How My Parents Feel About Me Going To Germany

So, if you’re parents are like mine, it took a lot of persuasion and time for them to think about it before they decided that I could go to Germany.
When I first told them about the program around August (before the application came out), they were very skeptical, especially my mom. They didn’t feel like they could trust me and they weren’t even very sure about the program as a whole. They told me I could continue with my application, but no guarantees that I could go if I was accepted.
Well, low and behold, a few months later I found out that I was a semi-finalist and was offered an interview! It was at that point that they realized that I may actually have a shot at getting this scholarship. See, for a long time I think that they believed I wouldn’t even have a high chance of being accepted, so they didn’t focus on it too much. When I became a semi-finalist, they started to really look into the program. My dad did lots of research on it and found that it was an exceptionally prestigious program, and not only that but I would also get benefit from it for things such as college applications. He discovered that it was very safe and was actually a full scholarship, so now there wasn’t a financial excuse. As my interview drew nearer and nearer, they started becoming more open and accepting to the program.
At the interview, there were 25 people: 25 amazing people that weren’t just your C-average high schools kids. These were top of the line, future valedictorians. At that point, they realized that this program really is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and if I get accepted on such slim chances, it must be meant to be.
So 10 days later I found out I was a finalist, and not only were my parents saying that they’re letting me go, they are excited and were when they found out.
So, if your parents were/are very skeptical about mine, tell them to really look into the program. It’s quite prestigious and has many benefits you won’t ever get to have again in your lifetime. Secondly, it’s a full scholarship (aside from personal expenses), so there really isn’t a financial excuse not to go. Third, I would definitely stress the whole “once in a lifetime opportunity,” because it really is. When will you ever be offered a full scholarship to study abroad to Germany for an entire year, complete with a language camp and meeting big political influences? If you pass up an opportunity like this you will most likely never get it again. 
And lastly, I would explain to them that this is a passion for you and it’s what you really aspire to do. When my parents saw how motivated I was and how determined I was to get this scholarship, it really opened their eyes and their hearts to all the possible opportunities and how this would be a dream come true for me.
So, if you parents are or ever were like mine, give them some time. They will come around and most likely, they will eventually be accepting of the program. But remember that it is your duty to show them your passion for it and all the wonderful benefits that would come out of your year abroad.
 

Why I Chose Germany

So, some people have been asking me: “Why do you want to go to Germany in particular? Why not another country?”
Well, the answer is simple.
I am in love with Germany.
I love everything about it, from the people to the culture to the beautiful cities and Bavarian countryside. There is no other place I’d rather go to besides Germany. I have such a strong desire to learn the language and completely immerse myself into the people and the culture. There is just something about Germany that I’ve always been attracted to, and I can’t really put my finger on what it is exactly; it must just be a mixture of everything about the country. 
So, there is my short, sweet, and simple answer on why I chose Germany and have such a strong desire to go there. I hope you all understand and love the beautiful country of Germany as well- and if you don’t, I can only hope that one day you will.

Wow… I am going to Germany

It hasn’t really set in yet that I’m going to be spending my entire junior year abroad.
I’m so excited, and my mind is becoming scattered with emotions!
I’ve never been away from family for more than about 2 weeks at a time, let alone out of the country for an entire year where they don’t speak English! (And get this, I’ve never taken a German class in my life). I can only imagine taking Calculus in German…
But, I’m thrilled. I can’t wait to become immersed into this culture and this language. I’m especially excited about the language, for I’ve wanted to become fluent in German for about 3 years now. (I do have basic knowledge, though).
Overall, it’s exciting, scary, and amazing to know that I will be going out of my comfort zone for a year into this beautiful country; I can only image what awaits me there. I can’t wait till the days start ticking down and it’s almost time for departure! Although I still have lots that needs to be done before then.

How It Feels To Be A Finalist

So, I am a finalist with Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange! (I’m going with CIEE). It feels amazing to finally be accepted, and it feels like all of that hard work has finally paid off.
There is no better feeling though than being through with all of the waiting (to find out if you’re going, at least). All of the waiting now is exciting waiting, like waiting to find out who my host family is, and just waiting in general for departure date to get here! I feel so accomplished and thankful that I’ve received this amazing scholarship.
As of now, I’m working on my secondary application, which places me with a host family, and I have to turn it in next week. It’s huge but I’ve almost completed it; all I have to do on it now is get my overseas physical from my doctor, transcripts from school, and apply for a passport. Outside of that application I have to get a plane ticket to D.C. Then it’s just a matter of counting down the days!
Overall, it feels awesome being a finalist. If you’ve made it this far, give yourself a huge pat on the back, because you deserve it. 
I can’t wait till D.C and Language Camp so I can meet everyone, it’s going to be a blast! This blog is definitely going to be getting more posts as it gets closer to departure date and while I’m in Germany.
I’ll be keeping you all posted,
Wendy.

