Life isn't Fair

Everything that is good for one person can very well be a nightmare for somebody else. I found out that a fellow AYUSAer was declined the scholarship after being told they would be going to Germany, you may wonder why I feel the need to post this well it's simple really. A lot of people read travel blogs and it always talks about how everythings are so perfect and some of the things that aren't perfect seem to get ignored. Not trying to be a downer but it's the truth. Not everything is perfect, it's not going to be perfect. But when you are thinking about doing an exchange you need to know that you are willing to take the blows because with every good opportunity there is always something that can go horribly wrong. I feel horrible that things like this happen. For somebody to be granted their dream only for it to be taken away in a blink of an eye. Don't get me wrong I am not bashing my company or saying that you shouldn't go on exchange just know it's not always going to be easy.

On a side note no new news... pre-departure is coming up soon and some people from different organizations are finding out where they are going. I want to know where on earth I am going. Keep your fingers cross for me.

Jenaé

Leading a Life of Quiet Desperation...

Out of pure desperation to get more news, I urged myself to call Jeanne Iverson (the coordinator for AYUSA). So I did and I got tons oh news! Yes I am proud, very proud. So now you might be wondering what I found out well here it goes....

• There are 60 people going to Germany with my group
• Pre-departure orientations start in May and we will have 3-5 of those
• The pre-departure orientations will be with 20 (yes 20) students via the telephone...how they plan on making that work I really have no idea (it will be split up by time zones)
• We will be finding out about host families anytime from May till the time we leave
• On August the 15th we will meet up at the airport in Washington DC and we will board the plan together (everybody from AYUSA) and we will take a group flight to Germany!!!
• We aren't having a formal orientation in DC like some other groups...at least that isn't in the plans right now
• Language camp is in a small town called Hedersleben, where we will be residing there for a month

Random information Hedersleben is in Sachsen-Anhalt (Saxony-Anhalt). The capital of Sachsen-Anhalt is Magdeburg. Sooo yea that is all for now.

Jenaé

Application in Deutschland

Nothing very interesting has happened lately. Even though today I got an e-mail saying my secondary application was perfect and that it is now being sent off to the program in Germany called "Partnership International." So that is exciting, I am just really happy to be done with all these papers (maybe I shouldn't speak so soon). Ohh... and I had to go and get a Polio shot on Monday, because apparently you have to get one 9 years or less before leaving. I really don't like shots (but then again who does?) anyways that is pretty much all. Oh and today I went and bought some converters/adaptors and a pocket travel dictionary. I already have a German/English Dictionary and then I have a book called 501 German verbs which is a really good book. I suggest that anybody going should buy it. Yup so that is all for today. Short(at least shorter than the other ones) and to the point. Best Wishes,

PS. What do you think about my new signature? Should I keep it or no?

While eating Pancakes...

"Remember, the greatest gift is not found in a store, not under a tree, but in the hearts of true friends"

Cindy Lew

This past Friday I was at IHOP with my friends and we were joking around having a good time taking pictures and stuff (mostly for the secondary application and also for my scrap book that I am going to make for going away). I couldn't help but think how much I am going to miss everybody (well ok not everybody but my really close friends). No this isn't a blog about how I don't want to go or anything but it's just like, this is real you know. This year coming up will be exciting, nerve-racking, fun, sad, scary and ultimately well worth it. I am sure that I will experience so many mixed emotions. I know before I knew that I was going I would sit looking at my computer reading blogs about people that are already in Germany or any other country and wishing that was me. Pretty soon it will be me, it kind of already is me. Sorry to rant. I talk to other exchangers with CBYX and it is exciting knowing that in about 5 months or so I will be flying out with them to Germany. I have heard people say that an exchange is a 3 year thing; one to prepare to depart, one on the exchange, and another after you get back.

On another subject now, I don't want to say I can't wait to find out were exactly I am going but it would be nice to know because everytime I tell somebody that I found out I am going for sure they always reply with "Where in Germany are you going?" and all that I can say it "Well... I am not really sure yet." That is a conversation that I have had a million times already. Oh and random but apparently a student from my school hasn't went on an exchange in 124346543 years but this other girl from my school is also going on an exchange 2010-2011 but she is going with Rotary to Romania. So ironic. huh?

