Today has been a very emotional, rough day for me. I finally made it to my host family’s house. My host dad and I spent the whole day together. I unpacked my huge suitcases and the whole time I heard Uncle Jack saying in my head, “The boy stayed 9 days in his country and never even unpacked! Promise me you will at least unpack!” So I made sure I unpacked.
For lunch I ate Polish noodles which are like little cheese potato cubes, a piece of veal, and spinach. For dessert I ate Krowki which is like Polish fudge. It is sugar mixed with cows milk.
Definitely not for me..I did not enjoy it, but I at least tried it.
I then sat with my host dad on the couch and showed him my photo album. There were baby pictures, family vacations, prom with my family, and graduation. 
My host dad loved it so much that he went upstairs to get his photo albums. He showed me his career with Levi’s Company, his family trips, my new family, baby pictures, and his days in New Jersey.
I learned that my host dad LOVES Levi’s Company. My towels for showering is Levi’s.
After unpacking I realized I brought barely any clothes with my to Poland. I definitely need to go shopping for winter because I will not be warm.
When my Polish dad left for the bus station to pick up Agata (my host sister), Ania and Monika (my host cousins), and my mom..I called my dad back in New Jersey. I was soo homesick and scared. My anxiety level was sky high. My stomach was twisting that all I wanted to do was throw up. All these emotions and changes is completely overwhelming. I know this is a GREAT opportunity but I miss being home. At camp it felt like a vacation with new people but now that I am home, it hit me. This is my new life for one year! I am surrounded by foreign people speaking a foreign language in a foreign country. The dog Levi’s doesn’t even understand English! I thought maybe my dog could become my new friend but he doesn’t even understand me. I was driving myself insane! Talking to my dad at home reassured me that this will pass but right now it fills like a life time of pain in my stomach.
Levi’s is my very furry Polish dog.
Meeting Ania, Agata, and Monika wasn’t too bad. Ania speaks little English, Monika doesn’t speak any English, and Agata speaks fluent English. I kept reminding myself that this awkwardness will pass and soon I will be like regular family with them. They tried asking me questions but it was uncomfortable at times. I’m foreign to them and they are foreign to me. I hope this passes quickly.
Stephanie Raquel
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