Gallaudet National Essay Contest
Commendable		Grandma’s Secret By Johannah Bendall Homestead High School; Fort Wayne, Indiana

	Johannah Bendall

“Attitude is everything.” As a five-, ten-, and fifteen-year-old, I recall my grandma saying those words and they have proved helpful during my yearlong excursion to Germany as an American exchange student.

I have been here in Steinkirchen, Germany, for over six months. With the halfway point behind me, I believe I am experiencing a turning point that will pave the way to my future. At the end of every day, I think of one new thing I have learned that day. Whether it is only a new vocabulary word, a new acquaintance’s name, or a difficult concept in math class does not matter. The idea of the practice is to give myself a reason to feel satisfied with what I am trying to accomplish while here in Germany. The satisfaction I create boosts self-esteem, alleviates homesickness, and lifts my attitude.

How does all of this sum up into my turning point? The truth is, it hasn’t yet. I am living my turning point at this very moment. However, I have made some crucial realizations, and one of them came from Grandma. Having a good attitude and an open heart is everything.