How Much of Yourself to Be?

What I mean is, where is the line between being yourself and assimilating into the culture, trying to "act German?" During the conference call yesterday, I asked that question--but with my phone on FREAKING MUTE. I was wondering for the longest time why there was dead silence on the other end. Then, just as I un-muted my phone to speak, the host asked that exact question to us. It's like she read my mind. Mind boggling, isn't it? On numerous occasions, I have found that people who apply to YES, CBYX, and NSLI-Y have a crazy telepathic ability. They are my long lost siblings.

Anyways, back to the main question. I had been thinking about this for quite some time, and to be honest, haven't figured it all out yet (despite the conference call). I understand that while one of the goals of CBYX is to assimilate into the culture as much as possible, I don't want to pretend to be someone I'm not. Additionally, I'm sure my German host family (which I am eager to find out more about) will expect me to be a little American; after all, that's what they are hosting me for, right?

But in and all, I think my conclusion is this, which you may wholeheartedly disagree with:

 At home, I need to act both German and American, but not American enough to perpetuate any stereotypes they might have about us. Outside of home, I want to act as German as possible (to see if anyone thinks I'm Chinese-German by accident :D). I have black hair and eyes, so they'll know I'm not full German, but I hope they will think I grew up there.

I hope this post actually makes sense as well.