Assignments and Money

So, about a week ago, I got an email from RYE Florida that gave me two assignments to complete before orientations starting January 4th. The first was to write my bio for my journal for the website. I've written it, but I keep changing it a bit, because I want it to be perfect. And I'm getting my head shots this week, so I want a nice picture for the blog. The second assignment was to come up with 10 phrases that I thought would be most beneficial to me in Belgium, and then translate into French, as that is the language I will most-likely be speaking. I've got a loose list of 10 phrases, but I'm still working on getting the best, and most useful possible.
Another part of the email, was the confirmation on me officially becoming a RYE Florida student. And that means filling out one more form, along with sending in a $300 down-payment. Money has always been a struggle in getting my parents to agree to let me do this, and I told them that I would work my butt off getting the money. I have the $300, that isn't the problem. The problem is the $900, and 4 other $900's down the road, that are due every month starting in February. Currently I'm not very happy at my current job. It's not the place or the people, all of which are very nice. It's just the work. To me it's tedious, and a bit boring. I'm one to like moving around a lot, and at my current job, I'm very stationary most of the time. Anyways, I've been looking around and applying for a couple jobs near my school so that I can get more hours by going right after school.
I'm also looking for ways to fund-raise. I have a bunch of ideas, but my parents seem very adamant about letting me go through with them. One of my ideas was to have a huge garage sale, ask people for donations of clothing, or old books, or anything else they don't want, so that I could include it my sale. My parents just said that I need to get more hours at work. I think it's a bit of both. Half fund-raising, half-working. I'm still a student, which means I still have to maintain good grades (Trigonometry is killing me), so I can't be working every second of every day. My sanity, also, wouldn't allow for that.
Anyways, this post was just kind of a rant/update post. I'm not sure the next time something ground-breaking will happen, so my next post might not come until orientations, so if that's the case, thanks for reading this, and I hope to update you all soon!

Byeeeeee,
Jess

Blogging from Belgium!

That's right! I just found out the my host country is going to be the beautiful Belgium!! I am so totally stoked! It is such a great country with such a rich history and it is perfect! I don't know yet what language I will be speaking, but it will most likely be French, and that is the language I wanted to learn, so it's perfect! I'm off to learn more about the country that will soon be my new home!

Lots of love,
Jess

Say hello to the newest OUTBOUND!

That's right! I'm officially a Rotary Youth Exchange Florida 2013-2014 Outbound!! I honestly couldn't be more excited (unless I knew my country, that is.. :p) I got an email at 1:00pm when I was leaving the mall with my friend Taylor, saying that I was accepted into the program! The next steps are coming within the week when I need to discuss my country choices with my YEO as I need to make some changes to the list I sent in. Honestly, I could be happy anywhere, but I'd really prefer to go to Europe, or Japan. France is my number one, because I love the language, culture, and can you say DISNEYLAND PARIS! But, in all seriousness, I know I could make my time anywhere great. The South American countries, to me, aren't the highest on my list, because there is no snow and school starts in January, as opposed to August or September, which I honestly wouldn't want. I'd like to start and end a year with the same class. I'll try and make this known when I talk to my YEO, but those are just preferences. I would love to go anywhere! I'll write again after I talk to her or when I know my country. :)

Au revoir!
- Jess

And the waiting continues...

Sorry I've been neglecting this blog lately, but to be honest, nothing extremely note-worthy has happened. I completed and sent in my application (FINALLY!) around October 22, and it was received by my YEO the next day, who emailed me back saying that I should know the interview date within the 2nd or 3rd week of November. As you can guess, I've been checking my email constantly as it could quite literally come any second. The minute I hear more news about an interview date or ANYTHING about exchange, for that matter, I'll make another post. But for now, I'm going to go check my email again.

-Jess

Say Yes to the... EXCHANGE!

It's a yes! A yes for exchange! A yes for a chance to apply and change my life: all for the better! It's been an almost year-long process of trying to convince my parents to let me go on an exchange, and the moment they said yes came yesterday, on my 17th birthday. I was sitting on the couch in the living-room, with my laptop on my lap, and my step-mom says something along the lines of, "Should we give her her present now?" With my dad then responding with a "Yes." or something. I was super excited, because I just had a feeling, that maybe, just maybe, inside that bag, or that card, or on top of that cake, would be a "Yes, you can go and apply for exchange." I opened the card, barely reading what was on the over, and skipping the non-handwritten portion. Just below that were the words that had the ability to change my life: "We hope 17 let's you see the world as you've never seen it before!" I turned around and asked, "Does this mean yes?" And they responded back with, "Yes, it means yet." I ran up and hugged them both. I had gotten the only present I wanted and it was sure one of the best days of my life. I also got a camera, for which I can bring on exchange, should I be accepted, so I'll be able to take pictures and videos while I'm living abroad. The next challenge to get past is filling out my application and being accepted, but I feel as if the hard part is over, and hopefully it will be easy sailing from here on out.

Until next time,
  Jess <3

Back from my first Rotary meeting...

