The Final Stretch in Prep

Heyo!

It hasn't been too long.  Although, be warned, this is a long post.  (As if my normal sized posts weren't long enough!) Nevertheless, there were some happenings since the last time.  First off, recall in my last post that there was that little issue with my visa expiration date?  It expires approximately a week before I'm due to return.  Before I go into detail with that, I was sort of right with my handling of it.  I'll deal with it in France!

Now, let's go back a few steps.  AFS requested that I send a scan of my visa for their records.  So I took care of that a few days after I obtained my visa, fully knowing about the issue with it; yet having decided not to mention it; sort of hoping they would notice.  They did.  About a week ago, perhaps less, AFS emailed about the problem and provided a letter, along with directions, to resolve the matter immediately as my departure date looms close.  Ideally, one would pass along the letter to the consulate, have the visa extended, and depart as planned.  That was not the case.

The consulate, as it appears to be, doesn't like to be bothered much.  Understandable, still, I started to feel uneasy about the whole situation.  Emailing the consulate does no good, as their email system is automated and not checked by any human.  Rather, one receives a reply with links to various sections of their sites.  Calling the number they provide on the site yields a similar result.  You are greeted with an automated menu without being given an option to speak with anyone.  One also cannot simply go to the consulate, as they don't let anyone in without an appointment and are really strict on security.  The next available appointment would be after my planned departure date.  However, after a lot of research, I did manage to find a number that someone would actually answer.  Their only available time-frame is from 4-5 pm, Mondays-Fridays.  I called one day, with no luck.  I used a number of phones, and persistently tried to reach them.

Having failed reaching them, that night, I tried to look up information about extending my visa in France. My early findings weren't helpful as they all bluntly said it was impossible, as AFS had said.  One would have to return to the U.S. for a minimum of two months, and apply for another visa.  Although AFS never told me I'd risk a late departure, I expected that as the worst case scenario.  Thus, I did some very good research, driven by my made-up fear of a late departure.  I forwarded the info to AFS-USA, which then forwarded it to AFS-France.  They liked what I found, but would still await a confirmation from France.   Accordingly, the next day I once more tried to contact the consulate.  This time I reached them, and explained the situation.  Once more, they refused to do anything about it, saying I should have no problems overstaying my visa.  Figuring that it would be no help if I went to the consulate once more and be told the same things, I related the conversation to AFS-USA.  They forwarded it to France, and along with another load of email-exchanges/new info/etc.  Eventually, my fears were quelled.

Essentially, from the last email I received.  I will have to do what the consulate had told me the first time when I received my visa.  In France, I'll have to go to my local prefecture and ask for an authorization.  I'll have to go with my host family and do this during the beginning of my stay there.  I hope it's not too much of an inconvenience, as no one else I know has this problem, but we'll see.  At least I get to depart as scheduled!

I inserted a page break here as this post continues its great length.  The main story of my visa issue is finished, but there's plenty more to read if ― 1, you have time; 2, you're interested; and 3, I couldn't think of a third reason, so I'll leave that up to you!  Click on "Keep On Reading" below if you wish!

ID, Please.

Hi there!

It's been a month since my last post.  Throughout the time that's passed, I've gathered enough news to do an update.  Hopefully, I can remember everything I've been wanting to share.

To start things off, the reason behind this post's title is because my Host Mother asked me for an ID/Passport photo of myself to be used for both my school file and schoolbus card.  (More info on school later in this post.)

Next, the colour scheme and background image of this blog have changed.  That's probably the most evident change since my last post.  Also, the entire Blogger site has overhauled its layout and revamped it to a more modern one.  I like it, although it'll take some time for me to get used to it.

My friend Florence who's going to Germany just received her host family not too long ago. She's currently going through the same reaction I went through when I was matched with my host family. Click here to read her blog.  I'm happy for her and share the excitement, haha.  

I finally received my iPad 2 in the mail whilst I was gone from home for a while.  It took about 2 weeks to be delivered as Apple is having some trouble to meet the demand.  (I checked every Apple Retail Store and authorised reseller within a 50 mile radius to no avail.) Actually, I'm composing this post on my iPad right now.  I chose my iPad over my MacBook Pro to bring with me to France as the iPad can do everything I would use my MacBook Pro for whilst being more portable.  Video-calling, blogging, Facebook, recording HD video, music, photos, and even phone-calling (I've managed a work-around without any jailbreaking or any unathorised alterations.)  If I'm really lucky, I might be able to use it at school there, although I doubt it. Plus, I can connect to a 3G network for only 8 euros a month.  Moreover, with iOS 5 to be released in September, I'll be able to use my iPhone and iPad without ever needing my Mac. Thus, I plan on just bringing my iPhone and iPad to France.  I think I'll be set.

