Exchange Experiences

I haven't wrote anything in awhile, but that's because there hasn't been much to say. I just recently finished my application for AFS (yeah, I know I said I wasn't going with them, but I'm just sending one in to see how much financial aid I can get with them, if it's enough I'll probaly go with them, but who know's). My application didn't take long to do, but I was surprised at how long the host family letter took me. I wanted it to be perfect, but I hate talking about myself and it was hard to incorporate AFS's questions into it, but I did it. I did my photo page too, I included a picture of me any my friend Val, my family, me and my dog, and just a picture of me. So later today I will be mailing my application, and this is how I put the countries in order:

1. Sweden

2. Denmark

3. Norway

4. Finland

5. Chile

6. Argentina

Hopefully I get Sweden or Denmark cause I would love to go there. (: I can't wait to find out where I'm going.

So today was the Rotary Farewell Dinner for the 08-09 outbounds, that I was invited too. The dinner was alright, it was at a Greek restaurant so I didn't like the food that much, but everything else was good! One of the outbounds that is going to Finland was sitting across from me, so it was cool to see how she's preparing to go and stuff. Sitting next to me was one of the other Youth Exchange Coordinators, and he sure talks alot, but he gave some very useful advice. His son has actually gone on 3 year long exchanges! To Sweden, Italy and somewhere else that I forgot. Very lucky. When the three outbounds (who are going to Finland, France and Switzerland) had to stand up and make their little "speeches" about where they were going and such has helped know what I need to know when I have to make that same speech this time next year. Everyone there kept telling me things "they weren't suppose to tell me" but told me anyways, so I think I'm going to do pretty well since I know the answers to most things already, unlike other future 09-10 outbounds like me. Overall the farewell dinner was okay. :)

Lately, I've really been trying to figure out what the exchange is going to cost me, money wise, and now I've realized what is included in the Rotary program price! I was just looking around on the Florida Rotary Youth Exchange website and came across a thing that broke down the program fee and this is what it says:

"You must submit a non-refundable fee of $50 with your application in order to be considered for the program. If accepted, the cost for the Long Term (one year) program is $3,900. That includes your round trip airfare, Rotary-approved medical insurance, visa costs, orientations, your Rotary blazer, pins, business cards, and other supplies, and the cost of language camp in those countries that require it. A schedule is available to spread the payments out over several months. The cost is the same regardless of destination - that way, you can go to the country that you most desire and are best suited for, without comparing airfares (Note: if you don't already have a passport, you will need to obtain one, at your own expense).

In the Long Term Program, Rotary exchange students are provided with a monthly allowance from their host Rotary club. This is usually the equivalent of between $50 and $100 US, but may vary by location. If you want or need spending money beyond that, it is up to you and your parents to provide it. Of course, you do not have to pay for room and board, school fees, etc.

Long Term students are also required to deposit an Emergency Fund with their host Rotary Club. Usually $300, this money is there for unexpected expenses (medical, dental, telephone, etc.), and, if it is used during the year, it must be replenished by you or your parents. If it is not used, it is returned to you at the end of the year.

To summarize, then, the Long Term program costs are $50 with the application, $3900 in advance of departure (paid on a schedule to be provided), an Emergency Fund to be taken with you, and whatever additional spending money you and your parents agree on."

 Once I read that I was so happy. I didn't know that the airfare, insurance, visa, Rotary blazer and pins were included! It's such a relief that it really is only $3,900 and that they give you a monthly allowance! I still obviously don't have $3,900 but this September I'm getting a job (finally!) so I think I can get alot through that by the middle of next year when the program fee is due. Plus I'll try and do some fundraising. And I know people are still wondering what country I'm going to go to, but I won't know for sure until like next year sometime. I can only tell you that it will be one of these five: Sweden, Denmark, France, Finland and Poland. Yes, Poland, I know such an odd country. But I think Poland would be kind of cool, it will definitely be different from the United States, and that's what I want, something completely different from what I'm used to. I won't be turning in my application until a couple weeks from now, so it could change.

Well in the past couple of days a lot of things have changed! I'm no longer going with AFS Intercultural Programs and I've switched to the one and only amazing Rotary Youth Exchange. (: If your curious about why I switched the reason is because I've been having to many problems with AFS lately. First off, my application advisor hates me, I swear. She's no help whatsoever. I'll ask her a question about the application and she'll give me an answer, then the next day she will tell me something completely different! My school forms that I need filled out, I've had to had filled out 3 times now, because of her telling me so many different things. If I was still with AFS, I would be going back for a fourth time now getting this formed filled out from my guidance counselor and I just couldn't do it, because I would be so embarassed. Also, the program costs have increased with AFS. All of the programs prices have jumped to at least a $1,000 more then what they were originally, so I can't afford it. I had already been considering going with Rotary, but since I was having so many problems with AFS, I've just decided to switch now, and I honestly think this is a good choice for me. Well, today I had a little meeting with my Rotary districts Youth Exchange Chairmen, and it went great. Now I'm more excited then ever to do this.