The Secondary Application

I was recently accepted into CBYX with CIEE, and immediately following that acceptance email is a long “secondary application” that I must complete within 13 days and mail in to be placed in Germany with a host family!
This secondary application is really stressing me out, because it’s due next week and it’s 23 pages long. I’m on vacation now for 2 days so that gives me two days behind to fill it out. It asks me lots of questions about myself and interests, as well as an overseas physical I have to have my doctor fill out, passport information, and school forms. The most stressful thing is getting my school forms and I need to apply for a passport within the next week; not to mention prom is next Saturday which is adding more stress on top of everything else!
I will feel a lot better and relaxed once I have the secondary application mailed in, and once I get my passport. When summer comes it should be easy sailing, besides waiting for a host family!
I’m SO excited and thrilled and blessed to be accepted, this was such a surprise for me. I am looking forward to going to Germany, and I’m so glad all of this application waiting is over.
Only 146 more days till Germany!

I am a finalist for CBYX!

I got a phone call from Juliette today informing me that I am a finalist for CBYX and will be going to Germany!
Now, this was a complete shock to me, as you may have already known how I have felt about my interview. Goes to show that maybe I didn’t do too bad. They did like something about me after all.
I am beyond thrilled to be going. I worked so hard through this application and interview, and now I have a secondary application to complete to place me with my host family. (23 pages long, but I’m not complaining). I have about 2 weeks to complete that and then wait to find out where I will be going!
When Juliette called me, I cried (I received an official email a few minutes later). She heard my sobs, I can’t even explain how thankful I am. This is just a quick update, I’m about to go out and celebrate! Whoo!
Only 147 more days till I leave for Germany…

After the Interview: Tips

So, you’ve had your interview.
If you are like most people, you will most likely constantly be thinking about how things could have gone much better, or how you could have better answered this question, or that question. Well stop there.
If you are doing this, it will only make things much worse. You’ve already had your interview, and there is nothing more you can do but wait, pray, and hope that the judges liked you and that you will be accepted.
Of course, no matter what anyone says, you are going to keep thinking back to your interview. There are some things your mind just can’t control. If you are one to constantly keep reverting back to your interview, think of all of the good responses you gave.
What I’ve been guilty of doing lately is thinking about all of my negative responses and how bad they were. When I tell people about this, they say, “Well what were some of your good answers?” As I start telling them my good ones, I realize that I have a lot more good responses than bad ones. If you had even one bad response, then you’re going to feel like you completely bombed the entire interview, which isn’t always the case. In fact, most people I have talked to feel “ok” about their interview; I haven’t met many people that are completely confident in how they did.
In a nutshell, these are five tips that should help you after you’ve had your interview:

1) Do Not Think About Your Bad Responses: By doing this, you are only going to fill your mind with negative thoughts, which will in return make you even more stressed out. If anything, only think about your good responses. Do not keep reverting back to how you could have answered this differently, or what you could have done better.
2) Keep Yourself Busy: I know you don’t want to hear this, but it is the only thing you can do to forget about your interview and to pass the time until finalists are announced. I would avoid watching CBYX YouTube videos or Googling things Germany related. A good thing to do is to study German, read a really good book series, hang out with friends, and get involved with after school activities. I would avoid keeping a countdown, but if you have one refrain from constantly looking at it. Believe it or not, those make the time go by even slower. The best thing to do is try to forget about the program as a whole, and before you know it, finalist will be announced.
3) Prepare For The Worst: Let’s all admit it, the competition is tough. There are 100 semi-finalist and only 50 are chosen as finalists. Everyone should consider these numbers and the high competition and realize that there is a chance you won’t get in. Now, I’m not saying to be negative or dwelling about not getting accepted, but prepare for a possible rejection. Don’t get high hopes and expect to get that acceptance email, because if you don’t get it then you will be crushed. But, if you’re preparing for the worst, getting denied won’t seem as bad, and getting accepted will seem like even more of an honor.
4) Talk To The Other Applicants: I would highly recommend getting contact information from the other applicants at your interview so that you can continue to talk even after the interview is done. There is also a group on Facebook every year for the CBYX hopefuls and past alumni. Talking to someone who’s going through the same thing as you is very comforting and it’s good to compare and contrast your interview responses with the other applicants; it will most likely make you realize that you didn’t do so bad as you thought you had. It’s also good to talk to alumni as well, people who have done the program before or are currently on the exchange. These people have been through the same exact process as you and know what you are going through. They can be good mentors and help you throughout the whole application process.
5) Stay Hopeful: After your interview, it’s easy to become negative. Don’t give in and fall into that negative pit of your gut saying: “You did bad. You did bad.” Try to stay hopeful that there is a chance you could be accepted, and that if you’re not, you can apply again next year. Positive thoughts bring fourth positive results, and the judges love nothing better than a happy person.

