Oops. So I haven't updated my blog in like 2 months, so I figured I should probably get all of you caught up. So much has happened since the last blog post; probably enough to do a couple of blog posts, but I'll cram it into one. (I just read my last blog post to see where I left off, and I ended it with "hopefully it's not too long before my next post"... Good one Colin). I will do my best to catch you up on every detail, but no promises. Anyway, here goes....
Italy
Still a country.
Application
In my last post, I walked you through the application, and shared that I had submitted it. From that time on, I have just been waiting to hear back from AFS. Well, on May 5th, I received a call from one of the volunteers. They said that they had reviewed my application, and were going to send me an email. I was expecting a LONG list, but fortunately, I only have to change like 5-6 minor things. Mostly just stupid mistakes, like not signing a health form (oops). Compared to some others that I've heard of, I got off pretty easy.
New Friends
So back in like March, I was looking at some posts on the Ask an AFSer facebook page (if you are not on it, go like it right now, I'll wait...), and saw that some people were asking about a page specifically for AFS Italy students. So between a few kids and I, we created a new page. We have 80 members as of right now, and we are kind of like a little family. We decided to start a group chat so we could get to know each other better, and it turned into something huge. I have 2 different chats going of Italy kids right now, and there are constantly messages. I will tell you about some of the ones I know pretty well.
Tami: Tami is from Texas, USA, and is going to be staying in Sorrento, right by the Amalfi Coast. (Still haven't really gotten over that yet... you are sooo lucky). She is probably the most active member, and is quick to make friends with the new kids. When she talks with Axelle, I have to just sit and watch their messages. They are so funny.
Axelle: She is from Brussels, Belgium, and I'm not sure where she is staying to be honest. She is essentially a Belgium form of Tami; quick to make friends, and one of the funniest people I've ever met. I usually wake up to about 300 messages on the group chat, and 90% of them are from her... haha! Also one of the more classy members.... (totally joking, but you're still awesome...) (PS, if you are reading this, you actually owe me some chocolate.)
Konrad: Konrad is from Poland, and must have a broken keyboard because EVERYTHING HE TYPES IS IN CAPS LOCK! He is unbelievably funny, and is usually the other 10% of the conversation. I don't know if he is placed yet, but if he isn't, he will be soon. The best part of his messages are his English mistakes. None of us even notice, but he always makes a huge deal out of it. It's so funny!
(By the way, I was definitely under the impression that Konrad was a girl for a while, but I found out that he is very much a guy... another oops)
(I would write about more, but I don't know many of them that well)
It does kind of suck, because all of these people are going on year long exchanges, or only 3 months in the fall, so I probably won't get to meet them :(. I would love to see them some day though...
Where do I go from here?
As of right now, I am working on refining my application. After that, I can submit it for final review, where AFS USA will review it for the last time, then send it to AFS Italy. There they will look over everything, and decide if I should be accepted or not. If I am accepted, though I'm not sure why I wouldn't, they will start looking for a host family for me! I can't wait to find out where I will be staying, it stinks not knowing.
Well, that all I can think of as of right now. Thanks for reading!
PS. My donation widget is still active. I would really appreciate any donations! Thanks again!
