Sitting, Waiting, Wishing

     That's actually the name of a Jack Johnson song and I felt that it goes good with what's happening in exchange world right now.(x So anyways as you can probably gather from the title I am sitting...and waiting for AFS to contact me about...anything. And I am wishing. I am wishing to get accepted by AFS and that the rest of this process will go (relatively) smoothly.
      On another note, I just received an email from my liason...

"Hi Nicole,

 

I wanted to wish you a Happy Holiday season!

 

Next year at this time, I will be writing to you in Italy.  That is pretty exciting stuff.

 

It won’t be long now and AFS will be reviewing your application and sending it to Italy.  And then you will wait ..... until they find you a host family.  And then you will wait ..... while you establish a bond with your host family.  And then you will wait ...... until it is time to start your trip.  Exciting times for you.

 

Best wishes for a happy holiday season."

 

 Haha yeah, so as you can see, exchange consists of a lot of waiting. But it is pretty amazing that if everything goes well, I will be in Italy in less than 9 months! Also, next Christmas I will be with mia famiglia italiana.(: 

Happy Holidays everyone.(:

Nicole

Acceptance you will come...

So just letting anyone who cares to know that AFS emailed me and others who have sent in their applications already saying that they will start reviewing applications for departures for fall 2012 in late January. So I will probably hear back in January or Febuary. It can't come fast enough!

Sogni d'Italia

You know that something is your dream when it's what you think about when your mind wanders. Going to be an exchange in Italy is all I want. It is my dream. I think about it almost every second of everyday. I can't wait to get my host family, I can't wait to see them for the first time, I can't wait to go and have my orientation with all of the other AFSers, I can't wait to hear everyone around me speaking in Italian, I can't wait to be able to hold a conversation with my classmates, and I can't wait to live my life like Italian teenagers. The list goes on.

All of my friends and people that know I am going think I am crazy for doing this and not even knowing that much Italian, leaving my life in Minnesota for a year, and living with a family I don't even know. But anytime anyone wants to make any judgements or doubt my dreams, I really don't care and I will be the one having the time of my life next year. This is an experience of a lifetime and one that I think will stay with me forever.

I am horrible at ending these things so I will just say ciao and as corny as it sounds "keep chasing your dreams.(;"

-Nicole <3

Sent my full application!

I am so glad that I got everything done and I finally submitted my application! I will now just be waiting to hear back from AFS-USA! After I clicked "send my full application", a message came up that said "Are you sure?" (or something) and I literally closed my eyes and just clicked yes! I have been working so hard on this application for months and I really hope that AFS likes who  am and what I have to offer! I will let everyone know when I find out anything more!!

Ciao,

Nicole

Interview!

         I just had my interview with my AFS liason! I cleaned my whole house pretty much for this interview, but the funny thing is, we ended up only staying in my dining room and not even going anywhere else in the house. xD I thought he would end up actually asking me a lot of questions but he ended up mainly talking and I listened haha. My mom and step dad also asked some questions. I am sad though because I am realizing that I can't turn in my application right away like I wanted. I have to still make my letter better, and I guess when I got my academic stuff done, the counselor didn't answer questions she was supposed to. -_- I just really want to hear about my host family sooner, rather than later.
        He also asked about some of my preferences and I know it's bad to expect things but I really hope that I have siblings! Someone my age would be fantastic..But it's kind of unrealistic to hope for. :P I just hope I don't end up having one of those horrible times where your host family is horrible and doesn't even want you and so you have to switch. D: Well, it's best to think positively and be optimistic! He told me "Imagine you are walking up stairs and at the top of those stairs there is a closed door. You don't know what is behind the door and it could be many different things than what you are expecting. But just be open to everything." It was something along those lines. Well anyways that's all for now.

Arrivaderci,

Nicole

I just started following like 10 new people.

Don't be creeped out please..Haha. I've just spent about an hour and a half just looking through many different peoples' blogs about their exchanges in Italy. It makes me that much more excited to go! :D

Almost ready!

I am almost finished now with the full application except I have to have the in-home interview and go to the doctor (next Monday I believe!) to get my health certificates filled out! My mom just wrote out the parent statement today (finally! xD). I can't wait to get everything finished and be able to turn in the application, but I still have to raise a lot of money before next fall... D: I'll be working my hardest on trying to raise money!

-Arrivaderci,

Nicole

I just got my Italian text book in the mail for Italian class.

(:

Ciao a tutti!

       My name is Nicole DuBois and I want to go abroad to Italy my junior year of high school with AFS-USA intercultural programs. Travelling has always been my dream and Italy is one of the most beautiful places. I am currently learning Italian but I hope to be fluent when I come back from my study. When I go to Italy I will be living with a host family and doing everything in Italian (including school!) I hope to gain cultural awareness, knowledge about Italy, and have the time of my life while abroad!(:
       By helping me be able to go abroad and have this experience you are making my wildest dreams come true! I have to raise a total of $13,500 by September of 2012, and I have a long ways to go. My sister and I have started making bracelets to sell and I have been selling my things at a garage sale and seizing every opportunity for me to earn money. I am extremely greatful that my parents will be helping me with the tuition but I have to raise much of it on my own. I am starting to get ideas with fundraising and this is one of them! I am only 15 right now, so I can't really get a job, but when i'm 16 I plan on getting a job (or at least trying my best!)
       I am so excited to be able to have this opportunity and I have been counting down the months since about 6 months ago! Grazie mille for taking the time to come to my blog and maybe helping me reach my goal!

Just made my blog! :D