August, where are you?

It is only June 22nd, and I still have 46 days left until departure.
Why is this summer going by so slow? I thought that it would go by speedy quick because I would be trying to get everything together and visiting all of my friends. But nope, this is not the case. This summer is dragging and departure feels like such a long time from now. I am ready for August 8th, to be on a plane to D.C. July will be the longest month ever, when it finally gets here.
On other news, all I have to do now to prepare is to set up an international bank account. Hopefully I can get that done soon so I can quit stressing. And I know this sounds crazy, but after that I just want to forget about CBYX until August comes, so hopefully time will fly by quicker. Other than that, I have no other pre-departure news or anything. 
Time is just slowly ticking by.

Pre-Departure Feelings: 2 months left in America

In 55 days I will be headed to Germany. It seems so close yet so far away! I’m so excited and scared, there is just a huge mixture of emotions going on at once.
Aside from the excitement, I am very worried about homesickness. I’ve never been away from family for more than 13 days at a time, so I’m scared as to how I will handle my homesickness over there. I’m also dreading the day where I will have to say goodbye to my family for a year. That will be a very exciting day, but also very emotional; probably the hardest thing I’ll have to do in my life thus far. 
I also wish that my host family would communicate with me more. I emailed my host mom and my host dad, but never got a response from them. Instead, my host sister Inga responded. I don’t know if it was because my host parents don’t English or because they are just busy. My host mom works every day (not sure about weekends) and gets off at 7. My host dad is a stay at home dad and I believe he doesn’t speak much English. My host sister and brother are still going to school until July 6th I believe. Hopefully they will communicate with me more.
I still feel like departure is a long way from now. The only thing I need now before I leave for Germany is a universal bank account. I ordered my adapters online today and I recently bought a new camera. I technically still need luggage, but I have a friend who has some that I can borrow and I have a large suitcase upstairs.
Overall, my emotions are very mixed. I’m sure this is typical, but it’s very confusing. I’m not getting cold feet or anything, but tons of things are rushing through my head. How I’ll miss my mom, dad, brother, and sister for a year. And my cat, she is my baby.
But, at the same time, I’m extremely excited and I feel like departure can’t come soon enough. This upcoming year has so much in store for me.

Dear Future CBYX Applicants,

Dear future CBYX applicants,

If you’re reading this, congratulations to you
applying to CBYX is the best thing you will ever do.

The application is tough
The essays are a pain
but push through it all
there is so much you will gain.

Don’t become frustrated
or give up so fast,
though the competition is tough
it doesn’t mean you’re last.

You may be shocked at how the judges score
even the smartest kids aren’t always selected for
the interview,
ah, the interview,
what a dreaded fear, what a doom!
“What shall I wear, what will I say?”
Stop there, nothing can prepare you for the important day.

You can practice, you can rehearse,
But the judges don’t care, they’ve been in your place
It ultimately comes down to how your heart will race.

If you want it so bad it will surely show,
not by your practiced answers,
but at how your eyes glow
when asked why you want to go to Germany,
or “Why should we choose you?”
The dull, fake answer may sound good,
but the genuine one will surely shine through.

The nerves are natural,
they will come and they will go;
but what you must remember
is to not put on a show.

Being yourself is not only vital,
but it is the important key;
if it is trully meant to be,
it will shine through your personality.

So I leave you with this,
all hopefuls and future applicants:
Don’t be afraid to be yourself,
or go outside of your comfort zone
the world isn’t just a continental shelf.

CBYX will teach you a lot
about patience, hope, and virtue
but ultimately,
CBYX will give you the opportunity many others will never get to do.

So if you’re reading this, congratulations to you
applying to CBYX is the best thing you will ever do.

5 Tips That Will Win You A CBYX Scholarship

If you are reading this, you’re most likely applying or plan on applying for CBYX. This program is a great opportunity to study abroad and experience a whole new culture- I would recommend that everyone apply!
But, we all know how tough that application and interview can be. There is a key to writing the perfect application and nailing the interview, and here are five tips that can help you win the CBYX scholarship.