I'm back! I told you all I would update, and here I am, smiles all around! We left my house a little late because my dad was just getting in from a road trip, so we headed out about 5 minutes after I had planned. What would have usually been a 10-15 minute drive turned into a more 25-30 minute drive. The rain, traffic, and construction were terrible, so we were about 5 minutes late, which turned out to not be so bad, as the meeting hadn't yet started and people were still missing. My step-mom and I kind of just stood there awkwardly at first while we waited for my dad to park the car. I'd never been to the club house before and I didn't really know anyone there. But there were a few familiar faces. The rebound's mom came and talked to me because I had known her older daughter for a few years, and she was surprised to see me there. Then I met Katie, who is the inbound from Switzerland, when she came through the doors a few minutes after we had. We exchanged our chocolate. I got Swiss chocolate and I had brought her a bag of Reece's. After that, I finally met our YEO, Mrs. Michelle Schaefer. She was really sweet and really welcoming to my family and I. Once my dad came in, Katie and I talked a bit with some Rotarians, one of whom is in love with Swiss chocolate and chocolate-filled croissants. We sat down, me at a table with my parents and Mrs. Schaefer and her husband, and Katie went and sat with her host mom right behind us. The rebound Lindsay, who went to Spain last year, presented her exchange in a powerpoint and she walked around the room showing it off, as her computer wouldn't hook up to the PC setup. Before that, however, we started the meeting with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the singing of the Nation Anthem.  Lindsay presented some of her adventures from Spain, with stories of bulls, her host families, and her exchange year. I could hear my parents laughing at some of it, which made me extremely happy that they were getting into the story. After the meeting was done, us "exchange students" (the quotes being there as I'm not an actual exchange student yet) took a picture together and us with our families took another. In that moment, I really felt like I was a part of something much bigger and much more important then myself. To be standing next to someone from Switzerland, from Spain, and one who had just gotten back from the adventure of a lifetime, I really felt part of this group, and it was just an amazing feeling to see all of the Rotarians looking on and smiling, knowing that we were the future in the world. Once the couple of pictures were done, we chatted a bit with Rotarians and Katie's host family, who were super nice. All in all, it was just such a great night, and I really hope that this experience will help change my parents' mind about going on exchange!

My new RYE Florida pin!

For the first time...

A lot of things are happening for the first time tomorrow. The first time I attend a Rotary meeting. The first time I meet my YEO who I've been talking to since last October. The first time I meet one of our new inbounds, and try her Swiss chocolate. And the first time where my parents will be able to talk to someone besides me about exchange. I am beyond excited for 6:15 in the evening to come tomorrow. I've even been planning my outfit for weeks, just so it will be perfect. I want to make the best possible first impression I can make. These are the people that could honestly change my life forever and I want them to see me and think, "She would make an awesome exchange student." It's been one of my dreams that could possibly be a reality since last October and now, hopefully, this will be the beginning of a long, but beautiful journey. I will update tomorrow after the meeting to tell you guys (well, whoever actually reads my ramblings) about it. And hopefully I will come back with good news from my parents. I wont give up on this. I haven't since the idea was set in my head so many months ago.

Less than 1 day until the Rotary meeting
18 days until Rotary applications come out

Money, money, money...

So, yesterday, I got my third paycheck. It wasn't huge, but it's something. I am now just a little ways away from reaching 5% of my goal of $4500 for my exchange. It doesn't seem like a lot now, but soon that 5% will turn to 10%, and before I know it, I'll hopefully have enough to pay for my exchange by myself. Now, all I need to do is convince my parents and be accepted into Rotary. I have a meeting with Rotary in 14 days and I literally couldn't be more excited to resume this journey I started so many months ago.

When one door closes, the other opens...

Hello, again! I'm back, after a very small amount of time... I won't be posting this often, however, so keep that in mind. I received an email back from my Rotary District's YEO, who told me that the rules of Switzerland stated that anyone who has already graduated from high school can not go there on exchange. Switzerland was my first choice, so I'm trying to get past that. I just need to find another country to completely fall in love with, with the beauty, the mountains, the snow, the transportation, the kind people, and the quality of Rotary clubs there. I know I'll find one, but I've just got to start looking again. It is kind of disheartening though, because I am graduating early just so I am able to go on an exchange, so I feel like Switzerland should let up a bit on this rule in this case, seeing as most people who have gone to Switzerland didn't have that rule in place anyways.

 However, not all bad news came out of the email. My YEO has invited my family and I to attend a meeting she is hosting at her Rotary club! It's on August 15 and the new rebound (past outbound) from Spain will be presenting her experiences. I'm excited, too, because the new inbounds will probably be there as well, and I'll finally get to meet them! I'll also finally get to meet the YEO, who I've been emailing since last October in 2011. I'll also get to meet a few of the other people who deal with exchange in my district, and I'm so super excited to meet them and have them meet me as well.

