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.