1. Be honest. I know this sounds cheesy and you’ve probably heard it a lot already, but it’s true. The judges are alumni and they know when someone is kissing butt- they have been there before. For example, at my group interview, we had to go down the row and describe that if we could be one animal, what would we be and why. One girl said: “I would be a chameleon because they adapt to situations well.” A chameleon? Really? Who would honestly want to be a chameleon? Nevertheless, the judges immediately recognized how fake and practiced that response was. I said I would be a Komodo Dragon because they are fierce, ancient, and carry a lot of history. It was something that they remembered and that was honest. During my individual interview they asked: “What do you do that causes tension in your household?” A lot of people gave passive complimenting answers such as: “I study too much,” or “I clean my house too much.” That is obviously a fake answer and you are only trying to make yourself look good. I responded and said that sometimes I don’t always get along with my siblings; it was honest and they liked that.  An honest answer will show your true personality and what kind of character you are.
2. Act very passionate about wanting to go to Germany. After I had submitted my written application, I actually called CIEE-CBYX and explained to them how passionate I am about going to Germany and how much I really want this scholarship. I said it was amazing that such a program even existed and without it, many people like me wouldn’t even have the opportunity to study abroad. I explained that I really wanted a spot in the scholarship and that they look at my application closely. At your interview, there are going to be many times where the judges will ask something along the lines of, “Why do you want to go to Germany?” or “Why should we choose you?” Be honest and passionate. There’s nothing more they want to see than a person who is on fire about wanting to go to Germany and represent America through CBYX.
3. Stand out. Again, you’ve probably heard this already. At the interview, the judges are hearing 100 people go in and say the same old stuff, and with this it is tough to stand out and make yourself remembered by the judges. By being honest and being yourself, you are standing out. Be outgoing, it is okay to make the judges laugh, they were once in your position too. Talk to them about yourself and ask them questions about the program and their experience with CBYX; show them your personality. Don’t give the same old responses that everyone else would give: “Well I want to go to Germany and break stereotypes, blah blah blah.” Yes, it is good that that is your goal to accomplish while in Germany, but be genuine about it. “I am from Mississippi and that in itself has given me many stereotypes. We do wear shoes and we do have paved roads. Every culture has stereotypes and I am particularly drawn to Germany, I want to break down the walls of negativity that lie in between us, and learn that maybe we aren’t so different after all.” Bring up your hobbies and interests during the interview and possibly tie them into your answer. For example, I was asked that if I could bring one thing to Germany, what would it be and why? I said that I would bring my clarinet. It is something I enjoy doing, for one. Secondly, it’s a part of me and my culture. Living in Mississippi, we have a large jazz/blues influence which is a thing they don’t have in Germany and I would love to bring that part of my culture with me. In return, Germany is one the most musically influential countries in the world; the home of Beethoven and Bach, and I would also be learning a lot about their musical culture as well. They remember answers like that because it ties in something about you. You stand out. Don’t be the chameleon, be the Komodo Dragon.
4. Dress nice for the interview. Guys, it’s time to have your mom iron your clothes. Some guys even wore suits to the interview. Do not show up in jeans in a t-shirt. In fact, don’t show up in jeans at all. At the very least, have khaki’s, a button down shirt, and a tie. And ladies, modest is hottest. Believe it or not, they will judge you on how you are presented. At my interview, one girl walked in to her individual interview and the first thing the judges wrote down on her paper was: “Dressed inappropriately.” She had on a low cut, tight fitting tank top with a sweater, a tight short skirt, and 6 inch stilettos. You’re going to an interview, not the club. If you are going to wear a dress, I would not wear a tight one or one that is barely above the knees. If you are wearing a skirt, I would avoid pencil skirts and anything more than 3 inches above the knees. I wore dress pants, a ruffly shirt, a sweater, flats, and a nice trench coat (it was cold in Atlanta at the time). Remember that how you dress is the first impression the judges have of you, and you are going to Germany to represent America as a youth ambassador.
5. Interact with others at the interview. Interaction and communication is one of the vital key components of your interview. Even when you are not having a group interview or an individual interview, there are judges watching how you interact with others and taking notes on your communication. You are being watched at all times during your interview; even during breaks. Talk to others and get to know everyone. During your group interviews, be interactive and have a leadership role; don’t just awkwardly stand in the corner watching everyone else and giggling occasionally. There will be many ice breaker games where you will be tested on your leadership and interaction with others. During your breaks, talk to alumni about their experience and ask them questions. Make yourself known. Furthermore, don’t be too obnoxious. You don’t want to be hogging all of the leadership, but definitely take an active role in everything that you do during your interview.

I think I’ve touched up on all of the important details and tips that may help you win the scholarship. Ultimately, it’s going to come down to who’s really meant to go to Germany, and if it’s meant to be it will happen. The biggest tip I have for everyone who is applying,
have hope and never give up.