My host sister's birthday was yesterday.  She turned 10, which my natural younger sister will turn this month as well.  Both of my host siblings depart to Ardèche tomorrow for summer vacation.  My host sister talks to me frequently.  She's really excited for my arrival and helps me to feel welcomed. =]

It's official.  I unenrolled from my high school right before the school year ended.  Meaning, I don't have to do the summer homework!  However, I do have to start working on my visa application and processing.  I already have an appointment date at the consul in New York.  I'm hoping everything goes smoothly.  The next official news is that I've also been enrolled in my French high school!  I've been placed in Première ES.  

For those unfamiliar with the French system of secondary education, here's a short summary:

The French high school is called the lycée.  A student attends a lycée for 3 years.  Whereas in the United States where our grade level numbering increases as we progress (think 1st, 2nd, 3rd...10th, 11th, 12th); in France, it decreases (3ème, 2nde, 1ère, terminale).  I will be in première (1ère) which is appropriate for me as it's equivalent to an 11th-grade junior in the U.S. which I would be if I stayed here.

Now, when a student's in 1ère, he or she must choose their "path."  (Think colleges and majors.)  There are 3 paths.  S, ES, and L.

S - Scientifique. Classes will focus primarily on advanced sciences and maths.  It tends to be male-dominated and seen as the hardest one out of the three paths.

ES - Économique et Social.   Economics and social sciences.  It's the most general and balanced path as there isn't a particular focus on any one subject.  Out of the three paths, it's the most evenly co-ed; and it's the path students take when they're not really sure what they want to be when they grow up.

L - Littéraire.   Classes will focus on the humanities, such as art, history, literature, music, French, and foreign languages.  It tends to be female-dominated.

Personally, I would have wanted to be in S because science and math are my strongest subjects.  In addition, they're the subjects I'm most likely to receive academic credit for in the U.S.  Nonetheless, I'm a bit relieved I wasn't placed in L as it would have been my last choice.  Speaking of choices, I did have very few selection of courses.  I chose to take English and Spanish as my two "langues vivantes" (modern languages) over German as I hope that my background in those two languages will help bring up my general average.  I also chose on taking music & art instead of ancient Greek, Latin, or Dutch.  

My host mother also informed me that my French high school would be receiving a lot of exchange students for the 2011-2012 school year.  On one hand, I'm glad to know I'll have people to relate to as I adapt and adjust to the experience.  I also won't be the centre of attention.  On the other hand, they and I might be compared to one another, especially if we're from the same country.  We might also distract each other from befriending natives should we stick to each other.  

On a minor note, I discovered after my last post that people have left comments on my posts and replied to mine on their blogs.  I don't like how I'm not notified of either action.  Regardless, any feedback is appreciated and I'll be sure to reply when appropriate.  Also, to any readers who have blogs of their own that I follow, check your comments should I ever leave one!

Wishing he covered everything he had planned,

- Gello

Travel & Logistics

Good evening all.  (Or morning, day, afternoon, night...whenever should you read this.)

With my previous update, I had recently received host family information (which was extremely exciting, to be honest.)  Since then, I did request my host parents on Facebook which they accepted and told me they had just told their children about me that very same day.  (I feel somewhat guilty as I think I may have prompted them to do so because I attempted to make contact so early.)  Either way, my host siblings requested me the following day.  My host mother and I exchanged messages through email and Facebook and I absorbed all that I could.  Moreover, we exchanged skype names so we could chat through there.  My expertise in information-gathering through Google led me to actually have a really solid and decent knowledge about them before we even formally chatted, haha.  Nonetheless, they provided me with much more detailed information than what I was able to research on my own.  We even video chatted!  Yes, I think it went well.  They seem super friendly and really enthusiastic about hosting me.  Honestly, I think I was placed in a wonderful host family and that will make this an awesome experience that will be incomparable to anything in my life.  =]

So far, I learned that my host brother is around my age.  My host sister is the same age as my natural sister. I'll be going as a new student, along with my host brother, to the local high school in a nearby city.  Although, they said it might be unlikely that we will be in the same grade as I'm a year older.  I have to say I'm a little disappointed about that as I'll be utterly lost at the school without a guide.  (Not to mention, I had already devised a brilliant plan to divide up the schoolwork if we were to have the same classes. -tear-) With both those things likely to be out of the question, I guess the silver lining would be independence that I will be compelled to use.  There's a lot more information I have (and a lot more yet to learn, I'm sure).  However, if you're really interested to learn more, you can contact me through any means you know how. (My email/messenger name is on my Blogger profile page.)

