems to struggle a lot with it. She gets down on herself for not being able to speak fluently and then she doesn't even practice because she says she feels really stupid when she makes mistakes in German. star2fire

Thanks Sabrina, you are really a sweet person, and I was comforted reading your post. star2fire

I learned when I was in Greece, if you truly try to speak their language, most people will help you learn it. I still wasn't close to fluent after three years there, but I had made the effort and they met me half way. I got some of the biggest laughs at some of my mispronunciations. I just laughed with them when I found out why. Tell her to just try her best and they will help her learn.

Teresa in MD

My daughter,Jill was in France (Paris) for a year with a family and she came home speaking French like a native. It was hard for her at first and she and I have the same kind of close relationship that you and your daughter seem to have. I broke down and went over and spent a week wth her when they had Holiday. The family went to the French Riveria and Jill was going to be alone...so I did some quick finagling and joined her. We had a wonderful time,even took a trip to London. I had never been abroad and it was such a great experience. I was so glad they did not allow anyone in the waiting /boarding area at the airport because we would have both cried like babies! LOL as it was we blew kisses and waved. we both took tons of pictures and I cherish my London/Paris album beyond words Your daughter will be so glad she has had this experience. She will also be so proud when someone in Germany asks her what part of Germany she comes from1 LOL Hugs,

grrrr.... and they feel stupid when they make mistakes in English. Most people I've had the chance to meet are grateful to have someone learn their language, and help when I make mistakes. There are a few here that speak spanish and we get into little bouts once in a while. It's fun. good grief, she needs to learn to RELAX and enjoy.

Unless she was graced with the gift of tongues she needs to learn to just accept it and practice not to mention just DO.

BrattBoy

star2fire wrote: