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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!

More People Go With Visa

G'day everyone!

With my previous post, I was awaiting any kind of information, whether it be visa or (if super lucky) host family information.  Well, I received the former.  Yes, minor-aged student French visa information arrived.  I got it via email and had to download and print a hefty sized PDF file.  After perusing said document, I've concluded that what AFS-USA forewarned of the visa process for France is true.  Here's what they provided as a summary:

The visa application process for France is detailed, time-consuming, and costly. It involves collecting a number of documents including a certificate of good health and vaccination history, a notarized parent statement authorizing you to receive a tuberculosis vaccination upon arrival in France, and a parental consent form, among other documents.


Please note that all students must submit their visa application to the consulate in person. Be prepared to travel to your regional consulate. Some French consulates also require that all documents be translated in French, which can be costly. Once the visa instructions are ready for your program and cycle, they will provide a date range for when to set your visa appointment. Please do not set a visa appointment before you receive your visa instructions.

The current visa processing fee is US$100-US$150, not including the cost of obtaining, translating (when needed), notarizing, and mailing the required documents, nor the cost of traveling to and from the consulate. Please note that these fees and requirements are determined by the consulates and are subject to change.

Being that the above summary is a general view of the visa process, I was instructed to visit my regional French consulate that has jurisdiction over my state for detailed information.  Fortunately, my regional consulate is located in New York City!  Travelling there won't be an issue.  That reminds me.  I'm really grateful to live within the vicinity of NYC.  For instance, besides being required to travel there for my visa,  the $13,000 tuition for France does not cover domestic airfare to attend the gateway orientation and departure city.  All students living in the United States who are heading to study abroad are required to attend a gateway orientation just prior to departure at the international gateway city.  The city for France is, fortunately for me, New York City!  Essentially, I save money since I live so close. :D

Now, I was instructed to start the visa process immediately, for it can be complicated with problems.  AFS advised to schedule an appointment around August.  However, my regional consulate does not allow appointments to be made more than 6 weeks in advance.  Thus, I can't make the appointment now.  Nevertheless, I've checked out the site for information for a detailed feel of what I documents I must provide.   Each must be presented with the original plus a copy. Here's a checklist with some comments by me:

1. Passport (I renewed mine this year, so this doesn't worry me.)
2. Application (The visa application is only in French.  Still, AFS was helpful to provide a separate sheet of translations.)
3. A recent colour photo.  (I'm not sure if they mean passport-sized, or a standard photo.)
4. A green card/documents to prove legal resident status within the U.S. (Since I'm an American citizen by birth, this does not pertain to me!)
5. Birth Certificate (Not a problem.)
6. Notarized parent consent form (The French consulate has provided a form I can print out and have my parents fill in.)
7. Transcript (I'll have to ask my school for one at the end of the year.)
8. A letter of enrollment from the French school.  (AFS-France has to provide me this.  I can't control when I receive it.  Hopefully, it's soon.)
9. Private School Tuition Receipt (I doubt I'll go to a private school. I believe this doesn't apply to me.)
10. High School Diploma if attending university.  (I'm not going to attend a university there.)
11. Supporting Documents to Show My Level in French (I don't understand what documents they want for this. o.o)
12. Host Family Agreement Form (This will be sent by AFS-France and filled out by my host family.)
13. Notarized Financial Guarantee from my Parents + Most Recent Bank Statement (This should not be an issue.  I hope.)
14. Immunization Records + Consent of Tuberculosis Vaccination Upon Arrival in France (I'm up-to-date with my vaccinations.  However, I'm not looking forward to another once I land in France.)
15. Medical Travel Insurance (This will be provided by AFS-USA.)
16. Civil Liability Insurance (This also will be given by AFS-USA.)

As of May 2011, the current visa processing fee is $143 (99 Euros).  However, this is subject to change as exchange rates change frequently.  I have to go to the consulate in-person with my parents.  There are fine, fine details to this process as well, but I'll have to inquire more information on those as I receive even more information as well as the date approaches.  For now, I'll start working on whatever I can to obtain the visa.  I'll also be waiting for any host family information.  Finally, the pre-departure orientation is next Sunday in 9 days!  I received an email with details on where to go, what to bring, etc.  We'll be getting our AFS-shirts while at the orientation.  It shall be fun!

Gotta "Keep on [Waiting] Till The World Ends" ;D

-Gello

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.