#5 8/1/14 Skype and Updates!

Hi all! It is exactly one month until I leave for DC, and then to Germany! I have been talking to my host family and skyping my host mom and sister lately and I'm so happyto be able to get to know them more before I get to Reken! Today my mom and host mom got to skype and talk.It was adorable to watch them talk and they are so similar! AFS really did a good job to match me with a family that us similar to mine. I found out I have 12 (Don't quote me on this) cousins who all live in the same village. Also my host dad has a twin which I thought was pretty cool.I am getting more and more excited each day. For now I am still working at Kennywood until I leave and I'm sure time is gonna fly by! 

I have recieved my travel notification and will be flying from DC on Sept. 5th and arriving on the 6th in Frankfurt, from there myself and some other students will go by train to Munster where my family will pick me up! :)

I have also been enrolled at school and will be in the same school as my host sister Lisa! I will be going to Gymnasium der Mariannhiller Missionare in Maria Veen which is only 7km from Reken (where I'll be living). 

That is about alll the news I have for now! While in Germany I will try to write updates as much as I can! 

Jessica :) :) 

31 DAYS

#4 7/6/14 HOST FAMILY!!!

Hello everyone... the much awaited news has come!!!! I found out who my host family is and where I will be living! I willl be living in the small rural village of Reken which is in the beautiful Munsterland in North-Rhine Westphalia! I will be staying with the Grave family which consists of my host parents Herbert and Andrea, and my host siblings Patrick (23), Stefanie (20), and Lisa (15). I have included pictures of my host parents and sisters (Patrick lives in Berlin with his girlfriend). The town in which I am living is about 20 minutes away from some surronding cities where there is a lot to do! I am so excited to finally have a host family and can't wait to meet them. For now I am waiting for my departure information which should be coming anyday now. I will leave Norrwin on September 1st and head to DC for a departure orientation on the 2nd. I will leave from DC on the 5th for Germany! I have less than 60 days before I leave and time is flying.

That's all for now. 

Jessie :)

#3 5/4/14 Pre- Departure Orientation

Hey! Yesterday I went to a pre-departure orientation from 8 to 4. It was long but it was pretty fun! It covered a lot of information that was important. I got to meet 8 other people who are going to different countries too. Three of them are also CBYX recipients and will be going abroad with me. It was nice to meet them and now I will know people already for when I go to DC in September for the departure orientation!  Other than that nothing really exciting has happened. I should hopefully find out my host family in July along with my travel information. That's all for now though!


Jessie

#2 3/13/14 CBYX ACCEPTANCE!

Last night I was told I was selected as a finalist for CBYX (Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange)! This means I was awarded a full scholarship to study abroad for 10 months in Germany! I was one of 50 students to be awarded this from the whole North-East. I am so beyond excited. In May I have a pre-departure orientation with other kids who got awarded the scholarship, and then in September I will depart from D.C!

Here is some more info about CBYX!

General Timeline:

December 2013 - February 2014: Applications are due (deadlines vary by implementing organization)
January 2014 - March 2014: Regional organizations select Semi-Finalists
February 2013 - April 2014: Interviews are conducted with Semi-Finalists
March 2014 - April 2014: Finalists and Alternates are announced
May 2014 - August 2014: Pre-departure preparation for all Finalists and Alternates
July 2014 - September 2014: CBYX scholars depart for Germany
June 2015 - July 2015: CBYX scholars return from Germany


Additional Info (Straight from website):
When I have more information I will be sure to post about it!
Jess :)


The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) program is for motivated high school students who want to experience a culture and learn a language through a full immersion experience. Earn a competitive edge for your college applications. Learn about German culture first-hand by living with a host family and attending a German high school. Connect to an elite network of U.S. Department of State program alumni. Embark on an adventure that is unlike any other.

As a CBYX participant, you will gain new perspectives on global current affairs and German social, economic and political life. You will learn the German language through immersion in the culture at school and at home. When you return after 10 months abroad, you will have a greater sense of independence, empowerment, and global citizenry. You will make friendships through a shared experience that will last a lifetime, and you will become a true member of another culture.
CBYX Participants come from diverse backgrounds from all across the United States. Academic merit, as well as motivation, curiosity and flexibility are key components to a competitive application. Previous German language experience is not required. The CBYX program is dedicated to selecting students who represent the diversity of the United States. The program stresses equality and accessibility, and specifically encourages students of color and students with disabilities to apply.

#1 2/4/14 AFS-USA Acceptance!!!

Hi everyone! 

Finally the day has come! I have been accepted by AFS-USA!!! AFS is now sending my application abroad to be reviewed by Germany and I should hear back in 6-8 weeks. This is all so exciting. Let the official countdown begin. 

T-Minus 209 days!

Leibe (love),

Jessica