Many of you may be wondering how exactly I got to this point--leaving for 11 months? and why Germany? Well, for the last few months, I've been answering these as well as dozens of other questions that help give people a clearer picture of what exactly it is I've gotten myself into this time. But rather than answer the same questions 312 times, I thought I'd just explain--briefly, but enough to answer the FAQs.
I'll start at the beginning (a very good place to start). After taking advantage of a two month extended application deadline, I rushed around panicked that second week in July, making sure my reference letters were in order and filling out those last few essay questions. But even with my severe case of procrastination, I submitted my CBYX scholarship application to study as an exchange student in Germany on time...barely.
Glad to have the application over with, I faced my next oppressor--waiting. ugh. Somewhere around a month went by before I was notified that I had been selected as a CBYX finalist. I was thrilled! My mom and I made the trip up to Corvallis for a much longer than expected interview and then----waited. Oh yes, I can't honestly say how long but it felt like months and I checked my e-mail inbox religiously!
Then, OH SWEET HAPPY DAY! I got the e-mail :-) But you must hear the story in its entirety:
I was in Gold Beach for the weekend with my grandma, mom, and two friends. One girl in Washington was notified that she was awarded the scholarship and I was on pins and needles. We were all at lunch at a Pizza place in Brookings--you know, the fun one with the triangle slices? Anyway, out of habit (and a sprinkle of hope) I pulled out my phone to check my email. When I saw the email in my inbox I let out a gasp, catching the attention of the table...but my phone has the speed of a snail and so for the longest 15 seconds of my life we waited as it was "sending...sending...sending" and then "receiving...receiving...receiving" but as the page finally opened, tears filled my eyes and I announced to all that I was going to Germany!
A close friend of mine...who happened to be German...was also thrilled with the news and rather than watching to see what town I would be placed in, she took it upon herself to find my the most amazing, caring, sweet, family I could've ever hoped for. Denise and Ulrich along with their four kids; Selina (11) Christian (9) Jonathon (7) and Samuel (4). <3 To make many long google translated e-mails short, I'm already in love with them. I'll be attending school in a town near theirs and function as a member of their family...which I will write more about later--so stay tuned :-)
I hope this has given you more of an idea of how I got to this point and I will continue to post more information but...well....I love writing, so if I'm not careful, my posts will turn into chapters and my blog with become a novel. and I really do want people to read it so I'll try and avoid that for now, but promise to write more soon!
Julianne :-)
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