This month Julia Beck an AFS exchange student from Austria shares her thoughts on her Alaska adventures.
Back a year ago, at home in Vienna, Austria, when I first heard that my future host family had some chickens, I was surprised — would I be living on a remote Alaska farm? Later, when the family wrote to me and mentioned that one of their two puppies had eaten three of our little feathered friends, I was really worried. Would I end up as puppy food as well?
But what shall I say. I had the greatest time imaginable. Thank you, Terri, Andy, Tyler, Katlyn and Kelsey Haas, my amazing host family.
Right after I arrived, my family took me to the beach and I saw Augustine Volcano, rising out of the endless sea. That moment I fell in love with Homer, the town that welcomed me with hot weather and sunshine, just a liberal, artistic, beautiful place.
Throughout the year I've been to countless plays, dance-performances, concerts, exhibitions, recitals, speeches, painting get-togethers and foreign films. Almost every First Friday, we toured the art galleries and every time I was amazed by how creative this town is. I also greatly enjoyed the monthly contra dances my family took me to, although I failed in teaching them how to do the Viennese waltz.
I have been trying not to miss a single exciting or new possibility and have been quite successful. Right away, I joined the cross-country running team, the first regular sport I have done in my life, where I had the opportunity to see the leaves change to this incredible yellow color. Similarly, when cross-country skiing started and when I finally figured out the technique, it was fabulous and gave me the opportunity to witness the most colorful sunsets ever.
In early September, we spent a couple of days at McCarthy park, one of the most amazing places to which I've ever been. Glimmering glaciers, turquoise rivers, autumn-painted forests and wild nature. I loved Halloween with the haunted ship and the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" and the early dumping of snow as well as building a 7-foot-snowman in our driveway.
During the first couple of months in school I noticed how rapidly I was making friends. There is a whole bunch of wonderful young people here in Homer, who were unbelievably open, friendly and welcoming.
Academically, school went really well, throughout the whole year and I enjoyed my subjects most of the time. Being part of the choir was a special honor for me; singing is undeniably wonderful for the soul and performing in a professional musical-production as "The Mikado" was very exciting.
Advent with its already familiar customs was as delightful as it was busy, with incredible performances ("The Nutcracker," the first ballet I've ever seen — I went twice because I couldn't believe all the talent!) and enjoyable cookies.
Solstice and Christmas were different than I've ever celebrated them, absolutely wonderful in their ways and I wasn't even the slightest bit homesick. For New Year's Eve, after unsuccessfully trying to carve champagne glasses out of cheddar for the edible arts contest, we welcomed 2005 at the most entertaining contra dance ever.
In mid-January I finally saw the whole sky filled with intense northern lights, bright green and even pink shadows of light floating, flickering and twirling tornado-like around above our heads ... like a dream. The following month, we frequently went cross-country skiing and snowmachining behind our house, which was awesome. As a late birthday gift, I went on a marvelous sled ride between sunset and the rise of the full moon with our neighbor Jeff's dog-team, so truly Alaskan.
In the spring, I tried soccer, which was fun, but also a challenge for a busy person like me. Prom was such a big deal, and I had extremely much fun being posh for a night.
Just recently, we flew to Seldovia where I had the honor of being a rooster for the local health fair. What a charming tiny town — suddenly Homer seemed like an actual city.
Now that I'm writing these lines, there are only a few weeks of my adventure left, which leaves me a bit sad. However, I am extraordinarily grateful for an incredibly amazing year with memories that will stick with me for a lifetime. I want to deeply thank everyone who made this time so special — you, Homer, will always be carried in my heart.
Julia Beck is an AFS exchange student from Austria. She was hosted by Terri Spigelmyer and Andy, Tyler, Katlyn, and Kelsey Haas. Her year in Homer was filled with exciting activities, clubs, and events.
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