Tomorrow Is The Day

Tomorrow, I will find out if I am a finalist for CBYX.
I woke up this morning knowing that I will not be accepted, and it really has me depressed. 
Yesterday, I my little kitten died. This in itself has me really down already, and getting rejected will only make the week worse. Worst Spring Break of my entire life.
I think that I woke up today finally accepting of how poorly I did at my interview. Honestly, there is NO way I can be accepted based off of my interview and the competition of the other applicants. It will take me a while to get over this, because I’ve basically been planning my life around this program. But I’m sort of glad I’ve finally come to terms with the whole [future] rejection today, so when I finally do get that email I won’t be as upset. I would honestly be completely shocked if I were selected. I just wanted this SO bad.
Today is going to be a long, tough day. Lots of waiting has me anxious, and my mom just wants me to clean out my room. It’s so hard to clean out your room when you’re so depressed! And I’m really missing my kitten…
I know this post has been jumpy, and I do apologize for that. I really had no clue where I was going with this, but I wanted to keep you all updated. Tomorrow I will make a post whether I got the scholarship or not, but don’t expect too much because I’m pretty sure we all know what the outcome is going to be. 
Good luck to all the other applicants, and easy waiting.

What keeps me going when I feel negative…

As you most likely already know, for those who have read my previous posts, I feel as though I completely bombed my interview. Well in 2 days I find out if I am a finalist for CBYX, and it’s so hard to accept the fact that I did so poorly at my interview; and, in return, will most likely not be accepted. (Based off of how my interview went compared to everyone else’s.)
When I start to feel down about how I may or may not be accepted (most likely rejected), there is but one place I can turn to to give me peace: God. Because in all truthfulness, no matter how bad I may have bombed my interview; if it is his plan, then I will get accepted. These are some verses that give me some hope, and what they mean to me.

“For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” -Jeremiah 29:11
To me, there isn’t much interpretation that needs to be done here. God does have a plan for me, and I obviously hope and pray that going to Germany is a part of it. But if that isn’t the case, I need to be more accepting of the fact that it’s all meant to be and he’s doing this all for a reason- a reason that may be hard for me to see and accept right now, and I pray that I can trust him more of his plan for me.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” -Romans 8:28
Of course, God is doing everything for a reason, and all of his reasons are good. He’s doing it for the better of me, and I hope that his purpose for me is to go to Germany. I honestly don’t know what I’m expecting to get out of going to Germany for a year. Maybe it’s to become closer to God, or maybe it’s to change a life. Maybe it’s to change my life. Whatever it may be, I hope that I can experience it out of his grand purpose for my life.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” -Psalm 32:8
I barely know any German, given that I’ve never taken a German class in my life. If going to Germany is meant for me, then God will watch over me and make a path for me while I’m there. He will give me the tongue needed to communicate, and be with me while he works his ways through me and change my life while in Germany.

“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” -Psalm 118:8
For me, I get a different meaning out of this message than a lot of you may get. After my interview, I felt that there is no way I can get accepted based off of my interview. By doing this, I’m putting my faith in how the judges will tally up my score, not by how God will let me be accepted if it is his plan. No matter how bad I may have bombed my interview, if it is God’s will, he will let me get accepted.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not upon your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your path.” -Proverbs 3:5-6

“For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me.” -Psalm 31:3

I don’t know if these versus will have the same effect on you that they do on me, but I would hope that they bring you some peace and comfort. Only 2 more days until I find out if I am going to Germany.

4 more days…

In four days, on Wednesday, March 13, I will find out if I am a finalist for Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange.
I’ve already talked about how I feel that I didn’t do well at my interview in a couple of my previous blogs, but I can’t stress enough how bummed out I am about it. I feel like I’ve already been rejected, but there’s a part of me deep inside that still clings on to a hope. As odd as it sounds, the closer it comes to finding out if I am a finalist, the more positive I’m becoming. Maybe it’s because I don’t want to come to the terms with the fact that I’m most likely not going to get it. Maybe it’s the odd fortunes I’ve been getting lately…
I received this fortune a couple of months ago:

And I received this one last night:

Now, I’m normally not one to put my faith into fortune cookies. But, this can’t be a coincidence. At least I hope not. I’m praying that God is sending these to me as a message. It gives me something to hold on to.
I got out of school Friday for Spring Break, and I will have all of this week off. Today is only Saturday and I’m already driving myself crazy with boredness. It will only progress worse as the date comes near. I’m just so ready to have all of this waiting over with.

Hopefully, my next blog will be a post about acceptance! (hopefully.!)
Until then, I’ll try to keep myself busy.