My Dad was nice enough to take me all the way over to Winter Springs, to meet with this guy. I'll admit that I was really nervous to go, because I wasn't sure exactly what was going to happen. But the meeting was at the store (he owns I'm assuming) and we were outside talking, so it definitely was better then being in an office or something alone, it wasn't as nerve racking. Basically the guy wanted to go over the application with me to make sure that everything was going to be perfect. He wants me to send in a rough draft of my application to him so he can read over it and send it back to me if something needs to be changed. He told me that the application is due in November, but it's best to get a head start. After I turn in my application I will be interviewed. It won't be by a district chairmen or anything like most districts, but by rebound exchange students, which I think is cool. After the interview they basically discuss if I will be a good exchange student and what country I should be sent to and stuff like that. On my application for my country choices I choose 5 country and order them in preference and I will get one of those five countries. I won't find out what country I'm going to until around February, I believe he said. There are many different orientations to get us prepared for the exchange. In January the first big orientation will be held, and about 150 students will be there. It will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We will all be staying overnight. During the orientations we will discuss alot of things and play games. He told me that everything that we do will basically get us out of our comfort zone so it's like we are in our host country so we are prepared as much as possible. There will be rebound students there also to answer questions from us. Another orientation like that will be held in May. Ah, I'm just so excited! Also when we were at the 'meeting' there was an exchange student from East Timor there. He was telling me about how he went on this bus trip across the US and stuff like that. When I got home I looked at the Florida Rotary Youth Exchange website and saw his blog on there, it was kind of saddening because he lives in a third world country. You would have never guessed it because he seemed so happy and outgoing. Me and my Dad were also invited to this Farewell Dinner for the exchange students here already or the ones leaving or something, haha I forgot which. But it's on July 30th and me and my Dad are going to try and make it. Well that's basically it and now I'm working on the application and trying to figure out my Top 5 countries. I feel like I made a really good decision about switching from AFS to Rotary.

In about 13 or so months I will be embarking on a journey to a new place and completely immerse myself in their culture and language for a year. It might sound crazy to you but it sounds like loads of fun to me! I've decided to create this blog so I can remember every moment of my exchange and so you can read along too if you want. In case your wondering how all this started, I'll let you know!

Back in November of 2007 I gained a new interest in foriegn countries and languages. My lifelong goal was to travel to almost every country in the world. One day I came across a website about High School Exchanges to other countries and it seemed like something I would enjoy doing. I gathered more information about it and brought the idea up to my parents who weren't to thrilled. I decided that I would get futher information and look at some exchange organizations to go through. That's when I came across AFS Intercultural Programs and knew that I was meant to go with them. I ordered a catalogue from them and filled out the Preliminary Application and sent along my $75 with it. Once AFS recieved my Preliminary Application they sent me the Full Application. I wanted to mail in my Full Application right away but it was only February and I can't send in my application until September! (As you can see I've started wayyy early on this). Now that I had recieved alot of stuff from AFS my parent's were warming up to the idea of me being an exchange student for a year. Their only major concern was how we are going to pay for this. The prices of programs with AFS range from $8,000 to $10,000 and I do not have that kind of money. My parent's had already told me that they were sorry but they just could not pay for ANY of my exchange. So now I'm stuck raising all the money by myself, which will be another whole adventure itself. In order to get the money for my exchange I will apply for finacial aid through AFS and see how much I am able to get from them. After I find out how much I will be able to recieve from them then that will determine how I get the rest of the money. Most likely I will be getting a part time job after school and do some fundraising.

As far as what country I'm going to, I have no idea! One day I want to go to this country and another I want to go to that one. But just to give you an idea of what countries I'm interested in going to at the moment their: France, Italy, Belgium, Sweden, and Denmark. Those are in no particular order. I won't officially find out what country I'm going to until maybe around December or something. Also I should probaly let you know that now I'm considering another exchange program called Rotary. It's a very reputable exchange organization and it's also very cheap compared to the rest of the organizations! A year program through Rotary costs $3,900. The only slight downside of Rotary is they have tons of rules and tend to be very strict about them. But if I don't get enough money to go with AFS I will definitely be going through Rotary. I think in the next couple of days I will contact my local Rotary club and ask them about it so I can get the process started with them.

Well I guess that's pretty much it for now and I will definitely be keeping this blog updated so be on the look out for more posts! Also I did have a previous blog and it's here.