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With YES Abroad I have already gained a new insight on culture, American Culture. As most of you know, over Spring Break I attended IPSE (In Person  Selection Event) in Washington D.C. Let me just say that those 3 days changed my  life! We are so blessed to have such a culturally diverse country! I will  start from the beginning of my trip!

On April 22 I left for the Nashville Airport! My anxiety levels were the highest they have ever been starting the night before until I safely landed on the ground at Reagan Airport Friday afternoon! For those who don't know, I have a FEAR of heights; planes tend to fly very high  in the sky at fast speeds, so as you can guess, since this was my 1st time flying in nearly 10 years AND I was flying ALONE, I was stressing over every single detail! Many of you have yet to figure out that I have NO, may I repeat, NO sense of direction, so other than my fear of heights I have my fear of getting lost! Fortunately airports are made for people like me, and there were plenty of signs as well as people who I could ask for guidance of where to go!

After saying a quick good bye, I went throu seccurity and finnally arrived at my concord! Upon arrival at my gate, I was given the "delightful" news that my plane had been delayed... for MECHANICAL reasons (just my luck)!! So what does a teenage girl who is scared of flying in the 1st place do when they announce that they have MECHANICAL PROBLEMS, well, you have the choice to stay calm or freak out! The reasonable, mature, and responsible girl that I am, chooses the logical way of reacting, allowing myself to freak out and give myself every possible bad situation that could take place when I board that  plane! Thank God I have friends who are smarter than me; they at least TRIED to talk sense in me! Well, it ended up being something wrong with the air conditioner. After a "lovely"  flight filled with a screaming child, who  wanted a chocolate chip cookie, and  air turbulence, I finally landed in D.C. safe and only a little over an hour late! :)

The experience did turn positive though, soon as I arrived at National 4-H center; I was surrounded by people who actually understand my love for
culture! I was introduced to 120 teenagers who loved to travel and try
new things ( I was in social girl heaven). Nobody knew anyone, so we all just went up to some one who looked interesting and said, “Hi, my name is Sarah, I am from Kentucky. Do you want to be friends?" Let me just say, I was finally in kindergarten again! So after acquainting ourselves with each other, we  were given the chance to meet our room mates!! Let me just say I had to have the best room mates EVER!!! Syahira, Iris, and Kaley, these were the girls that I grew to absolutely love over the weekend! They were all so fun and energetic! 

After we arrived we were told our interview times and group work times! My interview wasn't until Saturday evening, but I had group work in the morning and afternoon! Group Work was sooooooooo much fun, I was in Group H, and let me tell you, we have some mad acting skills!! We called ourselves "Abroad on Broadway"! During this group work we made a 6 slide human slide show about Egypt and a movie commercial about a Viking girl (Best movie ever in my opinion)! (I made some amazing friends in that group; I have only been able to stay in contact with one of them, Sarah, who will hopefully be going to Indonesia!) After our group work was done I had a 45 min. interview with 2 of our leaders! The interview went so smoothly, I literally came out of the room knowing that God was in there since it had went so well! I spent the rest of my time building friendships with some of the people there. Sunday morning, after saying good bye to some of the most amazing people I have ever met, I boarded a plane once again :( (at least this time I just had air turbulence no screaming child during my flight)! I came home absolutely amazed at what America had to offer! It was definitely an eye opening experience! 

When I came home the wait began! (Let me tell you about  stressful) We weren't given an exact date of when we would find out about our finalist status, so as you can expect refreshing my email every ten minutes went on for 3 weeks! I was an absolute nervous wreck! But on April 12th the waiting ended, (we had all predicted that finalist status would be  announced some time that weekend) but at 2:50 pm I was texting my friend Sarah, she sent me a text saying Morocco had been announced.... I am pretty sure I became pale in the face when I saw this text! I immediately went to refreshed my email, and there it was, the email that would change my life! I stared at it for 3 min. debating on whether or not to open it! I knew if I opened it and I didn't get accepted I would have burst into tears and started sobbing in front of every one! Afterthinking about it I decided that I have embarrassed myself plenty of time in front of my peers, I might as well just open it and get it over with! As soon as I read those first two sentences I started jumping up and down squealing hugging my best friend! I am pretty sure Alyssa was seriously confused of why I was acting so crazy!! Finally when I told her, we shared a bitter
sweet hug, We both knew I had accomplished my dream, but we also new at the same time this was a year apart ( and if you know me and Alyssa, that is unheard of!!) As soon as the bell rang I RAN through the hall way to find Courtney McReynolds, I will just say that I flat out tackled her, soon as she found out we both jumped and squealed for joy!!! A Happy day it was, I am pretty sure my happiness could be heard through the school!
 
So that brings us here! As I start to prepare and go through this journey I hope to give you insight on what is going on! I am pretty sure that it has not fully sunk in yet, but I am still extremely excited about this amazing opportunity!I cannot wait to see what God's plan is for me! I will try to keep you updated!

Until the next adventure,
Sarah
Edgar