Easier in Black and White.

Hello beautiful people,

So, this last week I happened to have my visa appointment! After all the stress about having such and such paper, what order the papers should be in, what color of pen to write in, and don't forget having to write in all capital lettering, I finally completed all my paperwork a little over a week ago. I also received all of the support papers that AFS had to send to me about a week ago.

After I finished everything, I kind of realized how un-complicated that all of the forms and such were than I originally thought it to be. When you first get the AFS email with all of the directions on how to get your visa, you're like "CRAP, what did I get myself into?" But honestly, if you compare it to the AFS application it is quite simple.

My advice to anyone still working on it, or future exchange students, is to READ THE DIRECTIONS. Follow them exactly. Especially the directions on the consulate's webpage.

I had a little bit of trouble the two days before my appointment, and I thought that I wouldn't be able to get everything approved by (I went to the honorary consulate in Salt Lake City, Utah) the honorary consulate. Want to hear about it?

So, two days before, I was going over the list of things I needed to bring to the consulate's office, and realized that I was missing one thing: round-trip flight reservations. So, I called the AFS office, and asked what I should do, the woman who helped me said that she would get right back to me. She called me the next day, and told me that she couldn't get me a letter explaining why I can't have round trip reservations, because I technically wasn't supposed to have my appt. for another couple weeks. I ended up still going to my appt. without the paper, and the very nice lady at the consulate said that one of the papers in the whole pile had the dates of which I would be returning, and didn't need anything else. She then stamped all of the papers, signed them, and gave me some instructions on sending the papers to San Francisco.

So, now I just have to wait for the SanFran consulate to send all of the papers and my visa back to me.

I think all of us exchange students just make things way more complicated than needed.

By the way, I leave in a little over a month♥♥.

Arrivederci-
Rachael


P.S. The woman (Nancy) at the honorary consulate told me that there is one thing that you have to know when going to Italy. She said "just say NO" and she held her hand out in front of her. She said Italians sometimes don't understand that you are being serious unless you use hand gestures. good to know:) 

New York and other Miscellaneous Things

Hello all:)

So this post is a little over-due, I have just been 'concentrating' on other AFS things... visa, rosetta stone, and other things that I can't remember.

It's been decided and arranged- I will be leaving for New York on September 1st, 4 days before the actual AFS orientation. On this vacation will be Me(of course), my Mom, my Dad, and my BEST friend Madi! We have plans to look around the NYU campus, take a carriage ride through central park, go to Time Square at midnight, go to the John Lennon Memorial, and so much more:) I have never been to NY before, and I can honestly say that I am super excited!

Also, a couple of weeks ago, I went to the PDO (pre-departure orientation), and met some amazing people. Megan going to Finland, Lily going to Brazil, Autumn going to Chile, and Me and Sierra going to Italy! It was pretty boring, going through rules and more rules, but I had a blast meeting everyone. There is this thing about AFS people, as soon as you meet them, you just know that they are awesome. :)

Right now, me and my family is focusing on the Italian visa. One problem-the Salt Lake City consulate will not allow me to make an appointment until I have ALL of the paper work that I need. Which, I won't be getting until the end of July/ beginning of August. I really hope it all comes in time for me to get the visa on time :/ I've had this reoccurring dream that I don't get it all in time, and have to put this off for a year. (Won't happen, but still not the kind of dream I want to be having at this point).

For all of those AFSers coming home from countries in the next few days/weeks, good luck:)

Arrivederci
Rachael

I'll Miss You.

It might seem to be a little soon for a goodbye post, but I think that I want to write about the things that as of right now I think I will miss when I am gone: (these are in no particular order, just writing as I think of them)

1. My best friend. -I don't know if you read this, but I wanted to say thank you for supporting me through all of this, I know that this coming year will be really hard, but we will make it through:) You're the best friend I could ask for, and we have been best friends for what seems like forever (4 years now?), knew you since kindergarten! Thank you
2. My parents. -I couldn't ask for better parents, thank you for allowing me to follow my dreams by letting me go to Italy this year. Thank you for encouraging my decision to go, and not questioning it. I love you both so much. I will miss you guys more than you will ever know.
3. Brother. -Haven't talked in a while, but I will still miss you like crazy. Already do.
4. Big Mac:). -Best dog in the world.
5. DRIVING.-I just got my license (3?) weeks ago, and now I am going to lose that privilege in less than 3 months. Kind of sucks.
6. My bed. -I know that seems weird, but I really will miss it.
7. Understanding. -Although I have been practicing Rosetta Stone, I'm afraid that I won't be able to understand half (or more..) of what will be said to me, my first few months.
                               I guess I don't really know how much I will miss this, because I have never been forced into a situation where I can't understand what is being said to me. I know it will be hard, heard it will be hard, but I'm not sure HOW hard.
8. Speaking. -For those of you who know me, you know I like to talk. A lot.

