Monday, March 28, 2011

Sitting, Wishing, Waiting

Isn't my blog title clever...? I thought so. For those of you who don't get it, allow me to enlighten you. As I am going to Europe next year, my gateway city is New York.. do you understand now? For those of you who are more confused than before, I should probably elaborate. It all started last December...

I was passing my time doing something most people my age have mastered by now. Yes, countless hours of procrastination had led me, and so many others, to an expertise in facebook stalking. (If you're in high school, I'm sure you'll understand.. if not, well, what are you doing on my blog..) One fine evening, I came across a facebook profile that contained wall posts of both English and Italian, and beautiful photos of the Italian Riviera that had me burning with envy. As I ventured deeper, I discovered they were affiliated with a program I had never heard of, AFS Intercultural Programs. For sake of confidentiality, but mostly to refrain from appearing to be a complete stalker, they will remain nameless.  Next, I executed a common trick among us clever folk, I GOOGLED IT. Once finding the programs website, I ogled over numerous blogs, photo albums and descriptions of the wonderful trips that AFS offers to aspiring travelers who have an interest in studying abroad. I quickly took to this idea, scheming of ways to propose it to my parents. The next day I took the plunge, and to my astonishment they responded with equal excitement. Their support settled it; no if's, and's or but's, I was pursuing this rare opportunity. I paid the preliminary fee, opened my full application, and began letters, paperwork, passport application processes, the works. Here I am, nearly four months later. My application has been submitted, approved by AFS USA, and is now being reviewed by Belgium.

I'd like to spend my senior year studying abroad in the Southern region of Belgium, where French is the native language. When AFS USA approved my application, they told me to expect a wait of 4-6 weeks. FOUR TO  SIX WEEKS. That's nearly unfathomable. Every morning before school, afternoon after school, and numerous others times after, I check my email. The day that I receive that email that determines my fate, I will be over the moon. At this point, I am looking forward to any response. Belgium, Portugal, France, Spain. It's up in the air at this point. So, to conclude this completely nonsensical post, that is why I created this... I'd like to document the absolute treachery of awaiting for my acceptance or denial. No, just kidding. Really, I just want an outlet, a place to come when the fateful day comes and I know what country I'll be living in for a year.

 Until time again, au revoir!

4 comments:

  1. Hey! I'm going to Belgium (french) with AFS too! I got accepted a few weeks ago, so don't worry, it will happen. I'm excited, since your the first person I've met doing the exact same program as me!

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  2. hey guys! im katie and im currently an american like you two studying in french speaking belgium:) let me just say that you wont be disappointed with choosing Belgium. message me anytime if you have questions; id love to answer them, as i know from experience that you probably only have about a million of them:) my skype name is katie_kluthe if you want or you can message me on fb (thats my last name btws) or on my blog. :) bisous! and good luck

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  3. Hi Olivia! I was just accepted today, so now we can officially say we'll be experiencing this together! Thank you so much for commenting :) I cannot wait to meet you.

    And thank you very much Katie! I have SO many questions, but of course when it's time to ask them I can never remember. It's extremely exciting to know that I won't be disappointed by Belgium. I think that was my worst fear, not knowing if I'd like it or not.

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  4. Congratulations! I can't wait to meet everyone in the group going to Belgium. The orientation in NYC will be so exciting! I got info about my pre-departure orientation the other day too. Now I want to find out about my host family!

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