THE BEGINNING OF MY JOURNEY

Okay so... today has been one of the most stressful and exciting days of my life.
Why?
Well, it all started when I found out about the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study abroad program in December of 2014. This competitive program offers 65 full scholarships for American high school students to study abroad in a predominant Muslim country for a year. I have always been fascinated with the Islam religion and culture, and I was not going to pass up the opportunity to travel and live in another country for a year. So I applied.
After weeks of hassling my teachers to write recommendations and bugging my peers to look over my essays, I submitted my application. It wasn't until then when I found a YES Abroad applicants group on Facebook! I immediately joined and befriended brilliant and open-minded people.

FEBRUARY 27, 2015 - I was watching Focus starring Will Smith (NOT a movie worth the $10) with my mom at the movie theater. Right after the movie ended, I checked the Facebook group chat and wondered why I had over 200 unread messages. I thought to myself 'this must be it. Finalist notifs are out.' I went to go check my email and I SCREAMED. I was a semi-finalist for YES Abroad!

MARCH 20, 2015 - I finished packing (I am such a procrastinator) and headed to the airport with my mom and my stepdad. We said our goodbyes, and I waited to board my plane to the In-Person Selection Event with 109 other semis. SEATTLE -------> WASHINGTON D.C. Even though it took forever to get there, I was happy to be traveling and (thankfully) I had my motion sickness pills.

The next 2 days were filled with joyfulness, gratitude, and all around happiness.
During IPSE, I had a personal interview (which I thought I could have done better in), 2 group interviews (I loved my group s/o to kate, elly and alexis) and a workshop. I met some of the best people ever that weekend in DC who I can't wait to stay in touch with for a long time.

Aaaand that brings us to today. APRIL 6, 2015 AT 1:45 PM PST - I recieved an email that said YES Abroad Program in THE PHILIPPINES. I had a moment of doubt because everyone was getting their emails and I hadn't yet, but once I did, I felt so relieved and grateful. I called my mom right away and cried tears of joy.

Although I did not get my first choice, I did get my SECOND choice and I'm feeling pretty blessed! I can't wait to meet all the other finalists at PDO, and I am definitely pumped to be spending my senior year in the PHILIPPINES.