CBYX: Waiting for a host family

As of now, my complete secondary application has been sent off to Germany and I am currently waiting for a host family.
I’m very anxious to get a host family, although I most likely won’t hear back on anything until June (July at the latest). I’m just so ready to have everything in place and go to Germany!
I leave for D.C on August 8th, which is in 102 days. That seems like such a long time from now! 
All I need to do now to prepare for my exchange is to:
-get a host family
-get a camera
-get an international debit card
-get luggage
-and receive my passport in the mail.

Still quite a bit do to, but I have the summer for that, and I recently got a job so I’m saving up!
I’m also ready for school to get out. I’m at that point in the year when I’m just stressed and tired of it and ready for it to be summer. I get out on May 24th, so I’m almost there!

I’ll keep you all updated with host family and pre-departure information!
-Wendy

CBYX: Update on the Secondary Application

After I had initially sent in my secondary application, I was notified that I had 2 missing pieces, so I mailed those in last week. Once they are in the office then my application will be complete and ready to send to Germany and then I wait for a host family! Today after school I will (finally) apply for a passport and pray that it comes in on time. 
I also recently just got a job as a cashier at a local grocery store. I’m excited to start making money for my exchange!

I’ll keep you all notified as things start to get set in place.

CBYX: 4 More Months Until Departure

In four more months, I will be on a plane to Germany where I will spend my next year.
Has it sunk in yet?
Sort of.
Frankly, I do not think it will fully sink in until I am in D.C, or even language camp. From a lot of the previous alumni I’ve talked to, this is commonly the case. Although, as each week goes by, the “oh my gosh I’m going to Germany” phase is leaving, and the “wow… I’m going to be spending a year away from family and friends” phase is setting in. This is not a negative phase, just more of a realization. It’s exciting, nerve wracking, and scary all at once; the future is so uncertain.
But, four months away seems like a dreadfully long time away from now. Some days I’m feeling rush, rush, rush, and other days I’m feeling slow down, slow down, slow down. I’m ready to go, but not completely prepared.
On the topic of that, there is still a lot I need to do. I need:
-a passport
-adapters
-luggage
-universal bank account
-camera
-and, of course, a host family
So, there’s still much that needs to be done, but 4 months is plenty of time; although I very much worry if my passport will come in on time (given that I haven’t even applied for one yet). To rush a passport is not the best feeling in the world…
Other than that, I really haven’t been doing much. I get out of school on May 24th, which I’m ready for; and I leave for D.C on August 8th. If I’ve done anything, I have gotten my plane ticket (whoo!). Hopefully the rest of this school year will speed by.
I’ll be keeping you all posted on host family information and pre-departure updates.
-Wendy