Twitter. Life. Exchange.

Twitter So the other day I decided to make a Twitter to see what all the fuss was about, because everyone made it seem SO awesome. Let me tell you something. IT IS AWESOME. I posted something about waiting to hear back about my semi finalist status for YES Abroad and tagged the YES Abroad people on Twitter along with ExchangesConnect. YES ABROAD RETWEETED AND MENTIONED ME. I had a moment where I was all like "OMG THEY RETWEETED AND MENTIONED ME I NO LONGER NEED MEANING IN MY LIFE 'CAUSE THIS IS THE MEANING" Trust me, it was a cool moment. Life So I was accepted into the University of Colorado Boulder for their Arts and Sciences International Affairs program. Not like that was my DREAM SCHOOL or anything. Exchange T-minus 4 1/2 weeks until I hear back about my semi finalist status for YES and CBYX. OH AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE APPLYING TO STUDY ABROAD OR PLAN TO IN THE FUTURE. WHEN THE APPLICATION/OR PROCESS IN GENERAL GETS TOUGH AND YOU FEEL LIKE GIVING UP JUST KNOW THAT, YOU ARE 2 LEGIT 2 QUIT. With love and good vibes, Allie

There's a World out there.

As an ambassador to the United States, one should know what is going on in the world. While there are a multitude of stories on the news every day, there is one that has caught my attention. Recently, Cuba made a new law. Travelers can now stay away for two years instead of 11 months and extend that time further; those who left illegally over eight years ago will no longer face difficulties to return. The government, which once denounced those who left Cuba as "worms" and traitors, now talks of them simply as economic migrants. The authorities are gambling that by making it easier to travel, more Cubans will work and study abroad then bring their money and expertise back to the island. As Cuba starts seeing better days in it's future, for most people, going abroad will continue to only be a dream even with the new law in place. Cuba is a developing country and where, here in America, we are paid minimum wage, Cubans are paid less than that. So even with the huge drop of price on passports in Cuba (went from $300 to $100), some people still cannot afford them. Bittersweet if you ask me. In America we don't really think about developing countries as much as we should. Hopefully by sharing this story I can help bring attention to countries like Cuba. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-21008571

The Wait

4 weeks until I hear back about Semi-finalists stage for both YES and Nacel CBYX. I'm having those hopeful exchange dreams, and I just..... I can't even. WHAT IF THEY'RE JUST TAUNTING ME?! I want this so bad. I think a Gap year would be a great year for me. I wouldn't have to focus on academics as much, I could just enjoy myself, and the world. Anyways, I hope to look like this when I get the email about semi-finals:

For my fellow YES hopefuls

I recently applied to a scholarship called the Kennedy-Lugar YES Abroad Program. The Kennedy-Lugar YES Abroad program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is offering American high school students and recent graduates in the U.S. full scholarships for up to one academic year in countries with significant Muslim populations. I worked feverishly on my application and I can only hope that the people reviewing my application will see me as a potential YES Abroad scholar, and I get invited to the interview so that I can show them that I'm not only expressive and qualified on paper, but in person as well. GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF THE YES ABROAD APPLICANTS!! I hope to see you all at the IPSE!

Bosnia and Herzegovina; breathtaking.

South Africa is a country newly added to the YES abroad US high school progam!

Egypt!

Ghana

India

Malaysia

Mali

Morocco

Oman

Indonesia

Thailand & Tunisia & Turkey!!