So, as you can see, I've got a lot to look forward to in the exchange world. I had a chat earlier with my dad who voiced his concerns about exchange. He said he was worried about the money (that my job wouldn't be able to cover all of it) and the fact about the time after exchange; what I'm planning to do. I told him my plan, and me being me, it's not exactly a solid career. I like theatre and music and culture and language and writing. I just wish I could be a traveling Disney princess who journals about her adventures. That would be my dream job! Well, as long as that career doesn't exist (yet...) I'll be going with theatre, hopefully at UCF, as it's right by Walt Disney World! Now, I just need to make a financial plan of how I'm going to raise the $4500 to go on exchange, so this is where I leave you.

But, last but not least, this quote from my YEO really made me smile and gave me a lot of hope, so I thought I'd post it here:

"You are typical of the students who are most successful in their exchanges, because of your desire and persistence in pursuing your dreams."

Introductions and the Past

Hello there! My name is Jessica Walters and I am 16 years-old and living in sunny Tampa, Florida. I attend a high school and will be a graduating-early senior in the Class of 2013. I decided to make this blog to write about my (hopeful) future as an exchange student living abroad for a year. I write "hopeful" for several reasons.

1.) I'm not yet an outbound exchange student, as I haven't applied or been accepted into the program.
2.) My parents haven't even said "yes" yet.
3.) I'm hoping to be a Rotary 2013-2014 Outbound.

Now, some of you may be asking? Well, where do you want to go? Or why the heck are you writing this blog when you haven't even applied to the program yet?

Well, my dream country is the beautiful Switzerland. However, I'd love to go to France, Belgium, Germany, or Austria, too! It all depends on how many spots are open and if I'm able to fill one of those spots.

The reason I started this blog now, only on July 24, 2012, was because I really wanted to blog on the ENTIRE process of being an exchange student. I wanted people to be able to read things from me filling out applications, me hopefully being accepted, getting a country, and of course the adventure of a lifetime that is going on exchange. There is a chance of course that I am not accepted, or that even my parents will not agree to letting me apply, but I write this from a point in time where the "if's" aren't exactly questions, but wishes that I beg to come true.

I also plan to create some Vlogs that I will post, documenting exchange things as well.

Now for a little story from the past...

Ever since early October when I actually began looking into exchanging, I haven’t been able to get my mind off of it. Everything I do now seems to be focused on what I’ll put on my application, what I’d be bringing with me, and things like that. Now don’t get me wrong, it’s not like it’s the ONLY thing I’m thinking about, but when it’s not the top priority at the moment, it’s always in the back of my head. 

A little info about trying to submit last year:

In early October 2011 I began to research exchange. Constantly. I’d be in Drama class or Math class looking up things on student exchange and becoming mesmerized by how much I seemed to want this. I asked my friend Sarah about it, and we came to the conclusion that it would be great fun if we were to travel together, live in the same host family home, attend the same school, and of course, exchange in England. Her mother was all for it, but her father was a different story. After a week, it was just back to me again, trying to exchange in a foreign country. 

After some more research, I came across a program called “Rotary Youth Exchange”. I realized then that that was the program I had to go with. After completely stalking the RYE Florida website, reading pretty much EVERY blog of the Outbound students of last year, I knew I couldn’t wait to have my own Rotary blazer and my own blog on the website.

About half-way through October, I presented the idea to my dad. Without giving it a second thought, he shot down the idea and started saying how I didn't care about anyone but myself. I asked him if he was open to the idea, and he said, “I’m open to anything,” so I decided to wait it out. Every so often, I’d throw out a fact about the Rotary program or exchange in general to him in the car, and he wouldn’t say anything, usually, but sometimes he’d ask a question. Other times, like may others I've told about exchange to, commented on how expensive it’s going to be. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not like that at all. 

Rotary Fun Fact:

Because it’s an all-volunteer program, the program costs are much reduced, and in contrast to other programs around the country and world, it seems the only thing you have to pay for is the expected, such as: Visa, Passport, Insurance, Clothes, etc. You don’t, however, need to pay for food or housing, as that is what your host family provides.

Now, skip forward about a week, and my dad says he’ll consider and think about it. Skip forward another week, and he puts down the idea all-together because he has “talked to some people.” AKA, people at his work who probably don’t know what they’re talking about in the exchange student field.

As this whole process had been going on, I’d been filling about my extensive application, complete with transcript, photo, and essay. The only things missing, however, were my medical and dental forms and my local Rotary club’s consent. 

After being pretty much depressed the entire next week, I still kept bringing it up, in the hopes he’d change his mind in time. Didn’t happen. But what did happen was this: “I’ll consider it for your senior year.” At first, I didn’t want to go my senior year, and thought it was all over if I didn’t go my junior year. But then I started thinking about it. I’ll graduate early (not hard, seeing as I’ve got most of my credits already), and I’ll just go my “gap year” (between high school and college) but it really being like my senior year. Of course thoughts of, “How am I going to audition for college?” came into my mind, but I decided to wait that out and consult my Rotarians and some colleges about how I should go about this.

Anyways, as I wait for September 1st when applications will be out, I'll keep researching, reading blogs, watching Vlogs, and throwing out facts about exchange to my dad, who will hopefully come realize that this isn't something I want to do, it's something I've got to do.