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!!

Obstacles are those horrible things you see when you take your eyes off the goal

It's been so long! I found out that I am too old to apply to the CIEE High School program :( They got this weird "You have to be born between this year to this year" rule. BUT I can still apply to go to Germany through the Nacel Open Door application which is for high school seniors! So thumbs are pressed that I receive that! I am also looking at some YFU scholarships to go abroad. I just want to travel. End of story. Wanderlust has really gotten into me. Growing up in a small rural town in Kentucky plastered in bigotry, discrimination and ignorance and not letting what others perceive to stand in the way of that in which I aspire.. is an amazing accomplishment. If I can do it. Anyone can. Until next time! Allie

Application time, holy batman.

The application for NSLI-Y is up for the 2013-2014 prospective applicants.A part of me wants to apply saying,"You have nothing to lose", the other part is telling me Germany is where my heart is set, and where I need to give my only focus. Determining which part to listen to is a tough decision. This, internal battle over where I want to hopefully go for a gap year abroad, has undoubtedly taken over a huge chunk of my life. That, and the occasional college application that seems to slip its way into my life. Since my cultural experience in Korea, I've been thriving for more. More cultural experiences not only in Korea again, but everywhere in the world. There's this thing about culture shock that I love. I love the differences in my home country and my host country, big or small. They just,for lack of better words, excite me. The thrill of being the odd one out, the one everyone throws odd glances at, really makes you realize how foreigners must feel when they come to America. In sum of all that has been said, I just want to say: Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange and Study, I just want you to know that you may have beaten me down at the interview last year, but I don't give up that easily. I look forward to coming back this year, more fierce, and with more enthusiasm than before, and showing you what an unbelievable Ambassador and participant on one of your exchanges I can be. I have more than enough qualities to be chosen, and I'll make sure that it is known throughought my application processes and interviews. I will not succumb this year, I will do my best, I will use everything In my power to succeed, to receive something I want more than anything, something I would only be capable of doing by scholarship.

Just some Wanna-be Koreans trying to make it in Korea for two-weeks

From wearing traditional clothing, to recieving our diplomas, CIEE and the Korea Foundation took wonderful care of us. I mean seriously... we had a feast at every meal. And I can't forget the homestay.. one of the highlights of the program. From meeting my host sister, feeling sad because of the language barrier between me and my host mom... to staying up until 3 in the morning to watch the Korea V. Japan Olympic Soccer game (KOREA WON!!) I'll never forget that experience.

Seoulful memories

I STRONGLY encourage everyone to apply to this scholarship. I went this past August and it was the best two weeks of my life. I can't find the words to accurately describe the experiences I had, so I'll simply put that it was amazing. I was so blown away at how advanced South Korea is. It definitely beat my expectations. I was genuinely surprised, too, because I never saw myself going to Asia, much less South Korea.. but there I was in South Korea. And now I can say that it's a country that I've come to love, and one that I'm definitely going to visit again. This program is ran by great people. You have nothing to lose by applying, you only have a whole new culture to embrace.

South Korea Here I Come

Hi guys! it's been forever since I have posted. But I bring good news and bad news. I didn't get NSLI-Y, YES, or CBYX this year..but that's ok, i'm applying to them again this coming year. On a happier note, I applied to the CIEE South Korea Scholarship, and GOT IN!! I will be heading to beautiful Seoul, South Korea to spend two amazing weeks with 99 other lucky scholars. 19 days and counting. I'm nervous and excited, and AHH!!