Senior year of high school I decided to be bold.

I applied, and was accepted to a year long exchange program in Germany. I started the January of my senior year, and not only would I miss prom, graduation, and begin college a year later than all of my peers, but I also didn't know ANY German.

Before going on exchange I had never been one for going out of my comfort zone, never really faced significant challenges, or been forced to really master a subject. My year in Germany taught me to have faith in myself, and that I can do things even when I'm scared.

I faced many challenges, the longest being learning a language with no formal teaching. I learned to listen more than speak, and that language is like a puzzle, you don't always need all the pieces to get the picture.

I also faced the impossible situation of switching host families, and more conflict than I had ever been forced to endure.

There was never a doubt in my mind that I could stand in the face of a challenge and decide to overcome it, my exchange year in Germany showed me I can overcome much more than I could've ever imagined.