In which I have an Interview tomorrow & other news

I found out yesterday that I have an interview with YFU for the Vietnam scholarship. Quietly, I am freaking out because this will be what decides if I get it in or not. But I have no doubt in my mind, nor does anyone in my family or my friends here and on Facebook (Thanks guys), that I will do great. I mean, I've had two study abroad interviews in the past to learn from...let's see if that works. We're meeting at Starbuck's but she said I would know who she is because she will probably be the only one there that looks like she is about to give an interview.... man...means I'm going to have to dress all "fancy-smancy- Maybe like dress pants and a dressy shirt with flats? Or who knows, maybe I'll go out with a dress.... ahhh, decisions. In other news, coming at you in bullet form: -Au pair in Germany? -CBYX Vocational Germany? -YES Abroad? -Webster University Leiden? -Colorado University? My life is an International chaotic mess, but I couldn't be happier. I look forward to knowing where I will be at come this August.

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!!

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.