A few days ago, I received an email from AFS about country-specific information that was made available on their site.  I read through it and it was informative, as expected.  Yesterday, I received another AFS email with my international itinerary as well as my Gateway Orientation information.  On the last day of August I'm to arrive at a hotel near JFK Airport before 4 pm.  Since I live quite close to New York City, I plan on driving there.  The Gateway Orientation doesn't welcome parents as it's to serve as buffer from life in the U.S. and life abroad.  There, we will have the orientation and lodge overnight at the hotel.  On the following day, September 1, I depart from JFK to Zürich, Switzerland. There will be a four hour layover in Switzerland.  (Silver lining?  I "visit" two countries in one day and can say I've been to Switzerland. ;D) Then from there we take a connecting flight to Charles de Gaulle International Airport in Paris, France.  By that time, it will be September 2nd.  The rest of the day is to be spent resting at a hotel nearby.  On Saturday, September 3rd, 300 AFSers from around the world (myself included) tour Paris in the morning!  During the afternoon, we're to have our arrival orientation for basic survival skills in France.  After one more lodging at a hotel, on Sunday, September 4, we all leave to our host families.  As of now, I presume to be travelling to my host family by train.  The day after we meet our host families for the first time, September 5, which is a Monday, is the first day of school.  Yikes, I arrive not a week in the country and it's already time for school.  I wish they would have given us at least a week to adjust to the household.

With all of that in the near future, I still have to nevertheless focus on the immediate future and its plans.  I have to finalize some sort of plan to receive academic credit with my school whilst also withdraw my enrollment. :(  I have to get started on obtaining my visa (although I need papers to arrive from France before I can obtain it.)  I still have that pesky tuition to pay off.  I need to start purchasing some things I'll need while abroad.  (For example, I had no idea I would need an electrical converter to charge my stuff over there.)  I would love it if I could miraculously land any kind of summer job.  I also need to start preparing myself mentally for this.  Right now it's a jumble of conflicting emotions.  I know there is numerous other things that should be listed, but alas my memory fails me.

Accordingly, I think I'll end my blog post here unless I magically remember what else I planned on adding to this post.  (If I do, the changes will most likely go unnoticed anyway, haha.)

Until the next one,

Gello.


(I really abused parenthetical expressions on this post.  Oh well. )

1/100 + 1

Aloha!

I'm more than sure I have enough news to garner an update on the AFS-side of things. :D

For starters, the AFS Pre-departure Orientation (PDO) was held on Sunday in Livingston, New Jersey.  As my usual really bad habit, I arrived late. I had severely underestimated the travel time.  Although I live approximately half an hour away from where the PDO was being held, my family and I got lost en route to the place. Fortunately, I made it just as the introductions were finishing and I was the last one to introduce myself. Overall, the PDO was just as a PDO should be.  It was very informative, we were told what to expect, the rules, the procedures, etc.  There were returnees who spoke and helped run the PDO.  We also performed some Peer-esque activities where we had to line up in order of birthdate without talking and another where we had to convey a message to a peer without speaking.  We also received our AFS-NJ t-shirts!  They're green.  I got a medium, although I probably should have gotten a small. All in all, the PDO was nice and possibly one of the few assemblies in which a teen group actually paid attention.  (That's not to say that we don't pay attention in others......)  Nevertheless, it also served as a wake-up call that the endeavour is not all fun and games as one may think. Yet, that's not to say that it also won't be the time of one's life. ;D

Now then, let's cut to the chase for the big announcement!

Drumroll please...................

I got my host family!  :D! :D! :D!  Yes, I'm kind of, sort of, super ecstatic right now!  Although.....(yes, there's an although...) I only received really basic information, thus far.  Meaning, I only know their names, their address, phone number, and one email (regardless that the AFS email message stated that they had no email, I received one.)  Hopefully, as time progresses, I'll receive more info about them that were in the form such as pets, occupation, religion, pictures, hobbies, and school!  In spite of the fundamental information I have received..... that has not stopped me from trying to find out as much as I can about them!  With the address, I've Google Mapped it and saw it through street view.  There was a person in the picture and I wondered if it could possibly be a host family member.  Then, from the email, I searched it on Facebook and located my host mother!  It was relatively easy from there to locate my host father and siblings through friend connections.  I'm deciding whether or not to add them on Facebook this early. Still, I do intend on emailing them real soon.

Where exactly shall I be residing out for a year in France?  Let's see!

