Last Outbound Post!!

So I leave my house in about 4 hours and figured that a blog was a big overdue. I would love to be able to go into detail about how I got a host family and how amazing they are BUT in reality I don't have a host family. Currently I am still optimistic about the whole thing and just trusting that everything will work out. I am really just excited and anxious about leaving right now and a host family is something that I don't need to be worried about. I am sure that they will be great when I get them and that is all that matters. However, I must admit that it is a bit uncomfortable to leave not knowing where exactly you are going but, hey it is what it is.

Being the PRO procrastinator I am I didn't start packing until last night... I'm still not done but I am pretty much I say in an hour I will be done. It's whatever I will finish in time and that is all that matters right?!

It's hard to believe that the day that I have been counting down to and dreaming of is finally here and it's hard to try and explain how I feel. This experience is just about to start and I am beyond ready. I will try and update as soon as possible about my travels to Germany and how Germany is.

Bis später America und hallo Deutschland :)

Informationen

Today I recieved a lovely e-mail (ok ok I am exaggerating) but I did find out when I am leaving (officially) from what airport and at what time. :) Yes I am beyond happy. Airport: Dulles International Time: 9:59 pm ... I kid you not on that one. I must say it was rather clever the way they said 9:59. Oh and beware if you are a stalker reading this... there are 60 of us and one should not mess with exchange students with luggage :). (Friendly warning!) So that is all. Until next time, Jenaé

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