That's all I could think of for the moment, but I will probably think of more. I'll write them down in posts to come!

P.S. Visa process=worse than AFS application. At the moment I am super frustrated, but still working on it.

Arrivederci-
Rachael

When September Comes.

So about a week ago, I received my travel logistics!







This is all so crazy, I can't believe it.
In about 3 months, I will be heading to New York (For the first time ever!) and shortly after, flying to ROME♥.

I guess I don't really have much to write.. I have been talking to my host sister, but still haven't heard from my host parents. My host sister seems really really nice, but unfortunately won't be in Italy while I am. She is going to Honduras with AFS too! Which is really cool, but it is kind of sad, because her and I get along really well! I will write more when I know more!

Thank you everyone who has supported me by the way:)

Arrivederci,
Rachael

Ciao Famiglia!

(Thank you Nicole for the inspiration for the name of the post)

I GOT MY HOST FAMILY TODAY! I am so happy right now. I can't even begin to describe.

I have a dad named Pietro, a mom named Maria Grazia, two sisters named Giulia and Olga (ages 22 and 16), and a brother named Enrico (aged 17 or 18). And TWO dogs! I think that will be perfect, because I have a dog named Mac, that I will miss with all my heart while I am gone, and now I will have two dogs to play with!

It is on the beautiful island of Sardinia, in a town called Ilbono.

(Thank you Wikipedia for the picture)

(And Google)

It is a small town of between 2000 and 5000 people.
It is PERFECT. I love it already.

I have emailed my family, and am (im)patiently awaiting a response.

Yet again, I received this information during my second period English class. My mom texted me "You got your Italy placement. Log onto your email." Which immediately was followed by me kidnapping my friend's phone, and learning everything I could about Ilbono Italy.

More will come soon-
Arrivederci, 
Rachael

Be Calm.

Hello:)

It has been a while since I last posted, because of lack of news. Almost less than a hundred days, weird>>>>>

Recently an AFS volunteer in Italy has told our facebook Italy 2012-2013 group that there are officially 470 students going to Italy. And then she let us know that 200 students have been placed.

Me? I wish I could say I was one of them. But, all in good time, I guess!

There has been so much going on lately, that it has left me little to no time to think about the lack of news. Last week, I met my HERO, Christofer Drew, he is the main guy in the band NeverShoutNever. I have around 11 days of school left (Thank goodness!!!). And I have been travelling so much, it feels weird to be constantly at home.

So no news for now, but as soon as I have some, I will post! Maybe I will get my host family and placement soon? I know I say it a lot, but crossed fingers!

P.S. I have been working on Italian as much as I can:) And applying for jobs to raise spending money. 

Arrivederci

Rachael

A German Experience.

Hey all,

So, I haven't posted for a while, but I have really been meaning to.
For the past 3 weeks, I have been hosting a German exchange student through a program at my school. It was a short program (She left earlier this morning), but I think that it was a great experience to have. It kind of gave me an inside look on what the first couple weeks would be like.

The first night after picking her up from the airport, I'll admit was pretty awkward. But the two days after that we did quite a few activities, so we got over it. I am so glad that I did it.

So, if any of you readers have the chance to host a student, no matter for how short or long, I would definitely say: do it. It shows you another culture, and if you are an exchanger, it helps show you what it will be like to step in a whole new place.


Italy: 
No new news, but a volunteer from Italy told us that most students get their host families in June for Italy. And that there are normally more host families than students, so not to worry. But I am worried. I can't help it. I really want to know my placement, and my host family.
Fingers crossed for sometime soon!

Arrividerci,
Rachael


p.s. I got ALL of my fundraising done (raised $$8,390.00) so thank you to everyone who donated! Even though it doesn't show up on my "ChipIn", people sent checks. I am so grateful for all of you.
Love you all... CIAO