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| Kennedy-Lugar YES Abroad Students of 2013-2014 |
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| Amideast offices |
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| YES Abroad Oman |
I'm sitting in the Dulles International airport. The past three days have been busy and stressful yet full of laughs and smiles. I am so tired my arms are numb. I have new perspective on the difficulty and intense ups and downs that an exchange year contains, luckily, I have month and a half to prepare.
The Pre Departure Orientation (PDO) contained a visit to the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman, the State Department, and the Amideast offices of D.C. (where I consumed a superb Lebanese chicken shawarma wrap). We also had eight workshops on topics such as blogging, health, program policies, and Islam. Most of us haven't seen each other since the In Person Selection Event (IPSE) , and it's possible we won't see each other ever again (except our country groups). We have all received this amazing, unbelievable, phenomenal opportunity, so in that way, even though we'll be scattered far and wide, in cities and rural villages, we are bonded.
Much of our time was spent with our country groups, which for Oman consists of seven lucky (and talented) ladies: Caillean, Davan, Hannah, Mae, Shanaya, and Talya. We were guided through workshops and embassy visits by staff and Emma. Having gone to Oman in 2011-2012 with YES Abroad, Emma acted as our resident expert. She taught us some of what to do, and what not to do. However, a whole culture won't fit into three days told secondhand, so we still have a lot to learn on our own! I also had time to visit with all the Finalists, especially my three roommates who are Thailand and India bound, next week!
The PDO was much different than IPSE, while I can only speak for myself, the competitive edge was gone. We had all made it, we are the chosen ones. To me, and others, this PDO is what made it real. The excited and screaming girl who received that acceptance email on April 12th still had doubts on whether a year abroad actually happen. It was a dream a week ago, and now it is real. That is what has made this PDO so important, as informative and fact filled as it was, this turn into reality has been the best part. I look forward to see my six new friends on our flight to Oman, and now I can finally picture myself with them.
The Pre Departure Orientation (PDO) contained a visit to the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman, the State Department, and the Amideast offices of D.C. (where I consumed a superb Lebanese chicken shawarma wrap). We also had eight workshops on topics such as blogging, health, program policies, and Islam. Most of us haven't seen each other since the In Person Selection Event (IPSE) , and it's possible we won't see each other ever again (except our country groups). We have all received this amazing, unbelievable, phenomenal opportunity, so in that way, even though we'll be scattered far and wide, in cities and rural villages, we are bonded.
Much of our time was spent with our country groups, which for Oman consists of seven lucky (and talented) ladies: Caillean, Davan, Hannah, Mae, Shanaya, and Talya. We were guided through workshops and embassy visits by staff and Emma. Having gone to Oman in 2011-2012 with YES Abroad, Emma acted as our resident expert. She taught us some of what to do, and what not to do. However, a whole culture won't fit into three days told secondhand, so we still have a lot to learn on our own! I also had time to visit with all the Finalists, especially my three roommates who are Thailand and India bound, next week!
The PDO was much different than IPSE, while I can only speak for myself, the competitive edge was gone. We had all made it, we are the chosen ones. To me, and others, this PDO is what made it real. The excited and screaming girl who received that acceptance email on April 12th still had doubts on whether a year abroad actually happen. It was a dream a week ago, and now it is real. That is what has made this PDO so important, as informative and fact filled as it was, this turn into reality has been the best part. I look forward to see my six new friends on our flight to Oman, and now I can finally picture myself with them.
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| The beautiful YES Abroad T-Shirts |
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