Hi! So there has been much planning for this summer occurring. Between January and February, my travel dates were confirmed as well as plane tickets purchased for the trip. As I finished up my bio and it was translated for Germany, the travel agent also began looking at plane tickets. We finalized my arrival and departure dates for Germany, and the travel agent then found flights for me from Wichita to the summer orientation/send-off, and then on to Germany and back. Once the travel agent found tickets at a fair price, I was asked to pay the plane ticket cost in order to book the tickets. Although I had grant money coming for my plane tickets, I had yet to receive it, which left me slightly concerned as to whether I had the funds in my bank account or not. Luckily, I checked my accounts, gave a sigh of relief and gave the go ahead to book the flights as I sent off the check. At this point, it was like well if you still doubted that you were going to Germany-guess what-YOU'RE GOING TO GERMANY! What makes it better is I will not be traveling the entire way alone. I meet up with one of the Kansas representatives in Chicago on our way to the gathering in Illinois, and then we will travel to Dublin, Ireland before going to our separate countries. Although I have traveled around the US many times by myself (mainly to Ohio or Colorado), I have learned in the past couple years how nice it is to have someone else to travel with along the way. It makes traveling easier and more fun to have stories and memories to share.
Since then I have learned that I have received a grant from CKD #3 4-H Development Fund for my trip. I have also applied for a grant from the IFYE Alumni Association, and hope to receive some funding from the organization as well.
A week and a half ago, we had our second orientation. We met at the Southeast of Saline School, just outside of Salina where I grew up. At the orientation, we gave presentations about the country we were visiting. Even though I knew some about Germany from taking German in high school, I knew there was a lot that I have not yet even started to learn. The hardest part for me in making the presentation, was finding time to do so. I ended up creating my presentation after the Friday evening portion of the orientation since I did not present until Saturday morning.-Yes even teachers are still very good at procrastinating! I rather enjoyed looking up information and would have liked to add pictures, but I was too tired by then to do so. I also looked up a few fun music facts about Germany that were knew to me, but I could incorporate into my presentation. Throughout the rest of the orientation we learned about various countries, how to take care of ourselves, communication and various ways to communicate, taking pictures with us and taking pictures there to bring home, host family gifts, and had many snacks that we each made and brought.
Along the way there have been many wonderful people helping us. Each person on the IFYE Board along with a few specific people-our travel agent, the German Agent-Edith, Deryl, Emily (especially since she has been to Germany, I ask her a lot of travel questions), Marj, and probably most helpful-Mary Kay. Without these people and their work, there is no way I would be able to go on this trip-so a huge thank you to all of them.
