Pre-Departure Orientation

So today I had my pre-departure orientation which is a mandatory meeting for everyone leaving to go on programs this summer. We talked about a lot of things like expectations, concerns, health and safety, rules rules rules lol. I think you kind of talk about the same things a lot. Rules being one of them. I have heard at the orientions in New York and Rome you talk a lot about rules and stuff too. So needless to say it wasn't the most exciting thing, but it was cool to meet other people going abroad. Many of them were only going on summer programs however. I was a little sad because EVERYONE I talked to had there host family already. But nope, not me. -_-
Which brings me to my next point: I am sick of waiting! My excitement level is going down now because nothing new is happening...I need to get excited again! But it;s hard when I can't really have any expectations because I have no idea where I am staying, who with, etc. I could be in Sicily, Sardinia, southern Italy, Northern Italy, etc. And all of the regions are so different so I just have no idea what to expect!
Well anyways the orientation wasn't all super boring, I did meet some cool people and what not. I met a girl going to India for a year (wow!) a girl going to France for a year, 2 girls going to Norway for year programs, another girl going to Italy (but only for the summer.) And a lot of other people. There was only one guy there aww haha. I wonder why more girls do exchange..? My step dad seems to think it is so that they can meet cute boys lol.
Well anyways that's basically all.

Ciao,

Nicole

Things I'll miss and other thoughts.

So over the past few weeks I have had time to think about all of the things I will miss while I am in Italy for 10 months. For over a year I have been super excited to go, but now that's it's coming closer (I'm still super pumped!) I am realizing how many things I'll miss. My family, my friends, speaking english, understanding  the language that's being spoken to me, driving. I just got my driver's license a couple months ago and it's almost summer so this is the time when I am driving around with my friends and having the best time. Even though I will do amazing things in Italy and have an awesome experience, I will still miss these things.

Something else I was thinking about yesterday: My older sister just got back from traveling in England and Scotland to look at a college she is most likely going to in September. When she came home to tell me about her experiences the other day, I was amazed. I think she now knows what it's like to want something as bad as I want to travel and see the world. She told me about how she was coming out of the underground and right as she got up the stairs, there was Big Ben. It had just hit 6 o'clock (I think) and started  chiming. She said it felt unreal. She said it seemed like something like that would only happen in a movie and it felt amazing. I can't even explain it. But that's when I stopped feeling sad about leaving momentarily. Because I know that when I get to Italy, I will have those same feelings. I will be so glad I decided to do this.

Well those are my thoughts for now.  Also, I am still waiting for a host family and an Italian volunteer said most students get theirs by June. Fingers crossed!

Ciao,

Nicole

Grazie sponsers!

Thank you to everyone who has donated (so far)! A few weeks ago I sent out letters asking for donations and got a lot of generosity! So thank you thank you thank you to everyone who donated! I need to go out and buy some thank you cards! ;)

Packets!

I received some packets from AFS in the mail today! That's all. Lol.

It just says "The AFS Guide for Participants"

nuovi amici

So a few weeks ago someone on Facebook created a page "AFS Italy 2012-2013" or something along those lines. I have been talking to a lot of new people and I can't wait for all of us to meet at orientation in New York and Rome! I have even been skyping with them. I already love you guys and we're going to have the best experience. (: On another note, AFS sent me an email today giving me a scholarship for almost 500 dollars! Thank you AFS! So now I have quite a bit of money raised and saved up. (But still not all of it, so if anyone can donate that would be awesome!)

Ciao,

Nicole

Fundraising

First of all THANK YOU SIERRA FOR DONATING. And second of all, if anyone is reading this, I have less than one month before I have to make a 1,500 dollar installment and less than 2 months before the rest of the money is due. Fundraising is not that easy, so if anyone reading this could donate even a small amount of money I would greatly appreciate it! I applied for a scholarship in January that was worth 2,000 dollars and I REALLY needed it and didn't get it. I'm not going to lie, I was pretty angry and bitter because I spent a lot of time working on my essay for that scholarship and I really thought I would get it. I guess that just means I have to work harder to get the money... My parents will let me repay them if they have to pay for the majority of the tuition, but there is still less than 6 months before I leave, and I really need to do more fundraising.

Ciao,

Nicole

I can say it's Italy. :D

So today I received some very exciting news! I was accepted to AFS-Italy!! A woman from AFS called me, but I missed her call. I listened to my voicemail a few hours later and I was just like "oh, okay...I probably have to fix/change something.." And suddenly she says "I have some very exciting news--you have been accepted to AFS-Italy". I was in the kitchen with my mom and I just start going "omg...omg" and my mom was like "What?!" and then I started crying (of course xD).

This came as such a surprise to me because 1) I wasn't supposed to hear back for 4-6 weeks after I recently got accepted from AFS-USA and 2) I thought AFS-Italy would need more information on things, I don't know what on, but sometimes it feels like you have to keep changing more things, filling out more forms, etc. I think I'm finally done filling out forms...Oh wait. Visas... Ehh that'll come later.

So I called the woman back and was very happy (to say the least) and I told her how I was very surprised I heard back so soon and she said "I guess it was just an easy decision for them..(:" Yayyy. :D And then we talked about my next steps, pre-departure orientation in a couple months, etc. Being accepted also means that at any time from here until my departure I could get my host famiglia (though she said most people don't hear 4-6 weeks until they leave...I have faith I'll hear back sooner ;))

Ciao,

Nicole