I was finally interviewed today, and am waiting for the results at the end of April. :)
Turns out my interviewer was my counselor at school, something unexpected. But man, when I recieved noticed that my interview was today during my 6th period class (Pre-Cal) during the test, I was eager to get out and get interviewed. Once the bell rang, I dropped my stuff in my Spanish class (7th period) and ran to D villa. I met my counselor where she told me that I was going to be interviewed and if I were not to do anything in my class, I should see her (she told me it would take 1 hour). I ran back, told my teacher and he nodded. When the 7th period bell rang, and I ran back over again to her office. I didn't want to be late! There I waited for another girl to finish talking with the counselor (she talked quite a while and got in my nerves ;)) but it didn't matter anymore, I was next.
I sat down, and greeted her. She then told me the general information of what was basically going to happen and why I was here (though I knew). You bet I was nervous by now, and the questions were VERY similar to the questions on the application. Thedre were about 30ish questions in the interview and every answer had to be quickly and throughly thought out, which was scary! Of course, I finally got through, and it was over within 1 hour an 30 mins, with my tongue and mouth dried up. She inputted her final remarks about me, and gave me hope that by saying I was highly qualified for the program. :) I'm so happy, but it's only the unofficial statement--I still have to way... She then gave me a ride home, believe it or not, because she's a counselor and she takes many students home following a long appointment, and that's it.
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Not related to the topic but...
Oh and by the way, I'm on CBS 5 and ABC 7 News for the protest against Mr. Arnold Schwarzenegger's Education Budget Cut, you'll see me holding a conspicuous yellow sign behind the state senator. :D
Friday, April 18, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Praise to Google!
The Application Process
You've all heard that google is everything, right? Like those websites you need for that report you have, "googling" random things that pop out of your head while pondering, you get the idea.
It's always been a dream for me to go to Japan, learning about the culture and the modern way of life (No I'm *not* otaku, believe it or not ^^). Well, moving on, Google found me a door to my dream and it's up to me to step in. It's a summer exchange program to Japan of 2008 with YFU (Youth for Understanding), but at a pricey cost of $5,000. Ouch! That hurt a bit, but I happened to overlook a 'scholarships' page, and was dumbfounded at how much there were. And of course, I immediately scanned to see which ones I was qualified for. KEEP IN MIND THIS IS MY FIRST time ever applying to a scholarship, I have never even tried to win one before and as days passed, I would find that I'm eligible for "this" scholarship but not for "that" scholarship (it takes a LOT of reading!!), so my emotions fluctuated quite a bit.
Uh, oh...
At last, it was time to print out the application and begin working on it, it took me over 8 weeks (to finish the application after finding the time), and applied to 9 scholarships. However, when mailing my application, I was stupid enough to mail it in 3 or 2 days before the due date. That's late according my book. More than that, I found out I had to get a TB (Tuberculosis) test, and I told the friendly YFU staff my application would be 'fragmented' with my 2nd shipment (with FedEx Air) would arrive with the missing materials and updated information. Thank goodness I had an appointment with my doctor the day after I mailed the first package, got my test and received a NEGATIVE for the test. Bam! Right in the mail the new immunization record went and I completed my application.
However!
I received a postcard from YFU saying my application was incomplete. Gah! But I thought I turned it in! I called a representative and explained my situation within 5 minutes, and everything was sorted out. Things are looking well...
Currently....
Well, that was the best of my ability to remember the application process, now it's April 15 and I haven't heard from them since. I quickly went on the YFU Chat Room, and asked if I should be worried because I haven't been interviewed yet. They'd say wait a moment, but I waited 45 minutes for a response, none yet. I got scared and that pit feeling in my stomach sank in. I did a polite reply saying if everything was okay or not and a representative said she has found my records and I should be expecting my interview soon. In fact, she pulled it up on the list! How thoughtful of her. I'm euphoric and expect to hear a phone call in a couple days.
All thanks to Google! <3
Please wish me luck, I will promise to keep you updated with the latest news on the process!
Since August 2007 (3 months after I found out YFU), I have been learning Japanese on my own and have a couple pen pals and some good native-speaking friends on Skype to practice with. My level is about a level 2/3 learner if compared to a student enrolling in a high school Japanese class (I've compared with my other friends at different schools), there's just one thing I haven't done---Build my confidence when speaking.
You've all heard that google is everything, right? Like those websites you need for that report you have, "googling" random things that pop out of your head while pondering, you get the idea.
It's always been a dream for me to go to Japan, learning about the culture and the modern way of life (No I'm *not* otaku, believe it or not ^^). Well, moving on, Google found me a door to my dream and it's up to me to step in. It's a summer exchange program to Japan of 2008 with YFU (Youth for Understanding), but at a pricey cost of $5,000. Ouch! That hurt a bit, but I happened to overlook a 'scholarships' page, and was dumbfounded at how much there were. And of course, I immediately scanned to see which ones I was qualified for. KEEP IN MIND THIS IS MY FIRST time ever applying to a scholarship, I have never even tried to win one before and as days passed, I would find that I'm eligible for "this" scholarship but not for "that" scholarship (it takes a LOT of reading!!), so my emotions fluctuated quite a bit.
Uh, oh...
At last, it was time to print out the application and begin working on it, it took me over 8 weeks (to finish the application after finding the time), and applied to 9 scholarships. However, when mailing my application, I was stupid enough to mail it in 3 or 2 days before the due date. That's late according my book. More than that, I found out I had to get a TB (Tuberculosis) test, and I told the friendly YFU staff my application would be 'fragmented' with my 2nd shipment (with FedEx Air) would arrive with the missing materials and updated information. Thank goodness I had an appointment with my doctor the day after I mailed the first package, got my test and received a NEGATIVE for the test. Bam! Right in the mail the new immunization record went and I completed my application.
However!
I received a postcard from YFU saying my application was incomplete. Gah! But I thought I turned it in! I called a representative and explained my situation within 5 minutes, and everything was sorted out. Things are looking well...
Currently....
Well, that was the best of my ability to remember the application process, now it's April 15 and I haven't heard from them since. I quickly went on the YFU Chat Room, and asked if I should be worried because I haven't been interviewed yet. They'd say wait a moment, but I waited 45 minutes for a response, none yet. I got scared and that pit feeling in my stomach sank in. I did a polite reply saying if everything was okay or not and a representative said she has found my records and I should be expecting my interview soon. In fact, she pulled it up on the list! How thoughtful of her. I'm euphoric and expect to hear a phone call in a couple days.
All thanks to Google! <3
Please wish me luck, I will promise to keep you updated with the latest news on the process!
Since August 2007 (3 months after I found out YFU), I have been learning Japanese on my own and have a couple pen pals and some good native-speaking friends on Skype to practice with. My level is about a level 2/3 learner if compared to a student enrolling in a high school Japanese class (I've compared with my other friends at different schools), there's just one thing I haven't done---Build my confidence when speaking.
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