I am finally done with my secondary application after about a million years no just kidding more like 6 days. But I must tell you it has been a stressful 6 days because I was worried about getting all this stuff done such as:

• getting a copy of a valid passport
• TB Test (Oh and the lady at the health department gave me the TB shot...only to find out I needed the test...hooray for an extra shot)
• an official transcript
• another teacher recommendation (By the way thanks Frau Sislo for answering the question on such short notice)
• parent letter to future host family (the paper didn't even say what to write about...go figure)
• a doctor sheet (talking about if I am allergic to anything all that fun stuff...)
• a copy of Immunization records
• 5 passport pictures
• photos of important people in my life (they said of family and myself so the host family gets an idea about me...so I put 5 photos they asked for 4-8...with a brief description with them)

So that was fun to do oh AND I had to sent that to the AYUSA office before the 22nd of March (they have to recieve it by then, it can't just be postmarked before then). Thank goodness that I had a passport or else I would be screwed. Majorly. Anyways so yea I am excited, not trying to dwell to much on Germany because I have so much more to worry about right now with school and fitting in online classes after school. The things one will do for what they want.

Stay Classy, Jenaé

PS That signature isn't completely original but I thought it was so clever I had to steal it. xP

ACCEPTANCE!!!

Ok so even though my coordinator told me I wouldn't find out about whether or not I made it until March 15 but turns out that today as I was walking out of school and checking my phone for texts; I recieved an e-mail for CBYX titled "Application to Congree Bundestag Youth Exchange Program 2010-2011" the first thought that came to my mind was or great I didn't make it and they are going to tell me that I messed up on one of the forms or something. So I click it trying to block all that out and the first thing I see is: Dear Jenae, On behalf of the AYUSA International CBYX selection committee, it is my pleasure to announce that you have been selected as a finalist for the CBYX program. This program attracts extraordinarily qualified and gifted applicants; the selection process is rigorous and highly competitive. Your selection is recognition of both your academic and extracurricular accomplishments and your potential for success in the program Oh and by the way I didn't bold that they did it haha. Anyways though I completely hyperventilated I couldn't believe my eyes. I actually cried, which was really not expected. Oh my gosh so this is a relief like I don't know it hasn't completely sunk in yet but now I have all these papers to fill out. Like not even joking they sent me to e-mails one saying I made it and the other with an attachment that I need to fill out. A lot of it was just background information, school information, health forms, a letter to the host family that I have to write and then a letter to the host family that one of my parents have to write. Oh and all of this has to be recieved by the CBYX before the 22 of MARCH!!! So I have to hurry up and schedule a TB shot because it has to be taken without 6 months of departure and also I have to get 5 passport photos taken. Whoa so much to do so little time but I WILL make this happen. Alles Liebe, Jenaé

Schüler Kongress

I know, I said that I would make a post until I found out but this isn't exactly about the exchange year so it doesn't count.

Well anyways to the point today was my German Competition and it was awesome as always. We did really good, I got 3 medals and I got first on the Culture quiz and then I got a medal in Prosa (story) und Lyrik (poem). It was basically an all day event we left around 6:30am and didn't get back till around 6:00pm but it was completely worth it. Schüler Kongress is kind of one of those things that are a bit hard to explain if you haven't been there before. But basically there is hardly any English spoken you can talk to an Exchange student from Germany and earn fact German money then you can go to the Tante Emma Laden to buy things with your fake money (hopefully that makes sense haha.)

In short it was great like always, I would post pictures but sadly I left my camera on my bed. Maybe next time (or maybe there won't be a next time if I end up going to Germany.)

I know I said that I wouldn't mention my exchange but I just thought you might care to know that I have nine days until I find out.

Alles Liebe,

Jenaé

The Interview went...

GREAT!! It really wasn't that bad at all although some of the questions were a bit...weird, especially some of the situational ones. Jeanne Iverson (the person that interviewed me) said that I will find out I will make it on the 15th so thats exactly two weeks. So now I get to hold my breath. :) Isn't that just ideal (sarcasm) but I will build a bridge and get over it. I feel like I answered all the questions to the best of my ability so I can only hope for the best. *fingers crossed*

The best advice that I can give somebody is just be yourself and take a deep breath and try and come up with legit reasons to why you are answering things a certain way.

I am going to really try to not blog again until I found out. No promises though. :]

Alles Liebe, Jenaé PS If you want a sample of the questions just ask.