I have 32 days until I leave for Los Angeles, and I could not be more excited and terrified. It seems that the closer I get to my departure date, the more events and to-dos pop up on my list, adding to the stress of preparation that I am feeling. I have a service project to complete, numerous parties and sleepovers that my friends want me to come to, college visits, packing, visiting our grandparents, and of course the national PDO. Time is flying by, in sharp contrast to the slow drag of the days when I waited for YES Abroad notifications.
Here are a few updates of what's been going on, with YES Abroad stuff and just my normal life (as normal as it can get right now!).
I had my first conference call on Monday night. My parents listened in, and it was great to hear my fellow AFSers on the other end, and hear from the staff about expectations and goals for our year.
Every time I get an e-mail from YES Abroad, it's another form to sign. I feel like I've signed my life away about five times! We have gotten information about the national PDO, which is extremely exciting. I can't wait to be reunited with my fellow exchange students and talk to the other kids going to Thailand. I met all but one of them at the IPSE, though we've talked on Facebook and they are all really nice.
I had my in-home visit with a local volunteer a couple weeks ago, and was also officially accepted by AFS-Thailand, which means they are looking for a host family for me and I could get mine very soon! That's what I'm most excited about right now. I'm working on making a photo album for them and I want to cook an American meal while I'm there. (note to self - what makes an "American" meal?) Greasy and sugary? Haha
I'll post again soon, this time with my bucket list for Thailand. 34 days until I'm there!
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Monday, May 26, 2014
Incredible IPSE
So if you are hoping to become a YES Abroad student, you will have to attend the IPSE, or In Person Selection Event. This was one of my favorite parts of the YES Abroad process, and I really think YES has done something right by having an interview event with all the semifinalists together for a weekend. It really allows you to meet new people and spend time learning about the program and the countries.
I flew from Nashville to Washington D.C. on a Friday afternoon, and was picked up at the airport by YES Abroad staff and other semifinalists who were in the airport at the same time as me. We were driven to the 4-H Center in Chevy Chase Maryland, which was like a mini college campus and absolutely gorgeous. We then listened to a welcome speech given by several YES staff and guests, and then had dinner. Friday evening was spent hanging out in the game room and various lounges found all over the campus.
Saturday was the busiest day. In the morning I participated in a workshop about "My Life as an American," and then had my first group evaluation. I expected it to be very stressful but it definitely was not! We did a teamwork-building exercise while being evaluated (and made the best tikara ever.) Shout out to Sophia and Kenzie who are going to Morocco and Oman!
Then I had my individual interview. I really liked both of my interviewers; however, I was definitely very nervous and felt like I could have done better. I was very glad to have it over with! The afternoon was filled with more lounging around, talking with new friends, and my second group evaluation.
One of my favorite parts of the weekend was exploring the country tables set up in one of the rooms and talking with staff and volunteers about the countries. They are adding Macedonia and the Philippines this year! Sadly we were not allowed to change our choices but could indicate our interest for the new ones.
It was a really fun weekend, and if I had to give one tip to the future YES Abroad students, I would tell them not to stress out about your interview, evaluations, and whatnot! The staff are really friendly and just want to know more about you. It is also important to be friendly to everyone there. Several kids treated their peers like competition, and they did not get selected, but almost everyone was extremely friendly and it's easy to make friends.
Sunday morning we all left for the airport after a closing speech and many sad goodbyes and hugs. It was hard not knowing if I would ever see any of these amazing, like-minded kids again! Not only was the IPSE a great way to meet other semifinalists, but also it definitely sharpened my interest in other cultures and religions, and world affairs.
I flew from Nashville to Washington D.C. on a Friday afternoon, and was picked up at the airport by YES Abroad staff and other semifinalists who were in the airport at the same time as me. We were driven to the 4-H Center in Chevy Chase Maryland, which was like a mini college campus and absolutely gorgeous. We then listened to a welcome speech given by several YES staff and guests, and then had dinner. Friday evening was spent hanging out in the game room and various lounges found all over the campus.
Saturday was the busiest day. In the morning I participated in a workshop about "My Life as an American," and then had my first group evaluation. I expected it to be very stressful but it definitely was not! We did a teamwork-building exercise while being evaluated (and made the best tikara ever.) Shout out to Sophia and Kenzie who are going to Morocco and Oman!