While, I will not publish the exact address or any really personal details (privacy reasons, seeing as this blog is public), I will give a general idea:

• The community's name is Wanquetin.
• It's in the department of Pas-de-Calais.
• It's in the region of Nord-Pas-de-Calais in northern France.
• It's pretty close to Belgium (waffles and chocolate, anyone?)
• It appears to be known for its cemeteries as that's what Wikipedia said and Google supports that as well. (My friend commented that should I, by any reason, die...I at least won't have to worry about where I'll be buried. Thanks, Golden.)
• The people are known as the wanquetinois.
• There are less than 700 inhabitants in the community. (That being the reason behind my title.  I'm going from a small city of 70,000 people to a community that's less than 1/100 the size of my city,  in terms of population.  Well, now Wanquetin shall have one more inhabitant!)

As of now, that's all I've been able to gather from simple Google research.  I'll update with more as I learn more info either through AFS or through actual contact with my host family!

Until that happens, here's a simple Google Map:

The Future Wanquetinois,
- Gello


Wait, before I go!  Should any fellow AFSers read this, (specifically those France-bound) you should join the French-bound AFS group on Facebook!  It's not run by AFS, instead created by AFSers.  It's pretty nifty and we'll be able to interact with one another before we actually meet up in person in Paris!  Join the group by clicking here!

You've Been Accepted By France!

The title of this post?  That was the subject of the email I received informing me of my acceptance into AFS-France.  I don't believe describing my reaction in words would suffice.  Accordingly, I shall include a picture!

Yup, this is how I reacted.

Howdy Readers!

As you have probably deduced from both this post's title, the little introduction, and from the image as well; you can safely assume I'm quite ecstatic right now. :D!  So, the waiting game is finally over.  Or is it?  Well, I'm relieved to know that I will be able to participate in the program.  Now, I wait until more information.  For instance, I'm guaranteed a host family!  That will definitely be an exciting day when I receive that information.  The wait will be agonizing, no doubt.  Yet, I know it'll also be rewarding.  Of course, when I do receive that information, I'll probably want to learn everything I can about the city, the people, the family, the school, etc.  That is, more specifically than the inquiries I've made about the country already.  The email explained that the process of obtaining and matching host families to participants is a complex one.  Nevertheless, I do trust AFS-France to match me with an ideal one.  They said that the waiting time varies drastically (from students already receiving their host families immediately while some may get them once they arrive in the actual host country).  Whatever the case, they stated that it is common for host family information to arrive during the month prior to departure.  According to the AFS-USA website, approximate departure dates are August 28-31.  So, my restlessness will most likely be at a pinnacle around July/August.  I can't wait!

Next, visas. Yes, I am required to obtain a student visa for France.  However, unlike some countries, AFS forewarns that the process for getting one from France is rather complicated and somewhat costlier than other countries.  They said they'll email me detailed instructions about that around 1-3 months before my departure.  Once I receive more information on that, I'll be sure to update this blog.  Yet, I do believe I have to show up in person to a French consulate with my family.  There's one in NYC, I think; I like the location. ;D  I also think I have to get key documents notarized and translated into French and present it to the consulate.  I'm not quite sure on all the details yet.  AFS says that some countries require vaccines; I don't know if France does.  However, the cost for the visa isn't covered by the $13,000 tuition so I'll have to pay that out of my own expenses.  Either way, I'm looking forward to it.

I also received an email a few days ago about all participants being required to update their health forms and competing an activity waiver.  I don't believe that's anything major, but it's some news.  They said they'll email me that approximately 6 weeks before departure.  The fundraising for tuition is extremely close to being reached, so I genuinely ask anyone for whatever they may be able to contribute.  More details on that with Click here for more details on donating!.

Until then, the major wait is for host family and visa information.  Oh wait, there's the pre-departure orientation on May 22nd.  I'm excited for that as well.[=  Other than that, the only other major news I have right now is that I underwent surgery for the removal of my two top wisdom teeth.  Yet, if you'd like to know more about that, you can simply talk to me through any means you know how.  I do have to go back in two week for the removal of the bottom two.  I'm not quite hyped up for that.  However, to make this AFS-related, I do realise that I've been finalizing and making a myriad of appointments with my doctors to ensure I'm prepared for departure.  =D  Meaning, a supply of contact lenses, having wisdom teeth removed, any other stuff I may need while abroad.  Rest assured, I will be covered with medical insurance while abroad.  Still, I'd like to prepare with as much as I can before I depart.

Have you heard of the viral internet sensation Rebecca Black and her infamous song, "Friday"?  If you have, then you'll recognise my closing lines taken from the lyrics of the song's bridge.

"We-we-we so excited.  We so excited.  We're gonna have a ball."

- Yes, yes we are.  Gello.