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We had a lot of companies as a choice, but we picked three favourite. We found lots of information on homepages and we send first requests to the companies and had our first talks to agents of the company. Some companies have applications already on their homepage.
The talk to an agent is really interesting. They ask you a lot of questions about you and your family and some questions are for your parents. A little bit of that is in English because they want to see how good you can speak. But it's not difficult because if you really want to go to a new country you don't need to be scared. We got a lot of information out of these talks. But keep in mind that you need time for it. My talks needed about 2 hours. After some days you get a feedback if the company liked you. I had luck because all three wanted to bring me to America. We decided to go along with LSI (Language Studies International GmbH) and we're really happy with that decision. Our main thrust was to find an offering we like and which is good for us. We didn't want to choose only the cheapest one or the one which gives us the most. I think that's important to choose something you want because it should be something you enjoy.
Now we had our company and the preparations began. After a little bit we got a lot of paper work to do. We had to fill out a lot of stuff. Of course everything is in English. My parents had to fill out something too. That was funny. But anyway, we had to hurry to get all paper work ready. Besides the formal things the parents and the student have to write a letter and out some pictures to it for the host family. When you're finished with that the company send it to America where they look for a family for you. But they don't only look for a family they also look for a good school. And now... I had to wait. During the waiting time we got more information stuff and other work to do.
Some time later the company will send you a letter that they found a family for you. I was lucky because I got my family really early. That was great. So I had contact early with my family and could see if I like them and they like me.
About two months before I went to America I had to apply for my visa. That was fun for itself. If you want an appointment at the consulate you have to call a really expensive number, or buy an account in the internet. After we tried to call the number we decided to go in the internet. The benefit is that you pay only once and you could change the appointment if you need to. But that's not all. You have to pay more stuff. Most of that has to be paid early. I was in Frankfurt at the consulate and that was fun. Nobody is allowed to go inside except for the student. My dad was with me but he had to wait outside. Like these signs at stores for dogs: We have to stay outside. I was only allowed to take the paper work with me which I needed. I wasn't allowed to take a cell phone, technical stuff, purse and so on with me. The safety rules are like on a airport. They scan you and you have it take off your bracelets and belt and all what you have in your pockets. In the end I had to wait 2 hours although I had an appointment. But finally after a few days the visa came and I could look forward to go to America.