CBYX Exchange Student!

 

Welcome to my first post!

I first learned about the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Scholarship with YFU (Youth for Understanding) through my older brother, Austin.  He applied and was accepted in 2012, and went to Germany that July.  I didn't become extremely interested in applying until late summer/early Fall 2012.  I applied super early and submitted my application three months early, and had to (agonizingly) wait five months to find out if I was accepted.  Let me tell you, it was really hard to wait!  From hearing about Austin's adventurous time in Germany, it became a dream of mine to go also!  

On Monday, April 8, 2013, I didn't expect any letter to come from YFU; in fact, I expected the letter, good or bad, would come later in the month (there was no guarantee on when I would get one).  I walked through the door that afternoon to find dinner ready: spaghetti!   My dad's specialty!   Little did I know what would come next.  After I had eaten, my dad looked at me and said there was something under one of the cushions on the couch.  My heart stopped.  What?  I rushed to the couch, and what do you know!  A padded manila envelope was there!  

At this point, my blood pressure was extremely high.  The last five months had been leading to this moment: Accepted?  Denied?  I ran to the other room, disregarding the objections to open it in front of the family.  I didn't want to risk anything - I needed to find out on my own!  So, I opened up to a t-shirt and many papers.  And on one of them were the following words....

As you could imagine, I screamed.  Really loud.  Not only this, I ran into my room and started bawling.  I was going to Germany!  I don't really think I could describe that moment.  A flood of emotions hit me like a baseball bat.  All the worrying, hoping, dreaming, and anxiety for the last five months...all of it was finally over!  My dream came true!  I was a CBYX winner - I was going to go to Germany!

The YFU t-shirt!

So, now here I am, only 39 days until my departure on August 1st, 2013.  I know my time is short here in America!  It's hard to imagine that I will be gone for a whole year - and that I will be physically absent from my family and friends' lives for that duration.  I know it's going to be tough in Germany - but I know it will be rewarding!  I will miss everyone!  But I want to make this blog for all who I love, so you will know what is going on with me in my German adventure.  

Until next time - over and out!

My announcement picture!

And thanks to my brother Austin, here is an awesome German song!