It's Starting to feel like it's Actually Going to Happen...

For a while, studying abroad next year seemed so out of reach and like it was not going to happen. But lately it's starting to feel a lot more official. I had my first pre departure orientation which was really interesting. We went over all the rules and things to expect next year. Apparently Italy doesn't have peanut butter and no one wears sweatpants to school...ever!!! These are the things I am most worried about. I dress very casual half the week.. and I guess that's not the norm for Italian teenagers. They dress to impress 7 days out of the week. And no peanut butter?? Oh my goodness... I think I might pack like 17 jars of Skippy peanut butter to crack open when I start to feel home sick. I also got to meet the AFS students that are currently here from Italy. They were so genuinely nice and gave me some good info. I asked them what they missed the most about Italy and they said "good wine." I laughed a little at such a mature answer from people my age.

It is somewhat weird to think I'm not going to be here next year. Yesterday, everyone's class schedule for next year were posted so all my friends were trying to figure out if they had any classes together. It felt strange to keep saying "ohh.. we definitely don't have any classes together.. I'm going to Italy for 10 months." It was very ironic though because the day all the schedules were posted was the same day AFS sent me an extremely large packet stocked with information about pre departing. Basically, the two most stressful things right now are how I am going to get the rest of the money and the fact that I know zero Italian...

For those of you who don't know, I am actually currently taking Spanish in school and have been on and off since 1st grade. So clearly, my first choice of where I wanted to go was a Spanish speaking country. I originally applied for Spain but apparently I submitted my application to late and the 30 spots AFS had, had already filled up. I really wanted to be in Europe, so my second choice was Italy, which thankfully still had room. I haven't exactly started yet but my plan is to self teach the basics of Italian and hopefully pick it up fast once I'm completely immersed in the country. I'll keep you posted on how that goes...

The whole money thing is definitely the biggest stress. I promised my parents I would raise a large portion but fundraising is not my specialty. If anyone has any good fundraising ideas... let me know :) I work about half the week between baking cookies at the Buzz Cafe, "floating" (which is hosting, clearing tables, serving food etc.") and babysitting at my church. I'm getting good at saving which is a useful life trait. I have a clear goal and I plan to meet it! Also, if you do make a donation on this page I don't get a list of who donated until the end of the month, so I'm sorry if I don't get to thanking you right away but I promise it is very much appreciated and I am extremely happy to have people supporting my dream! :)

Lots of love, hope you are having a great day!!!!
xoxo, Grace

5 Months Until I Leave!

There was no "hmm.. studying abroad would be cool, maybe that's something I'll consider..." There was no contemplating if I would rather do my junior year of high school at my current high school or in another country. There was no "Mom, Dad, can I study abroad?" It was me having an epiphany that studying abroad was an option, deciding right away that I was going to, and calling my parents from Costa Rica to tell them I would be studying abroad my junior year.

Of course I've always enjoyed traveling, but I never realized I actually loved it and was bored without it until last summer (summer 2009) when I went on a month long trip to Costa Rica. I went with 17 other teenagers (including my best friend Asha) that were all brought together by a company called Walking Tree Travel. It was the most exciting 30 days of my life! We did something new everyday, things such as; learning to salsa dance, seeing breath taking waterfalls, going on long hikes, living in the rain forest, learning to surf, zip lining, living by gorgeous white sand beaches, seeing active volcanoes, white water rafting down raging rivers, and living with host families. We lived in a very small town called Las Brisas for 17 days while we worked on a service project. We each got to live with our own family, which was intimidating at first, but turned out to be the most memorable experience ever. It was amazing to see complete strangers take us in with such loving arms. I was treated like family 100% of the 17 days. Everything about the trip was amazing but the best part was the rush I got from being someplace new everyday! And that's when I realized I didn't just enjoy traveling, I loved it more than the average high school life!

I know exactly where the payphone is in Monteverde, Costa Rica where I first said "mom, I'm studying abroad my junior year." She probably thought it was just something I was saying because I was in the moment of traveling, but I was dead serious. I said the same thing a week after I got back from Costa Rica, this time she took it more seriously and said no. But I said "don't worry mom, you have a year to get use to it, but I promise I'm studying abroad next year." It has been about 8 months and I am proud to say I have changed her mind. :) So thanks mom and dad for helping me make this happen and signing all the forms you had to sign on the application, even though I know its so hard to let your baby go!

My Adventures Begin...

Hey Everyone!

For those of you who don't know me, my name is Grace and I am currently a sophmore in high school outside of Chicago. After months of anticipation and working on my application, I recently found out that I have been accepted to study abroad with AFS (American Field Services) in Italy. I will be leaving in September 2010, and returning in July 2011. I am very excited and looking forward to the 10 months I will be spending learning about the Italian culture, but this experience is going to cost my family a lot of money.

I have started fundraising to help pay for the cost. I have made a deal with my parents that they will pay for a third of the cost, I will make a third by woorking, and I will fundraise for a third. The total cost is $12,000.

I currently work at a local cafe, baking cookies. I plan to be a pastry chef when I'm older so this is the perfect first job. I also babysit at my church every Sunday and for other families. Since September, I have saved up $1,300.

Over the next several months I will be writing this blog to tell you about my past travels, my preparations for Italy, and I will write while I am in Italy.

To sponser my AFS program now, please click the ChipIn button.