goodbyes, seeyoulaters and thankyous

I'm heading off to Norway in less than three days. Right now I'm more than busy with packing, goodbyes and seeyoulaters. Yesterday I went out the last time. Today, it will be the last family gathering. And that's exactly what Exchange is all about - It's about last times - It's about the last time you meet your friends for a year, the last time you look out of your bedroom window, the last time you have breakfast with your family. But then again, ten months later, it will repeat itself. The last time you meet your friends for an indefinite amount of time, the last time you look out of your bedroom window in your host country, the last time you have 'frokost' with your host family. I don't know yet, what this year will bring, but I know one thing, certainly: Exchange makes all these little moments so very special, it lets you value all these little things that make life so liveworthy. Exchange opens your eyes, and Exchange gives you understanding. Not only for another culture or a new way to communicate, but also for your own heritage. I can consider myself lucky, to have this great opportunity and I want to thank everybody who makes this possible for me. To my family, for giving me this chance and for always being there for me, to my host family, for welcoming me into their life and for all the special moments we're going to share the next ten months, to YFU - Youth for Understanding, for making the world our home, and to my friends, for the best little moments and last times in Austria, for their support, and for their friendship. Tusen takk to all of you, you are changing lifes.