Then I had my individual interview. I really liked both of my interviewers; however, I was definitely very nervous and felt like I could have done better. I was very glad to have it over with! The afternoon was filled with more lounging around, talking with new friends, and my second group evaluation.
One of my favorite parts of the weekend was exploring the country tables set up in one of the rooms and talking with staff and volunteers about the countries. They are adding Macedonia and the Philippines this year! Sadly we were not allowed to change our choices but could indicate our interest for the new ones.
It was a really fun weekend, and if I had to give one tip to the future YES Abroad students, I would tell them not to stress out about your interview, evaluations, and whatnot! The staff are really friendly and just want to know more about you. It is also important to be friendly to everyone there. Several kids treated their peers like competition, and they did not get selected, but almost everyone was extremely friendly and it's easy to make friends.
Sunday morning we all left for the airport after a closing speech and many sad goodbyes and hugs. It was hard not knowing if I would ever see any of these amazing, like-minded kids again! Not only was the IPSE a great way to meet other semifinalists, but also it definitely sharpened my interest in other cultures and religions, and world affairs.
Kenzie, Sophia, and Daniel (Oman, Morocco, and Bosnia)
The amazing 4-H Center!
Brandi and I (Oman and Thailand)
Sign in the lobby
A group of us in the lobby before leaving Sunday morning. From left to right - Priya (Turkey), Jacqueline (standing), Katherine (Ghana), Emily (Macedonia), me, Carson-Keeley, Thomas, and Madison (Indonesia)
Tonery (Malaysia) and I in the airport for 4 hours on Sunday
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Introduction
Hi and welcome to my blog!
My name is Emily, and I am a junior in high school. I found out about three weeks ago that I have been selected by the Kennedy-Lugar YES Abroad program to spend a year in Thailand. Thailand was my first choice country, and I am extremely happy that I have been given this opportunity. I have never even left the United States before, so I know that this experience will be challenging. However, I'm ready to face the challenges of being a youth ambassador and exchange student in a completely foreign environment.
To explain how I got here... last fall I filled out an application for this scholarship, which involved essays, teacher recommendations, transcripts, and a letter to my future host family. I was hopeful but not very confident as I submitted my application. However, about two months later I found out that I was a semifinalist and headed to Chevy Chase, Maryland for an In Person Selection Event.
The event, known as the IPSE, was one of the best experiences I have had this year. I got to meet 119 other like-minded teenagers who were all passionate about changing their world through a program like YES Abroad. Oh, and of course I had an interview there!
About a month after that, I was informed that I would be spending my senior year in Thailand after having been anxiously waiting in alternate status for two weeks.
I created this blog to share my experiences with my friends, family, and those interested in Thailand or the Youth Exchange and Study program. I'm thrilled to start my life in Thailand in a little less than two months, and soon I'll post more information about the YES Abroad program.
ลาก่อน,
Emily
My name is Emily, and I am a junior in high school. I found out about three weeks ago that I have been selected by the Kennedy-Lugar YES Abroad program to spend a year in Thailand. Thailand was my first choice country, and I am extremely happy that I have been given this opportunity. I have never even left the United States before, so I know that this experience will be challenging. However, I'm ready to face the challenges of being a youth ambassador and exchange student in a completely foreign environment.
To explain how I got here... last fall I filled out an application for this scholarship, which involved essays, teacher recommendations, transcripts, and a letter to my future host family. I was hopeful but not very confident as I submitted my application. However, about two months later I found out that I was a semifinalist and headed to Chevy Chase, Maryland for an In Person Selection Event.
The event, known as the IPSE, was one of the best experiences I have had this year. I got to meet 119 other like-minded teenagers who were all passionate about changing their world through a program like YES Abroad. Oh, and of course I had an interview there!
About a month after that, I was informed that I would be spending my senior year in Thailand after having been anxiously waiting in alternate status for two weeks.
I created this blog to share my experiences with my friends, family, and those interested in Thailand or the Youth Exchange and Study program. I'm thrilled to start my life in Thailand in a little less than two months, and soon I'll post more information about the YES Abroad program.
ลาก่อน,
Emily
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